Child Safeguarding

At St Mary's, creating a safe and supportive environment for every child remains at the heart of all we do. Child safety is everyone's responsibility, and we encourage families to engage in ongoing conversations with their children about safe relationships, respectful behaviours and responsible use of technology. Working together as a school and family partnership helps equip our children with the skills they need to navigate both their offline and online worlds safely. 

This week's SchoolTV focus explores Smartphone Readiness, an important topic for families considering whether their child is ready for their first mobile phone. The resource highlights that smartphone readiness is about much more than age. It includes responsibility, self-regulation, decision-making, online safety awareness and social maturity. Families are welcome to complete the Smartphone Readiness Quiz together and use it as a starting point for meaningful conversations about expectations, boundaries and digital citizenship. We invite all parents and carers to access this and many other wellbeing resources through our SchoolTV platform: St Mary's SchoolTV. 

BULLYING NO WAY WEEK 

This week, St Mary's proudly participated in Bullying No Way Week, reinforcing the message that every person has the right to feel safe, respected and valued at school. Throughout the week, staff used a range of classroom resources and activities to promote kindness, inclusion, respect and positive relationships. Students engaged in meaningful discussions about recognising bullying behaviours, supporting others and understanding that creating a culture of belonging is a shared responsibility. 

While Bullying No Way Week provides an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on these messages, it also reminds us that preventing bullying is not something we focus on for just one week each year. Building a safe and inclusive school community requires ongoing commitment from students, staff and families every day. To celebrate our learning and show our support for a culture where everyone belongs, students are invited to wear purple on Monday as a symbol of unity, respect and kindness.  

Liz Chapman  

Deputy Principal: Community Wellness