Acting Principal's Update
Gabby Tigafua
Mother's Day
Sunday 10th May we celebrated Mother’s Day in Australia. This is an opportunity to thank the special women in our lives - whether they be mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, aunties or female friends. Thank-you to all the special women that have made a difference to our lives and the lives of our children. Thank you for being there when we needed you the most.
Thank you also to the Parent Helpers that came to help with the Mothers’ Day Stall. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank-you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to help set up, run and pack up our Mothers’ Day Stall. Thank-you also to Annette, our business manager, for facilitating the day.
I hope Sunday gave you all an opportunity to thank the special women in your lives and appreciate their worth. We don’t say it enough – Thank-you, I couldn’t do without you.
I know I certainly did. Sunday was an opportunity for me to celebrate with my mum and give my grandmother a call who is overseas. No matter how old I am, I still need my mum and am blessed to have her in my life. Love you mum!
The special women in my life – my aunty, mother and grandmother (96 years old).
One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in women,
it is that they forget their worth.
Child Safe Standards
Victoria's Child Safe Standards were put in place in 2016 to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. The Child Safe Standards set out requirements for creating and maintaining child safe organisations.
The Child Safe Standards apply to over 50,000 Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities for children.
These include:
• schools and outside school hours care
• kindergartens and early learning centres
• sporting clubs and recreational groups
• coaching or tuition services
• out of home care services
• local councils
• religious and faith-based organisations
• hospitals, health and disability services
• professional babysitting services
• overnight camps for children.
All Victorian schools must:
- comply with the standards
- take active steps to prevent child abuse
- promote child safety and wellbeing.
Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools
How do the Child Safe Standards protect my child?
The Standards require organisations to take actions in a range of areas, including:
• background and suitability checks of staff and volunteers
• codes of conduct for staff and volunteers
• training and supervision of staff and volunteers
• documented risk assessments for activities
• clear procedures for reporting and acting on any concerns or allegations
• commitment to listening to children and encouraging them to speak up if they don’t feel safe.
What are the 11 Child Safe Standards?
- 1. Culturally safe environments
- 2. Child safety and wellbeing
- 3. Child and student empowerment
- 4. Family engagement
- 5. Diversity and equity
- 6. Suitable staff and volunteers
- 7. Complaints processes
- 8. Child safety, knowledge, skills and awareness
- 9. Child safety in physical and online environments
- 10. Review of child safety practices
11. Implementation of child safety practices
For more information:
https://www.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards-schools-guidance
