Child Safety

Respectful Relationships

At Huntingtower, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where students can build and maintain respectful relationships. Understanding and practicing respect in relationships is crucial for our children’s overall development, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain healthy and respectful relationships throughout their lives.

A respectful relationship is characterised by mutual respect, trust, good communication, understanding, and honesty. Being in a relationship should be a positive experience for both individuals, where everyone has the right to feel safe, valued, and cared for. We believe that positive changes in attitudes and behaviours are achievable when positive attitudes, behaviours, and equality are embodied throughout the school community, and classroom learning is reinforced by the actions modelled in our school environment.

A respectful relationship includes:

• Enjoying fun times together
• Having self-respect and respect for your partner
• Feeling comfortable and safe
• Being able to say ‘no’
• Making your own decisions
• Feeling accepted and free to be yourself
• Listening and being heard
• Expressing thoughts and feelings honestly with each other
• Talking things through together and making compromises
• Supporting each other through good times and bad

To further enhance students’ knowledge in this area, Year 7-12 students will attend a range of seminars this term facilitated by Consent Labs. These sessions will focus on various topics, including the foundations of consent, consent in the technological world, consent when alcohol and other drugs are involved, and the overall development of healthy relationships.

To support families in this endeavour, a webinar will be conducted by Consent Labs on August 15. This session aims to inform and educate parents/carers on how to best support their children in these areas. Further information will be forwarded to families.

Together, we can help our children build respectful and meaningful relationships that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Mr Dean Owens

Head of Wellbeing and Learning Enrichment

Child Safety Champions

As part of School processes, we regularly reviewed and updated our policies and procedures typically every two years or whenever changes are necessary to support child safety and wellbeing.

With the introduction of the new Child Safe Standards in Victoria in July 2022, the School has recently undertaken a process of consultation and updates to several key documents. Over the next two years, we will continue to engage students, parents, and staff in reviewing and providing feedback on Child Safety in the School. These discussions are aimed at continuing to foster a child-safe culture within our community. 

The School has recently expanded the number of Child Safety Champions available to students. We encourage any student who feels unsafe to reach out to one of the School's Child Safety Champions for support.

Policy and Guideline Updates 

There have been several additions or updates to the following policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines can be found via Parent HTConnect or the School Website.

1. Child Safety Policies
2. Student Mobile Phone Guidelines
3. Concussion Policy
4. CCTV Policy
5. Dogs in School Policy
6. Electronic Signature Guidelines
7. Library Code of Behaviour Policy
8. Plagiarism Policy
9. Work Experience Policy

Further Information

If you have any questions about Child Safety and Wellbeing at the School, please contact either one of the Child Safety Champions or email childsafety@huntingtower.vic.edu.au

Ms Di Goodsall

Human Resources Officer