Child Safety Policies & Code – Annual Review and Community Feedback

At Huntingtower, the safety and wellbeing of every child remain our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the strongest possible child-safe environment, we are pleased to share that our Child Safety Policies and Child Safe Code of Conduct have recently undergone their annual review.

This review process ensures that our policies remain current, comprehensive and aligned with best practice, as well as with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements. It also provides an important opportunity to reflect on how effectively our practices support a culture of safety, respect and care across all aspects of school life.

The updated Child Safety Policies and Code are now available to the Huntingtower community and we warmly invite parents and carers to engage with these documents. Your feedback is both valued and encouraged. Constructive input from our community helps us to strengthen our approach and ensures that our policies reflect shared expectations and a collective commitment to child safety.

Reviewing these documents is also a valuable way for families to gain a deeper understanding of how Huntingtower embeds child safety in everything we do from classroom practice and cocurricular activities to staff conduct and community interactions.

We encourage you to take the time to read through the updated materials and share any feedback you may have. Together, we can continue to foster a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

You can access the policies via School Policies on HTConnect and we welcome your feedback at ChildSafety@huntingtower.vic.edu.au.

Mr Cameron Bacholer

Vice Principal – Teaching and Learning

Upcoming Workshop: Positive Partnerships - Autism

We would like to share an upcoming opportunity from Positive Partnerships that may be of interest to families in the school community.

A free government-funded autism workshop for parents and carers will be held in Kew on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May. The workshop is open to parents, carers, grandparents and kinship carers, a formal diagnosis is not required. Topics will include understanding autism, sensory processing, behaviour and strengthening home–school partnerships. The workshop will be facilitated and provided by independent Schools Victoria.

For more information and to register, please visit the Positive Partnerships website here.

Wellbeing Across Term 1

With Term 1 coming to an end, it is a great opportunity to reflect on some of the great things that have happened in Term 1 this year. On March 18 and 19 we participated in Close the Gap Day by creating a ‘Sea of Hands’ in the shape of the Aboriginal Flag. As you may have seen on our social media pages, students gathered around the Quad on a slightly overcast day and planted their hands to support First Nations communities by raising awareness and advocating for health equity and solidarity to create better conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Islander People.

Meanwhile, the Student Wellbeing Team has been busy organising fun and engaging lunchtime activities with the focus on connection. A Just Dance competition saw a great turn out of students across all year levels, showcasing some of their best dancefloor moves. A craft session that included knitting circles, crochet clubs and some origami magic gave students the opportunity to create, collaborate, and connect with one another. Well done to the Team for their initiative, organisation, and proactivity to continue to foster this great culture of inclusivity at Huntingtower.

Lastly, Black Dog Institute have just released a report with key finding of their study on mental health in teenagers. They have identified two primary predictors for depression, and anxiety:

Poor sleep hygiene
Adversity at home

Startlingly, the report provided evidence that these contributing factors, if not addressed at an early age, saw adverse effects set in by Year 8, with a strong bias towards females and gender diverse adolescents.

However, the report also highlighted two powerful remedies to counter these finding:

Creating and adhering to a healthy sleep time routine
Fostering community connection and belonging

In light of these finding, I propose to conduct a Spotlight on the importance of Sleep Hygiene early in Term 2. I invite you to send any questions or queries regarding this topic and we can work together to create greater conversations around the importance of bedtime routines, offering strategies and setting up boundaries at home. I think this is a vital and often overlooked area of wellbeing that we can all improve on with great impact and immediate success.

You can more learn more about the ‘Future Proofing Study’ here.
You can also browse a range of resources developed by researchers at The Black Dog Institute on the following page: About the apps - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
Here is a breakdown of the material from the SMH - Revealed: The biggest predictors of depression, anxiety in teenagers Depression and anxiety in children: The biggest predictors and what can help

Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467)

Lifeline (13 11 14)

Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)

Kids Helpline (1800 551 800)

eHeadspace (1800 650 890)

I wish you a festive and safe Easter break. I hope you and your families get the chance to rest, restore, and replenish your stores ready to tackle all the fun and exciting challenges awaiting us in Term 2.

Mr Raz Sappideen

Head of Wellbeing

Special Report:

With the recent escalation of conflict involving Iran, children may be hearing or seeing distressing updates through the 24-hour news cycle, social media and conversations at school. Even when events are geographically distant, repeated exposure to images, headlines and commentary can heighten anxiety, particularly for young people whose understanding of the world is still developing.

It is important for parents and caregivers to be mindful of overexposure, as constant coverage can amplify fear and uncertainty. Reassurance is key. Children need to feel safe and supported as they process complex global events.

Before beginning these conversations, take a moment to check in with your own emotions. Children often take their cues from the adults around them. Remaining calm, listening openly and offering reassurance can help your child regulate their feelings and maintain a sense of security.

This Special Report provides practical guidance to help families navigate conversations about war and conflict in a measured, age-appropriate way, while reinforcing hope, empathy and resilience. We encourage you to take a moment to review the information provided. If this topic raises concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please consider seeking appropriate medical or professional support.

Special Report:

As children and young people mature, their understanding of relationships, boundaries and respect continues to evolve. Learning about consent is not a single conversation, but an ongoing process shaped by everyday interactions, social influences and guidance from trusted adults. While these topics can sometimes feel challenging to navigate, they play an essential role in supporting young people to form safe, healthy and respectful relationships.

Consent extends beyond sexual activity and is closely linked to communication, empathy and mutual respect in all relationships. In today’s social and digital world, young people can face complex situations that require clear understanding and confidence to navigate. Consistent, age-appropriate messages from both home and school help reinforce what respectful behaviour looks like in practice.

By engaging with this topic, families are encouraged to build confidence in having calm, open conversations at home. When schools and families work together to reinforce shared values and expectations, young people are better equipped to understand boundaries, respect others and make informed choices that support their wellbeing now and into the future.

Special Report:

Domestic and family violence is a confronting and deeply sensitive issue, yet it affects families in every community. While it often happens behind closed doors, its impact can be felt in many aspects of a young person’s life, including their emotional wellbeing, behaviour, learning and relationships. Children and adolescents do not need to be directly harmed to be affected. Witnessing conflict, living with fear or experiencing controlling behaviours can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects.

Research consistently shows that exposure to domestic and family violence increases the risk of anxiety, depression, difficulties concentrating and challenges with trust and emotional regulation. For parents and carers, this can feel overwhelming and complex. However, awareness is a powerful first step. By understanding the signs, keeping communication open and knowing where to seek support, families can play a crucial role in protecting young people and breaking the cycle of harm.

This Special Report provides practical guidance to help families recognise warning signs, understand the impact on children and identify pathways to support. By working together, we can create safe, respectful environments where young people feel protected, heard and supported.

Ms Jaynie Gorander

Psychologist/Student Counsellor