Wellbeing

At Balambalam Primary School, child safety and wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. As a school community, we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe, respected, connected and valued, and where students know that their voice matters.

Our school values of Tenacity, Relational, Unity and Excellence provide an important foundation for creating our child safe culture.

• Tenacity – We encourage children to speak up, ask for help and keep telling a trusted adult until they feel heard and supported.
• Relational – We build positive, trusting relationships where children feel comfortable talking to the adults around them.
• Unity – We work together with students, families and staff to create a safe and inclusive school community.
• Excellence – We continually reflect on and strengthen our practices to ensure the safety, wellbeing and best interests of every child remain at the centre of our work.

Our commitment to child safety is supported by policies, procedures and clear expectations that guide how we promote and maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students. This includes our:

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Child Safety Code of Conduct, which outlines expected behaviours and behaviours that are not acceptable for staff, volunteers and other adults working within our school community
• Child Abuse (including Grooming) – Identification and Response, which provides guidance about recognising, responding to and reporting concerns about child abuse.

Importantly, being a child safe school is not simply about having policies and procedures. It is about creating a culture where children feel safe to speak, adults are ready to listen, and concerns are taken seriously.

We encourage our students to speak to a trusted adult if they:

• feel unsafe or worried
• are uncomfortable about something that has happened
• are concerned about the behaviour of an adult or another student
• are worried about the safety of someone else
• need help or support with something happening at school or outside of school.

Families play an important role in creating a strong child safe culture. We encourage families to talk regularly with their children about safety, relationships, feelings and knowing when and how to ask for help. These conversations help us ensure that everyone understands our shared responsibility for keeping children safe.

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child at Balambalam Primary School, please contact the school. All child safety concerns and complaints are taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

Here are some supports you may find useful:

The Orange Door – Supporting child and family wellbeing

https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/support-families

• connect parents to local programs and support networks to help them manage, learn, and stay connected
• support families in engaging their children in community supports and activities to maintain connection and quality of life
• provide integrated family service support
• refer families to counsellors and specialists for trauma support
• assist with school attendance needs, such as books, shoes, uniforms, and tablets
• help keep families in their homes with access to financial counselling, one-time bill support, and assistance in purchasing essentials like heaters and bedding
• support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in a culturally safe and sensitive manner.

Relationships Victoria - Tuning into Kids for multicultural families (this is in Cranbourne)

https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/child-parenting-courses/tik-multicultural-families/

Relationships Victoria – Tuning into kids for mums

https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/child-parenting-courses/tik-cranbourne-mums/

Warm regards,

Tiffany Bamford 

Assistant Principal - Inclusion