Wellbeing 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am very happy to report that students have made a positive start to Term 2, returning from their Easter holidays appearing rested, refreshed, and ready to engage in their learning.  It has been encouraging to see high levels of enthusiasm across all year levels, with students re-settling quickly into routines and demonstrating a strong focus in the classroom.  Co-curricular activities have also resumed with energy, and overall, the school community is off to a confident and optimistic beginning. 

Refreshed ‘PROTECT’ framework

Families are asked to be aware of an important update to the Department of Education’s PROTECT framework, which guides how schools identify and respond to concerns about child safety and wellbeing.

From the beginning of Term 2, schools across Victoria will begin implementing a refreshed PROTECT approach.  This update ensures that schools continue to provide the best possible support to students and families by connecting them with the right services at the right time.

What is PROTECT?

PROTECT is the Department’s framework that supports school staff to:

• Identify and respond to concerns about child safety; 
• Take appropriate action when a child may be at risk; and
• Connect students and families with support services when needed. 

What is changing?

The updated PROTECT guidance reflects changes in the broader family and support service system and provides clearer advice for schools. Key improvements include:

• Clearer guidance for staff on when to support, refer or report concerns
• A focus on four sources of harm: 
  • Adults in the school 
  • Student-to-student
  • Within the family 
  • Within the community 
• Updated 4 Critical Actions: 
  • Identify
  • Support
  • Refer
  • Report

• Stronger connections to services such as The Orange Door and other specialist supports.

   

Importantly, school staff reporting obligations have not changed.  The update simply provides clearer guidance to ensure appropriate and timely action.

What this means for The Academy of Mary Immaculate

At the Academy, we are:

• Updating our policies and procedures in line with the new guidance; 
• Providing staff with training and resources; and 
• Ensuring all staff understand how to respond effectively to concerns.

These changes will help us continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of every student.

What this means for families

You may notice:

• More clarity around how the school communicates with families when concerns arise; and
• Increased connection to external support services where appropriate.

Our goal is to work in partnership with you to support your child’s wellbeing.

Our commitment

The safety of children and young people is our highest priority.  The refreshed PROTECT framework strengthens our ability to:

• Respond quickly and appropriately; 
• Support students within the school; and
• Connect families with helpful services when needed.

Families who would like to learn more about the updated PROTECT framework and how schools respond to child safety concerns can access further information on the Victorian Government website: https://www.vic.gov.au/protect-schools

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences

I would like to acknowledge and thank all staff for their hard work on Thursday, 23 April and Monday, 27 April with Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Similarly, thank you to all parents for the response to booking in Conference times with teachers.  Over the course of the two sessions, we had over 2450 Conferences booked.  The Conferences for Semester 2 are scheduled to take place on Monday, 24 and Wednesday, 26 August.

House Athletics Carnival – Tuesday, 5 May

All members of the community are reminded that the House Athletics Carnival is a compulsory school day, and all students are expected to attend.  Days such as this, amongst many other things, provide that important sense of belonging to students and also play an integral role in the positive well-being of all members of the Academy community.  If a student is absent next Tuesday, they are asked to provide a medical certificate for this absence. 

Parents are also asked not to drop off any food for the students throughout the course of the day.  In the past, we have had a small number of parents arriving with KFC and McDonalds for their daughter and her friends – parents are asked not to do this as delivery of this food will not be permitted.

Please refer to the notification on Compass and Consent2Go for all details.  We are looking forward to another great day at the track!

Public Transport Etiquette

In recent weeks we have received three emails from members of the public, not necessarily about inappropriate behaviour on public transport, but instead addressing some concerns around etiquette from some students.  Examples include rushing the doors and not letting passengers off first, having back packs on rather than holding them, bumping into people and not offering up their seats.  Also, last night we had a concerned conductor speak to a staff member to let her know that the girls were just swarming across the road when they got off the tram at Parliament Station and it was an ‘accident waiting to happen’.  I have a put a notification on Compass this week for the students, and Mentor Group Teachers have been asked to reinforce the message with their students.  Can I please ask parents and guardians to also have a chat with their daughter about appropriate etiquette when using public transport and also safety, in particular, crossing roads at the lights only when safe and appropriate to do so.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need any assistance or to raise any points of concern.

Mr Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing & Operations