Child Safety

Child Safe Standards at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child sits at the heart of all that we do. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, we will be sharing one of the Victorian Child Safe Standards with our community each month.

The Child Safe Standards are a set of eleven requirements that guide schools in building a culture where children feel safe, respected and empowered, and where their wellbeing is actively protected through strong policies, practices and partnerships with families .

This month, we begin with Child Safe Standard 1, which focuses on establishing a culturally safe environment where the identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are respected and valued. This standard reminds us of the importance of fostering a deep sense of belonging for all students, and of embedding respect, understanding and cultural awareness into our everyday practice .

We encourage all families to take a moment to read the information provided and engage with us in this important work, as we continue to strengthen a culture of safety and care across our school community.

What this looks like at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, we are deeply committed to fostering a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel respected, valued and proud of their identity. This is reflected in both our curriculum and our daily practices. Through our Religious Education and Inquiry units, students engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

We acknowledge Country at assemblies and significant school events, creating space for reflection and respect. Our staff continue to build their knowledge and understanding through ongoing professional learning, ensuring that cultural responsiveness is embedded across all areas of school life.

Most importantly, we strive to create a strong sense of belonging for every child at St Joseph’s, where diversity is celebrated and each student feels safe, seen and supported.