Wellbeing News
Bully No Way Week! is coming up in Week 6 of our term. This national week of action unites government, Catholic and independent schools and their communities across the country. Together, we can inspire practical solutions to prevent bullying in Australian schools.
2026 theme: Small Acts, Big Impact
Bullying is everyone’s responsibility, and small acts can make a real difference.
This year’s theme reminds us that actions don’t need to be big to change someone’s world.
Small actions – like including someone, speaking up or showing kindness – can create meaningful change.
In our schools and communities, our goal is to build environments where everyone belongs, diversity is celebrated and bullying is never accepted.
During Bullying No Way Week, we encourage students, schools, families and communities to engage in small acts that can have a big impact against bullying.
In August, we are learning about Child Safety Standard Eight
“Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.”
As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven, and legal responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every student entrusted to our care.
Our commitment to child safety includes equipping all staff and volunteers with the knowledge, skills, and awareness they need to recognise, prevent, and respond to risks of harm. Through ongoing education and training, our school communities foster a culture where safety is central, children’s voices are valued, and staff feel confident and capable in promoting wellbeing.
Catholic schools maintain clear policies, procedures, and professional learning programs to support staff and volunteers in their child-safe roles. By embedding child safety knowledge and skills across every aspect of school life, we ensure that children are protected, supported, and nurtured in a safe environment.
How Parents, Carers and Guardians can get involved:
Child Safe Standard 8 works best when schools, families, and staff work together to ensure children’s safety. Families can help by:
Supporting learning at home: Encourage children to talk about their day, their feelings, and any concerns they may have.
Reinforcing safety skills: Discuss safety and wellbeing practices with your child, helping them recognise trusted adults and safe behaviours.
Collaborating with the school: Engage respectfully with staff, recognising that ongoing training strengthens the school’s ability to protect children.
Wonder of Living Program
This term, SMDP is offering our Year 5/6 families the opportunity to participate in the “Wonder of Living Enrichment Program”, which focuses on human growth and development education. The purpose of the program is to encourage open communication between parents and children around the important topics of babies, birth and puberty. The session will be conducted by the Catholic Care - Open Doors Schools’ Education program.
We look forward to welcoming our Yr 5/6 students and their parents next Thursday 13th August from 6:00 - 7:15 pm in our school hall.
Simone Whitehead
Wellbeing &
Family Engagement Leader
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured.
Please refer to the link below for more detailed information.
FACT SHEET FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CARERS
Translations
Chiara Genovese
Learning Diversity Leader