Child Safe Standards
Child Safe Schools
Victorian schools must comply with strict Child Safe Standards (Ministerial Order 1359) to prevent abuse and ensure safety. Parents have the right to request a school’s child safety policies, which include staff codes of conduct, reporting obligations, and strategies for inclusivity. If concerned, parents should contact the school principal, the Department of Education, or the Commission for Children and Young People.
Sandringham College is currently updating our policies and these will be available via the school website at the start of Term 2.
Key Child Safety Information for Parents
Child Safe Standards: Since July 2022, 11 updated standards focus on protecting children from abuse, including online risks, and empowering families.
School Obligations: Schools must have a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, a code of conduct for staff, and procedures for reporting child abuse.
Cultural Safety: Standards specifically require schools to promote the safety of Aboriginal children, those with disabilities, and children from multicultural backgrounds.
Reporting Concerns: If you believe a child is at risk of immediate harm, contact Victoria Police immediately (000). Concerns about staff conduct should be reported to the school principal or the Department of Education.
Child Safety Officer: Schools have designated staff members. At our school, students can speak to their Head of Year, Year Level Leader, Campus Principal or a trusted teacher or classroom support staff member.
What Parents Can Do
View the school’s child safety policies, available on their website or upon request.
Discuss safety with your child using direct questions like "who would you talk to if you feel unsafe?"
Report any school based concerns to the school so that we are aware.
Zero Tolerance for Discrimination
At Sandringham College, we maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards any behaviour that constitutes discrimination, harassment or bullying. This includes conduct based on a person’s identity, religion, cultural background, gender, sexuality or disability. Students who engage in such behaviour will face appropriate and proportionate consequences.
All members of our community are expected to act with respect, integrity and consideration for others. Student behaviour that is dismissed as “just a joke” is not acceptable when it causes harm and we ask that parents support us when addressing such behaviour with students. Every student and staff member has the right to feel safe, respected and supported at school.
Our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy outlines how the College responds to and supports the diverse needs of our community. This includes students with disability, students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, students who are unable to live at home, international students, and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+).
In addition, our Racism Policy clearly articulates our expectations for respectful behaviour and reinforces our zero-tolerance approach to racism directed towards students, staff or families. Updated versions of both policies will be available on the College website in Term 2.