Child Safety
St Mary's Primary School is committed to the safety and welfare of all children, within a secure environment. All children have the right to be treated with respect and to be protected from abuse and harm.
Engagement of Volunteers at St Mary's School
At St Mary's Primary School, Inglewood the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. To uphold our commitment to child safety, ALL Volunteers are required to review and acknowledge our Child Safe Code of Conduct, Staff & Students Professional Boundaries Policy and Photography & Video Policy and Procedures.
Additionally, Volunteers must complete a Volunteer Registration form and successfully complete the CESL School Volunteer Induction before commencing their role as a Volunteer.
We deeply value the contributions of our Volunteers and appreciate your support in maintaining a culture of care and protection. Together, we can continue to provide a safe and nurturing space for every child to thrive.
For more information regarding volunteering contact us or click on the link to complete the Volunteer Registration form.
All Volunteers will be asked to:
- Complete a Volunteer Registration form (including personal details, Working with Children Check (WWCC) and 2 personal referees). Please inform your referees they will be contacted by the school in relation to your volunteering.
- Once you have completed the Volunteer Registration form and are approved to Volunteer at the school, you will be sent an email with a link to access the required training:
(Please note – Completing this induction replaces the previous onsite induction interview)
- CESL School Volunteer Induction; and
- Read and acknowledge the Child Safe Code of Conduct, Staff & Students Professional Boundaries Policy and Photography & Video Policy and Procedures.
All Volunteers will be required to update details at the start of each year and inform the school of any changes to your circumstances or updates to your WWCC. All Volunteers will need to complete the CESL School Volunteer Induction and read and acknowledge all relevant safeguarding policies at the start of each school year even if an existing Volunteer.
All information received regarding volunteering and providing referee details will be maintained in line with CESL Privacy Policy.
Local First Aid Training
The Loddon Shire has promoted a First Aid Course available to all community members. Accidents and emergencies can happen when we least expect them and having the skills to respond quickly and confidently can make all the difference. This practical, hands-on session will cover essential first aid techniques for common childhood situations, including CPR, choking, and injury management. Whether you’re looking to build new skills or refresh your knowledge, this course is a valuable opportunity to help keep your family and community safe. Free to parents with children under the of 5. Please see the below brochure for more information.
Child Safe Standards
Victoria's Child Safe Standards were put into place in 2016 to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. On the 1st July 2022, eleven Standards replaced the previous seven and include requirements to:
- involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- provide greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- manage the risk of child abuse in online environments.
The new Standards provide greater clarity and practical steps for each Standard. They outline what action organisations need to take to keep children and young people safe.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 1 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
1.1 A child’s ability to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights is encouraged and actively supported.
1.2 Strategies are embedded within the organisation which equip all members to acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture and understand its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children and young people.
1.3 Measures are adopted by the organisation to ensure racism within the organisation is identified, confronted and not tolerated. Any instances of racism are addressed with appropriate consequences.
1.4 The organisation actively supports and facilitates participation and inclusion within it by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
1.5 All of the organisation’s policies, procedures, systems and processes together create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families.