Child Safety
The Child Safe Standards
At St Joseph's, the safety and wellbeing of all our students is our highest priority. Safety is at the foundation of every child's ability to learn and thrive. We place it at the heart of everything we do and are unwavering in our commitment.
As educators, we have a moral and legal responsibility to act in the best interests of every child and young person, to actively promote their wellbeing and to ensure the safety of every student entrusted to our care.
The Child Safe Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe.
There are 11 Child Safe Standards, which 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.
Here is a link to more information about the standards: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/
Child Safe Standard 5
Throughout the year, our staff dedicate time to engaging with and strengthening our understanding of the Victorian Child Safe Standards. These professional learning opportunities ensure that child safety and wellbeing remain at the forefront of all that we do as a school community.
Over the next few weeks, our staff will be focused on Child Safe Standard 5: This standard recognises that "Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice."
Child Safe Standard 5 is all about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, identity, ability, or life experience feels safe, included, and supported in our school. It asks us as a school to look closely at our policies, our practices our everyday interactions to make sure they genuinely uphold equity.
At its core, this standard reminds us that children experience safety differently. A child with a disability, a child from a culturally diverse background, a child who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or a child who has experienced trauma may have different needs and different vulnerabilities. Standard 5 requires us to recognise those differences and respond thoughtfully, not just in theory but in the way we design programs, communicate with families, manage behaviour, and create learning environments.
It’s about shifting from treating everyone the same to, ensuring everyone gets what they need to be safe and thrive. That means removing barriers, listening deeply to children and families, and embedding inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible practices across the whole school.
When we do this well, we create a culture where every child feels seen, respected, and protected and where safety is not just a policy, but a lived experience.
Please refer to the MACS Care Parent Fact Sheet on Child Safe Standard 5:
"At St Joseph's Primary School, we hold the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children and young people in our care as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school."
Annabelle Marinelli
Principal