From the Executive Deputy Principal
Child Protection Week 2025
Every child, in every community, needs a fair go
From Sunday 7 September to Saturday 13 September 2025, communities across Australia will mark National Child Protection Week (NCPW), an initiative coordinated by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
Each year, NCPW shines a spotlight on our collective responsibility to ensure the care, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people. It reminds us that protecting children is not the job of one person or one organisation—it is a shared responsibility that belongs to families, schools, neighbours, workplaces, sporting clubs, and the wider community.
The campaign continues to carry and champion the message: “Every child in every community needs a fair go.”
This Year’s Theme: From Talk to Action
The 2025 theme, “Every conversation matters: Shifting conversation to action”, encourages us to move beyond words and ensure that dialogue leads to real, measurable change.
Conversations are essential. They allow children and young people to express their needs, feelings, and hopes. They give adults the chance to listen, reflect, and learn. But conversations alone are not enough. To truly protect and empower children, these conversations must translate into action that creates safer homes, stronger communities, and more supportive environments.
When children know that their voices are respected and acted upon, they grow in confidence, resilience, and trust. This year’s theme asks every Australian to consider: How can I move from talking about safety to taking action that makes a difference?
Alignment with the Victorian Child Safe Standards
The focus on action directly connects with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, which provide a framework for organisations working with children and young people. In particular:
- Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them, and are taken seriously.
- Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Keeping Kids Safe is Everyone’s Responsibility
Every child deserves to feel safe, cared for, and valued. Yet sadly, many children and young
people face challenges such as neglect, abuse, exposure to family violence, or a lack of supportive relationships. In these situations, the presence of safe, trusted adults can make all the difference.
Keeping children safe is not just the responsibility of child protection authorities. It is a community-wide commitment. Each of us, whether as parents, educators, coaches, relatives, or neighbours has a role to play in providing guidance, support, and protection.
Importantly, child safety should never be reduced to a slogan or a one-week campaign. It must be lived out as an ongoing practice. A commitment to vigilance, a collective stance, and a willingness to act when a child’s safety or wellbeing is at risk.
The Power of Small Actions
Often, people assume that protecting children requires grand interventions. But in reality, small, everyday actions matter. A caring word, a listening ear, or a supportive gesture can help a child feel secure and valued. Over time, these moments build trust and create protective environments.
5 Ways to Support Child Safety at Home and in the Community
- Listen with respect – Show children that their voices matter by giving them your full attention and taking their concerns seriously.
- Promote safe relationships – Model kindness, respect, and healthy conflict resolution in your own interactions.
- Stay informed – Learn about children’s rights and be aware of the signs of neglect or abuse.
- Build support networks – Offer help to families under pressure and encourage strong community connections.
- Act when needed – If something feels wrong, speak up. Reporting concerns can protect a child from harm.
A Collective Call to Action
National Child Protection Week 2025 is more than an awareness campaign. It is a call to all of us to actively create safer environments for children and young people.
By working together, guided by compassion and responsibility, we can ensure that every child grows up with the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and hopeful about their future.
As the campaign reminds us: Child abuse and neglect is preventable. The role you play, whether large or small, has the potential to change a child’s life.
If you would like to discuss any matters pertaining to Child Safety, please contact a
member of the Child Safeguarding Team at St Monica’s College, Epping.
- Maryanne Theodosis – Wellbeing Coordinator
- Oliver Jones – Psychologist and Leader of Counselling Services
- Alicia Xerri – Assistant Principal, Director of Dalton Road Campus
- Nicole Meade – Assistant Principal, Director of Davisson Street Campus
- Antonio Novembre – Risk and Compliance Officer
- Paula Di Maria – Executive Deputy Principal
Miss P. Di Maria
Executive Deputy Principal