Wellbeing 

Child Safe Standards

Overview 

The Victorian Child Safe Standards are a set of 11 minimum requirements that all organisations working with children must meet. These standards are designed to:

• Prevent child abuse and harm.
• Make child safety a shared responsibility.
• Support the wellbeing of all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children with disabilities.
• Promote the participation and empowerment of children and young people.

These standards apply to all school staff, volunteers,contractors, and anyone working with 

children in schools.

Child Safe Standard 1

“Establish culturally safe environments in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and students are respected and value.’’

As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven and legal responsibility to uphold and actively promote the wellbeing and safety of every student entrusted in our care. Our commitment to the protection of students is enabled in nurturing, respectful and safe communities where the uniqueness and sacred dignity of every young person are celebrated, and they can flourish in their learning and development.

Child Safe Standard1 relates to children and young people feeling culturally safe, respected, and valued.

What does this look like in a school environment?

• Celebrating culture: We include and celebrate Aboriginal culture in our classrooms/ events e.g. NAIDOC Week, researching stories to share, inviting guest speakers.

• Taking a stance: We lead by example against racism and swiftly respond if it is 

  observed.

• Working together: We contact and engage with Aboriginal families and communities 

  to make sure our school is welcoming and inclusive.  We ask families what they need to feel supported at our school.

• Ongoing development: Our staff receive training and knowledge to better understand and support cultural safety.

   

Here’s how you can support:

• Familiarise yourself with the school’s child safety policies and understand how they support student wellbeing.
• Provide feedback when you notice something that may impact a child’s safety or wellbeing.
• Support your child when they express their views and that their opinions are valued and heard.
• Join in on school activities, parent committees or forums that promote child safety and wellbeing.

Positive Behaviours for Learning

As part of our ongoing development as a PBL school we continue to explicitly teach & model expectations from our matrix. Our data has shown that we need to reteach the following expectations from our matrix.

Respect

• We think before we speak
• We speak using appropriate word & tone
• We listen to & follow instructions of all staff

Responsibility

• We move to our line calmly and on time 
• We take ownership for our choices

Resilience

• We talk through our disagreements with others

• We learn from our mistakes

   

We encourage all families to talk to their children about these expectations...what they look like, sound like & feel like.

Feel free to email Sandy or Kiah or call the school office if you have any concerns or need help at any time.

Sandy: shenderson@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au        Kiah: kmiles@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au

Cheers

Sandy & Kiah