Occupational Health & Safety

~to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees~

OH&S Meetings

The OH&S Committee meets twice per term. The composition includes the elected HSR and Deputy HSR, representatives from each sub-school, a rep from Admin/Therapy, the Principal, Assistant Principals and the OH&S Manager Nominee.

NEXT OHS MEETING IS:

Term 3- Week 6: Wed 27th August 2025

OH&S Designated Workgroup Health and Safety Representatives

OH&S Manager Nominee: Mary Boutros

Elected Health and Safety Representative: Frances Hansen

Elected Acting Deputy Health and Safety Representative: Fiona Micelotta

Return to Work Co-ordinator: Michelle McMaster

Executive Assistant: Fiona Micelotta

Supervision and Duty of Care Reminder

Supervision is a calm and quiet form of leadership. It helps keep children safe, supports strong teamwork between staff, and ensures that every moment is focused on quality teaching and care. It’s not just about watching—it’s about being present, staying alert, and leading through your actions to create a safe and positive environment for everyone.

A timely reminder that active supervision is a core part of our duty of care. It’s not about standing back—it's about leading with presence, scanning the environment, and connecting with students in meaningful ways.

✔️ Be vigilant and on time for all duties

✔️ Stay actively engaged (no distractions or phone use)

✔️ Position yourself to see and support all students

✔️ Anticipate risks and respond early

✔️ Report any concerns or incidents through the appropriate channels

As the Department of Education outlines, our duty of care means taking reasonable steps to protect students from foreseeable harm—physical, emotional, or psychological.

Thank you for showing up each day with intention and care.

Your presence makes a difference.

Staying Safe- QUICK REMINDERS:

When supporting students, always maintain safe positioning and allow enough personal space to reduce the risk of injury.
Regularly revisit student profiles so you’re aware of individual triggers, preferred strategies, and early signs of escalation.
During yard duty, take a moment before students arrive to scan your area for potential hazards.
Remove or secure any loose objects that could be thrown, and position yourself where you have maximum visibility of the space and the students in your care.

Professional Standards – DET Victoria
As educators, we are guided by the Department of Education’s professional standards, which emphasise that the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. Every decision we make and every action we take must reflect our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where students can thrive.

These small steps help create a safer environment for both staff and students.

Respectful Behaviours – Staff Safety

The Department of Education has released new resources to support the safety and wellbeing of staff, reminding school communities of the importance of respectful behaviours. Posters and quick reference cards are provided to help prevent and manage unacceptable behaviours such as verbal aggression, unreasonable demands, and inappropriate social media use. Please display these resources in high-traffic areas to reinforce our shared commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.

*Please check your pigeon hole for a copy of this card.

WE HAVE ONE MIDDLE YEARS VACANCY FOR OUR OHS COMMITTEE.

Please let me know if you are interested.

We are pleased to introduce our OHS Committee for 2025!

2 x Primary Sub School –Sally Mc Kerchar x Synthia Anthonee

2 x Middle Sub School – Nikki Davies x VACANCY

2 x Secondary Sub School – Stefania Mantinioti and Pauline Strkalj

1 x Therapy Team – Cassy Wang/Tinas Wong (rotational)

1 x Administration Team – Michelle McMaster

2 x Wellbeing Team - Daniel Moloney and (rotational) Stacie Herman, Jennifer Bals, Kaylah DeFeudis

1 x Facilities Team Dr Denise Clarke

1 x AEU Rep – Irene Gacovski

HSR - Frances Hansen

Acting Deputy HSR- Fiona Micelotta

Principal and /or management OHS- Corinne Pupillo

OHS Manager Nominee- Mary Boutros

PCT- Ellen Paterson

An OHS Safety Champion is someone who actively promotes and supports workplace health and safety by identifying risks, encouraging safe practices, and fostering a culture of safety.