Principal's Update

Encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Dear Families,

This week we continue to navigate our way through the constantly evolving COVID landscape and manage each change with consideration to the wellbeing and learning opportunities of all in our community. We are constantly inspired by the resilience and determination of our students through every change. They are our inspiration and our reason for all that we do. 

With this in mind, as we approach National Child Protection week and National eSmart Week, I am sharing some resources with you (more resources will be shared next week through our social media pages) that can support and guide a healthy culture of speaking openly with our children about child safety. This includes online cybersafety. It is a big component of our work here at school. We articulate very clearly to our students that their safety is our priority and that they have a voice and that there are trusted adults in their lives who they can speak to if they ever feel unsafe in any situation. With a lot of time being spent online, cybersafety education is an important discussion to be had all the time.

One of the initiatives that we are proudly developing here at Fatima is that student voice is valued. Valued in learning, valued in planning future directions for our school, valued in feedback of teaching and learning and valued in safety and happiness. We seek student voice to always be improving our practice. On our website we have the child friendly version of our Child Safety Policy and many other informative policies and procedures that outline the school's commitment to providing a child safe environment. This policy was developed with our students so they are informed about how their school manages safety and risk management.

OLOF Child friendly Child Safety Policy

Our new school signage also articulates our commitment to the provision of wellbeing strategies, inclusion and safety of all students in our care.  In our recent school review the child safe compliance was a large component of the process to ensure that processes are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.

At all times it is good to talk to your children about personal safety and next week is a good opportunity to have an open conversation about how it is every child's right to be able to speak up, be listened to and be respected and believed. Below are some great ways to open up this dialogue and make it a continued conversation that will equip our children with a strong foundation into their teens and adulthood.

We will continue to speak to all children about their rights and safety and show them through our own actions and interactions with one another that they have trusted adults who support them every day.

I will be taking some personal leave in the last week of term 3. During my absence Darren Perry will be the Acting Principal and Dimity Hemingway, Acting Deputy Principal. Our core leadership team work as a team every day and I know that Darren and Dimity will continue to ensure that you are all supported in the lead up to the holidays. I wish you all a very settled and happy holiday break and I very much look forward to welcoming you all back in Term 4, whenever that may be. 

As always go gently and look after your families with the greatest of care.

God Bless,

Patrika Rowley

PRINCIPAL