Dear Parents,

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse. The new CSS come into effect on Friday 1 July 2022.

From 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Child Safe Standards will replace Victoria’s seven current Child Safe Standards and principles in place since 2016.

The revised Victorian CSS support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, developed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The CSS include new requirements, including:

the involvement of families and students in child safety efforts
focus on the safety of Aboriginal children and young people
management of the risk of child abuse in online environments
governance, systems and processes to keep students safe.

The CSS are underpinned by Ministerial Order No. 1359 (MO 1359), which was released by the Victorian Government on 10 February 2022. MO 1359 defines the actions schools and school boarding premises must take to meet the requirements associated with the new CSS.

Standard 1

Culturally safe environments – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Standard 2

Leadership, governance and culture – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3

Child and student empowerment – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4

Family engagement – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5

Diversity and equity – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6

Suitable staff and volunteers – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7

Complaints processes – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Standard 8

Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Standard 9

Child safety in physical and online environments – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10

Review of child safety practices – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11

Implementation of child safety practices – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

At St Joseph's we empower our students to use the school’s problem solved, tool kit which are all embedded in our schools positive behaviour policy. Each week each class has a class meetings where students make decisions that impact on their day to day interactions.

They can also let their teacher know anything by placing it in the 'I wish my teacher knew box'. Teachers address anything placed in the box to ensure students have an opportunity to voice their concerns and worries.

Our theme for week 6 of Term 2 is around the theme of being of service using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are guided by the many gifts of the Holy Spirit such as knowledge, understanding, courage, wonder and awe, right judgement and wisdom in our daily lives. This week we are highlighting the social emotional capability of using grit and stamina to achieve great things by using a growth mindset.

click above to view slideshows.

We wish the year 6 community all the best on Wednesday night where they gather together to celebrate dinner in the hall.

Finally, enrolments are open and I would like you to please let anyone who may be interested in our wonderful school to book in for a tour. If you have a sibling commencing in 2023 please complete the enrolment form as soon as possible as places are filling up and we would like to ensure all siblings have a place.

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