Student Wellbeing
Child Safety Standards – Child Safeguarding
As of the 1st July, within all educational institutions in Victoria, a new set of Child Safety Standards have been introduced. These are a significant expansion from the previous Child Safety Standards and Principles that were introduced in 2016 after the Royal Commission into Child Safety.
As of the beginning of this month, the number of Standards have expanded from 7 to 11 and the key changes of this expansion have focused on a number of areas:
- A greater focus on the safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal children and young people
- Managing the risk of child abuse in online environments
- Involving families and communities in organisational efforts to keep children and young people safe.
On both the 19 May and 11 July the staff spent some time unpacking the standards and the expectations they place on all of us as we care for our young people each and every day.
We will continue to update our policies and procedures to ensure that we meet all of the requirements of the new standards. We will keep all of our families up to date with these changes.
Vaping Sensors
Over the course of the last month, we have installed vaping sensors in all of our bathrooms in order to manage the impact that vaping is now having on both our young people and society.
These sensors pick up any indication of the vaping spray that occurs when the air is released from the vaping tool.
We remind all students and families that any student caught vaping whilst at school, on the way to and from school or on any school related activity will be suspended for one day on the first occasion and then this will be extended to between 3 and 5 days on subsequent offenses.
We recognise that this is an issue that young people deem as not that serious. However, we wish to reinforce that the College does take the issue of student health and wellbeing seriously and we will respond to this issue in the same way as we have to cigarette smoking.
We look forward to letting our families know how this is working in further editions of the Marian.
Uniform Reminders
As we enter the second half of winter and certainly the colder parts of the season we do remind all students of the expectations in relation to school uniform.
These reminders include:
- Wearing the correct uniform as per the timetabled classes
- Wearing the school tie with the winter uniform
- Hoodies or Kathmandu jackets are not to be worn to school
- The school tracksuit pants should not be worn as a substitute for our school uniform pants
- False nails and facial piercings are unacceptable
Detailed uniform expectations are on the Welcome pages of both SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage. Please refer to these to get a full understanding of the uniform expectations.
Tuning into Teens – Parental Program
The College is pleased to be able to provide the opportunity to participate in the Tuning into Teens - Parental Program. This program, facilitated by an experienced coach in Anne Hubbard, focuses on supporting families as they learn to understand what is happening to their young people and adolescents in this ever changing world that we live in.
The program provides parents the opportunity to understand and gauge what is happening for their children and how best to support them to manage their emotions.
Attached to this edition of the Marian News is a flyer to explain how the program works. An introductory session will take place on Tuesday 9 August in our Language Centre.
We will also distribute this information to our families via Operoo in the coming days.
This is a very worthwhile and valuable program and we are very pleased to endorse the program to all.
If you have any questions regarding the program please contact me on the school number or send me a Direct Message.
Kerrie Williams
Assistant to the Principal – Student Wellbeing