Child Safeguarding Corner

The Child Safe Standards provide us with tangible guidance about how to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep them safe from harm. Each fortnight, I present one of the standards and ask you to reflect on how you think we’re addressing the recommendations. We welcome ideas and feedback from our families and community!

Child Safe Standard 6: Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse (or other concerns) are child-focused

The aim of this standard is to ensure that our students are the priority when responding to complaints of abuse. This standard is important because children are safer when complaints are addressed quickly, thoroughly and transparently, and where the family and community are supported. When the complaint process is child focused, children feel more comfortable and empowered to make a complaint.

Our aim is to prioritise this standard for child safety in what we say and do:

• We have created a culture where complaints are taken seriously and all adults take responsibility for the safety of children. 
• Leadership have clearly explained the Codes of Conduct.
• Complaints are handled confidentially. 
• Complaint handling procedures are publicly available. 

If we are addressing this standard successfully, we would expect our children to say: 

• I know who to talk to if I feel uncomfortable, unsafe or unhappy. 
• I know who to talk to if someone asks me to do something I don't want to do. 
• I will be believed if I speak up about something that is concerning me, and action will be taken because of it. 
• I will not get in trouble if I speak up. 

We now have a page on our school website dedicated to Child Safeguarding and we encourage you to view it. 

If you have any questions or feedback about how we are addressing this Standard, or about our new Child Safeguarding page, please email me (petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au). 

Friendology

URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools around the world, connecting over a million kids, parents, and teachers with a common language of friendship. We are proud to be a URSTRONG School and are committed to empowering your children with friendship skills.

You are invited to take advantage of a FREE Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources – including an 8 session video series. This will allow you to learn the same language & strategies being taught in the classroom through the Friendology 101 curriculum. We hope that, as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, and kindness at home.

As a next step, we would recommend:

• Click here to view an overview of URSTRONG.
• Activate your FREE Parent Membership and explore all the resources available to your family.
• Explore the hundreds of resources available to you!

We believe that empowering our students with these skills will create a culture of kindness at our school and we hope that, together, we can support your children to have healthy, feel-good friendships.

Bullying No Way: National Week of Action

This year, St Matthew’s Primary School is once again participating in the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action, 12 to 16 August 2024.

Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. The theme for this year's campaign is Everyone Belongs. This theme highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for students. We recognise bullying often thrives in environments where individuals feel marginalised or excluded, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every student feels valued and respected.

“Positive school climates that value diversity and inclusion can foster a sense of belonging, provide a protective factor against negative peer relationships, and reduce bullying” (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

During the week, we will be engaging students in meaningful discussions and activities aimed at promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. We encourage parents and carers to take this opportunity to have open and honest conversations with their children about the impact of bullying and what they can do if they need support. You can visit the Bullying No Way website for tips about how to have this discussion.

If you have concerns that your child is being bullied, please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance. If you believe the behaviour constitutes a crime, or is a serious incident of cyberbullying, please refer to the Bullying No Way website for information on how to report to other authorities and access wellbeing help.

Petra Cole

Assistant Principal