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 5: People working with children are suitable and supported

The aim of this standard is for our school to attract, recruit, supervise and support staff to keep our students safe. This standard is important because it assists our staff in following policies that reduce the risk of harm to children. 

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

• All staff receive an appropriate induction and are aware of their child safety responsibilities. 
• All relevant staff have relevant checks, such as Working With Vulnerable People registration. 
• Catholic Education recruitment process, including advertising, emphasises child safety. 
• Messages to students about behaviour and safety are consistent. 

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

• I feel safe with the adults here.
• Adults show concern for me.  
• I trust adults here and can talk to them about things that upset me. 
• All the adults tell me the same things about how we should behave and how they should behave. 

We’re very proud to 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). 

Books Worth Reading on the Parenting Journey

It’s natural to feel anxious at times as parents — we all want the best for our children. In an age of constant advice and information, it can be hard to know where to turn. That’s why we’ve asked staff to recommend a few trusted, thoughtful books that support parents in raising resilient, confident and emotionally healthy children. These resources offer practical strategies and reassuring insights for navigating the ups and downs of parenting. You might like to read them during the holidays!

The Optimistic Child by Martin Seligman
Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, presents proven techniques to help children develop a more hopeful and resilient mindset. The Optimistic Child provides tools to combat negative thinking and build emotional strength, laying the foundation for lifelong well-being.

The Bonsai Child by Judith Locke
In The Bonsai Child, clinical psychologist Judith Locke explores how well-intentioned parenting can sometimes limit a child’s growth by being overly protective or involved. She offers practical strategies to help parents raise capable, resilient children who thrive with confidence and independence.

Petra Cole

Assistant Principal