Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
We are committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and can actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.
We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and other harm and are committed to acting in students’ best interests and keeping them safe from harm.
Child Safeguarding Responsibilities
The College regards its child safeguarding responsibilities with the utmost importance and is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and maintaining a child safe culture.
Each member of the College community has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role that they play individually, and collectively, to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all students is at the forefront of all that they do, and every decision that they make.
Information sharing laws to support child wellbeing and safety have recently changed with the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) now in place. If you have any queries about either scheme, please Email the Principal.
A Commitment to Wellness
For our students to flourish academically and in all areas of their lives, it’s important that they are happy and enjoy being at school. Their safety and physical and mental wellbeing are of paramount importance to us.
The College has a dedicated team available to support students and their families. This team consists of six qualified staff members from a range of professional backgrounds, including psychologists, a social worker, and counsellors.
There are also some terrific online and phone resources available to students and parents, if you need help and advice.
Where can I go for help?
We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College’s Senior Child Safety officers, Mr Paul Finneran, Ms Melissa Mackellin, Mr Stephen Bellis, and Mr Jamie Barnett, in person or by email.
Our team of Child Safety Officers – who receive special training – can be contacted via Reception on (03) 5783 5000.
Any student who feels unsafe or has been made to feel unsafe, should immediately speak to their House Leader. However, if for any reason they feel uncomfortable in doing so, they can email our child safety team to alert us to any behaviours at school or online that they believe are having a negative effect on themselves or another student.
Ideally, if children are struggling emotionally, they should talk to their parents or guardians, who we encourage to normalise discussions about things that are bothering them.
As well, we encourage parents to help their children become familiar with available resources if they need someone different to speak to.
As the people who know their children best, we rely on parents’ and guardians’ knowledge to help support our work with them and welcome contact from them at significant times of concern – but also when things simply don’t feel right. The first point of call will usually be Learning Mentors, but if the matter is particularly serious or sensitive, contact should be made with House Coordinators who will access other resources for support as necessary.