Child Safety Standards

At St Mary's we believe that the social, emotional, moral, spiritual and physical wellbeing of our students is pivotal to their health, safety, learning and success.

At St Mary's we acknowledge and understand that child safety is the responsibility of every person and is an integral aspect of students' wellbeing. We aim to work collaboratively with parents, students and other community members to ensure a safe school environment.

Our commitment to the protection of students is based on our belief that each person is made in the image of God, and our ethos is to provide a safe and supportive environment. All students have the right to expect that the school will always act to protect them from any kind of harm.

Each year, our student leaders rewrite the Child Safe Standards in child-friendly language, so that they can be understood and valued by students at St Mary’s. 

The Child Safety Standards for the students of St Mary’s are as follows:

• We have zero tolerance for any form of violence or child abuse.
• It is everyone’s responsibility to help others feel safe.
• As a school community, we have conversations about our goal that all children should be treated with respect and care.
• We value differences in people. All members of our school community should feel respected and included.
• All children at St Mary’s have a right to feel safe and be safe regardless of their racial, language, or religious background.
• Students know that they can speak to any staff member, or the Principal directly, should they ever feel unsafe.

St. Mary's Primary School is committed to implementing and embedding the Child Safe Standards and requirements of Ministerial Order No. 1359

Nicole Mott  is our Child Safe Champion and can be contacted on 03 51523706

Child Safe Standard 1 – Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued

Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and well-being is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused

Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training

Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and well-being while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed

Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people