Child Safety
St Mary's Primary School holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility. This commitment is drawn from and inherent to the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.
St Mary's Primary School has a universal expectation for the protection of children. It is resolutely committed to ensuring that all those engaged in Catholic education in Victoria promote the inherent dignity of children and young people and their fundamental right to be respected and nurtured in a safe school environment. This is particularly so for the most vulnerable children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability.
St Mary's Primary School has a moral, legal and mission-driven responsibility to create nurturing school environments where children and young people are respected, their voices are heard and where they are safe and feel safe. When allegations of abuse concerning children and young people are raised, we will take prompt action to have these appropriately referred and investigated.
Ministerial Order 1359
The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) commenced in Victoria in January 2016. After five years, we have seen how the Standards improve safety for children and young people. Changes are being made to make our Standards even stronger with the introduction of the new Ministerial Order 1359 and our School needs to comply with new Standards by 1 July 2022.
The new Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe. They provide more clarity for organisations and are more consistent with Standards in the rest of Australia.
- Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations 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 wellbeing 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 wellbeing 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
St Mary's Primary School maintains a culture of ‘zero tolerance’ to child abuse.
The School’s Child Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring that all members of the school community follow child safety standards.
To contact the Child Safety Officer at St Mary's:
Tania Stevens
P. (03) 5551 9000
E. tstevens@smhamilton.catholic.edu.au
Working With Children Check
All parents and volunteers at St Mary's are expected to have a current Working with Children Check Card. Please present your card at the front office so you can be added to our register.
You can apply for a check online.
Volunteer Guidelines
Please be aware of the procedures for volunteering at St Mary’s Primary School that are outlined in CECV Guidelines on the Engagement of Volunteers in Catholic Schools. You can view this document here.
Contractor Guidelines
St Mary's follows a procedure for external providers outlined in CECV Guidelines on Engagement of External Contractors in Catholic Schools to ensure the school meets its duty of care in providing a safe environment for students.
You can view this document here.