Child Safety and Student Voice at St Mary’s
At St Mary’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We actively encourage students to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns, and we work hard to ensure they feel safe, supported, and listened to at all times.
Students are taught how to recognise when something doesn’t feel right and are supported to speak up about their worries. We empower children to identify, discuss, and report concerns in a safe and respectful way. All concerns raised by students, parents, or carers are taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
Learning About Safety and Wellbeing
Our curriculum supports students to develop knowledge and skills related to:
- Personal safety and wellbeing
- Children’s rights to information and participation
- Confidence to express their views and make informed choices
Teaching approaches prioritise student voice and agency, ensuring children are engaged in learning that is meaningful, respectful, and age appropriate. We also provide access to age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention programs and related information.
Key areas of learning include:
- Standards of behaviour for all students
- Healthy and respectful relationships, including education on sexuality
- Resilience development
- Child abuse awareness and prevention
How We Support Students
Our curriculum planning ensures that we:
● Inform students of their rights to safety, information, and participation
● Encourage peer support and friendship to reduce isolation and promote safety
● Train staff and volunteers to recognise signs of harm and to support children’s voices
● Foster a school culture that values student input and participation
● Provide ongoing opportunities for students to build confidence and contribute to school life
Commitment to Child Safe Standards
St Mary’s Parish Primary School complies with the 11 Child Safe Standards set by the Commission for Children and Young People, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children:
1. Culturally safe environments respecting Aboriginal children’s identities and experiences
2. Child safety and wellbeing embedded in leadership, governance, and culture
3. Empowerment of children and young people regarding their rights and participation
4. Informed and involved families and communities
5. Equity and respect for diverse needs in policies and practices
6. Suitability and support of staff and volunteers to uphold child safety values
7. Child-focused processes for complaints and concerns
8. Ongoing education and training for staff to protect children and young people
9. Safe physical and online environments minimising harm
10. Regular review and improvement of child safe practices
11. Clear policies and procedures documenting safety commitments
We are committed to creating a nurturing, respectful, and safe school community where every child is valued, heard, and protected.