This week, our college proudly joins communities across Australia in celebrating National Child Protection Week, led by NAPCAN. It’s a time to reflect on the vital role we all play in keeping children and young people safe, supported, and empowered. The wellbeing and safety of you he people is everybody’s business.The theme “EVERY CONVERSATION MATTERS: Shifting Conversation to Action” is a vital reminder that while awareness is essential, real change comes from action.
At our college child safety is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, be safe, and grow in an environment where they are respected, heard, and protected.
As part of our commitment and that of Catholic Education WA to child safety, all students at our College engage with the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC). This evidence-based program is designed to teach children and young people:
• How to recognise abuse
• How to tell a trusted adult
• What is appropriate and inappropriate touching
• How to keep themselves safe in both physical and online environments
The curriculum is age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and integrated into everyday learning. It builds essential life skills and encourages students to speak up and seek help when needed. Our staff are specially trained to facilitate this learning and do this with great care and respect.
Keeping Safe is built around two empowering themes:
Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe
Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust
These themes are explored through four key focus areas:
1. The right to be safe
2. Relationships
3. Recognising and reporting abuse
4. Protective strategies
Each area is taught with increasing complexity as students grow and develop, ensuring they develop a strong understanding of personal safety and respectful relationships.
Families play an important role in this learning, as partners and first educators in their children’s learning and safety. Families are crucial in reinforcing these messages at home. Some reminders of how you can help your children is by:
• Actively listening and talking together
• Encouraging respectful relationships
• Monitoring safe online use
• Supporting problem-solving strategies
• Reinforcing that it’s OK to say “no”
• Encouraging them to speak to a trusted adult
• Being informed about the KS:CPC
Together as a community, we can build a culture of safety, trust, and resilience.
At our College we encourage all students to be able to identify five safe adults at school and we encourage families to do this at home too! Safety, sense of security and having trusted adults is a wonderful support for all young people. Thanks to our adults that are listed as safe adults for our students, they are blessed to have you.
This week also marks Safeguarding Sunday in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, a time when our Parish reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe Church. The Catholic community continues to lead the way in safeguarding through collaboration, vigilance, and proactive approaches across legislation, policies, and practices.
Creating a safe Church is a shared responsibility – one that includes clergy, church workers, families, and the wider community. At St Mary’s, we are proud to be part of this mission and to have two of our exceptional staff Ms Margie and Ms Nat supporting in this important work.
National Child Protection Week reminds us that safety is everyone’s responsibility. At St Mary’s College, we are deeply committed to nurturing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where every child can thrive. Let’s continue working together to protect, empower, and uplift every child in our care. We are grateful for the agencies that support us in keeping everyone safe.
For further information please visit https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au & https://broomediocese.org/safeguarding/
