This coming week (1-7 September) is Child Protection Week.

Child Protection Week is a national week of observance held in Australia every September, to continue conversations about how we can build the safest communities possible for children and young people. Child Protection Week provides an opportunity for us to consider our own communities of faith and learning and play our part in promoting the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people. It is true that “protecting children is everyone’s business”.

The theme for Child Protection Week in 2024 is ‘Every conversation matters’. It is important our students know where they can access support, whether that be at home, at school, within their own network of friends and family, online or via phone. Clear, consistent and regular messages of support and safety are key to reducing harm and safeguarding children.

As parents and carers, conversations between you and your children are vital – you are the most important people in your child’s life to advocate for them, listen to them, and share messages of safety and support.

This year during Child Protection Week we encourage parents and carers to speak with their children about their understanding of safety and their support networks. The National Office of Child Safety launched their “One Talk at a Time” campaign earlier in the year. Alongside this campaign they released a list of resources about how to have a conversation with your children and young people about safety. You can access these resources here: Having conversations with children and young people | National Office for Child Safety

During Child Protection Week our students engaged in a number of activities to reinforce safety messages – for primary students, they have the opportunity to complete two activities including a “My Safe People” activity and a Child Protection themed Paper Chatterbox. High school students will be provided with a business card sized “Every Conversation Matters” resource outlining some key support services they can access via phone and online, and also be reminded about who they can speak to at school if they have concerns about the safety of themselves or others. 

Should any student be concerned about how they are being treated by an adult, or another child or young person, they are encouraged to speak up to a trusted staff member or one of our School Student Protection Contacts (SSPCs). All students will be reminded who our SSPCs are, and that they are depicted on the ‘Keeping Safe’ posters located around the school.

God Bless