Central to the vision of Our Lady of the Southern Cross is an unequivocal commitment to recognise the central place of faith and Gospel values in the way we interact with each other, value the individuality of each child and aspire to be a healthy, happy learning community that fosters rich and lasting relationships.
All staff, volunteers, contractors, clergy and board/school council members at Our Lady of the Southern Cross are expected to actively contribute to a school culture that respects the dignity of its members and affirms the Gospel values of love, care for others, compassion and justice. They are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children. Child Safe Standards
In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse.
Standard 1: Culturally safe environments
Schools must establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and students are respected and valued
Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture
Schools must ensure that child safety and wellbeing is embedded in school leadership, governance and culture
Standard 3: Child and student empowerment
Schools must ensure that children, young people and students are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
Standard 4: Family engagement
Schools must ensure that families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
Standard 5: Diversity and equity
Schools must ensure that equity is upheld, and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
Standard 6: Suitable staff and volunteers
Schools must ensure that people working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
Standard 7: Complaints processes
Schools must ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused
Standard 8: Safety knowledge, skills, awareness
Schools must ensure that staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
Standard 9: Physical and online environments
Schools must ensure that physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children, young people and students to be harmed
Standard 10: Review of child safety practices
Schools must ensure that implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
Child Safe Policies
