From the Deputy Principal
As a community devoted to the support and development of young people, St Aloysius College upholds the Victorian Child Safe Standards in every program and decision. This commitment is promoted in our policies, aiming for best practice in the mitigation of child abuse risk. Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing and Child Safe Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice, are two of the eleven standards the Child Safety Team has most recently reviewed resulting in some exciting, new opportunities for our students.
Our team of college psychologists will be presenting an online presentation for parents and carers this September to support student safety and wellbeing. We understand that the level of conversation between parents and teenagers is somewhat reduced compared to the familiar chatterbox version of a primary-aged student. Whilst this reluctance to share is often a part of normal development, keeping the lines of communication open, even in a different format, can support students going through challenging times with peers, study pressures or potentially something more sinister, online abuse. Are the familiar methods of checking on our young people missing the mark as they mature?
We invite all our parents and carers to listen to an online presentation during Wellbeing Week, on September 8 at 6.30pm, supporting the R U OK? philosophy but tailored for our young people and their families. Registration is available here.
With the motivation to always improve, the Child Safety Team looked at opportunities to support the diverse personalities and spectrum of social needs of our students. Whilst the variety of programs in our co-curricular offerings help make all students feel welcome and included, we wanted to offer more.
Sometimes the freedom of lunchtime can be a pressure point for students who are still seeking their friendship group or finding the unstructured nature of lunchtime and recess daunting. As a catholic school we welcome with compassion and respect the diverse needs of our students. Our commitment to Child Safe Standard 5 is sewn into the fabric of catholic education.
Expanding on this tradition is the recent launch of Common Ground. This is a lunchtime space offering alternate activities in a safe, inclusive and calm environment. Board games, mindfulness drawing, technology-free activities and the opportunities to make new connections regardless of age, stage can be nurtured without judgement or expectation. Common Ground is open on Wednesday lunchtimes; built on our Mercy Values of hospitality and respect.
Ad Altiora
Rachel Valentine
Deputy Principal