The care, safety and wellbeing of students is a sacred and fundamental responsibility of our school. The College is
committed to protecting children’s best interests and keeping them safe from harm. Child safety and protection is a
shared responsibility for all employees of the College and all staff are required to take a responsive and proactive
approach to the protection and safety of all students in our care. It is an expectation that all employees and volunteers of
the College have up-to-date knowledge of the College’s Policies on Child Protection and uphold all aspect of these policies,
including but not limited to meeting all obligations with respect to Mandatory Reporting, Reportable Conduct, the Child
Safety Code of Conduct, and Duty of Care. Refer to Adrian Puckering, Deputy Principal Professional Culture and MACS Policy folder for additional information.
Child abuse includes sexual offences, grooming, physical violence, serious emotional or psychological harm, serious
neglect and a child’s exposure to family violence.
Marymede Catholic College has zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the protection of all children from all
forms of child abuse.
This Child Protection program is made up of work systems, practices, policies and procedures designed to maintain a
child safe environment and to embed an organisational culture of child safety within the College community.
The program deals specifically with child protection issues and is designed to ensure compliance with the Victorian Child
Safe Standards and related child protection laws. Broader child safety issues arising from our common law duty of care are dealt with through our Student Duty of Care Program.
If you have a belief or suspicion that a child is being, or has been, subjected to any form of abuse you must make a report
by contacting DFFH (the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing) or – if you suspect sexual abuse – the Police (000),.
Whenever making a report or if you have questions regarding child safety, please contact one of the College’s appointed
Child Protection Officers for support and guidance via their email (see below) and cc [email protected]
Whenever there are concerns that a child is in immediate danger the Police should be called on 000