Author: JulieL
Catholic schools and parishes within the Diocese of Sale will unite to promote Child Safety Week which runs from 3 to 10 September 2023.
This year, Catholic schools and parishes have shared their innovative child safety projects through a video and resource titled, Child Safety in Action in the Diocese of Sale.
Bishop of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet, opened the video by commending schools and parishes for their valuable work aimed at keeping children and young people safe.
He acknowledged that many of the projects were developed by young people themselves with the support of their schools and parishes, which reflect Victorian Child Safe Standard 3: Student voice and empowerment.
“As Christians, we believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. It is our responsibility as a Catholic community to ensure they are valued, respected, and protected. Everyone has a role in keeping children safe.”
Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, Mr Paul Velten said the projects complement the extensive work done to build systems that keep children and young people safe in school and church communities guided by the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
“I hope these projects will inspire others and encourage meaningful discussions surrounding child safety within schools, families, parishes, and the broader community.”
“Throughout Child Safety Week, our schools and parishes will actively share resources and conduct various activities covering a broad range of topics, including online safety.”
“We strongly encourage families, grandparents, and all individuals to actively initiate conversations about child safety with the younger generation in their lives. These conversations are invaluable in shaping their understanding and awareness of this important subject.”
Bishop Greg Bennet concluded the video with a message that it is not just our actions, but also our words and intentions that shape the future.
“May we always choose kindness, compassion, and understanding, for it is through these qualities that we truly bless and protect the innocence of our youth.”
Watch video: https://bit.ly/47kiJgJ
Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource implemented at our school to help support you in the challenges of modern-day parenting. Parenting is a learning journey and it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed when faced with raising happy, well and resilient young people today.
Every family has experienced some sort of difficulty or adversity in recent times, some more than others. As mental health concerns continue to rise, there have been some alarming statistics reported in relation to the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Unfortunately, the blueprint for parenting is often based on our own experiences, but this is no longer fit for purpose in raising children as citizens of tomorrow. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in providing the guidance needed to support children and adolescents as they reframe their worries and focus more on the things they can control in their life.
In this Special Report, we are seeking parent participation through a short survey. The survey is designed to provide a barometer to help gauge the state of student wellbeing within our community. We encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey as this will help our school know the nature and extent of your concerns and determine how best we can support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.
By working together we can continue to build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers as we navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for all students. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjorbost.catholic.