Child Safety – Marist Sion College

Protection for children and young people is vitally important. We do so with belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, and that the inherent dignity of all should be recognised and fostered.

‘…the promotion of the human person is the goal of the Catholic school.’ (The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium, par. 9)

Catholic schools are entrusted, in partnership with parents/guardians/caregivers who are the primary educators of their children, with the total education of the child. Catholic school staff therefore have a duty of care to students during school operating hours and at other times when a staff/student relationship exists. Staff fulfil this duty by taking reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which they can reasonably foresee would be likely to result in harm or injury to the student.

This section of the website provides our parents with access to various policies which relate to child protection. Parents are invited to contact the College if they have questions about aspects of our practice in child protection.

Victorian Child Safe Standards

DOSCEL and Marist-Sion College are committed to complying with Ministerial Order No. 870: Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools, and following the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Child Safety also considers the diversity of all children, including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, and children who are vulnerable.

Prevention and Response

Preventing and responding to child abuse requires a whole of community response to bring about broad cultural change. To this end, the Victorian Child Safe Standards apply to a broad range of organisations that provide services for children, including schools, churches, sporting clubs and youth services.

Ensuring we have child safe communities goes to the heart of our faith and core purpose. Therefore, we are dedicated to upholding the values and practices that create safe learning environments for students.

Reporting and Contacts

There are a number of supports available when responding to incidents, disclosures or suspicions of child abuse.

24 Hour Services

Victoria Police: 000
DFFH Child Protection: 131 278

Support Services

Australian Childhood Foundation : 1800 176 453
BeyondBlue : 1300 224 636
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA): 1800 806 292
Child Wise : 1300 CHILDWISE
Commission for Children and Young People : 1300 782 978
eHeadspace : 1800 650 890
Kids First : (03) 9450 0900
Kids Helpline : 1800 551 800
Lifeline : 13 11 14
MensLine Australia : 1300 787 978
Office of the eSafety Commissioner : 1800 880 176
Safe Steps : 1800 015 188
Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Teams (SOCIT)
- Southern Metropolitan – Dandenong: (03) 8769 2200
- Eastern Victoria – Bairnsdale: (03) 5150 2677
- Eastern Victoria – Morwell: (03) 5120 0351
- Eastern Victoria – Wonthaggi: (03) 5671 4100
- Eastern Victoria – Sale: (03) 5142 2200
Suicide Call Back Service : 1300 659 467
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA): (03) 9287 8800
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation : (03) 9411 9411
1800RESPECT : 1800 737 732
The Orange Door in Inner Gippsland: 1800 319 354
The Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367 or 0480 017 246
Safe Steps: 1800 015 188

Where can students go for help?

We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College’s Child Safety Champions Ms Lisa Harkin, Mrs Narelle Hunt, Mrs Janelle Burgess or Mr Peter Woodhouse, in person or by email: ChildSafety@mscw.vic.edu.au.

Child Safety Champions

Marist-Sion College has appointed the people listed below as the College’s Child Safety Champions. Each Child Safety Champion is available to answer any questions that you may have with respect to our Child Protection and Safety Policy and the Child Protection Program.

Child Safety Champions are selected based on a number of considerations, namely:

their personal attitudes, experiences and beliefs, for example, a person who is non-judgmental, calm, resilient and demonstrates a high degree of integrity and respect for confidentiality;
their role within the College, for example, a person who has seniority and experience working with complex student and family issues at the College and someone who is readily accessible and available to all members of the College community; and
their personal profile within the College, for example, a person who is approachable, who students and staff trust and who is willing and able to respond to issues personally and sensitively.

It is every individual’s responsibility to protect children and make reports regarding their concerns to the appropriate authorities.

If a person requires support in reporting to the authorities, the College’s Child Safety Champions are your first point of contact. They receive special training that allows them to deal with child protection concerns both sensitively and effectively.