Commitment to Child Safety
Ripponlea Primary School is a child safe school which welcomes all children, young people and their families.
Everyone in our community has a moral responsibility to keep children safe and to protect them from harm and abuse. This Statement of Commitment helps to raise awareness about the importance of child safety at Ripponlea Primary School (RPS) and affirms the school's commitment to a child-safe culture and expectations.
Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
RPS is committed to the safety, rights and well-being of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. The participation and empowerment of children is fundamental to our work.
In recognition of the increased vulnerabilities of particular groups of children, we will pay particular attention to:
- the cultural safety of Aboriginal children
- the safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
- the cultural safety of international students
- the safety of children with a disability
- the safety of children and young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) and other students experiencing risk or vulnerability
- the safety of children in out-of-home care or youth justice (those unable to live at home)
Inappropriate or harmful behaviour targeting students based on these or other characteristics, such as racism or homophobia, are NOT tolerated at our school, and any instances identified will be addressed with appropriate consequences.
Ripponlea Primary School has ZERO tolerance for child abuse. We value diversity and will not tolerate discriminatory practices.
- We are committed to providing environments where our students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
- Our child safe policies, strategies and practices are inclusive of the needs of all children and students. Specific policies, procedures and supports in place enable us to meet all obligations.
- We promote positive relationships between students and adults and between students and their peers. These relationships are based on trust and respect.
- We take proactive steps to identify and manage any risk of harm to students in our school environment. When child safety concerns are raised or identified, we treat these seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly.
- Child safety is a shared responsibility. Every person involved in our school has an important role in promoting child safety and wellbeing and promptly raising any issues or concerns about a child’s safety.
- Every person involved in our school has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people are at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
- All staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors at Ripponlea Primary School must adhere to the Child Safety Code of Conduct.
- We are committed to regularly reviewing our child safe practices, and seeking input from our students, families, staff, and volunteers to inform our ongoing strategies.
Ripponlea Primary School’s Principles for Child Safety
In its planning, decision-making and operations Ripponlea Primary School will:
- Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
- Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
- Recognise, respect and foster children’s rights;
- Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children;
- Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
- Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
- Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
- Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
- Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
- Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and
- Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.
Evaluation
The Ripponlea Primary School Council and staff will regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and revise the statement tri-annually or as required by completing a review.
Statement of Commitment to Child Safety updates and requirements will be made available to staff, families, volunteers and visitors.
This Statement of Commitment to Child Safety was endorsed by School Council in April 2023.
Signed on behalf of all council members by:
Natalie Rose Tarryn Holland Suzete Ribeiro
Principal School Council President Vice President
To find out more about Child Safety, please view the following documents:
For Primary School Students - Feeling Safe
© Ripponlea Primary School