Dear Parents

This year National Child Protection Week (September 6^th – 12^th) will celebrate its 30th year with the theme:   Putting children first…

‘Putting children first’ was front of mind when the National Child Protection Week campaign was launched in 1990, with the aim of bringing abuse and neglect out of the shadows and putting child wellbeing on the national agenda.

Since then, the need to put children first has been recognised time and time again as an important pillar for boosting the wellbeing of all children in Australia.  Under this year’s theme of ‘Putting children first’ all Australians are invited to look at how they can prioritise children in their lives and to engage in National Child Protection Week.

Putting children first means prioritising the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children. To grow up well children need to feel safe and loved, have a chance to play and explore, have a say in decisions that affect them, and access to essential things like food, shelter and healthcare.

For children to thrive we need to come together as a community and put children’s needs first during National Child Protection Week and every week. The COVID-19 pandemic means there is added pressure on families and communities so more than ever, we all need to play our part in protecting children.

We can all play a part by creating stronger, happier communities. This can be achieved by checking in and helping your neighbours and friends, being a good role model, supporting and being kind to parents rather than judging or being competitive and speaking up if you see something that is unsafe.

It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, include their voices in decision making and be advocates for their best interest.

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children. The Office of Safeguarding (OoSG) is the structural expression of the Diocese’s commitment to demonstrate the highest standards of recognising and upholding the dignity and rights of all children.

Resources that you may find useful are:

NAPCAN - https://www.napcan.org.au/ncpw-get-involved/

Maitland- Newcastle Office of Safeguarding: https://officeofsafeguarding.org.au/

Resources for Parents:     https://padlet.com/officeofsafeguardingmn/parents

Resources suitable for children Kinder – Year 2:  https://padlet.com/OfficeofSafeguarding/K_2

Resources suitable for children Years 3 – 6:   https://padlet.com/officeofsafeguardingmn/years3_6

Throughout Child Protection week, here at St Joseph’s, a variety of activities focusing on the safety of children will be undertaken across the grades, that are at age appropriate levels. A whole school event will be the recognition of “White Balloon day” which is a day to have fun with friends and talk about how important children are and what we can all do to help keep them safe. We ask that all children on Wednesday 9th September wear a white shirt with their sports uniform that day, instead of the regular yellow polo shirt.

It’s important that all children know that their body belongs to them and if they ever feel unsafe or unsure, about anything, they should run and tell an adult that they trust.

Bravehearts, Australia’s leading child protection organisation, who instigated the White Balloon Day promotes 3 rules for children to remember:

• We ALL have the right to feel safe with people!
• It’s OK to say “NO” if you feel unsafe or unsure.
• “Nothing is so yucky that you can’t tell someone about it.”

White Balloon Day is a day that helps us all to remember how important children are and how we all need to work together to keep them safe.

Staff Development Day

As we have previously shared with you, a school improvement focus that we have for this year is around the teaching and learning of writing. Over the course of this year all teachers have been engaged in further developing their skills in, and understanding of, how best to teach writing.  We have managed to secure a place for all our teachers to be engaged in an online professional learning day focusing on the development of effective writing programs on Friday 18th September. This means that the day is a pupil free day and no home learning is expected.

If you require child care for this day please contact our St Nicholas’ OOSH.  They can be contacted on:  M: 0429 261 660     E: thejunction@stnicholasoosh.org.au

Uniforms

Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle have a long tradition of school uniforms as an important dimension of school life. They provide a strong sense of identity and contribute to inclusiveness and equity in schools. Our Diocesan uniform policy requires:

• consultation with the school community
• health and safety considerations
• compliance with anti-discrimination legislation
• consideration is given to affordability, functionality and durability of uniform items
• provision of uniform options, including shorts and pants, in all uniform categories for all students, regardless of gender.

In considering these requirements, earlier this year we began the process of consulting with Lowes, our uniform supplier, to explore the options of shorts and trousers as an alternative to the summer and winter tunics. We have received, this week, four samples that we have on loan only until next Wednesday morning.  In light of the restrictions on having parent meetings on site we will display the four options in the playground at pick up time on Monday 31st August and Tuesday 1^st September. Feel free to take a look at the options which include shorts, skorts and culottes.  Remember, however, that you need to follow the practice of wearing a mask whilst on the school grounds. 

Lowes are currently preparing a document with the various options illustrated and we will then share this with you in order for you to choose your preferences.  We will also be consulting with the children in order to ascertain their preferences.

COVID-19 Update

NSW Health has updated its advice to schools across NSW/ACT to ensure that students and staff do not attend school if they are unwell. Further, and this is a clear elevation of protocols, students absent or sent home due to flu-like symptoms (such as coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath) need to be tested. Evidence of a negative result should be provided prior to allowing students and staff to return to school. This measure is ensuring we maintain a stringent and measured approach across all of our schools to maintain the health of students and staff.

Gerard Mowbray. Director of Catholic Schools.

Thank You

Thank you very much for the cards, flowers and expressions of sympathy for the loss of my mother.  When someone we love leaves this world, we feel unmatched grief and your thoughts, prayers and kindness during this difficult time are very much appreciated.  It is a comfort to me knowing that I am surrounded be such a loving and caring community.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.        Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998)

Karen McGinlay