CamNews

Principal

February 16, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The wellbeing and safety of all students at Camberwell Girls is our first priority and therefore at different times of the year we highlight programs, policies and procedures that support this.

We are committed to providing an inclusive environment where all students are safe, feel safe and have confidence that their voice is heard. Some of the ways that we do this is through the implementation of Child Safe Standards and through our bespoke wellbeing program, 360⁰ of Being.

Child Safe Standards

Many of you will be aware of the Child Safe Standards that were originally introduced by the Victorian Government in 2016 and then updated in 2022 through the mandated Ministerial Order 1359: Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises.

This Ministerial Order outlines the following 11 standards:

Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Child safety is a shared responsibility for all at Camberwell Girls. It is important that as parents you have access to our Child Safe Policies (which are mandated by the Ministerial Order) and these are available on our website here and also on Parent Lounge under ‘School Links’ as per the image below.

Please note that these policies and documents include:

Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Child Safety Response and Reporting Policy
Complaint Management Policy
Indigenous Statement
Child Safety Code of Conduct

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with them. We welcome any queries or feedback through your relevant Head of School regarding these documents or the Child Safe Standards.

360⁰ of Being
Camberwell Girls’ wellbeing program, 360⁰of Being, provides a whole school approach to wellbeing, embracing all members of our community and extending from Early Learning to Year 12. It incorporates the character and values central to our school culture, and explores five key domains:

Health and Connection
Respectful Relationships
Positive Education
Environmental Appreciation, and
Cognitive Engagement.

At each year level, purposefully designed and researched informed programs, initiatives and activities are delivered, which are age and developmentally appropriate.

Across their schooling journey, students explore a range of wellbeing topics and programs, including BRAVE, Emotional Literacy, Respectful Relationships, Exploration of Self, LeadUp and Strength in Action. Further units include study skills, time management, and the importance of self-care. Delivered in interactive ways, students discuss, refine and implement routines which serve to provide time for students to develop self-regulation, disconnect and recharge from their studies.

As a Lead School in the Victorian Government’s Respectful Relationship Initiative since 2017, Respectful Relationships is a key domain of our 360⁰ of Being program. It is also incorporated in the Health curriculum, through Student Voice opportunities and Awareness Raising initiatives. As a result of the findings from the Royal Commission into Family Violence in 2016, the Respectful Relationships education framework became a core component of the Victorian Curriculum, and at Camberwell Girls this also includes a focus on gender equality and gender-based violence through a preventative whole school approach.

Students will be involved in a variety of programs and activities which will empower them to develop and activate the skills necessary to navigate a dynamic and evolving world. For more information on our wellbeing program parents can access the 360⁰ of Being Handbook via the school website under the wellbeing section. Information can also be found in the Parent Handbook on myCGGS.

You will receive more information on these programs throughout the year.

For more specific discussions, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the relevant Class Teacher (Junior School), Year Level Coordinator or Head of School.

With best wishes,

Debbie Dunwoody
Principal