The dignity of the human person, who is created in the image and likeness of God, is the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching. This Catholic anthropology leads us to afford all people, but especially children, young people and the most vulnerable, the highest respect. Within this context, effective Catholic schools provide a safe, supportive and secure environment that promotes respect and care and values diversity. The mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of children and young people are essential preconditions for successful learning. These qualities cannot be developed for individuals in isolation from the health and wellbeing of the school community as a whole.
St Francis of Assisi Primary School is committed to the creation of a safe, just and respectful environment that supports wellness for all members of the school community. In this, there is a moral obligation and shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.
St Francis of Assisi Primary School believes that, while protecting children and young people against sexual abuse is a community wide responsibility, schools have particular moral and legal responsibilities to ensure children and young people are safe in their care and to actively and intentionally work to eliminate all forms of abusive behaviours towards children. There are also particular moral and legal obligations for those in authority to prevent, reduce and minimise child abuse and exploitation in all forms.
National Child Safe Guidelines:
Affirm the right of all school community members to feel safe at school.
Promote care, respect and cooperation, and value diversity.
Implement policies, programmes and processes to nurture a safe and supportive school environment.
Recognise that quality leadership is an essential element that underpins the creation of a safe and supportive school environment.
Ensure that roles and responsibilities of all members of the school community in promoting a safe and supportive environment are explicit, clearly understood and disseminated.
Recognise the critical importance of pre-service and ongoing professional development in creating a safe and supportive school environment.
Have a responsibility to provide opportunities for students to learn through the formal curriculum the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for positive relationships.
Focus on policies that are proactive and orientated towards prevention and intervention.
Regularly monitor and evaluate their policies and programmes so that evidence-based practise supports decisions and improvements.
Take action to protect children from all forms of abuse and neglect.
