Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Joseph’s Community

The new Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises (Ministerial Order No. 1359) came into effect on Friday 1 July 2022. The Order outlines minimum requirements schools and school boarding premises must meet to comply with the new 11 Child Safe Standards.

Please watch the following brief video from the Commission for Children and Young People Victoria regarding these new Child Safe Standards 

Consequently, with support from DOSCEL, a great deal of work has been done to ensure that our policies and guidelines are reflective of the new Victorian Child Safe Standards.  Please refer to our school website under the Child Safety and Wellbeing tab  to access the updated and revised policies and procedures at any time. My thanks to Joanne Coldebella and Jen Lawlor for their work with these updates.

At St Joseph’s we are committed to upholding the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility. For resources and support for parents and carers, please visit the Commission for Children and Young People website.

Parents are advised that a copy of the school’s Annual Report to the School Community for 2021 is now available on the school website.  The document fulfills part of the required annual reporting procedures that feeds back to parents and caregivers as well as wider community stakeholders, a summary of the school’s progress across a number of key elements of school life.

Our 2023 Prep students will begin their first orientation session this Wednesday, August 3 and welcome our new students and new families into the school community. Prep numbers for 2023 are very strong and are filling fast so if you know anyone who is still in the process of deciding, please get them to contact the school office for a tour. We all know how great St Joseph's is. Spread the word!

We have started another busy term full of events that benefit your children. If you have any concern, no matter how small, please let your class teacher know, or contact the office. The sooner concerns are addressed, the less anxiety and stress can happen. Communication is important to ensure we are all on the same page. Don't sit on an issue. Let someone know. You will feel better for it. 

Yours in Catholic Education

Ronan O’Mahony

Principal