St. Joseph’s holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility. This commitment is drawn from and inherent to the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.

St. Joseph’s has a universal expectation for the protection of children. It is resolutely committed to ensuring that all those engaged in our school promote the inherent dignity of children and young people and their fundamental right to be respected and nurtured in a safe school environment. This is especially important for the most vulnerable children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability.

St. Joseph’s has a moral, legal and mission-driven responsibility to create a nurturing school environment where children and young people are respected, their voices are heard and where they are safe and feel safe. If allegations of abuse concerning children and young people are raised, St. Joseph’s will take prompt action to have them appropriately referred and investigated. St. Joseph’s will strive for continual improvement that is responsive to emerging thinking, evidence and practice, so as to eliminate the possibility of abuse occurring.

Creating a child-safe school environment is a dynamic process that involves active participation and responsibility by staff, families and our community. It is marked by collaboration, vigilance and proactive approaches across policies, procedures, curriculum and practices.

Every person involved in education at St. Joseph’s has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children is at the forefront of all we do and every decision we make.