Newcomb Secondary College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all of our children and young people. Our school community recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our school is a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of all children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development.

In recognition of this, and informed by the revised Child Safe Guidelines announced by the Victorian Government in July of this year, we have developed a Code of Conduct to inform all of our College programs and practices.

This Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, Department policy, school policies and procedures and professional standards, codes or ethics as these apply to staff and other personnel.

The Child Safe Standards have been updated to include the following priorities and objectives:

• to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
• for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
• to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
• for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe

Further information about the Standards can be accessed on the Victorian Government’s Commission for Children and Young People Website (link below), and our Code of Conduct will be available on our College Website for anybody wishing to learn more.

https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/news/new-child-safe-standards-start-in-victoria-on-1-july-2022-to-better-protect-children/

Scott McLeod, Acting Principal
James Murphy, Assistant Principal
Jeremy Sinclair, Acting Assistant Principal