It is the right of every child and young person to feel and be safe.

At Chisholm Catholic College, our Mission is to “promote the formation of the whole person, to be an instrument of Christ in this world.” Our College Vision for Learning aims to “provide a safe and supportive learning environment” to enable our young people to develop and thrive academically, spiritually and socially. Central to their growth is fostering a positive sense of safety and wellbeing.

Our College Pastoral Care Programme encompasses many opportunities to build on students’ knowledge and enhance their wellbeing. An essential aspect of our Pastoral Care Programme is the teaching of the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KSCPC). This mandated curriculum, used by Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA), offers age-appropriate activities designed to promote child safety and respectful relationships for students from age 3 through Year 12 (age 17+). The KSCPC is evidence-based and highly regarded both nationally and internationally. The teachers delivering the programme have received explicit training in the use of the Curriculum. 

It is a government requirement that students in all schools receive a protective behaviours and sexual abuse prevention education which is developed by experts in child abuse prevention, is age appropriate, is integrated into the school curriculum and makes relevant subject matter links, includes e-safety education and builds practical self-protective skills and strategies.

The KSCPC is based on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities of increasing complexity. The two KSCPC Themes are:

• We all have the right to be safe
• We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.

These themes are explored through four Focus Areas, which are examined each year in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the students. The four KSCPC Focus Areas are:

• The right to be safe
• Relationships
• Recognising and reporting abuse
• Protective strategies.

At Chisholm Catholic College, the Keeping Safe Curriculum is taught primarily within the Years 7-10 Health programmes and the Years 7-12 Pastoral Care Programme, and is also incorporated in other learning areas such as Religious Education and IT. Guest presenters contribute to our PCP Programme by discussing topics that form part of the Keeping Safe Curriculum, such as the safe and responsible use of the digital world; consent, coercion and power in relationships. Next year, additional topics will be delivered in the Year 7 Wellbeing and Year 9 Life Skills programme.

Providing a learning environment that is encouraging, safe and supportive enhances positive student wellbeing and is the key to unlocking optimal engagement and learning. Child safety is paramount in all areas of a child’s life.

Mrs Fiona Millimaci
Deputy Principal – Wellbeing