Student Care and Protection
Whitefriars College has a moral, legal and mission-driven responsibility to provide for the care, safety and wellbeing of our students. We are committed to protecting every student from all forms of abuse and neglect. In partnership with families and our community, we work to reduce or remove risks to the safety and wellbeing of the young men in our care.
Our policies and practices meet Victorian legislative requirements, including the Victorian Child Safe Standards set out in Ministerial Order No. 1359.
Inclusivity – Committee Statement
Whitefriars College is committed to the Carmelite tenets of contemplation, community and service. We believe that we are all created equally in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-28) and every person has an inherent dignity and worth. It is our Catholic calling to love and respect everyone in our uniqueness and diversity and nurture our community where all belong and flourish. We welcome and celebrate all people inclusive of cultural background,disability/ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Click here to read our Inclusivity Statement
Our Catholic Commitment to Safety
As a Catholic school in Victoria, Whitefriars acts in accordance with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria’s statement of commitment to child safety.
The Catholic education sector in Victoria holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central responsibility. This commitment comes from the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the dignity of each person at the heart of the Gospel.
The statement affirms child safety as a central focus across Catholic schools in Victoria. It sets a clear moral imperative and commitment to continual improvement, and underpins a culture of no tolerance for child abuse in our schools.
Catholic schools are called to create communities shaped by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity. This vision forms young people to grow in knowledge, faith, responsibility and solidarity with others (Congregation for Catholic Education 2022, n.16).
The sector is united in its expectation for the protection of children and is committed to promoting the dignity and safety of every student in a Catholic school environment.
Click here to read the full statement
Creating a Safe Environment at Whitefriars
Whitefriars provides staff, volunteers and clergy with ongoing opportunities to learn about and respond to child safety. Induction, training and professional learning ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities and the correct procedures for reporting concerns or suspicions of abuse or neglect, in line with Ministerial Order 1359.
Safe Recruitment and Employment
The College has processes in place to monitor and assess the ongoing suitability of staff and volunteers to work with students. This includes regular checks of Working with Children’s Checks and professional registrations such as VIT.
All staff take part in induction, training and professional learning to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in keeping students safe. This ensures that everyone is clear about their professional and legal obligations, and their duty to report any concerns for the wellbeing of a student.
Policy Framework
Prescribed Information Sharing Entities should contact:
Mick Lafferty
Deputy Principal – Students
mlafferty@whitefriars.vic.edu.au
Mick is the initial point of contact for requests and for managing school processes related to CISS, FVISS and MARAM.
