Child safety in our community
By Ms Karen Mahar, Acting Deputy Principal, Head of Junior School
At Radford College, the safety and well-being of every child and young person in our care is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and compassionate environment where all students can flourish.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect and grooming, and we actively work to embed a culture of safety, care and accountability across all aspects of school life.
Recent media reports have once again highlighted the critical importance of child safety in schools and community organisations. These stories serve as powerful reminders that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility, one that demands vigilance reflection, and continuous action.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Radford College is a child safe organisation, with clear policies, structures and procedures in place to guide our daily practices. Everyone who works, volunteers or engages with our school, including staff, contractors, visitors and external providers, must understand and uphold their responsibilities to protect children.
We are committed to:
- Reducing the risk of harm
- Identifying concerns early
- Responding promptly and effectively to any issues
- Engaging meaningfully with children and young people
- Providing staff with regular training and professional learning
- Reviewing and refining our practices to ensure continuous improvement
Creating a safe and supportive environment for children and young people is intentional work. It must be embedded not only in our policies and procedures, but also in our relationships, everyday decision making, and the culture we foster together.
Radford College complies with all relevant legislation, including Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) checks and mandatory reporting requirements. Our Child Safeguarding Policy is aligned with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, setting out clear standards for protecting children and ensuring accountability across our community.
Online Reporting and Student Voice
We encourage all members of our community to speak up if something does not feel right. Radford’s Child Safety Online Reporting offers students, staff, and families a safe and confidential way to report any concerns so that appropriate action can be taken swiftly.
Learning Through the Protective Behaviours Program
As part of our child safety education, Radford College Junior School students engage in the Protective Behaviours program, which equips them with the skills to identify unsafe situations, respond confidently and seek help when needed. This program is grounded in two core messages:
- We all have the right to feel safe and be safe at all times.
- We can talk with someone about anything, no matter what it is.
Next week all Junior School students will participate in targeted classroom activities to raise awareness about child safety and personal well-being. We encourage parents and carers to continue these important conversations at home in age-appropriate ways, reinforcing our shared commitment to care, safety, and trust. A Nexus post regarding Protective Behaviours learning was shared with Radford College Junior School families this morning.
The safety of children, especially their personal safety, is a priority and a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of everyone in our community. Together, we can build and sustain a community where every child feels safe, valued, and heard.