Vice Principal’s Report

eXcel & Child Safety

The eXcel program is our social and emotional literacy program used in conjunction with the Melbourne Catholic Education Wellbeing Framework. We treat the Wellbeing and Pastoral Care of our students as having the upmost of importance to all of us here at Padua College. We recognise that when students have a healthy concept of self, can identify and regulate their emotions/thoughts and have a positive ability to form resilience that their learning outcomes increase.

eXcel embraces the belief that students have the capacity to achieve their full potential when their wellbeing is nurtured in faith-filled learning environments that are safe, inclusive and respectful. This term, one of our most important topics is ‘Child Safety’. Given the recent negative publicity for some schools in relation to the priority of child safety, Padua College is actively committed to fostering communities of safeguarding that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children. We encourage open communication whereby families and communities are informed of relevant issues and participate in decisions about the safety of children. It is particularly important to us to look for avenues to empower children to have a say and be listened to.

Below you will find a sample of some of the Child Safe material that will be discussed with each and every student through the excel program as well as being readily available on the school Intranet (SIMON) as well as the information for the College Child Protection Officers.

Padua College Child Protection Officers

Padua College has appointed the people listed below as the College's Child Protection Officers. Each Child Protection Officer is available to answer any questions that you may have with respect to our Child Safe Policy and the Child Protection Program. We have also created the following specific email contact that will notify the College if you have any concerns childsafe@padua.vic.gov.au

Child Protection Officers are selected based on a number of considerations, namely:
• Their personal attitudes, experiences and beliefs. For example, a person who is non-judgmental, calm, resilient and demonstrates a high degree of integrity and respect for confidentiality.
• Their role within the College. For example, a person who has seniority and experience working with complex student and family issues at the College and someone who is readily accessible and available to all members of the College community.
• Their personal profile within the College. For example, a person who is approachable, who students and staff trust and who is willing and able to respond to issues personally and sensitively.
The College's Child Protection Officers can be your first point of contact for reporting child protection issues within the College.

Our Senior Child Protection Officer

The College has appointed me as the College's Senior Child Protection Officer. The Senior Child Protection Officer has an important role in the promotion and maintenance of our child protection culture at the College. The Senior Child Protection Officer is identified in our Child Safe Policy, which is available on our website, as a contact for the wider community when they have child protection concerns relating to the College.

Sam Wright
Vice Principal – Students