Protect, listen, heal
Pope Franics has left a legacy of listening and action to make the world a better place. Many of the priorities in his Pontificate have resonated with young people, particularly around the care for the environment and the poor expressed through Laudato Si.
For schools he has also lead with improving child safety by promoting a culture of protection for children and the most vulnerable. Pope Francis summarised the approach by calling Church leaders to protect, listen and heal.
At Kolbe Catholic College we focus on protection of the young people in our care through:
- All staff and regular volunteers undertake annual training in child safe practices,
- Making sure our approach to education lives out the Catholic Child Safe Framework
- We actively teach the Keeping Safe Curriculum which includes educating young people on their rights and ways to navigate the world
- Try and work with families around the staff, parent and student codes of conduct to ensure the dignity of all is upheld
- Undertake training in workplace health and safety including recent evacuation drills
We listen to students whether it be through surveys and reflections or more recently through student forums to develop our Student Charter. When there are issues we try to listen and respond to help resolve. Pope Francis spoke of “listening is a movement of the heart and it is also (…) at the centre of any action we take.” If there are any issues students, parents, and guardians can make a compliant through emails, calling the front office, or speaking with a member of staff.
When healing and resolving a situation we are guided by Catholic Child Safe Framework; and polices with fair and equitable processes that comply with standards monitored by the Director General of Education WA.
Pope Francis called for us to think of Jesus who welcomes children and all the “little” ones (Matthew 19:14). In a contemporary school setting with many complexities, we place children at the centre of all we do and remember to protect, listen and heal.