On Sunday 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, recognising the achievements and success of women. To launch our celebration week, our Year 10 students have led the School through a weeklong celebration of acknowledging the achievements of women. As such, I have included sections of the speeches by Year 10 students Madeline Powell, Ciara Jenkins and Summer Kellett who all spoke so eloquently about history of International Women’s Day and the importance of recognising International Women’s Day in our global and local communities.

“International Women’s Day is a global day for unity, reflection, advocacy and action, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women. Started by the Suffragettes, International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911. And still to this day, it continues to be a powerful platform globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity and equality.

The #metoo movement was founded in 2006 to help survivors of sexual harassment and assault. In 2017, #METOO went viral when multiple high-profile women opened up about shared their experiences. Since then, the movement has provided a source of solidarity for women from all backgrounds who have experienced sexual harassment. 82% of all juvenile victims of sexual assault are female. 90% of adult sexual assault victims are female. 94% of women who have been victims of sexual assault experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. The #metoo movement has encouraged a conversation, raising awareness of the prevalence and pernicious impact of sexual violence. Ciara Jenkins

“Gender disparity and inequality can start from such a young age, and this is often due to education. For many young women around the globe, education is inaccessible, and this is often due to cultural norms, marriage and poverty.

For example, in Liberia, education for boys is much more embraced than education for young women.  An estimated 77% of the poorest females in the nation have not gone to school and, the risk of sexual harassment is a primary reason why girls quit school in Liberia. Shockingly, there are over 130 million girls globally who are being denied access to an education.

When we see these confronting statistics, we must remember to be grateful for the incredible education, countless opportunities and the empowerment that we receive at St Catherine’s every day. However, these statistics also urge us to take action and see change. If we can work together and help empower women globally, through causes such as One Girl, which support female education, hopefully we can begin seeing more equal representation, and thus the needs for women being fulfilled.

We must advocate for and spread awareness of the reasons why equality is so crucial in order to be a harmonious nation and world, as ultimately, ‘an equal world is an enabled world’.”  Madeline Powell

This year the International Women’s Day Committee has decided to support two very worthwhile organisations, ‘St Kilda Mum’s’ and ‘One Girl’.

St Kilda Mum’s aims to ensure children and families are happy, healthy and safe. They rehome preloved nursery goods to support families. ‘One Girl’ aspires to provide girls with the same opportunities as boys through education.

To help fundraise our committee will be setting up activities through the week for you to participate in. As you leave assembly today please take a purple ribbon from the girls at the door. Wear it to show your support for women and girls.

The activities this week included:

• an invitation to write the name of an inspirational person who’s made the world a more equal place on the #eachforequal window;
• screening of Little Women in the lower library for a gold coin donation;
• a ‘touch of purple’ bake sale and a #eachforequal Celebrity Heads;
• a lively panel discussion on what #eachforequal means to girls. Various school leaders including the School Captains, and staff will be on the panel;
• and all are encouraged to enjoy the girl power music in place of the School bell at the end of each day. Thank you and happy international WOMEN’s WEEK!!

Summer Kellett

On Monday, we also welcomed Mrs Susan Coles, Deputy State Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who shared her initiatives for women having worked for three and a half years as Australia’s High Commissioner and Ambassador in the Indian Ocean Region. We were also joined by Mrs Molina Swarup Asthana who as the Commissioner for the AFL South East Commission, the AFL Advisory Committee for Multicultural Engagement and Founder of the organisation Multicultural Women in Sport, shared her reflections on sports advocacy, highlighting the enormous benefits of participating in sport for women. A recording of their speeches from Assembly can be heard here.

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Child Safe Policies and Practices at St Catherine’s School

Creating and maintaining a child safe organisation and harmonious School environment is the responsibility of all community members. In light of recent news coverage on the ABC’s 4 Corners, I believe it is pertinent for our community members to be aware of the Child Safe procedures that are undertaken at St Catherine’s School. I have also attached below for our parent community relevant policies that are also readily available on our School Portal and trust this information is reassuring for parents and provides further detail of the rigorous practices undertaken at St Catherine’s School.

The Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority (VRQA) is the state’s education and training regulator. The VRQA undertakes a five-year cyclical review with all independent schools to ensure compliance with the Minimum Standards for Registration of Schools. St Catherine’s successfully completed their five-year cyclical review in 2019. This is an arduous process undertaken over many months with all School policies, procedures and practices reviewed and assessed.

As a School, we are required by law to implement Child Safe Standards to protect children (defined as under 18 years of age) from harm. The Child Safe Standards issued by the Victorian Education Department require all Victorian Non-Government Schools to comply with the Ministerial Order from 1 August 2016, as a requirement of registration.

The Child Safe Standards work by:

• driving changes in organisational culture – embedding child safety in everyday thinking and practice;
• providing a minimum standard of child safety across all organisations;
• highlighting that we all have a role to keep children safe from abuse.

At St Catherine’s, all staff annually participate in professional development programs about the expected standards of behaviour as a staff member and as a matter of good practice, all employees are required to sign their agreement to adhere to the School’s Child Safe Policy at all times.

The Child Safety Policy is attached here for your awareness and knowledge. https://myportal.stcatherines.net.au/send.php?id=115697

I have also attached below our School Community Code of Conduct which outlines clear standards of behaviour that are expected of all members of the School community in the school environment, or when attending any official, social or sporting event or as well as any activity relating to the School in any location at which the School is represented. As such, members of the St Catherine’s community are required to conduct themselves in a manner that respects other members of the Community, and engages with all St Catherine’s School staff in a courteous manner, consistent with the School Values of integrity, curiosity, perseverance and empathy.

The Community Code of Conduct is attached here your awareness and knowledge:

https://myportal.stcatherines.net.au/send.php?id=115714