Principal’s Post on Empowering Young Women
Since 1935, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College has held a legacy of instilling the values of leadership, excellence and service, nurturing confident young women. We empower our girls to make their mark on society with confidence and compassion.
National Child Safety Week – 2 – 6 September 2024
As we approach National Child Safety Week, I would like to take a moment to emphasise the importance of ensuring our children’s safety, both at school and at home. This week serves as a vital reminder for us all to be vigilant and proactive in protecting our children.
The theme for Child Protection Week is “Every conversation matters”’, this ties in with the National Office of Child Safety’s “One talk at a time” campaign which you may have seen on TV, youtube or social media. Here is some parent information that supports keeping our children safe.
- Information about grooming – Information for parents about grooming so you reduce the opportunities of grooming occurring.
- Safe mobile phone use – Information for students about how to use a mobile phone safely e.g. not giving your location away when you post photos on social media.
And a few key points to consider:
- Open Communication: Encourage your daughter to speak openly about their day and any concerns they may have. A trusting relationship can help them feel safe and supported.
- Online Safety: Monitor your daughter’s online activities and educate them about the potential dangers of the internet. Ensure they understand the importance of privacy and the risks of sharing personal information, such as not giving away their location when posting photos on social media.
- Stranger Danger: Reinforce the concept of “stranger danger” and teach your daughter how to respond if approached by someone they don’t know.
- Emergency Preparedness: Make sure your daughter know important contact numbers and what to do in case of an emergency.
- Grooming Awareness: Talk to your daughter about grooming to reduce the opportunities of grooming occurring.
It is important that as parents we provide our daughters with guidance and structure as they navigate the teenage years. Having these conversations about safety both physical and online is like giving them a roadmap to navigate life’s challenges so that they can make decisions that will keep them safe.