Policies & Guidelines

At the heart of all  Lauriston Girls’ School  policies and guidelines is a commitment to  ensuring  a safe and supportive environment.

Child Safe Standards 

Our Statement of Commitment

Lauriston Girls’ School remains committed to maintaining a child‑safe and child‑friendly environment where every student is safe, feels safe, and is treated with respect and dignity. Our practice is aligned with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, ensuring that child safety and wellbeing are embedded across our culture, leadership, policies and everyday practices.

We uphold zero tolerance for child abuse, proactively identify and manage risks in physical and online environments, and ensure all concerns are responded to promptly, transparently and in accordance with regulatory requirements. Student participation and voice play a central role in shaping policy, practice and decision‑making. We work in partnership with families and our broader school community to ensure shared responsibility for child safety and wellbeing.

Our approach is inclusive of all students, with particular attention to Aboriginal children, culturally and linguistically diverse students, international students, students with disabilities, those unable to live at home and LGBTIQIA+ young people. We do not tolerate racism, discrimination, or exclusionary behaviours of any kind.

All staff, volunteers and contractors are thoroughly screened, informed and equipped to support child safety at all times. We remain committed to continuous improvement, regularly reviewing systems, seeking feedback, and strengthening our practice.

 

At Lauriston Girls’ School, every staff member plays an essential role in safeguarding the children and young people in our care. All staff share collective responsibility for the prevention, identification, and reporting of child abuse and child safety concerns.

To fulfill this responsibility, all staff must:

  • Adhere to all Child Safe policies and procedures adopted by the School, each of which aligns with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
  • Comply with the requirements of Ministerial Order 1359, including expectations related to child safety, risk management, reporting, and staff conduct.
  • Report any concerns, disclosures, or reasonable beliefs of child abuse or harm immediately, following the School’s reporting procedures and relevant legislative obligations.
  • Demonstrate proactive commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every child is empowered to have a voice and participate fully.

What  are Child Safe Standards?

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse.

The 11 Child Safe Standards are:

Standard 1  Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued

Standard 2 Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3 Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4 Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5 Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6 People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7 Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.

Standard 8 Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Standard 9 Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10 Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11 Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Lauriston's Child Safe Standards Policies

Lauriston must comply with minimum Child Safe Standards and report annually to the Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority about the policies within their School and undertake regular reviews of the policy-in-action. 

Lauriston incorporates annual review information, compliance with Standards, training, policy updates and mandatory reporting requirements in the School’s annual report.

Concerns and Privacy

A trusting and cooperative relationship between families, Lauriston, staff, and the community is best for students. Therefore, we treat all concerns and your private information seriously.   

Enrolment 

The purpose of these Policies is to provide clear principles and requirements for prospective students seeking to enrol at Lauriston Girls’ School.    

Please view our Fees page for our current Schedule of Fees for domestic and overseas students.

Overseas Student Policies

The purpose of these Policies is to provide clear principles and requirements for prospective students seeking to enrol at Lauriston Girls’ School.     

Please view our Fees page for our current Schedule of Fees for overseas students.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Lauriston Girls’ School is committed to incorporating the values for reconciliation and the Schools’ values. These include building strong relationships with local First Nations community groups and having the courage to build connections with the wider community and stand against racism.

We will continue to foster respectful intellectual inquiry into First Nations peoples’ cultures, histories, perspectives and contributions to society. The school will take action to increase understanding and awareness of current social injustices faced by First Nations peoples, while acknowledging the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples, cultures and communities.