5 September 2017

They are completing the Graduate Certificate in Education: Safeguarding Children and Young People, a qualification developed by the Australian Catholic University at the request of Catholic Education Melbourne.

The graduate certificate – just one of a handful of courses of its kind available internationally – enables teachers and other education professionals to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the latest best practice in safeguarding young people and how it can be practically applied to maximise child protection in their schools.

‘We take child safety seriously,’ Catholic Education Melbourne Executive Director Stephen Elder said, ‘and our schools are working towards ensuring that they are at the forefront of creating child safe environments.

‘We joined with the Australian Catholic University, a leading centre of teacher training and education research, to develop this course as part of our commitment to providing student wellbeing and protection above and beyond the requirements of the law.

‘To maximise the benefits we have made it available as part of the sponsored study we offer staff to assist with professional development.

‘The graduate certificate affirms the message that everyone involved in Catholic education has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they plays in ensuring the wellbeing of young people and that child safety is at the forefront of everything they do.’

Course participant John Dwyer, from St Francis of Assisi Primary School at Mill Park in Melbourne’s north, praised the ‘incredible richness’ of the curriculum.

‘This course has reinforced to all participants that child safety is the cornerstone of all academic learning and the foundation of all personal growth,’ he said.

Members of the first intake will formally graduate later in the year.

Further information: Christian Kerr, Media Adviser, 03 9267 0411 or 0402 977 352