Policies & Guidelines

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

Child Safe Standards 

Protecting Young People

Lauriston Girls’ School has zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working at Lauriston Girls’ School is responsible for the care and protection of the children and young people within our care and reporting of information about suspected child abuse. 

All members of staff share in the responsibility for the prevention and detection of child abuse, and must:

• Familiarise themselves with the relevant laws, Code of Conduct and Lauriston Girls’ School’s policies and procedures concerning child protection, and comply with all requirements; 
• Receive the School’s Code of Conduct for staff; 
• Take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse; 
• Report any reasonable belief that a child’s safety is at risk to the Principal or delegate; 
• Teachers and nurses fulfil their obligations as mandatory reporters; 
• Report any suspicion that a child’s safety may be at risk to their supervisor (or if their supervisor is involved in the suspicion, to the Principal or delegate); 
• Promote the cultural safety, participation, and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; 
• Promote the safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; 
• Promote the safety, participation, and empowerment of children with a disability; 
• Provide an environment that is supportive of all children’s emotional and physical safety.

What  are Child Safe Standards?

These standards fall under the Ministerial Order 1359 – Implementing the Child Safe Standards – Managing the risk of child abuse in schools and School Boarding premises and take effect as of 1 July 2022. The development of the Child Safe Standards forms part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations. 

All Victorian schools are required to operate within a ‘child-safe environment.’ Lauriston has met all the required standards for child safety and will continue to screen staff and train them to identify and report any suspected abuse. Lauriston will also work with students to make sure they also understand these important policies. 

The Child Safe Standards consist of:

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. 
2. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture. 
3. Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
4. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
5. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
6. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice. 
7. Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
8. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training. 
9. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed. 
10. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved. 
11. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Lauriston's Child Safe Standards Policies - Ongoing Compliance

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy for Students
• Child Safety Code of Conduct
• Inclusion and Diversity Policy
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Intentions Child Safe Standards
• LGBTIQ+ Student Support Policy
• Child Protection Policy
• Mandatory Reporting Policy
• Volunteer Policy
• Concussion Management and Minor Head Injury Policy
• Staff and Student Professional Boundaries Policy

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.

• Privacy Policy
• Complaints, Grievances and Concerns Policy
• Complaints, Grievances and Concerns Policy for Students
• Whistleblower Policy
• Photography and Videography Policy

Enrolment 

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

• Enrolment  Policy – Domestic Students
• Enrolment Policy – Overseas Students
• Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• Student Discipline Policy
• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Parent Code of Conduct Policy
• Vaccination Policy
• Academic Honesty Policy

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. 

• Education Agency Policy
• Overseas Student Accommodation Welfare arrangements Policy
• Overseas Student Complaints Appeals Policy
• Overseas Student Consistent record keeping each accepted Student Policy
• Overseas Student Course Deferment Suspension Cancellation Policy
• Overseas Student Course Refund  Policy
• Overseas Student Critical Incident Policy
• Overseas Student Enrolment Policy Procedures
• Overseas Student Howqua Program Accommodation Policy
• Overseas Student Monitoring Course Progress Attendance Duration Policy
• Overseas Student Non Tuition Fees
• Overseas Student RPL Policy
• Overseas Student Support Services Policy
• Overseas Student Transfer Policy

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.

• Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)