Kids Who Care win in Child Protection Week Awards

An innovative anti-bullying program with its own cartoon characters has made the St Francis Xavier School at Goodna an award winner in Child Protection Week.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today announced the school has won the youth participation category in this year’s Child Protection Week Awards for its “Kids Who Care” anti-bullying program.

“Child protection is everyone’s business and this award demonstrates that everyone must be vigilant in making sure children are safe and happy,” Mrs Keech said.

“I thank the St Francis Xavier school for setting the standard and embracing this message by creating a unique way to prevent bullying.”

“The Bligh Government allocated $85,000 to community groups across Queensland so they could highlight Child Protection week.

“Through our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government is helping build stronger, safer, more caring communities – principles embraced by Child Protection Week.

Assistant to the Principal, Religious Education, Ms Petrea Rawlinson said the most important thing the children learn is what is and what it isn’t bullying.

“They can talk about and describe any problems that arise. They have been given the words,” Ms Rawlinson said.

The school’s anti-bullying policy was launched in 2006.

Each year since, a series of eight whole-school lessons about bullying and resilience have been taught. The lessons involve radio plays, classroom activities and discussions.

“Life-sized cartoon characters, such as Icy Isolation, Crazy Conflict, Roving Random and Bully Bulldozer, teach the children about common negative schoolyard behaviours,” Ms Rawlinson said.

“The two most important characters are the life-sized Kids Who Care – one boy and one girl.

“These characters appear in the school logo and on posters around the school, continually reinforcing the key message that ‘At Francis Xavier, we try to be Kids Who Care.

“The children are taught positive behaviour and strategies for situations such as being left out of a game, having an argument with another child, dealing with someone who is in a bad mood and dealing with a bully.

“They are also taught to always report the negative behaviour.”

Mrs Keech publicly honoured St Francis Xavier School and seven other child protection workers and advocates when she helps present this year’s Child Protection Week Awards at Parliament House on Thursday, September 11.

“These awards are an acknowledgment of the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland,” Mrs Keech said.

“This year’s Child Protection Week theme, Children See. Children Do…Make Your Influence Positive reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect our children.

“I commend the award recipients and I hope they inspire others to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people.”

Child Protection Week is coordinated nationally by the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and, in Queensland, by the
Child Protection Week Committee of representatives from government and non-government agencies concerned with child protection issues.

Community groups throughout Queensland have received a share in $85,000 of Queensland Government funding to participate in this year’s Child Protection Week, which officially started on Father’s Day (Sunday, September 7) and runs until Saturday, September 13.

Department of Child Safety’s Child Protection Week Awards

·Professional (non-government) – Commitment to promoting child protection issues in their capacity as a professional working in the child protection (or related) field.

Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project Team: Brett Sceats, Trent Savill, Stephen Hoban and Clare Breaden

·Volunteer – Invaluable contributions made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

Peter Jukes of the Pyjama Foundation

·Public Sector – Outstanding contributions to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service.

Leanne Scoines, child protection worker with Child Protection After Hours

·Regional Program – Program that operates within part of, or across, a whole region to address some aspect of child protection.

Sonia Townson, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer, Bamaga

·Education Initiative – Development of an innovative approach or resource to promote child protection.

Detective Senior Sergeant Charysse Pond of Safehands

·Youth Participation – Involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people.

St Francis Xavier School, Goodna

·Research Initiative – Academic research or project work that contributes to improved child protection outcomes.

Dr Maree Crawford, paediatrician, Child Advocacy Service, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane

·Media – Recognises an article or series which highlight child protection issues.

Caroline Hutchinson, 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast Daily

For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.cpwonline.org

ENDS

Media contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236