We are coming to a close of a very positive Term 2 at Bishop Druitt College. There is so much to be grateful for in our community. I wish to congratulate my staff for their continual commitment to our outstanding academic, pastoral, service, sporting and cultural programs. We have much to be thankful for.  

The school reports will be available through the parent portal in the coming week. Please take the time to read these with your child and discuss with the teacher comments, celebrate their achievements big and small and also help them set some learning goals for Semester 2. The first Day of Term 3 is Monday 17 July. As this is my last opportunity for the term, I wish the BDC community a wonderful midyear break.

Principal letter - the importance of college student dress

Child Safe Standards

I want to take a moment to emphasise the importance of keeping our children safe and secure. At Bishop Druitt College, we prioritise the wellbeing of our students above all else, and it is crucial that we work together to maintain a child-safe environment.

To ensure the safety of our students, Bishop Druitt College adheres to a set of guidelines known as the Child Safe Standards. These standards serve as tangible guidance for all community organisations, including schools, to create a culture that puts the interests of children first, safeguarding them from any potential harm.

The 10 Child Safe Standards provide a framework that underpins our commitment to the safety and welfare of our students. Let us take a closer look at these standards and how they contribute to the creation of a child-safe culture:

Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture: At Bishop Druitt College, we ensure that child safety is integrated into every aspect of our institution's leadership, governance, and overall culture. Our commitment to child safety starts at the top and permeates throughout the entire organisation. The College Leadership Team meetings, for example, include child wellbeing and the Child Safe Standards as a standing agenda item. Posters are displayed around the college that highlights our commitment to the standards and the Child Safe Officers.

Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously: We strongly believe in empowering our students and involving them in decisions that impact their lives. We value their perspectives and opinions, fostering an environment where their voices are heard and respected. This occurs through our student leadership groups, our service groups (such as Human Rights Group, Environment Group, LGBTIQA+ Group, Goori Group and the Round Square Group).

Families and communities are informed and involved: We recognise the vital role that families and communities play in creating a safe and nurturing environment for our children. We actively engage and communicate with families, keeping them informed and involved in our efforts to ensure child safety. At Bishop Druitt College this occurs through Friends of Groups, our Parent Ambassadors program, the Fathering Project, as well as parent meetings, Schoolbox posts and newsletters such as this one. 

Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account: Our commitment to child safety extends to all students, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances. We strive to create an inclusive environment that respects diversity and caters to the unique needs of each individual. Bishop Druitt College prides itself on being an inclusive environment for all our students. Our student groups, our Religion, Ethics and Philosophy (REP) courses throughout the college and our focussed attention and education on Harmony Day events and NAIDOC week are good examples of these. 

People working with children are suitable and supported: We carefully select and support individuals who work with our students, ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and character to create a safe and supportive environment for our children. The college adheres to extensive child safeguarding with the recruiting of staff, contractors and volunteers. All of these individuals require working with children and reference checks. They are also extensively briefed and are required to follow a Code of Conduct reflective of our commitment to the Child Safe Standards.

Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child-focused: Should any concerns or complaints arise regarding child safety, we have established child-focused processes to respond promptly, effectively, and empathetically. Our priority is always the wellbeing and protection of our students. This public-facing document is accessible on our college website: link

Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training: We believe that ongoing education and training are essential in ensuring the highest standards of child safety. Our staff undergo annual training to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify and respond appropriately to any safety concerns. With the introduction of the new Child Safe Standards, Bishop Druitt College has committed to training with the Office of the Children's Guardian on top of our own internal training delivered by the Principal to all staff. 

Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur: At Bishop Druitt College, we are committed to providing safe physical and online environments for our students. We employ measures to minimise any potential risks and ensure that our students can thrive in a secure and protected setting. At Bishop Druitt College this is achieved through building design and refurbishments to create open and/or visible spaces, internet filters and secure online learning platforms, as well as promoting parent webinars and student online safety education programs. Parent resources to support this standard is: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents 

Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved: We understand that maintaining a child-safe environment requires continuous improvement. We regularly review our policies, procedures, and practices to identify areas for enhancement and ensure that we are always upholding the highest standards of child safety. 

Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe: Our commitment to child safety is clearly documented in our policies and procedures. These documents provide comprehensive guidance on how we create and maintain a child-safe environment, ensuring transparency and accountability. https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/about-us/child-safety

At Bishop Druitt College, we firmly believe that the safety and wellbeing of our students is non-negotiable. By implementing and upholding the Child Safe Standards, we ensure that our college is a place where students can flourish, knowing that their safety is our top priority.

As we start planning for another exciting semester, let us stand united in our commitment to keeping our children safe. Together, we can create an environment where every student can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.

BDC App update

Please note there is an upcoming change regarding the analytics system used for our college BDC App. As of July 1, 2023, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) will replace Universal Analytics. This change will affect how we process new traffic and collect BDC app analytics.

To ensure a smooth transition, we will be migrating our apps to GA4, allowing us to continue reporting on app analytics effectively. Here's what you can expect:

From 4 PM on June 26th to 8.30 AM on June 27th, our school app will be upgraded to support GA4. This upgrade also includes an enhancement to our Android push notification delivery.

For Android users, you will be notified that there is a new version of the app available for download. It is essential to download and open this updated version to ensure that push notifications continue to work.

For Apple users, there will be no impact on push notifications. However, you will be informed that a new version of the app is available for download, which is required to continue the use of the app.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact marketing@bdc.nsw.edu.au 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this transition.

Nick Johnstone
Principal