Goondiwindi State Primary School have just been awarded the 2021 Child Protection Education Initiative Award for their work with Act for Kids, as part of Child Protection Week from 5 September until 11 September.
The week is a national event held during the first full week of September that focuses attention on child protection being everyone’s business.
Mel Jenkins, Head of Department (Curriculum) at Goondiwindi State School says they are honoured to receive the Child Protection Education Initiative award for 2021.
“By working with support agencies, such as Act for Kids, teachers and support staff take an inclusive approach to teaching and learning,” she says. “This includes trauma-informed and cultural approaches, to ensure all our children are engaged in learning, every day. We are very privileged to be able to work with a broad range of children and carers every day, and we are very grateful for the support received by Act for Kids.”
Through an Individual Placement Support package to support young people in care to remain engaged in learning and within their school community, Goondiwindi State Primary School was able to provide a space for Act for Kids staff to work 4 days per week with children who require intensive interventions.
One referee from Queensland Child Protection Week noted that the school is incredibly trauma-informed and open to implementing innovative ways to respond to trauma.
“They have an ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with child protection. They go above and beyond. They have a collaborative approach to working with kids.
“They are consistent and concerned with the children’s stability and well-being.
“This space has been tailored to the children’s needs. The Principal, Marni Morrison, and her staff have gone above and beyond to provide training and targeted interventions to the children and staff and to ensure responses to trauma based behaviours are informed and positive.”
