Earlier this year we were fortunate enough to once again have Holly-ann present to both our staff, and parents at one of our termly ‘Connect, Learn, Engage’ parent seminars. We invited Holly-ann back to talk to our Year 7 and Year 10 students on Thursday, 18th May to enable our students to benefit from her many years’ experience in the field of protective behaviours.
Holly-ann spoke separately to the boys and girls, delivering the message that we can all to talk to someone about anything. She also discussed ‘early warning signs – our feelings and our body’s reaction when we do not feel safe; our safety network of people we can trust, talk to and who will take action to help us. She discussed cyber safety and our reactions to people who troll and stressed again that we need to be mindful of our responses and instead let someone know it is happening. She reinforced that people online are not always who they say they are and asked us to be mindful of our digital foot print- the things we put online are forever and when we apply for jobs, even part-time jobs, employers can look you up and form an opinion about who you are from your digital activity.
Holly-ann talked about the support that is available from the Kids helpline and how children can call there whenever they want, and for whatever reason, big or small. It is also possible to talk to the same counsellor every time if you developed a good connection. Then she called the Kids Helpline so that the students could have the experience of talking to someone there and ask them questions.
Holly-ann Martin is the founder and Managing Director of Safe4Kids. Her experience spans twenty-five years with the Western Australian Department of Education and Training (DET), in a variety of school settings. Holly-ann’s unique approach to child protection education is underpinned by a whole community focus. This focus is centred around providing safer communities for children through engaging school staff, parents and carers, local police, health workers, Department of Child Protection staff and early years childcare and education workers. Holly-ann’s emphasis centres on developing a language and culture of safety for children and adults alike, improving communication and highlighting and broadening the networks available to children when they are feeling unsafe.
Should you require further information about Holly-ann or Safe4Kids, please visit the website http://safe4kids.com.au
The Kids Helpline details are as follows: 1800 55 1800