“We know that conversations can play a part in ensuring adults take accountability in protecting children through growing awareness and challenging norms.
However, conversations alone are not enough; true accountability requires action, ensuring that every discussion translates into tangible steps to protect children” ~ Leesa Waters, NAPCAN CEO
National Child Protection Week invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
National Child Protection Week (NCPW) will take place from 7-13 September in 2025.
This year, the theme is:
We can all play a part in creating stronger, safer neighbourhoods by:
It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, include their voices in decision-making and be advocates for their best interest.
Let’s move beyond these conversations to create concrete actions that prevent harm and instead focus on strengthening support systems and empowering our communities to actively protect children.
By shifting conversations into actions, we can each ensure that every child not only feels heard but also experiences safe, caring and protective environments.
Decorate Your Space invites our Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle communities—including Catholic Schools, St Nicholas, CatholicCare and Parishes —to decorate a space that uniquely reflects their commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing in line with the theme of National Child Protection Week ‘Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action’ for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
Our communities can choose to decorate any visible space – the only limit is your imagination!
Here are the exciting prizes available to our Diocesan communities:
To enter, simply submit your entry in jpeg format (max 3 images) along with a 150-word description explaining what your entry means and how it is connected to this year’s theme, ‘Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action.’
While we welcome video content to be created, these entries will not be accepted as part of Decorate Your Space.
Entries will be judged based on:
*As relevant per agency
If children/students are included in your submission photos, please ensure they have signed permission from their parents/carers to be used in media.
Deadline: 6pm Sunday 14 September 2025
Submit your entry here.
Contact
For any questions relating to Decorate Your Space, please contact:
Teagan Barry
Case Manager, Office of Safeguarding
P: 02 4979 1390
E: teagan.barry@mn.catholic.org.au
*The 2025 booklet is coming soon
The Children’s Activity Booklet is now available for download. Featuring engaging activities that encourage children to express their feelings and thoughts, the booklet is a great tool for educators and caregivers to facilitate discussions about safety.
Stay tuned for information about 2025 National Child Protection Week webinars.
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children. The Office of Safeguarding is the structural expression of the Diocese’s commitment to demonstrate the highest standards of recognising and upholding the dignity and rights of all children.
The Office of Safeguarding provides training to diocesan personnel to ensure they adopt safe work practices when working with children, and to increase their awareness of the indicators of abuse to equip them to provide the correct response. The Office of Safeguarding also provides an intake service to assist diocesan personnel in ensuring they meet both their mandatory reporting obligations to statutory authorities as well as their duty of care obligations. Risk assessments and comprehensive compliance audits are also undertaken to ensure the diocese is compliant with various safeguarding regulatory and contractual obligations and to reduce and manage identified risks.
Office:
50 Crebert St, Mayfield
PO Box 152, Mayfield NSW 2304
P: 02 4979 1390
E: childprotection@mn.catholic.
www.officeofsafeguarding.org.au
