Sharing a message from the Victorian Department of Education. "During May and June, the principal of Beaumaris Primary School, David Tapp, and the Department of Education’s Restorative Engagement team (Elly Gay, Jane Carew-Reid and Karen Monument) will be hosting informal morning/afternoon teas with any survivors and their loved ones or former classmates who have been impacted by historical abuse at the school.
We are really keen to listen to and get to know the survivor community as we embark on work towards a memorial acknowledging the historical sexual abuse at Beaumaris Primary School. The purpose of the morning teas is to give people a chance to share their thoughts about what a process towards a memorial might mean to them. We also hope they can be an opportunity for former students to ask any questions, offer suggestions or raise any concerns about the process or the memorial more generally.
There are 2 Monday morning/afternoon teas scheduled for:
Monday 26 May 2025, 10.30 – 12.30pm at the Highett Neighbourhood Community Centre, 2 Livingstone St, Highett VIC 3190
Monday 23 June 2025, 1.00 – 3.00pm at the Highett Neighbourhood Community Centre, 2 Livingstone St, Highett VIC 3190
We understand though that these times might not suit everyone, and we are happy to arrange other times outside of working hours or in other locations (or online), on request. Equally, if people would prefer to meet individually and not in a small group, we are happy to speak to you about organising a suitable time. We may also schedule more sessions depending on interest.
Please feel free to come to one or both mornings tea if you would like to – we just ask that you RSVP to those you intend to come along to. RSVPs are essential so that we can ensure appropriate group numbers.
You can RSVP by either:
Contacting the Restorative Engagement team by SMS to 0473 847 503 or email: reis@education.vic.gov.au, or
Visiting the Engage Victoria website: Support for those impacted by child sexual abuse in government schools | Engage Victoria. You’ll see that there is an option to RSVP for one or both of the morning teas on the Events page: Events | Support for those impacted by child sexual abuse in government schools | Engage Victoria
You can also use our contact details to ask any questions or request a different meeting time or format.
The Department has a Wellbeing Support Program available for anyone participating which will provide wellbeing supports during and after engagement in consultation activities. More information about the program is available from the Restorative Engagement team (details above) and will be provided to everyone who RSVPs for a session.
Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you think will be interested in attending.
We have also launched a survey on the Engage Victoria website: Support for those impacted by child sexual abuse in government schools | Engage Victoria.
Your anonymous responses will help the Victorian Government to understand community views around the Board of Inquiry’s recommendations and will inform further consultation on these important reforms. The survey will be open until 6 June 2025."
Executive Director, Restorative Engagement, Information and Support | Department of Education, E: REIS@education.vic.gov.au
-------------------------------------------------