Order 1130463: Behaviour Management Plan: Teaching
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Rationale The Student Behaviour Management policy and protocols support pastoral care and student wellbeing initiatives within the College. They are premised on the belief that student learning and wellbeing are best achieved within an environment that is:
SAFE SUPPORTIVE EMPOWERING
All members of the school community share the responsibility to teach, foster, promote and encourage positive student behaviour. In order to achieve clarity about behaviour expectations and consistency and fairness in behaviour management within the College, the policy and protocols outline practices that support positive student behaviours and sanctions that apply for breaches of behaviour expectations. The policy and protocols are developed within the framework of policies and guidelines of the Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM). Principles In expecting and supporting appropriate behavior, we enliven the OLMC Vision and Mission, wherein we seek to: • Be hospitable to all • Respect the dignity of each person • Act for justice in our community • Nurture a spirit of kindness • Know the power of forgiveness and offer this to others • Live authentically guided by the teachings of Jesus and the college values of justice,
courage, compassion and joy. OLMC’s approach to student behaviour management is based on restorative practices, which seek to: • Protect personal and school community safety • Assist students and staff to recognise the impact of their actions on others • Nurture and restore relationships • Help students to learn from their mistakes, grow in self discipline and take
responsibility for their actions. The College expects that each person will: • Behave respectfully • Allow each student to maximise their learning opportunities • Take responsibility for their own actions • Promote a safe environment • Abide by College regulations.
Protocols All procedures related to expectations and the consequences of infringements are outlined in the Protocols, pages 4–8.
Student Behaviour Management Policy and Protocols August 2017 (revised)
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An accumulation of four infringements will result in a 1-hour Community Service. Attendance at a number of sessions may require a meeting of the student and the Year/House Coordinator. Parent meetings may also be required for any further attendances. Serious Behaviour Breaches and Major Disciplinary Sanctions A ‘serious behavior breach’ at OLMC is understood generally as activities or behaviours of a student which: • are offensive, or dangerous, to the physical or emotional health of any student or
staff member (e.g. illicit possession and use of drugs, illicit use of prohibited weapons); or
• consistently and deliberately fail to comply with the reasonable directions of the Head of Student Wellbeing and the Principal; or
• consistently and deliberately interfere with the educational opportunities and endeavours of other students.
In such instances, a ‘major disciplinary sanction’ which may be invoked includes: • Suspension – the temporary withdrawal of a student's rights to attendance at the
school • Negotiated transfer – a change of school either to another Catholic school or to a
school in another sector in the best interests of the student concerned • Expulsion –total withdrawal of a student's right of attendance at the school. Before consideration and/or enactment of suspension, negotiated transfer or expulsion, the College will uphold the following principles and practices: • Thorough investigation will always precede any action. • The Principal shall confer with the College Leadership Team as the nature of the case
demands. • Parents and guardians will be actively involved in the process, unless the
circumstances require urgent intervention. • The College will endeavour to adopt a graduated process of other disciplinary
measures. • Counselling of a student will be offered. • The Principal will be responsible for procedural fairness and appropriate support of
the student and family members. • The Principal shall confer with the College’s governing authority, Mercy Education
Limited, as the nature of the case demands. • The Principal will take account of recommended procedures for suspension,
negotiated transfer or expulsion as outlined in the ‘Guidelines for Student Behaviour Management’ in CEM Policy 2.26, Pastoral Care of Students in Catholic Schools.
Related Policies and Guidelines • Respectful Relationships: Anti Bullying Policy • Responsible Behaviours: Drug and Alcohol Use Policy • Counselling Services Policy • Student Responsible Use Digital Technologies and Devices • Restorative Practices at OLMC – Guidelines Policy Ratified: March 2011 Policy Reviewed: May 2014, August 2017 Next Review Date: August 2019 Person Responsible: Head of Student Wellbeing
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Protocols
Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
Treat each other with respect
We are all created in God’s likeness and are therefore worthy of respect. Our community is built on relationships and we are committed to developing and maintaining these through acknowledging the dignity of each person.
When respect is not shown to others: Observations or suspected cases of bullying must be reported to the appropriate Year/ House Coordinator and will be responded to. The College Bullying Policy outlines expectations relating to bullying and harassment. Incidents of inappropriate communication with staff or students will be dealt with by the staff member and/or reported to the appropriate Year/ House Coordinator. All possible efforts will be made to repair the damage and restore the relationship.
Report all incidents: observations or suspected cases of bullying to the appropriate Year/ House Coordinator or the Head of Student Wellbeing. If respect is not shown to a staff member, the staff member should explain to the student why this not appropriate. If there is not a satisfactory resolution, staff are to report the incident to the appropriate Year/ House Coordinator or the Head of Student Wellbeing.
Be punctual Being punctual is a life skill which demonstrates respect for others, enhances learning and promotes involvement in the community.
Any student who arrives after 8.55 am must report to Student Reception and sign in. A note of explanation must be supplied to the Pastoral Leader. Unexplained late arrivals to school and class will be registered and may result in community service at the College. Parents will be notified in writing if student required for community service.
Record all late to morning Pastoral or class (without written explanation). Follow-up discrepancy reports. Pas son all notes to Student Reception for record keeping.
Attend school regularly Attendance Student leaving the classroom Early leave Extended absence
Attendance at school fosters the development of the individual: academically, socially, emotionally and physically. It assists in connectedness to the school community.
Absence from school A parent phone call is expected if a student is absent from school. If a parent has not called and a student is absent, an SMS will be sent to the primary contact to advise of the unexplained absence. An explanation from a parent is required. Parents will be contacted by phone or letter if a written explanation is not provided.
Record attendance during morning Pastoral. Parents will be contacted by SMS if their daughter is recorded as absent at 9.15 am
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Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
Leaving early Students are to provide a written note from parent or guardian to their Pastoral Leader or Year/ House Coordinator An Early Leave Pass will be provided. The student needs to present this to student reception and sign out electronically Extended absence A note to the principal is required for absences that extend beyond 1 week. There is no expectation staff will provide work for students who are absent due to family holidays (or similar).
Drinks/toilet/nurse visits Please assess urgency and timing in relation to your lesson. If you allow a student to leave you must record this in their diary, (they must take this with them). Students visiting the Student Counsellor will have a pass signed and dated. If a student is required to see a Year/ House Coordinator or Head of Student Wellbeing during class time, please sign diary/ accompanying note and send to Student Reception (not directly to offices) Leaving early Ensure you have sighted a note signed and dated by a parent and complete an early leave slip. This must be presented at Student Reception before the student signs out. Pastoral Leaders should pass the original note to Student Reception for record- keeping purposes.
Wear the College uniform correctly
The correct wearing of the uniform is an expectation of being a student at OLMC.
An accumulation of breaches of the uniform policy will result in an afternoon community service at the College. Incorrect uniform items may be confiscated, stored by the Year/ House Coordinator and will be returned at the end of term. Extreme breaches of uniform will involve parental contact and possible exclusion from class or school until the situation has been rectified.
If a student presents with a note, send them to the Coordinator who will record this provide the student with a pass if request is approved. If a note is not provided, record on Portal as uniform (no note). Alert Year/ House Coordinator if you have ongoing concerns. Makeup: request the students removes and record on Portal Jewellery: ask student to remove the item and record on the Portal. If the student repeats the wearing of jewellery
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Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
confiscate, place in an envelope clearly labelled and give to Year/ House Coordinator T/bars: send to the Coordinator. Inappropriate footware: send to the Coordinator. PE cap – not to be worn with school uniform on or off the school premises (unless at GSV training). If you observe a student out of uniform in public and are unable to respond to it, please inform the Head of Student Wellbeing via email.
Meeting work requirements and deadlines.
To meet learning and assessment expectations of the College. Meeting deadlines is a life skill that provides opportunity for proper planning and is integral to the learning process.
Students may be required to complete all missed assessment tasks and non submitted work at an after school session as outlined in the Assessment Protocol.
Staff are expected to follow procedures outlined in the Assessment Protocol.
Electronic items e.g. mobile phones
The possession and use of an electronic item/ mobile phone at inappropriate times is not permitted. This includes during pastorals, assemblies, liturgies and examinations (unless authorised). The College office will relay any urgent messages from parents.
Any breach of this guideline will result in the electronic item/ mobile phone being confiscated, given to the Year/ House Coordinator and returned at the end of the day. A repeat offence will result in parental contact and collection of the item from the College. VCAA and VCE guidelines apply in formal assessment settings.
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Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
Allow self and others the opportunity to learn.
To provide all students and staff with a safe, cooperative and stimulating learning environment.
Respectful relationships underpin classroom behaviour and expectations.
Subject teachers should: • Articulate to the
student/s why their behaviour is inappropriate and explain the impact of their actions on self and others in the class.
• One-on one discussion with the student/s prior to the next lesson.
• Parental contact may be made.
Initial follow up is the responsibility of the subject teacher, if inappropriate behaviour continues, teachers may: • Contact
parent/guardian informing Year/ House Coordinator and Pastoral Leader before contact is made
• Give student extra tasks
• Withdraw student, with explanation, from activity
• Meet with Year/House Coordinator, student and teacher.
• Meetings may include: Parent/guardian, Year/ House Coordinator Head of Student Wellbeing, relevant staff member/s and student.
• The Principal will be involved when considered appropriate.
Adhere to safety regulations
The College community owes a duty of care to all. This involves providing a safe environment and arrangements for proper supervision and control.
For safety and legal reasons students are not permitted to: • be in an’ out-of–
bounds’ areas within the College grounds
• be absent from class without permission
• leave the College grounds during school hours without permission.
Staff are to move students from an out of bounds area. When students found to be absent from class or outside of the College grounds without permission: • teacher to inform
Year/ House Coordinator
• Year/ House
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Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
Students found in an ‘out- of-bounds’ area will be asked to move on and may be given extra duties to perform.
Coordinator to contact parent and issue a Community service. Student may complete an in school suspension for the remainder of day.
• If required, a meeting with parent, student and Year/ House Coordinator will be conducted. Head of Student Wellbeing to be consulted.
Respect the environment and property of the school and others.
It is the responsibility of all individuals to maintain a safe, secure and clean environment. Items that are banned are seen as potentially damaging to the school environment, community or individuals if used inappropriately. All property should be treated with respect. Internet/email guidelines must be adhered to.
The College provides high security locks to students. If a locker is locked or unlocked using a different mechanism, no responsibility will be taken by the College. Lockers: must remain locked and clean. Items of value should be secured in locked lockers. Reported or suspected incidences of willful damage, locker or internet/email misuse will be investigated by the Y/HC. Litter. All students are responsible for maintaining a clean College environment. Students will be requested to take responsibility for litter in specific areas. If the environment is not maintained, students may be given a clean up duty or excluded from an area. Banned items include: • Liquid paper • Chewing gum • Permanent markers
(unless a subject specific stationary requirement)
• Lighters/matches • Other potentially
damaging or inappropriate items.
•
Report incidences of willful damage, locker or internet/email misuse to the appropriate Year/ House Coordinator Request students to be responsible for their own litter. Items will be confiscated and discarded and an infringement recorded. In some instances Year/ House Coordinator will interview student and make parental contact.
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Acceptable Behaviour
Rationale Procedures Student Wellbeing
Management
Procedures Staff
Abide by school regulations regarding banned items and harmful/illegal substances and items.
The possession, use or distribution of harmful/illegal substances are offensive or dangerous to the physical or emotional health of any student or staff member. By definition the possession, use or distribution of a harmful or illegal substance may be deemed a criminal offence.
Harmful/Illegal substances & items include: • Tobacco • Nicotine • Alcohol • Unsupervised
prescription drugs or ‘over the counter drugs’.
• Illegal/Illicit drugs • Other legally
prohibited substances • Possession of a
weapon All incidents are to be reported to the Head of Student Wellbeing. Parents will be contacted to collect students and arrangements will be made for a formal interview with the Principal will take place. For incidents of a criminal nature, police advice will be sought. Refer below, Serious Behaviour Breaches and Major Disciplinary Sanctions.
All incidents are to be reported to the Head of Student Wellbeing.