Policy

Student Welfare Policy

Leumeah Public School - Policy 23/8/2012

1

School Code of Conduct: At Leumeah Public School, behaviour management is recognised as a whole school responsibility. Staff,

students and the parent/community body are responsible for maintaining an environment that increases

appropriate behaviour and decreases inappropriate behaviour. Through quality teaching and learning

experiences, students will become empowered to make positive decisions about their own behaviours.

School Rules: Leumeah Public School rules are simple and clearly state the expectations of behaviour at the school. The

school rules are:

 Be Safe

 Be Respectful

 Be a Learner

Rights and Responsibilities:

Students Rights Responsibilities

B e

S af

e

- Expect others to help me.

- Expect not to be hurt.

- Not be teased or have my feelings hurt.

- Not be bullied.

- Feel respected, valued and treated

fairly.

- Be able to work and play safely.

- Expect that I will be safe in my school.

- Expect that I will not be threatened/hurt

by any weapons.

- Expect that my school will be a drug

free environment (illicit/illegal drugs).

- Care for and help children at school.

- Not hurt others by fighting/rough play.

- Remain in bounds/in sight of a teacher at

all times.

- Not endanger anyone by throwing objects

- Walk on concrete and run on the grass if it

is safe.

- Not bring illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco

to school.

- Keep any medication in the office.

- Not bring any objects that could be used

as a weapon.

B e

R es

p ec

tf u

l

- Expect that I will be told the truth and

that my property will be respected.

- Be spoken to courteously.

- Be listened to and be able to explain

my actions and behaviours.

- Be treated in a non prejudiced and non

racist way.

- Not tease, laugh at, hurt or bully others.

- Treat all members of my school with

respect and tolerate difference.

- Tell the truth and respect property of

others.

- Wear my uniform with pride.

- Treat staff members with respect and

follow their instructions.

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e a

L ea

rn er

- Not to be distracted by others while

working.

- Expect that my learning experiences

will be appropriate to my development

and that programs and activities will

enhance and extend my learning.

- Expect that school will be an

educationally rewarding and happy

experience.

- The school will be pleasant, clean and

well maintained.

- Keep my school clean and tidy.

- Not disturb the classroom environment.

- Work as hard as I can and to the best of

my ability.

- Listen while others are speaking.

- Attend school regularly and attend school

activities.

Staff Rights Responsibilities

B e

S af

e

- Feel respected, valued and treated

fairly.

- Expect that I will be safe in my school.

- Expect that I will not be threatened/hurt

by any weapons.

- Expect that my school will be a drug

free environment (illicit/illegal drugs).

- Observe child protection policies and

procedures.

- Provide children with adequate child

protection education and the skills to make

informed and assertive decisions.

- Negotiate with students a satisfactory

outcome for the resolution of a problem.

- Provide quality teaching programs in safety

and use of equipment.

- Reinforce safe games/play.

- Model appropriate behaviour.

- Be prompt when attending playground duty.

- Share responsibility for the supervision of

students.

- Discuss, reinforce and where appropriate

model travel safety rules.

B e

R es

p ec

tf u l

- Expect that I will be told the truth and

that my property will be respected.

- Be spoken to courteously.

- Be listened to and be able to explain

my actions and behaviours.

- Respond professionally when dealing with

all students, staff and community members.

- Recognise and be sensitive to the individual

needs of all students.

- Seek to develop trust.

- Seek to maintain children’s self-esteem.

- Speak respectfully to students, staff and

community members.

- Be sensitive to community needs and issues.

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e a

L ea

rn er

- Expect that school will be an

educationally rewarding and happy

place of learning.

- The school will be pleasant, clean and

well maintained.

- Ensure classroom practices focus on the

development of positive and effective

relationships.

- Hold high and realistic expectations,

reflecting knowledge of the individual in and

out of the classroom.

- Provide opportunities for learners (staff,

students, parents/care givers) to reflect on

their own learning, assess their progress and

identify future learning goals.

- Be an active listener.

- Provide opportunities for the development of

self-discipline, self-evaluation,

communication and conflict resolution skills.

Parents Rights Responsibilities

B e

S af

e

- Feel respected, valued and treated

fairly.

- Expect that I will be safe in school.

- Expect that I will not be threatened/hurt

by any weapons.

- Expect that the school will be a drug

free environment (illicit/illegal drugs).

- Accept responsibility for children’s

knowledge and enactment of safety rules and

behaviour.

- Model travel safety and sun sense rules.

- Ensure that children not arrive at school

before 8.30am or remain after school finishes

(unless attending after school activities).

- Refrain from smoking or consumption of

alcohol on school grounds.

- Not bring animals onto school grounds

unless prior arrangements and permission

has been sought.

- Behave in a manner that is non-threatening to

children, staff and community members.

- Be particularly aware of pedestrians while

entering and leaving the school and its

surrounding areas.

- Observe parking and crossing signs within

the immediate area of the school.

- Accept responsibility for your child’s

knowledge of travel safety rules and

behaviours.

Student Welfare Policy

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e R

es p ec

tf u l

- Expect that I will be told the truth and

that property will be respected.

- Be spoken to courteously.

- Be listened to and be able to explain

various circumstances.

- Support the school ethos.

- Value the individuality of the child.

- Respect confidentiality.

- Recognise the right of all children at school

to be safe and not threatened by other

parents.

- Maintain open lines of communication

between home and school by discussing

issues.

- Seek to negotiate positive and effective

solutions to problems.

- Share responsibility for the management of

your child’s behaviour.

- Responsibly use cameras and video

recording devices to record their own

children.

B e

a L

ea rn

er - Expect that school will be an

educationally rewarding and happy

place of learning.

- The school will be pleasant, clean and

well maintained.

- Support the learning programs of the school.

- Encourage your child to strive for their

personal best.

- Accept shared responsibility in the learning

process.

- Be active listeners.

Positive Behaviour System:

The Positive Behaviour System at Leumeah Public School is designed to work collaboratively with the

school rules. Students are rewarded for following desired behaviour expectations. Minis and Merits are

awarded and are accumulated to progress through the Positive Behaviour System. The progression of

awards is as follows:

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All awards received can be accumulated throughout the student’s entire primary school career.

New students can use awards presented at their previous school, however Leumeah Public School

teachers will determine the value of these awards.

Awards presented to students on Presentation Day can be used to the value of one Principal’s Award.

Negative Behaviour System:

In addressing all behaviours, staff at Leumeah Public School act in a fair and consistent manor. Student

behaviour is continually monitored and negative behaviours are addressed through a levelled behaviour

system. At Leumeah Public School, students are taught to take responsibility for their behaviour while

being given the opportunity to modify undesirable behaviours. The progressive Negative Behaviour

System is as followed:

Behaviour Level Consequence Rule Reminder Student given the opportunity to modify behaviour.

Verbal Warning Verbal Warning recorded.

White Slip 5 minutes time out in classroom next door or to Stage Supervisor or in

playground.

2 White Slips Time out for half of lunch. Phone call home by classroom teacher. Will not

attend PBIS Reward Session at the end of the term.

Beige Level 1

(3 White Slips in a term)

5 day behaviour monitoring card. Phone call to parents by Supervisor. 2 days

time out for half of lunch. Possible allocated area of play during breaks. Loss

of a class privilege. Report to Supervisor at the end of each day. Will not

attend PBIS Reward Sessions at the end of the term.

Orange Level 2

(6 White Slips in a term)

5 day behaviour monitoring card. Phone call to parents by Deputy Principal. 3

days time out for half of lunch. Possible allocated area of play during breaks.

Loss of class privilege. Will not receive awards at an assembly while on the

monitoring card. Possible exclusion from out of school activities. Report to

Deputy Principal at the end of each day. Will not attend PBIS Reward

Sessions at the end of the term.

Red Level 3

(9 White Slips in a term)

5 day behaviour monitoring card. Phone call to parents by Principal. 5 days of

time out at recess and lunch (given time to go to bathroom and eat). Loss of

class privilege. Will not receive awards at an assembly while on the

monitoring card. Exclusion from some out of school activities. Possible

Warning Letter of Suspension or Suspension. Report to the Principal at the

end of each day. Possible loss of leadership position within the school (i.e.

Captains, Prefects, House Captains, Library Monitors, SRC members). Will

not attend PBIS Reward Sessions at the end of the term.

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-Rule Reminders and Verbal Warnings are not accumulated beyond one school day.

-White Slip progression accumulates through out one term and is not carried over to following terms.

-Some behaviours by students may warrant being automatically placed on Beige Level 1, Orange Level 2

or Red Level 3.

-Assistant Principals will oversee the placement of students onto Beige Level 1. The Deputy Principal

will oversee the placement of students onto Orange Level 2 and the Principal will oversee the placement

of children onto Red Level 3.

-Extreme levels of unacceptable behaviour may result in suspension or expulsion. The Principal will

suspend, consistent with the procedures set by The Department of Education and Training, “Procedures

for the Expulsion of School Students Policy”.

-Only a very small number of students will ever be suspended or expelled from school. The purpose of

suspension is to allow students time to think about and accept responsibility for their behaviours. It also

gives the school time to make a plan to improve the student’s behaviour. This task is more affective when

parents or caregivers work with the school to help solve the problem. Principals may impose either a short

or a long suspension of up to and including twenty school days.

-On returning from a suspension student behaviour will be monitored on a five day Blue Monitoring Card

and counselling and access to special behaviour programs will be provided.

Outlined below are the behaviours that constitute a Rule Reminder or Verbal Warning. Additional

behaviours may be included as the need arises.

Inappropriate Behaviour

Be Safe

 Out of Bounds

 Inappropriately using

equipment

 Throwing Objects

 Playing in the Toilets

 Not Moving Sensibly

Around the School

Be Respectful

 Swearing

 Spitting

 Task Refusal

 Damaging Property

 Disrespecting Others

 Rough Play

 Speaking Rudely

Be a Learner

 Persistent Calling

Out/Talking

 Off Task

 Distracting Others

 Not Following Class

Rules/Rules of a Game

 Refusing to Follow

Instructions

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Outlined below are the behaviours that constitute an automatic White Slip or Behaviour Card.

Duties of Care:

All staff at Leumeah Public School have the responsibility of ensuring that all students are able to learn in

a safe and caring environment. Students must remain under the supervision of a teacher at all times.

Before School Hours:

Teachers at Leumeah Public School begin supervision duty of students at 8.30am. Alternate supervision

for students must be arranged by parents before 8.30am. In extreme circumstances, where alternated

supervision can not be arranged, any student arriving at school before 8.30am must sit on the seats in the

infant COLA..

Lunch and Recess Time:

Students are directly supervised by the classroom teacher during the 10 minutes of eating time at lunch.

Students are taken to a sheltered area where they will remain seated for the duration of eating time. K-2

students are permitted to play on the Bottom Oval, COLA and Quadrangle at lunch and recess time. 3-6

students are permitted to play on the Top Oval, COLA and Quadrangle at lunch and recess time. Students

who do not wear a hat must play in the COLA. Each term teachers will determine what games are to be

played on the Ovals. Some equipment may be provided for student to play with during these times.

Extreme Weather Conditions:

Decisions regarding extreme weather conditions are made by a member of the executive team at the

beginning of the school day. Should extreme weather be called, duty can be shared with the neighbouring

teacher. Should rain begin during playtime, the duty teacher will move students under shelter and further

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decisions will be made by an executive team member. If wet weather is called in the morning, then it will

remain for the rest of the day. If the weather eases throughout the day, teachers may choose to take their

students out into the playground and they will continue to use the buddy system for supervision.

After School Hours:

Teachers supervise students awaiting bus transport. Students line up inside school gates and are lead to

the bus by the teacher. Supervision concludes with the departure of the last bus. Students not collected at

the end of the school day will be taken to the office where every effort to contact a parent or caregiver will

be made.

Leaving the School via the Back Gate:

At the end of the school day, students leaving the school via the back gate, must line up in the Quad and

wait for the teacher on duty to walk them to the back gate. Students who need to cross the road must wait

for the teacher to cross to the middle of the road and ensure that traffic has stopped before students can

cross. After students have departed, the teacher on duty will collect the “Children Crossing” signs and

lock the gates. Any student who has not been picked up will accompany the teacher back to the office

where every effort to contact a parent or caregiver will be made.

Excursions:

A signed permission note must be completed and returned to the school prior to an excursion. Excursions

requiring a monetary payment must be made in full no later than the specified payment due date. Failure

to do so will result in the child being excluded from the excursion. If there are issues with payments,

contact must be made to the Principal at least two days prior to the specified payment date of the

excursion. Students not attending an excursion will be given school work and placed under the

supervision of another teacher for the duration of the excursion.

Excursions Involving Swimming and Water Activities:

Parents must be asked to indicate the swimming ability of their children when giving consent for students

to participate in excursions involving swimming or water activities. If parents indicate students are poor

or non-swimmers and no floatation devices are available for use by the students, the Principal will need to

assess whether the student should participate in the swimming or water activity. This assessment must

take place irrespective of parental permission for the student to participate in the swimming or water

activity.

Parent Helpers on Excursions and in the Classroom: On occasions, parent helpers will be required on excursions. It will be determined by the school as to

which excursions may require parent help. Expressions of interest for parent help will be placed on the

excursion permission note. If there is an overwhelming response a ballot will take place. Parent helpers

are required to:

 Sign a Child Protection form which will be kept in the office

 Ensure student safety

 Inform teachers of any inappropriate behaviours or safety issues

 Manage groups in a positive manner

 Follow teacher directives

 Remain with the students at all times unless otherwise directed by the teacher

 Maintain student and teacher confidentiality.

 Ensure that their preschool aged children do not attend the excursion with the parent.

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Parents are discouraged from attending excursions where they are not a parent helper. This is to alleviate

confusion between who is responsible for the child.

Sporting Team Code of Conduct: As a participant in sporting events students will:

 Co-operate with coaches, team mates and opponents.

 Work equally hard for themselves and their team.

 Compete by the rules and always abide by the referees’/umpires’ or judges’ decisions.

 Be a good sport (ie: accept defeat graciously, congratulating opposition, respecting umpire

decisions, etc).

 Encourage fellow team members.

 Attend all scheduled training sessions where possible, showing an enthusiastic attitude towards

improving their ability.

 Attend all competition events with the exception of a medical illness or injury.

A parental consent form details the responsibility of parents in supporting sport activities. It states:

“I have signed the Code of Behaviour and agree that if my child seriously contravenes behavioural

expectations he/she may be immediately excluded from the team and may be excluded from any further

involvement in PSSA competition”.

Each student and their parent/caregiver must sign and return the Sporting Team Code of Conduct to the

school at the beginning of each school year.

Computer and Internet Code of Conduct: When using technology students will:

 Follow teacher instructions regarding the use of the computer and Internet.

 Not access or download any sites with socially unacceptable content.

 Search any words that are socially unacceptable.

 Ensure that any email they send out will not contain any inappropriate or offensive content.

 Not give out personal information (eg: address, telephone number, parent’s work address and

telephone number or location of the school without permission).

 Comply with copy right laws relating to downloading material and I will acknowledge these in my

writing.

 Inform the teacher immediately if they come across any information that is unacceptable for

school.

 Only use their thumbdrive for educational purposes as directed by the class teacher.

 Students are not permitted to have any devices with a camera function at school unless otherwise

specified by the school (eg: on school camps).

 Students will not engage in bullying via social networks (i.e. Facebook, Twitter)

If students fail to abide by this code of conduct, consequences will be enforced at the discretion of an

executive team member on an individual student basis.

Mobile Phones: If students are required to bring a mobile phone to school, they must take it to the office on arrival.

Phones will be kept in a safe location in the office. Students will pick their phones up from the office at

the completion of the school day. If students do not hand their phone into the office, teachers will remind

them to do so and if this behaviour continues a suitable consequence will be implemented.

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Cameras or Devices with Cameras: Students are not permitted to bring any devices with cameras, video recorders or devices that record and

play music (i.e. iPods, DSI, MP3 players) to school. This is to ensure that student privacy is upheld. If

these devices are brought to school they will be confiscated and taken to the office. These items will be

returned to the student at the end of the day. Students are only allowed to have cameras on school

excursions or at a special school event where it has been stipulated in writing by the teachers prior to the

event.

Personal Equipment at School: Students may bring their own personal toys (i.e. balls, dolls, DS without a camera, Bey Blades) to school

to play with during breaks. If a child does bring their toys to school, it is their responsibility to look after

it. Teachers and the school, will not take any responsibility if the toys are damaged or broken. I-Pods are

not permitted to be brought to school. This is to ensure that students are not exposed to inappropriate

material.

Bullying and Racial Abuse: Refer to Leumeah Public School’s Anti-Bullying Policy.

The school Principal may override any part of this Student Welfare Policy where needed, after careful

consideration and consultation with staff.