Safe SchoolProcedures 2008

BEHAVIOUR/DISCIPLINE

It is everyone’s job to make our school a safe and happy place and whilst weall may have preferred ways of dealing with students, we all need to agree oncertain expectations that we have for our students.Our goal is to develop

personal and social responsibility

in our students.We have agreed that a heavily punitive system undermines this goal,therefore as caring professionals we acknowledge that it is our attitude andhard work that will determine the atmosphere and tone of the classroomand school.All students have the right to learn.All students have the right to physical and emotional safety.All students have the right to safety of personal property.All students have the right to natural justice.All staff are expected to exercise

natural justice

and common sense whendealing with student behaviour.Natural justice means that a teacher must listen to students withoutprejudice, giving equal opportunity to all sides, before seeking to resolve anissue.It is important that teachers employ a

variety of management strategies

in order to assist students to meet expectations. This means that teachers need to commit to a particular strategy, (anddocument changes in student behaviour) over a reasonable period of timebefore ascertaining its effectiveness.One size does not fit all. It is important that teachers use strategies that willbe best suited to an individual student, bearing in mind the background andpersonality of the student.

Effective communication between

home and school

is seen as vital tosolving behavioural issues, particularly “nipping problems in the bud”,before they escalate.Persistent and or serious offenders should have the date and behaviournoted by the teacher and referred to senior management. The support of staff, the deputy principal, and the principal is readilyforthcoming on all matters connected with behaviour management.

BLOOD-BORNE VIRUSES AND HIV/AIDS

All children are entitled to a free education regardless of health status. Indealing with any injury, all children should be treated as if they have ablood-borne virus. Children have a right to privacy. Information collectedfrom enrolment forms will be available to all school staff who must respectthe confidentiality. The board of trustees may from time to time determine what information should be released to whom. The safety of all studentsand staff is paramount.Staff administering first aid treatment should take necessary safetymeasures to ensure their own safety.

Bullying

Bullying is unacceptable harassment and as such can contravene humanrights legislation.

Infringement of an individual rights and group rights.Interferes with students’ educational and social development.We identify three main types of bullying:

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physical - hitting, kicking, taking belongings

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verbal - name-calling, insulting, racist remarks

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indirect - spreading nasty stories, excluding someone from the group.Bullying is:

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deliberate, hurtful behaviour.

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repeated, often over a period of time.

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difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.In this school we will:Raise and maintain awareness of what constitutes bullying and appropriateresponses by including information in:* Staff Procedures manual* Health Programmes* Peer support* Assemblies* Staff meetings* Daily reinforcement in classA “telling environment” will be encouraged by educating students, parentsand staff on the necessity of telling the appropriate people.