Statement of Values and School Philosophy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the values of our school community and explain the vision, mission and objectives of our school.

Policy

Alfredton Primary School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

The programs and teaching at Alfredton Primary School support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

• elected government
• the rule of law
• equal rights for all before the law
• freedom of religion
• freedom of speech and association
• the values of openness and tolerance.

This policy outlines our school’s vision, mission, objective, values and expectations of our school community. This policy is available on our school website, our staff induction handbook, and enrolment/transition packs.

To celebrate and embed our Statement of Values and Philosophy in our school community, we

• display posters and banners that promote your values in our school
• celebrate our values in our school newsletter
• provide awards and recognition for students who actively demonstrate the values
• discuss our values with students in the classroom, meetings and assemblies.

Vision

Alfredton Primary School’s vision is that ‘Every Child will Flourish with Time, Effort and Support’.

School Philosophy

At Alfredton Primary School we value the individual child, recognizing the strengths and diversity each brings to their learning. We seek to develop independent and motivated lifelong learners who are equipped for the 21^st century.

We believe positive relationships within the school community, are central to developing effective learning partnerships. Relationships, Respect and Responsibility are the underpinning core values of our learning community.

 We support our students to set and achieve academic and social goals. We are committed to developing our skills in order to activate a passion for learning.

Objectives

Our school’s objectives are considered as part of the 4 yearly strategic planning process and reflected in the goals listed in our current School Strategic Plan (SSP). We also develop an Annual Implementation Plan to operationalise the goals and key improvement strategies contained in our SSP.

Values

Alfredton Primary School’s values are Respect, Responsibility and Relationships.

Behavioural Expectations

Alfredton Primary School acknowledges that the behaviour of staff, parents, carers and students has an impact on our school community and culture.

At Alfredton we value the 3 R’s of Respect, Responsibility and Relationships.

We, the staff, students and parents, demonstrate our values when:

We RESPECT:	We take RESPONSIBILITY for:	We build RELATIONSHIPS with each other by:
Individual differences Ourselves Cultural diversity Others’ opinions Others’ feelings Property	Our behaviour Our actions Our attendance Our learning Our belongings Our dress code Our school Our environment Doing our best	Being honest & trustworthy Caring about the feelings of others Treating others fairly Being well mannered Resolving differences calmly

Staff have a range of expectations around behaviour and must follow our school and Department policies and the Victorian Public Service Code of Conduct and Values. Teaching staff also adhere to the Victorian Teaching Profession Code of Conduct.

Students are supported by school staff to meet expected standards of behaviour as outlined in our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy, Inclusion and Diversity Policy, Bullying Prevention Policy and Code of Conduct

Information about the expectations on parents and carers to ensure schools remain respectful and inclusive places is outlined in the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy.

Unreasonable behaviours

Schools are not public places, and the Principal has the right to permit or deny entry to school grounds (for more information, see our Visitors Policy).

Unreasonable behaviour that is demonstrated by school staff, parents, carers, students or members of our school community will not be tolerated at school, or during school activities.

Unreasonable behaviour includes:

• being violent or threatening violence of any kind, including physically intimidating behaviour such as aggressive hand gestures or invading another person’s personal space
• speaking or behaving in a rude, aggressive or threatening way, either in person, via email, social media, or over the telephone
• sending demanding, rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages
• discriminatory or derogatory comments

• the use of social media or public forums to make inappropriate or threatening remarks about the school, staff or students.

Harassment, bullying, violence, aggression, threatening behaviour and unlawful discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our school.

Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Values and School Philosophy may lead to further investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences by the Principal.

At the Principal’s discretion, unreasonable behaviour may be managed by:

• requesting that the parties attend a mediation or counselling sessions
• implementing specific communication protocols
• written warnings
• conditions of entry to school grounds or school activities
• exclusion from school grounds or attendance at school activities
• reports to Victoria Police
• legal action.

Inappropriate student behaviour will be managed in according with our school’s Code of Conduct Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy.

Our Statement of Values and School Philosophy ensures that everyone in our school community will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, we will strive to create a school that is inclusive and safe, where everyone is empowered to participate and learn.

COMMUNICATION

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

• Available publicly on our school’s website  
• Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request.

RELATED POLICIES AND RESOURCES

Department of Education and Training policies and resources:

• Work-Related Violence in Schools Policy
• Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy

Alfredton Primary School polices:

• Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
• Inclusion and Diversity Policy
• Bullying Prevention Policy
• Parent Complaints Policy

POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL

Policy last reviewed	August 2022
Approved By	School Council
Next Scheduled Review Date	August 2026