Student Code of Conduct

Information for students and parents:

We Value the 3R’S: Respect-Responsibility-Relationships

Our Vision

‘Every child will flourish with time, effort and support’

• The school expects that students, staff and parents model the behaviours linked to our school values so that our Vision of ‘Every child will flourish with time, effort and support’ is achieved.
• Alfredton Primary School values the 3R’s: Respect, Responsibility and Relationships. We (staff, students and parents) demonstrate them when:

So that children develop a sense of responsibility for their actions and an awareness of the need to care for and value the rights of others, class and school agreed and expected behaviours have been developed, and supported by a set of consequences.

We ask parents and children to:-

• Read the School’s Code of Conduct together.
• Discuss how we are all responsible for the safety and happiness of ourselves and others
• Discuss that as well as having rights we also all have responsibilities.

Department of Education and early childhood development principals underlying the code of conduct.

• All individuals are to be valued and treated with respect
• Students have a right to work in a secure environment where, without intimidation, bullying or harassment they are able to fully develop their talents, interests and ambitions
• Parents have a right to expect that their children will be educated in a secure environment in which care, courtesy and respect for the rights of others are encouraged
• Teachers have a right to expect that they will be able to teach in an orderly and cooperative environment
• Parents have an obligation to support the school in its efforts to maintain a positive teaching and learning environment
• Principals and staff have an obligation to fairly; reasonably and consistently implement the code of conduct.

Key Elements of Alfredton Primary Schools Code of conduct

Restorative Practices:

At Alfredton Primary School we advocate Restorative Justice as it is essential to explore alternatives to punishment. Our young people need to learn to be accountable for their actions and to take responsibility for the choices they make. Misconduct causes harm and is a violation against people and relationships in the school and wider community. This means that the harm done to people needs to be explored and that harm needs to be repaired.

Alfredton Primary School acknowledges the importance of promoting and rewarding positive behaviours, in and beyond the classroom.

Strategies to support Restorative Practices to assist children include The “Wheel of Choice”, Classroom ‘Circle Time”, ‘Bounce Back’ and The Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships (4R’s) Program.

School expectations

As teachers are responsible for all students, children are expected to listen to and comply with teacher instructions.

As a student at Alfredton Primary School, you have rights and responsibilities to stand up for what is right and wrong at our school.

RIGHTS:

• I have a right to be happy at school and to be treated with understanding.
• I have a right to be treated politely and shown consideration and courtesy.
• I have a right to be treated respectfully and fairly.
• I have a right to be safe and not be bullied, threatened or harassed.
• I have a right to expect my property to be safe.
• I have a right to a good education and the opportunity to succeed.
• I have a right to know what acceptable behaviour and the consequence of unacceptable behaviour is.
• I have a right to use and hear appropriate language.
• I have a right to attend a school where pride in our uniform is valued.
• I have a right to have a clean and well-maintained school.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• It is my responsibility to respect the rights of others, treat others with understanding and not to laugh at others, tease others, or try to hurt their feelings. The excuse “It was only a joke” or “just fooling” is unacceptable if the other person has not taken it as a joke and is upset or hurt by the action.
• It is my responsibility to treat others politely and with respect and to show consideration and courtesy to all members of the school community including peers, teachers, parents and visitors.
• It is my responsibility to demonstrate the school values of Respect, Responsibility & Relationships and the expected behaviours.
• I have a responsibility to not bully, threaten, harass or cause danger to myself and others.
• I have a responsibility to tell teachers about any danger in the yard, classroom or involving technology. (i.e. cyber bullying).
• It is my responsibility to value and care for other people’s possessions by not stealing, damaging or destroying them and to ask for permission before using the belongings of others.
• It is my responsibility to care for school equipment and property.
• It is my responsibility to be well behaved in class and allow others to work free from interruption. I have a responsibility to do my best and complete the set work.
• It is my responsibility to be at school on time and attend regularly.
• It is my responsibility to be aware of the school rules and abide by them and to face the consequences of my decisions. “Only playing” or “just mucking around” are not excuses for poor behaviour.
• It is my responsibility to use appropriate language.
• It is my responsibility to wear the correct uniform.
• It is my responsibility to care for the school environment and to keep it neat and clean.

CLASSROOM AGREED BEHAVIOURS:

Each class is responsible for discussing the behaviours aligned to our values, the 3 R’s, and what these behaviours look like in their class. These will enable each member of the class to learn in an environment free from disruption. The agreed behaviours will be supported by a set of consequences to be implemented by the teacher after consideration of the behaviour. The agreed behaviours will be displayed in each classroom.

what happens when our agreed behaviours are not adhered to?

Withdrawal of privileges  Schools are permitted to withdraw privileges from students as a logical consequence of breaches of school agreed behaviours.

Withdrawal from class When a student’s behaviour significantly interferes with the rights of other students to learn or the capacity of a teacher to teach a class, that student may be temporarily isolated from regular classroom activities or, in more severe cases, required to leave the classroom for a specified period of time.

CONSEQUENCES supported by Restorative Practices:

We recognise that our school’s practices must be regularly reviewed and updated in partnership with our families and local communities. We encourage you to contact the Koorie Champion with any feedback, concerns or suggestions.

	Classroom	Yard
Step 1	The student is made aware that the behaviour is unacceptable and given a warning.	Student is made aware that the behaviour is unacceptable and given a warning.
Step 2	If the behaviour continues, the child is sent to a designated area for “time out” of the yard. Restorative chat.	If the behaviour continues, the child’s name is written on the board.
Step 3	If the behaviour continues the child is sent to a designated area for “time out” of the yard. Restorative chat.	If the behaviour continues, the child walks with the teacher. Restorative chat.
Step 4	If the behaviour continues a second ‘Time Out” occurs where the child may be withdrawn from the classroom.	If the behaviour continues, a second “Time Out” occurs, during which the child may be withdrawn from the classroom.

Parents are to be informed when a child reaches Step 4

Step 5	DETENTION  – Teachers may require a student to finish school work which has not been completed or students who continue to break school rules to undertake additional or new work or community service. duties at a reasonable time and place determined by the school. Recess or lunch break or an after school detention may apply.  Where students are required to undertake an after school detention, parents will be informed at least the day before as per Department of Education and Training regulations.
Step 6	SUSPENSION  –  in accordance with Department of Education and Training regulations. SEVERE CLAUSE  The following will not be tolerated and referred to the Assistant Principal or Principal: Acts of significant violence or causing significant damage or destruction to property. Swearing, verbal abuse and discriminatory language. Behaving in such a way as to threaten or constitute a danger to the health of any staff member or pupil. The school principal has the authority to suspend a child for breaches of these behaviours.
Step 7	EXPULSION  –  this option is available to schools. To be implemented with Department of Education and Training regulations.

A Record of Significant Disciplinary Actions is kept at school.

Student Behavious Support group meetings

Parents will be informed, and informal meetings or support groups may be convened between teachers and parents at either’s request to exchange information, define the issues, set goals and determine strategies and facilitate solutions to behavioural problems or difficulties of students.

Attendance

• Students are expected to be on time and attend school between the hours of 8:55 am and 3:30 pm
• Students who arrive late must report to the school administration and collect a welcome pass.
• Student absences must be logged onto the school’s communication App, Xuno
• TEACHER  SUPERVISION  IS  BETWEEN 8:45 a.m. AND 3:45 p.m.
• The school requests that students DO NOT arrive prior to 8:30 am and are collected by 3:45 pm via the Alfredton Reserve gates.
• 8:45 am:- Students may enter the classrooms.

Student Dress Code

School uniform is compulsory.

Students are expected to comply with the School’s Student Dress Code Policy. The Dress Code applies during school hours, while travelling to and from school and on school excursions.

HAIR

• Neat hairstyles. (No extreme colours or hairstyles).
• Hair band/ties: – white, black, green or yellow.
• Long hair is to be tied back.

HATS

• The SunSmart policy requires that only school broadbrimmed SunSmart hats must be worn in April to September.

 Hats are NOT to be worn inside.

JEWELLERY

• Studs and sleepers only in ears.
• Watches are the only other permitted jewellery.

FACE AND HANDS

• No makeup or cosmetics.
• Clear nail polish only.

CLOTHING

• Only approved uniform. (no hoodies, non-school clothing)
• Socks: Alfredton striped band socks, plain white or bottle green socks or bottle green tights.
• Black shoes or sports shoes.

MOBILE PHONES/WATCHES

• During the school day must be stored in class safety boxes.

For families experiencing economic hardship, arrangements can be made to support students with the supply of uniforms e.g., via State Schools Relief,

Parents seeking exemptions to the Dress Code due to religious beliefs, ethnic or cultural background, student disability, health condition or economic hardship must apply in writing to the School Council for consideration.