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Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students and members of our school community understand:
(a) our commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for students
(b) expectations for positive student behaviour
(c) support available to students and families
(d) our school’s policies and procedures for responding to inappropriate student behaviour.
Preston South Primary School is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment for all students. We understand that students reach their full potential only when they are happy, healthy and safe, and that a positive school culture, where student participation is encouraged and valued, helps to engage students and support them in their learning. Our school acknowledges that student wellbeing and student learning outcomes are closely linked.
The objective of this policy is to support our school to create and maintain a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment consistent with our school’s values.
Scope
This policy applies to all school activities, including camps and excursions.
Contents
1. School profile
2. School values, philosophy and vision
3. Wellbeing and engagement strategies
4. Identifying students in need of support
5. Student rights and responsibilities
6. Student behavioural expectations and management
7. Engaging with families
8. Evaluation
Policy
1. School profile
Preston South Primary School was established in 1866 and is located in the northwest region of Melbourne. We have 325 students enrolled from Prep to Grade 6 and 32 school staff members.
Our school grounds back onto a local reserve and we are surrounded by a supportive community. Most students that attend our school live locally and tend to walk or ride their bike to school. Preston South Primary School has developed close ties to the local community and enjoys support from our local shops and community services.
Our school is culturally diverse with 22 language backgrounds other than English (LOTE) being spoken by students and their families. The school also has strong representation from the First Nations community. We are proud of our diversity and inclusive school community.
We strive to provide a nurturing and challenging environment that empowers students to reach their personal best, both academically and socially.
2. School values, philosophy and vision
Preston South Primary School’s Statement of Values and School Philosophy is integral to the work that we do and is the foundation of our school community. Students, staff and members of our school community are encouraged to live and demonstrate our core values of respect, integrity and kindness at every opportunity.
Preston South Primary School’s vision is to encourage the development of the whole student. Our
school empowers all students to embrace learning, achieve their personal best and build their
emotional, social and physical well-being. We pride ourselves in a vibrant learning environment that
nurtures partnerships and diversity.
Our Statement of Values is available online at: https://prestonsouthps.vic.edu.au/school-values
3. Wellbeing and engagement strategies
Preston South Primary School has developed a range of strategies to promote engagement, an inclusive and safe environment, positive behaviour and respectful relationships for all students in our school. We recognise the importance of student friendships and peer support in helping children and students feel safe and less isolated We acknowledge that some students may need extra social, emotional or educational support at school, and that the needs of students will change over time as they grow and learn.
A summary of the universal (whole of school), targeted (year group specific) and individual engagement strategies used by our school is included below:
Universal
Targeted
Individual
Preston South Primary School implements a range of strategies that support and promote individual engagement. These can include:
Where necessary the school will support the student’s family to engage by:
4. Identifying students in need of support
Preston South Primary School is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure our students are supported intellectually, emotionally and socially. The Student Wellbeing team plays a significant role in developing and implementing strategies help identify students in need of support and enhance student wellbeing. Preston South Primary School will utilise the following information and tools to identify students in need of extra emotional, social or educational support:
5. Student rights and responsibilities
All members of our school community have a right to experience a safe and supportive school environment. We expect that all students, staff, parents and carers treat each other with respect and dignity. Our school’s Statement of Values highlights the rights and responsibilities of members of our community.
Students have the right to:
Students have the responsibility to:
Students who may have a complaint or concern about something that has happened at school are encouraged to speak to their parents or carers and approach a trusted teacher or a member of the school leadership team. Further information about raising a complaint or concern is available in our Complaints Policy.
6. Student behavioural expectations and management
Behavioural expectations of students are grounded in our school’s Statement of Values, Student code of conduct and PSPS Expectations Matrix. Violence, bullying, and other offensive and harmful behaviours such as racism, harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated and will be managed in accordance with this policy. Bullying will be managed in accordance with our Bullying Prevention Policy.
When a student acts in breach of the behaviour standards of our school community, Preston South Primary School will institute a staged response, consistent with the Department’s policies on behaviour, discipline and student wellbeing and engagement. Where appropriate, parents will be informed about the inappropriate behaviour and the disciplinary action taken by teachers and other school staff. Our school considers, explores and implement positive and non-punitive interventions to support student behaviour before considering disciplinary measures such as detention, withdrawal of privileges or withdrawal from class.
Disciplinary measures may be used as part of a staged response to inappropriate behaviour in combination with other engagement and support strategies to ensure that factors that may have contributed to the student’s behaviour are identified and addressed. Disciplinary measures at our school will be applied fairly and consistently. Students will always be provided with an opportunity to be heard.
Disciplinary measures that may be applied include:
Suspension, expulsion and restrictive interventions are measures of last resort and may only be used in situations consistent with Department policy, available at:
· https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/suspensions/policy
· https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/expulsions/policy
· https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/restraint-seclusion/policy
In line with Ministerial Order 1125, no student aged 8 or younger will be expelled without the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training. The Principal of Preston South Primary School is responsible for ensuring all suspensions and expulsions are recorded on CASES21.
Corporal punishment is prohibited by law and will not be used in any circumstance at our school.
7. Engaging with families
Preston South Primary School values the input of parents and carers, and we will strive to support families to engage in their child’s learning and build their capacity as active learners. We aim to be partners in learning with parents and carers in our school community.
We work hard to create successful partnerships with parents and carers by:
8. Evaluation
Preston South Primary School will collect data each year to understand the frequency and types of wellbeing issues that are experienced by our students so that we can measure the success or otherwise of our school based strategies and identify emerging trends or needs.
Sources of data that will be assessed on an annual basis include:
Preston South Primary School will also regularly monitor available data dashboards to ensure any wellbeing or engagement issues are acted upon in a timely manner and any intervention occurs as soon as possible.
COMMUNICATION
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
Our school will also ensure it follows the mandatory parent/carer notification requirements with respect to suspensions and expulsions outlined in the Department’s policies at:
Further information and resources
The following Department of Education and Training policies are relevant to this Student Engagement and Wellbeing Policy:
· Supporting Students in Out-of-Home Care
The following school policies are also relevant to this Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy:
Policy last reviewed: 04/08/2022
Consultation with: School Council
Date: 29/08/2022
Approved by: School Council
Approved on: 29/08/2022
Next scheduled review date: August 2024
The Preston South Primary School community acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we learn, work and play. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Copyright © 2023 Preston South Primary School - All Rights Reserved.
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