Pomona State School Student Code of Conduct
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Pomona State School Student Code of Conduct 2020-2023 Every student succeeding Every student succeeding is the shared vision of Queensland state schools. Our vision shapes regional and school planning to ensure every student receives the support needed to belong to the school community, engage purposefully in learning and experience academic success. Queensland Department of Education State Schools Strategy 2020-2024 Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education Policy and Procedure Register at http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/ to ensure you have the most current version of this document. Contact Information Postal address: PO Box 34 Pomona Q 4568 Phone: 07 5480 8222 Email: [email protected] School website address: www.pomonass.eq.edu.au Contact Person: Principal Endorsement Principal Name: Alyson Covey Principal Signature: Date: P&C President Name: Kelli Saunderson P&C PresidentSignature: Date: 2 Contents Purpose 4 Whole School Approach to Discipline 4 Consideration of Individual Circumstances 6 Differentiated and Explicit Teaching 6 Focused Teaching 8 Intensive Teaching 9 Legislative Delegation 9 Legislation 9 Delegation 10 School Disciplinary Absences 10 Disciplinary Consequences 11 Differentiated 12 Focused 12 Intensive 13 School Policies 13 Temporary removal of student property 14 Use of mobile phones and other devices by students 15 Preventing and responding to bullying 17 Pomona State School – Cyberbullying response flowchart for school staff 21 Cybersafety and Reputation Management (CRM) 22 Appropriate use of social media 22 Restrictive Practices 24 Critical Incidents 25 Related Procedures and Guidelines 26 Resources 27 Conclusion 28 Appendices Appendix 1 – Pomona State School Expectation Matrix 30 Appendix 2 – High 5 Explanation 31 Appendix 3 – Instrument of Authority 34 Appendix 4 – Minor Behaviour Flowchart 35 Appendix 5 - Cyberbullying response flowchart for school staff 36 3 Purpose Pomona State School is committed to providing a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment for all students, staff, parents and visitors. The Pomona State School Student Code of Conduct sets out the responsibilities and processes we use in our school to promote a productive, effective whole school approach to discipline. Its purpose is to facilitate high standards of behaviour from all in the school community, ensuring learning and teaching in our school is prioritised, where all students are able to experience success and staff enjoy a safe workplace. Whole School Approach to Discipline Our Code of Conduct outlines our system for facilitating positive behaviours, preventing problem behaviour and responding to unacceptable behaviours. Through shared expectations for student behaviour creates and maintains a positive and productive learning and teaching environment, where ALL school community members have clear and consistent expectations and understandings of their role in the educational process. At Pomona State School we operate from the following beliefs about behaviour and learning: Learning is the construction of knowledge and the making of meaningful connections through active and engaging participation Learning programs need to be inclusive, equitable and supportive. At Pomona State School we achieve this through acknowledging and valuing individual diversity and cultural backgrounds Every child’s learning journey is different. We all learn in different ways and at different rates. Optimal learning takes place when an environment is safe, supportive, motivating and challenging. These beliefs lead into our purpose which is: CARING, SHARING AND ACHIEVING TOGETHER We aim to assist students to move towards effective, self-management and to find ways of satisfying their needs in responsible ways. To this end students are given opportunities to: learn how to get along with others – to show care, concern and courtesy, and to develop the skills of cooperation. This is what we mean by CARING and SHARING; reach their full potential by learning how to acquire and apply a wide range of knowledge and skills to both the present and the future, and to become responsible for their own learning. In this, students will demonstrate willingness to work TOGETHER and take pride in ACHIEVING. 4 These beliefs and our purpose operate effectively in a supportive school environment where: all members feel safe and are valued; quality curriculum programs, interpersonal relationships and the organisation of the school produce worthwhile social and academic outcomes for all; non-discriminatory, non-violent and equitable actions are practised and reinforced; school procedures reflect both proactive steps to encourage self worth and self discipline, and reactive procedures to deal with various situations that may arise; and through a graduation of procedures, all avenues of management are employed prior to the use of suspension and exclusion. A consistent whole school approach is the key to both effective teaching and learning, exceptional learning outcomes for students and positive school wide behaviour for learning. Shared Responsibility The welfare of students is a shared responsibility across the school, Therefore, all members of our school community are committed to: Using common courtesies; Showing respect and caring for others; Taking care of personal belongings and the belongings of others; Following Code of Conduct; Helping others work and learn; Maintaining our school as a safe, clean, healthy and happy place; Respecting others’ ways and ideas; Being honest, friendly and caring; Sorting out problems fairly and calmly. Promoting Self-Managed Behaviour through Our Code of Conduct Care for learning Care for self Care for others Care for our environment All students are encouraged to reflect on indicators of the above expectations, i.e. “What would we see people doing if they were caring for learning?” 5 Consideration of Individual Circumstances Staff at Pomona State School take into account students’ individual circumstances, such as their behaviour history, disability, mental health and wellbeing, religious and cultural considerations, home environment and care arrangements when teaching expectations, responding to inappropriate behaviour or applying a disciplinary consequence. In considering the individual circumstances of each student, we recognise that the way we teach, the support we provide and the way we respond to students will differ. This reflects the principle of equality, where every student is given the support they need to be successful. This also means that not everyone will be treated the same, because treating everyone the same is not fair. For example, some students need additional support to interpret or understand an expectation. Others may benefit from more opportunities to practise a required skill or behaviour. For a small number of students, the use of certain disciplinary consequences may be considered inappropriate or ineffective due to complex trauma or family circumstances. These are all matters that our teachers and principal consider with each individual student in both the instruction of behaviour and the response to behaviour. Our teachers are also obliged by law to respect and protect the privacy of individual students, so while we understand the interest of other students, staff and parents to know what punishment another student might have received, we will not disclose or discuss this information with anyone but the student’s family. This applies even if the behavioural incident, such as bullying, involves your child. You can be assured that school staff take all matters, such as bullying, very seriously and will address them appropriately. We expect that parents and students will respect the privacy of other students and families. If you have concerns about the behaviour of another student at the school, or the way our staff have responded to their behaviour, please make an appointment with the principal to discuss the matter. Differentiated and Explicit Teaching Pomona State School has worked extensively at creating a whole school approach to the explicit teaching of expected behaviours. This has involved the establishment of the Expectations Matrix which outlines the expected behaviours in all areas in line with our school’s ‘Care fors’. The explicit teaching and modelling of behaviours assist children in making positive behaviour choices. This is the role of all members of the school community including cleaning staff, canteen convenors and volunteers. All stakeholders were consulted in the establishment of our matrix. To support the expectations matrix, expected behaviours are explicitly taught in the locations the behaviour is expected to be used and are reinforced through a variety of means including; focus lessons, parade reminders and visual prompts around the school. 6 Pomona State School Expectations Matrix (Appendix 1 – PSS Expectation Matrix) Pomona State School values; respect, co-operation and excellence. We demonstrate the importance of these values through our school expectations of, care for learning self, others, and the environment. At Pomona State School, a whole school approach shapes, supports and recognises appropriate behaviours in all students. Approximately 80% to 90% of students will have little or no difficulties in being self-managed. Approximately 10% to 15% of students may need additional support and timely intervention on some occasions. For a variety of reasons, some 2% to 5% of students may need more intensive support and/or flexible