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Information Book 2015 P.O. Box 325 Phone: 03 5231 2560 Colac 3250 Mobile: 0407 041 133 Email: [email protected] Website: www.colacps.vic.edu.au/
Information Book
2015
P.O. Box 325 Phone: 03 5231 2560
Colac 3250 Mobile: 0407 041 133
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.colacps.vic.edu.au/
MISSION STATEMENT Colac Primary School Aims To Guide Our
Students To Become Successful Learners, Confident
and Creative Individuals and Active, Responsible Citizens.
COLAC PRIMARY SCHOOL PROFILE
Colac Primary School aims to work with families to provide a high quality education for all students in a caring, positive and stimulating environment ensuring our students:
Develop qualities and skills of independence, problem solving, communication and creativity
Achieve high standards of literacy and numeracy
Work in a co-operative environment, sharing the responsibility for their own learning and behaviour
Are extended to their potential by encouraging, recognising and rewarding achievement and effort
Are responsible and caring community members.
The values which are central to the life of our school, guiding our policies, programs and interactions are:
Respect To be considerate, use good manners and take special care of our school and environment
Kindness To show care and concern
Personal Best To give your best to whatever you do
Courage To do things even when they are difficult
Honesty To be truthful and trustworthy
Tolerance To accept other people’s differences Colac PS is located on Murray St East in the city of Colac. The school services the eastern residential area of Colac and rural areas of Yeo, Warncoort and Irrewarra. Enrolment is 186 in 2014 and is expected to be 210 in 2015. Our curriculum is guided by AUSVELS and comprises; The Arts, English, Mathematics, Studies of Society and Environment, Science, Health and Physical Education and Technology. It also includes aspects of personal and social learning such as our values program and peer mediation. We currently run a LOTE program (Chinese) using skype to communicate with our Chinese tutors directly from Beijing. Specialist teachers conduct Art, Library, Physical Education & Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Enrichment is provided through programs including: Values Program, Reading Assistance, Perceptual Motor Program for Prep students, Religious Education, Human Development, Student Council, Choir, Concert, Musical Performance, Student Newspaper, Bike Ed, Swimming, Camping, State Schools Spectacular, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and Interschool Sport.
The school’s buildings were extensively refurbished in 2006 and we now have eight permanent classrooms with office and withdrawal spaces, library, art room and a stadium. All classrooms are air-conditioned. Our grounds have been upgraded to include a new basketball court, car-park and two new coloured steel playgrounds. Computers are provided in classrooms at a ratio of one computer to four students and one to two in years 5/6. All computers have internet access and are well used in a variety of curriculum programs. Interactive whiteboards are sited in all classrooms. A full class set of IPADS is used to enhance learning in Grades P-2. Our integration students also have access to Ipads. The basketball stadium with a stage was completed in 2011 and is used extensively for school and community activities. Our Strategic Plan Goals are: Student Learning To improve learning outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy for all students at all levels Prep-Year 6. Student Engagement and Wellbeing To promote and maximise student voice throughout the school. Student Pathways and Transitions To ensure all students have a positive entry into school, a smooth transition across all year levels and a successful introduction to secondary education.
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STAFF
Principal: Shelby Papadopoulos Assistant Principal: Jill Newcombe Class Teachers:
Year Prep Room 4 Miss Salome Falla
Year Prep Room 3 Miss Ebony Vickers
Year 1/2 Room 1 Mr Lachlan McInnes
Year 1/2 Room 2 Mr Rhys Tillack
Year 2/3 Room 5 Miss Emma Hillman
Specialist Programs Room 6
Years 3/4 Room 7 Miss Glenyce Reed
Years 3/4 Room 8 Mrs Jennifer Colbron
Year 5/6 Room 9 Mr Allan Storer
Years 5/6 Room 10 Miss Jess Wood
Specialist Teachers: Specialist Teacher Gill Launer Art Miss Nicole Ryan Physical Education Miss Nicole Ryan Library Teacher Pauline Rosevear School Support Staff: Business Manager Mrs Julie Menzies Office Assistant Mrs Carolyn McCarthy Library Aide/Student Support Mrs Jean Newcombe Student Support Mrs Lorraine Rodger Mrs Rosy Monaco Mrs Lesley Inglis Mrs Julie Jacobson Mrs Sharyn Newton Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Mrs Louise Vaughan Chaplain Mrs Jenny Simons Computer Technicians Mr Damien Meade Mr Gary Coughlan
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Colac Primary School Council is an active body of parents and teachers seeking to improve the school in all aspects. Your participation in council activities is encouraged and Council members are always ready to consider your suggestions. School Council is involved in policy formulation, the adoption of curriculum and financial planning. Council sponsored working bees provide the opportunity for you to actively assist in improving school grounds and to socialise with other parents. We hope you will take the opportunity to enhance your child’s education by participating in all facets of school activities. Elections for half of the school council members are held in March of each year. Think about standing for election or participating in the Parents’ Club, which is open to both mums and dads.
Parent Representatives Staff Representatives Karyn McGlade ~ President Shelby Papadopoulos ~ Principal Raelene O’Donoghue ~ Vice President Julie Menzies ~ Secretary Sam Brien Glenyce Reed Sally Towell Lorraine Rodger Matt Lucas Jill Newcombe Kylie Carew Richelle Warton Shannon Bell Danni Veitch Vicki Brown Half of the Council positions become vacant each March. Council Office Bearers are elected at the first meeting of the newly elected council in term 2.
ATTENDANCE
We encourage children to arrive at school between 8:45 and 8:55 a.m. Parents usually accompany prep children to their classroom in initial weeks at school. Some students travel by bus and arrive at school at 8:15 a.m. Infant students may go to their classrooms and undertake some quiet activity at this time.
School Hours 8:50 a.m. Children may enter school 9.00 a.m. All children move to assembly area or classrooms 11.00 – 11:30 a.m. Recess 1:30 – 2:20 p.m. Lunch – children eat their lunch in their classroom
before going out to play 3:20 p.m. Dismissal During February Prep students will not be required at school on Wednesdays. Each student will be recalled for a short period of individual assessment on one of these days.
Attendance Please advise the school of the reason for student absence. (Proformas are sent home with newsletters from time to time). If students are to be absent due to illness please notify the school by phone or using the Skoolbag App at the earliest opportunity. Medical appointments documentation such as appointment card or medical certificate is required. Students travelling for family holidays require prior approval and an individual learning plan is created to support continued student learning for prolonged absences.
TERM DATES/HOLIDAYS Staff resume on Wednesday 28th January 2015 Children resume on Thursday 29th January 2015
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Term 1 Wednesday 28th January to Friday 27th March Term 2 Monday 13th April to Friday 26th June Term 3 Monday 13th July to Friday 18th September Term 4 Monday 5th October to Friday 18th December
************************************** The following public holidays are also observed. Term 1 Labour Day Monday March 9th Term 2 Anzac Day Holiday TBA
Queen’s Birthday Monday June 8th Term 4 Colac Show Day Friday November 6th
**************************************
Pupil Free Days Term 1 Thursday 29th January Student Free Day Friday 30th January Student Free Day Thursday 18th June Reporting to Parents
CHILDREN’S WELFARE AND SAFETY Accidents/Emergency Treatment
Accidents sometimes occur in the school ground and emergency treatment is required. Parents should make sure that the school file is kept up to date with –
1. Parents name 2. Address 3. Phone Number 4. Name and Phone Number of Doctor 5. Another emergency contact
Should any specific medical condition arise the school should be advised at once. Ambulance cover is strongly advised.
Medication
All medication brought to school by children must be taken to their classroom teacher on arrival at school. The medication, of any kind, will be stored in a locked cupboard and administered by staff when required. It should be packed in a container of some kind and have the name of the child and the dosage required on a printed pharmacy label together with the time to be given.
Contagious Diseases
Please notify the school as soon as possible if your child contracts a contagious disease.
Personal Hygiene
Parents are requested to ensure children attend school in a clean condition, both bodily and in underclothing worn. Children who are not personally clean are caused embarrassment and unhappiness if rejected by their classmates.
School Nurse
The School Nurse visits the school each year. All Prep children are screened during Term 1 and students referred by teachers are also seen on these visits. Parents are notified in the weeks prior to the visit and are requested to complete a permission form.
School Psychologist
Counselling is available to students who are experiencing social, emotional or physical problems which affect their learning. Teachers or parents can initiate referral through the Principal or Assistant Principal. Signed parent permission is gained prior to counselling.
Speech Therapist This is available for children in need. Parents with concerns are welcome to discuss these with the class teacher or Principal who can then make the necessary referral.
Travel to School School Crossings are supervised each day from 8:25 ~ 9:05 a.m. and from 3:20 ~ 3:50 p.m. Bicycle helmets must be worn for bicycles, skateboards and scooters. Children in years Prep to 3 should not ride to school without supervision. No bicycles are to be ridden in Lyons Street between 3:20 and 3:45 p.m. Bicycles are not to be ridden in the school grounds or in Murray Street. Children under 12 are permitted to ride on footpaths but must not endanger pedestrians. Picking up children Please obey the parking signs displayed in Lyons and Murray Streets. Avoid double parking. If you park on the North side of Lyons Street please remind your child to use the crossing to get to your car. Whenever possible collect children from the kerb on the school side of Lyons or Polwarth Street. Buses Government funded buses convey country students to their nearest school free of charge. Students who don’t attend their nearest school are charged a fee. Colac Secondary College administers bus transport in our district. ‘Application to travel on a bus’ forms are available from our office. A town bus is available for students. The fare is $2.00 return per day.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Books and Stationery
The school provides all the books and equipment that children require. We are able to purchase items in bulk and achieve considerable savings on your behalf. We ask parents to pay $135 towards the cost of books and equipment. This includes the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Fee of $10 and an Information Technology fee of $10.
Uniforms
We believe it is important to wear school uniform at Colac Primary School. It makes the child feel that they belong and promotes pride in the school of which they are part. The CPS uniform policy is available from the office. The school colours are green and white. Girls: Green and white check dress, bottle green shorts, white or green short or long sleeve polo top, green tartan kilt, green skivvy, green windcheater or rugby top, bottle green casual pants, bottle green polar fleece vest, bottle green tracksuit pants. Boys: Grey or bottle green shorts, white or green short or long sleeve polo shirts, green windcheater or rugby top, grey trousers, green skivvy, bottle green polar fleece vest, bottle green tracksuit pants. Most items can be purchased through the school. Please enquire at the school office for a price list. Hats School hats are compulsory in from 1st September to 30th April. Slouch hats and bucket hats are available at the school. Beanies and gloves are also available for purchase during the winter months. Shoes For reasons of hygiene, children are asked to wear socks with sandals. Thongs are not permitted at any time. Prep children frequently remove their shoes eg. PMP, wet days. Please consider purchasing boots or velcose fastening shoes if your child is unable to tie laces. Runners are to have non marking soles to allow children to participate in activities in the stadium. Black leather shoes or clean runners are acceptable. No jewellery should be worn as it is easily lost and is often a danger during Physical Education.
PLEASE CLEARLY NAME ALL ARTICLES OF SCHOOL CLOTHING.
Sporting Schools Programme
This program will run during terms 3 & 4 pending a funding application. Information will be sent home through the newsletter. This programme will replace the Active After Schools programme formerly run.
Homework
Each class teacher will outline the homework requirements for their class in a notice to parents early in the year. The school has a homework policy to guide parents and teachers (Appendix 1).
House Competitions
The school has three houses managed by house teachers and house captains. Healthy competition is encouraged among the houses. This competition can range from class activities to major events such as athletics and swimming sports.
Library
Children will be able to borrow library books each week. A library bag will be required so that books can be transported with care. The Department of Education usually provides a library bag for students at the beginning of year prep.
Lunch Arrangements
The school canteen operates each Friday and a pricelist will be sent home with the newsletter in the first week of term. Please write your child’s canteen order on a brown paper bag, clearly showing their name and room number. Total the order, and return to the classroom with the payment enclosed each Friday. Parent volunteers are required to assist in the running of the canteen weekly. Students eat their lunch in classrooms at 1:30 p.m. daily. Students are encouraged to have fruit in their lunch each day. They are permitted a fruit break during the morning teaching session and time in the classroom to eat at the beginning of morning recess. Parents are urged to purchase lunch boxes, which contain a cooling compartment as foods deteriorate quickly on a hot day. Please ensure lunch boxes and drink bottles are clearly labelled.
Music Tuition We currently offer a music program through Music Stars. A teacher is engaged by Music Starts to tutor students in guitar or keyboard. This is a private arrangement between the parents and Music Stars but lessons are held at school. Information will be provided via a newsletter from Music Stars each term.
Newsletter
The school newsletter is sent home with the eldest child in each family on Thursdays. You may choose to have the newsletter emailed directly to you. Notices of an urgent nature will be sent home on the appropriate day. The newsletter is also uploaded on our website ~ www.colacps.vic.edu.au.
Skoolbag Skoolbag is school Mobile App that communicates directly with iPhone, and Android devices. Skoolbag provides schools with an easy way to tell parents/carers everything they need to know. It provides parents with the most convenient way to receive school notifications including the newsletter and upcoming events.
Parental Involvement
This school encourages parental involvement at all levels. Regular classroom participation, computer, classroom reading, special programs e.g. Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, camps and excursions. If you would like to be involved try to attend meetings or stand for a position on our School Council. You could contact your child’s teacher or other parents who are already involved to find out how you could assist. Your support is needed to enhance and expand the schools on going programs. A main part of our literacy program is parental involvement. We will be conducting training and information sessions for interested parents and welcome all participants. All volunteers require a Working with Children Check.
Parents’ Club
The Fundraising Committee welcomes any new members. Meetings are advertised on our weekly newsletter and are held prior to School Council meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month. By attending these meetings parents are kept informed as to what is going on in our school, are able to mix socially with other parents, as well as pursuing ways to raise funds for the purchase of items to be used by the children.
Playing Areas
Prep/1 students have exclusive use of the playground and sandpit near the stadium as an area they can play without interference from older students. All students are permitted to play in all other playground areas and on the oval.
Perceptual Motor Program
A Perceptual Motor Program operates for children in Grade Prep. This program is designed to develop fine and gross motor coordination and laterality in young children. Through increased agility, higher self-esteem is also achieved. Parent volunteers are required to assist in the running of P.M.P.
Religious Education
Students may have one half hour of religious education weekly. The instructors are registered by Access Ministries in schools and the course is approved by the same organisation. Parents are required to complete consent for children to access Religious Education.
Reporting to Parents on Their Children’s Progress Term 1 Parents are invited to make an appointment to meet with the
teacher if required, to discuss their child’s strengths and weaknesses and other aspects of schooling. Teachers may choose to have an information night for parents.
Term 2 Written reports will be sent home with the children towards the
end of term. Follow up interviews will be scheduled in June. This is a student free day. Parents are encouraged to take this opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher.
Term 4 During the second last week of the year, written reports will be sent
home. Discussions with parents may be arranged at the request of the classroom teacher or parent.
It is also expected that some of the following could occur from time to time during the year:-
conferences sought by parents or teachers
telephone enquires
home visits
incidental conferences/discussions
School Photos
These are taken in March of each year with parents having the opportunity to select from a number of package options. These must be prepaid with a money back offer if not satisfied. We are booked for photos on March 11th in 2015.
Social Service
A weekly class competition is held to promote social awareness. We support several appeals e.g. Children’s Hospital, State Schools’ Relief and local agencies such as the Colac Hospital, Legacy and Red Cross.
Sport
A weekly sports session is held for Grades 3/4 and 5/6. During winter inter-school sport is organised for years 5/6 students every second week. Children should wear the appropriate dress for sport and physical education. Sports catered for include football, cricket, netball, basketball, volleyball, softball, athletics, swimming, cross-country and hockey. Several parents help out with coaching and umpiring. If you can support us in this area it is much appreciated. A Working with Children check is required.
Student Council
Twelve student representatives are elected by their classmates to participate on Student Council. The council gives the children practice in running meetings and keeping minutes. This forum also allows the children input into the school’s decision making process. Students in year’s three to six are involved and they run a variety of activities each year.
Swimming Our aim is for all children to learn to swim. In 2014 year P-2 completed 7 sessions of swimming one day per week for 7 weeks. Please ensure that your child attends when their grade has their session. The 2015 program will be advised as the finishing date of the Bluewater complex is known.
Transfers In On enrolment the child’s transfer form from the previous school should be presented together with information on current academic progress. Upon this a decision will be made for the child’s most favourable grade allocation. The actual placement in the class and commencement begins on the following day for students transferring from out of town and the following term for those transferring from a local government school. Immunisation Certificates are required by all students who enrol at Victorian Schools.
Transfers Out
Parents transferring children to another school should make contact a week prior to departure. The transfer form, together with a student information package will then be ready on the last day of attendance.
Wet Day/Hot Day Procedures Children are to go straight to classrooms on arrival on wet days. On days of continuous rain or heavy rain or extreme heat during the lunch period, children will be required to remain inside for the lunch break or part thereof.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Kana Parade
Bike Ed
Art Classes
HOMEWORK POLICY
PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR: Jill Newcombe
PURPOSE: Appropriate homework can reinforce class work and enhance learning. Homework can provide parents with an insight into the educational experiences of their child Homework provides opportunities for students to develop self-discipline and personal responsibility
BROAD GUIDELINES:
Homework should relate to the class or specialist program.
Individual learning needs and abilities should be considered when setting homework.
Students should have a clear understanding of the work assigned and the procedure to be followed.
Class teachers shall write a homework statement for distribution to parents at information nights early in the school year. The statement will address – home reading, time expected on homework, who will correct, supervision, assistance and the routine to be followed.
Individual parents may negotiate variations to set homework with their child’s teacher.
All teachers who set homework for a particular class should confer so as to avoid overloading students with homework.
Types of homework should be varied and different presentations encouraged. Homework
May include spelling practice, vocabulary exercises, maths tables, maths problems, projects, creative writing, recorder practice etc.
Homework should not be used as a punishment or merely for the sake of it.
Completed homework should receive positive responses from teachers and parents.
A firm commitment of support is required from parents of children involved in Reading Recovery, Bridging the Gap and Forward Together. Parents are provided with a range of ideas and support which enable them to become more involved with their children’s reading and writing, at home and as a team with the school.
RECOMMENDED TIME FOR HOMEWORK: Junior school – no formal homework but parents are encouraged to read with their children regularly. Students are encouraged to access Mathletics at home. Middle school – up to 30 minutes per week. Reading is an extra (recommended as 3 times a week for 10 – 15 minutes). Students are encouraged to access Mathletics at home. Upper school – One hour per week. (This may include learning spelling words each week, a weekly maths sheet or projects). Recommended reading time for the upper school is 45 minutes per week. Students are encouraged to access Mathletics at home.
COLAC PRIMARY SCHOOL
Responsible and Positive Behaviour
Responsible Behaviour Positive Learning
Introduction
This booklet is a companion document to our school Student Engagement Policy.
It contains key information, policies, procedures and resources that support a
whole school Responsible and Positive Approach for the management of student
behaviour.
Index
1. Our School Values
2. Student Code of Conduct
3. What are Minor and Major Misbehaviours?
4. Individual Behaviour Support
5. General Behaviour Default Procedure
6. Reinforcing Expected School Behaviour
7. Record Keeping and Incident Reporting
8. Tips for dealing with Severe Problem Behaviour
9. Debriefing with Staff
10. Student Anti-Bullying Policy
1. Our School Values Our school values form the basis for the actions of the whole school community.
They are formally taught and modelled to students as part of our whole school
Social and Emotional Learning strategy.
RESPECT
KINDNESS
TOLERANCE
HONESTY
COURAGE
PERSONMAL BEST
2. Student Code of Conduct
Colac Primary School provides all students with a safe, harmonious and challenging teaching and learning environment that meets the needs of students at all levels of their primary school life. The principal and staff will fairly, reasonably and consistently implement the Student Code of Conduct. Principles Our Student Code of Conduct is based on the following principles:
Students have the right to be safe
Students are expected to practise our school values, which are kindness, courage, respect, honesty, tolerance, personal best and responsibility.
Students have the right to work and play without interference, harassment or bullying.
Students will be encouraged to take pride in their own achievements, those of other students and the school as a whole.
Students have the right to develop their talents, interests and ambitions individually and without intimidation.
Teachers expect to teach in an atmosphere of order and co-operation, where students accept the consequences of their actions.
Parents have an obligation to support the school in its efforts to maintain a productive teaching and learning environment.
Principals and staff have an obligation to implement the code of conduct fairly, reasonably and consistently.
Principals and staff have an obligation to ensure the welfare of students is considered and attempts are made to rectify situations where ‘at risk’ students are identified.
Implementation of the Student Code of Conduct
Students and parents are to be made aware of the Student Code of Conduct.
Early each year, teachers will establish a set of classroom rules for their own classrooms that are consistent with the whole school rules.
A set of consequences will be used for those students who choose to disobey school or classroom rules. These consequences are clearly stated on our school’s Student Management Plan incident reports (yellow forms). The forms provide a record of misbehaviour for individual students and are also used to notify parents.
A red warning note is used to record minor misconduct in the playground and learning environment. Class teachers monitor warning notes.
Bullying is seen as a serious breach of the Student Code of Conduct. Students are given the opportunity to take part in bullying audits every term throughout the year.
Behaviour plans will be used for those students with identified challenging behaviours.
Practices for positive student behaviour
Encouragement of friendships, including the valuing of diversity and positive relationships between boys and girls.
Positive reinforcement to improve self-esteem, e.g. Student of the Week, values award, sports awards, house points, annual awards for excellence in Yr 6.
Use of the newsletter to acknowledge student achievements.
Peer Mediation Program.
Ensuring at least two staff members are on yard duty.
Teachers will follow up all reports of bullying
School Rules
1. Move and play safely. 2. Care for yourself, others and property. 3. Resolve problems calmly, sensibly and fairly. 4. Aim to do your best work and allow others to do the same. 5. Remain in classrooms only with teacher supervision or approval. 6. Present yourself in school uniform, including a school hat in terms one and
four. 7. Use supervised crossings at all appropriate times. Do not ride bicycles
along Murray Street nor in the school grounds. 8. Show respect to others.
Sanctions
Breaches of the school rules will incur some action or penalty, which will be a logical consequence of misbehaviour. Disciplinary measures will be selected from the following series of sanctions, which appear on the school’s Student Management Plan and Incident Reports:
Student counselled about behaviour
Warning note
Time out; walk with duty teacher; seat in outside assembly area; own classroom; other classroom; foyer
Written apology
Withdrawal of privileges
Repair costs
Referral to Peer Mediation
Referral to classroom teacher
Exclusion from excursion/camp etc
Referral to Principal
Internal suspension
Serious and continued breaches of school rules may lead to suspension or expulsion procedures in line with the Department of Education and Training guidelines.
This code also acknowledges the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 which supports racial and religious tolerance and prohibits vilification on the ground of race or religion.
3. What are Minor and Major Misbehaviours? Minor Misbehaviours
are minor breeches of the School Rules
do not seriously harm others or cause you to suspect that the student may
be harmed
do not violate the rights of others in any other serious way
are not part of a pattern of problem behaviours
do not require involvement of the Principal, Leadership Personnel or
Specialist Support Staff
Major Misbehaviours
significantly violate the rights of others
put others / self at risk of harm
require the involvement of the Principal or Leadership Personnel or
Specialist Support Staff
Examples include:
AREA MINOR MAJOR Be in the right place Not in the right place at the right
time
Running in places where students are directed to walk
Leaving class without permission (out of sight)
Leaving school without permission
Physical Contact Poking, touching
Throwing small objects
Pushing and shoving
Serious physical aggression
Fighting
Correct Attire Not wearing a Sun Smart hat
Not wearing shoes outside
Removing clothes
Exposing, flashing
Property Taking items without permission eg. from lunchboxes, class equipment
Careless with equipment
Stealing / petty or major theft
Wilful property damage or vandalism
Play Not playing fairly
Incorrect use of equipment
Rough play
Throwing equipment directly at others
Possession of weapons
Language Inappropriate language (written/verbal)
Calling out
Disrespectful tone
Offensive language
Aggressive language
Verbal abuse / directed profanity
Bullying or Harassment
Teasing
Thoughtless remarks
Bullying / harassment
Honest Behaviour Lies
Serious lies
Follow directions and complete tasks
Failure to respond to adult request
Refusal to complete set tasks
Minor disruption to class
Challenging behaviour – non compliant or disrespectful to staff
Major disruption to class
Others Several minor offences over a period of time
4. Individual Behaviour Support Colac Primary School is committed to educating all students, including those with
the highest behavioural support needs. We recognise that students with highly
complex and
challenging behaviours need comprehensive systems of support.
Staff members will develop appropriate behaviour support strategies via:
monitoring the impact of support for individual students through
continuous data collection
making adjustments as required for the student
developing and reviewing Individual Student Behaviour Management Plans.
Individual Student Behaviour Management Plans enable school staff to make the
necessary adjustments to support students with high behaviour needs
consistently across all classroom and non-classroom settings.
As required, an Individual Student Behaviour Management Plan will be developed
outlining the particular behaviour management strategies to be used with a
student and will be agreed to by key partners such as; Parents/Carers, Teachers
and the Principal. It is important that Individual Student Behaviour Management
Plans are signed and dated, and further review dates are recorded.
To maintain consistency in approach all Individual Student Behaviour
Management Plans and any revised versions should be shared with all school
staff.
5. General Behaviour Default Procedure
Purpose
A default procedure is an important strategy to protect staff and students from
an unexpected inappropriate behaviour by a student that might put staff and/or
students at risk of harm or injury. It can be identified as a safe operating
procedure.
General Aims
1.1 To provide a safe working environment for staff and students at Colac
Primary School
1.2 To identify student behaviours that may pose a risk to staff and students
1.3 To establish appropriate controls if these behaviours occur
Implementation
On the occasion that the following behaviours occur, the controls for that
behaviour are listed:
BEHAVIOUR CONTROL MEASURE Hitting out at a staff or student One staff to manage the situation
Ask student to STOP
Remove others to nearest safe area
Negotiate with options and thinking time
Call for assistance 1. To a staff member nearby 2. To a staff member in another classroom 3. To a staff member in main office
Using objects as a weapon In the Classroom: Outside:
One staff member to manage the situation
Ask student to put weapon down
Remove other students and staff from the room to nearest safe area such as another classroom
Call Lockdown procedure
One staff member to manage the situation
Ask student to put weapon down
Remove other students and staff from the area to a safe place
Remove students inside if necessary and call Lockdown procedure
Absconding from school
Notify Office staff for assistance
Younger students : follow, observe and negotiate
Return student to school
Call parents
Two students fighting
Clear area of other students
Direct to STOP
Negotiate
Call for assistance 1. To a staff member nearby 2. To a staff member in main office
Hostage Situation Notify Office, call Police
Follow Lockdown Procedure
Notify Emergency Management
5. Reinforcing Expected School Behaviour
Communication of our key messages about behaviour is backed up through
reinforcement, which provides students with feedback for engaging in expected
school behaviour. Praise, individual or class reward systems, and student awards
are used to increase the quantity and quality of positive interactions, and
reinforce appropriate students behaviours.
Student of the Week Awards are presented by classroom teachers to nominated
students at a whole school assembly each Monday afternoon at 2.45pm. Students
are recognised for their individual achievement, as well as for being observed
following school rules and expectations.
6. Record Keeping and Incident Reporting
Record keeping Major Behaviour incidents that involve the Principal or their delegate should always be
documented so there is a written record of the event. Incident reports provide important
information about ongoing student behavioural issues, including the types of follow-up
actions or interventions that have been undertaken to help address these issues.
Incident Report documentation should include:
Student’s Name
Date
Incident
Action/Consequences
Contact with Parents/Carers
Any further action required.
Incident Reporting
When a Major Behaviour incident involves an injury to a student or member of staff a
CASES 21 Incident Notification Form (student) or EduSafe Report (staff) needs to be
completed. These should be done as soon as possible after the event has taken place.
For Major Behavioural incidents involving assault, injury, absconding or property damage
a report should be made to Emergency Management at DEECD. As required, a report to
WorkSafe should be made.
7. Tips for dealing with Severe Problem Behaviour
Avoid escalating the problem behaviour
Avoid shouting, cornering the student, moving into the student’s space, touching or
grabbing the student, sudden responses, sarcasm, becoming defensive, communicating
anger and frustration through body language.
Maintain calmness, respect and detachment
Model the behaviour you want students to adopt, stay calm and controlled, use a serious
measured tone, choose your language carefully, avoid humiliating the student, be matter
of
fact and avoid responding emotionally.
Approach the student in a non-threatening manner
Move slowly and deliberately toward the problem situation, speak privately to the
student/s
where possible, speak calmly and respectfully, minimise body language, keep a
reasonable
distance, establish eye level position, be brief, stay with the agenda, acknowledge
cooperation, withdraw if the situation escalates.
Follow through
If the student starts displaying the appropriate behaviour briefly acknowledge their
choice
and re-direct other students’ attention towards their usual work/activity. If the student
continues with the problem behaviour then remind them of the expected school
behaviour
and identify consequences of continued unacceptable behaviour.
Debrief
Help the student to identify the sequence of events that led to the unacceptable
behaviour,
pinpoint decision moments during the sequence of events, evaluate decisions made, and
identify acceptable decision options for future situations.
Questions for students (Use these Restorative Principles as appropriate)
What happened?
What were you thinking at the time?
What have you thought since?
Did you make a good choice or a bad choice?
Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
What do you think you need to do to make things right?
8. Debriefing with Staff Following a Critical Incident or significant Major Behaviour Incident formal
debriefing should take place. Ideally this will be led by a senior staff member who
was not been involved in the event. The goals of debriefing are to:
1. Reverse or minimise the negative effects of the incident
2. Prevent future incidents
3. Address organisational problems and make appropriate changes
Notes on the discussion that occurs during the debriefing process are not required to
be
documented, however a record should be made that the debriefing has occurred for
the staff involved (e.g. names, date, time and outcomes).
Debriefing should provide information on:
Who was involved…………......
What happened………………..
Where it happened…………….
Why it happened……………….
What we learned……………….
The specific questions we want to answer through the debriefing process are:
FACTS: What do we know happened?
FEELINGS: How do you feel about the event that happened?
PLANNING: What can/should we do next?
Questions for staff
What were the first signs or triggers?
What de-escalation techniques were used?
What worked and what did not?
What would you do differently next time?
How can this situation be avoided in the future?
What emotional impact does the incident have on you?
What was your emotional state at the time of the escalation?
9. Student Anti-Bullying Policy
Purpose
The school will provide a positive culture where bullying, including cyber-bullying is not accepted,
and in so doing, all will have the right of respect from others, the right to learn or to teach, and a
right to feel safe and secure in the school environment.
Definition
What is Bullying?
A person is bullied when they are exposed regularly to negative actions or attitudes on the
part of one or more persons. Bullies are people who deliberately set out to intimidate,
exclude, threaten and or hurt others over time. They can operate alone or as a group.
Cyber-bullying is bullying that is carried out through an internet service, such as email, chat
room, discussion group or instant messaging. It can also include bullying through mobile phone
technologies such as short messaging service (SMS).
Types of Bullying
There are three categories of bullying:
Direct physical bullying eg. Hitting, tripping, pushing or damaging others property
Direct verbal bullying eg. Name calling, insults, homophobic or racist remarks, verbal abuse
Indirect bullying eg.
◊ Lying and spreading rumours
◊ Playing nasty jokes to embarrass and humiliate people
◊ Mimicking
◊ Encouraging others to socially exclude someone
◊ Damaging someone’ social reputation and social acceptance
◊ Cyber-bullying, which involves the use of email, text messages or chat rooms to tease,
spread rumours, humiliate or defame.
General Aims
1.1 To reinforce within the school community that bullying, including cyber-bullying, are serious
breaches of the Student Engagement Policy.
1.2 Everyone within the school community to be alert to signs and evidence of any type of
bullying and to have a responsibility to report it to staff whether as observer or victim.
1.3 To ensure that all reported incidents of bullying are addressed promptly and that support is
given to both victim and perpetrator.
1.4 To seek parental, peer-group support and co-operation at all times.
Implementation
2.1 Parents, teachers and the school community will be made aware of the school’s position on
bullying.
2.2 Primary Prevention, Early Prevention and Intervention strategies and processes will be used to
support and manage the maintenance of an anti-bullying environment.
A Primary Prevention:
To provide programs that promote resilience, life skills and protective factors.
Provide a whole school social and emotional learning strategy that promotes resilience,
conflict resolution, assertiveness and problem solving.
Staff and students to promote the philosophies of ‘No Put Downs’ and ‘Say No to Bullying’
B Early Intervention:
Promote to children the importance of reporting bullying incidents upon themselves or
witnessed.
Classroom teachers, on a regular basis, remind students to report incidents, and that reporting
is not dobbing.
Parents are encouraged to contact the school if they become aware of a problem.
C Intervention:
Those identified as being bullied will be counselled.
Once identified; bully, victim and witnesses talked with, and all incidents fully investigated and
documented.
A restorative approach used with the identified bully where appropriate.
D Further Intervention:
If bullying is ongoing, parents contacted and consequences implemented consistent with
school’s Student Engagement Policy.
Ongoing monitoring of identified bullies.
Ongoing counselling from appropriate support agency for both victim and bully.
Evaluation
This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s four year review cycle.
This policy was last ratified by Colac Primary School Council in August, 2013
