St Columba Anglican School believes that every person in the School should be valued, cared for, and safe. This means that bullying behaviour has no place in this School.

Bullying typically includes an abuse of power ( which can be based on physical, age, psychological, racial or numerical victimisation). It may include physical intimidation, violence, persistent teasing, verbal abuse, picking on someone over a period of time or deliberately marginalising a fellow student and is a problem that causes serious distress. Therefore, the issue of bullying is the responsibility of everybody in the School. This should be understood, freely talked about and worked at so that all students feel safe and comfortable at school.

Reporting Bullying

Students and their parents/guardians are sometimes reluctant to pursue bullying incidents for fear that it will only make matters worse. A key part of the School's bullying prevention and intervention strategy is to encourage reporting of bullying incidents as well as assuring students who experience bullying (and parents/caregivers) that: bullying is not tolerated within the School, their concerns will be taken seriously, the School has a clear strategy for dealing with bullying issues, and follow-up communication is provided.

Bullying incidents can be advised to the School verbally or in writing through any of the following avenues: informing a trusted teacher, using the 'nobullying@scas.nsw.edu.au' email address, informing a student’s teacher or the Secondary Dean of Students, Primary Director of Wellbeing, Head of School, Principal or School Chaplain.

Bullying behaviours vary enormously in their extent and intent, and, as a consequence, each incident needs to be dealt with on its facts. In all circumstances, the School:

■takes bullying incidents seriously

■assures the victim that they are not at fault and their confidentiality will be respected

■takes time to properly investigate the facts, including discussing the incident with the victim, the bully and any bystanders

■takes time to understand any concerns of individuals involved

■maintains records of reported bullying incidents

■will escalate its response when dealing with persistent bullies and/or severe incidents.

St Columba Anglican School has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of racism. Negative comments, marginalisation, ostracism, vilification, exclusion from activities and games, inappropriate physical contact based on or related to race or culture are indefensible and cannot be tolerated. Students who indulge in racism will be counselled, and sanctions may be applied.

St Columba Anglican School is committed to providing all staff and students with a working and learning environment free from sexual harassment.

Students at St Columba Anglican School are expected to interact with each other, staff, visitors, parents/caregivers and volunteers in a positive manner. All St Columba Anglican School community members are expected to acknowledge courteous behaviour, including “please” and “thank you” when making requests and using names and titles whenever they are known. All forms of inappropriate language are discouraged. Students ignoring common courtesy will be corrected, and those using profane language will be warned once before becoming subject to the School’s Disciplinary Procedures.

A digital citizen refers to a person who has the knowledge and skills to effectively use digital technologies to communicate with others, participate in society and create and consume digital content. Digital citizenship is about confidence and positive engagement with digital technologies. By educating students about digital citizenship, they will have the opportunity to develop the skills required to navigate a digital world. Digital Citizenship themes and responsibilities are explicitly taught through student Wellbeing programs.

The following policies guide students and digital citizenship.

■Bring Your Own Technology

■Using Technology

■Social Media Policies

Digital Citizenship in Primary School

While at school, student activity on the school network and internet may be monitored. Any student activity in the SCAS Google Education Suite can be monitored and reviewed. This includes emails or communications sent while students are connected to other networks. IMessage or chat apps can only be used within a supervised class activity. Devices that record images or sound must only be used for learning purposes. Devices containing inappropriate or offensive material will be confiscated, and their owner’s parents/caregivers will be informed.

Social networks are dynamic, positive and connective when used appropriately. Social media terms and agreements generally exclude students from under 13 years accessing their services. At SCAS, we safely utilise selected social media to enhance teaching and learning. In these cases, students can use these secure services below 13 years.

Consequences of a Breach of Policy

A breach of the BYOT, ICT or Social Media Policies will result in disciplinary action in line with Discipline Procedures. Consequences could include closely supervised technology access, a behavioural contract or a technology ban.

Mobile Phones

St Columba Anglican School discourages students bringing mobile phones and personal technology devices to school, and mobile phones are not to be used by students throughout the school day.

The School cannot accept liability for lost, damaged, or stolen devices and students who bring these items to school do so at their own risk.

Mobile phones and other devices that come to the attention of members of staff during normal school days will be immediately confiscated and will remain in safe-keeping until the end of day.

Mobile telephones and electronic devices are not permitted on Primary School excursions (including HRIS). In the case of an emergency, the SCASl administration will communicate with teachers, parents and caregivers.

When students are attending overnight camps, all mobile phones will be collected once students arrive at camp, and will be kept by the teacher for the duration of the camp. The only time mobile phones can be used are whilst travelling to and from the camp on the bus.

Smart Watches

Smart watches and related devices must be switched to flight mode during the school day. Students are not permitted to use their smart watch or other device as a substitute for a mobile phone.

Other Devices

Devices that record images or sound must only be used for learning purposes. Recording images for any other purpose is not permitted, and students should not be accessing these devices during the school day. This includes 'toys' such as children's smartwatches and phones with recording capability. Devices found to contain inappropriate or offensive material will be confiscated and their owner’s parents/caregivers informed.

All documents and other content are to be free from inappropriate or offensive content and data sharing files. USB memory sticks or any other digital storage media that are found to contain inappropriate or offensive material will be confiscated and their owner’s parents/caregivers immediately informed.

Any photographing or filming of a teacher or any staff member by a student/s or distribution of staff images without the teacher’s specific permission will be viewed as a severe breach of School rules and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or even expulsion.

Unfortunately, it is becoming more common for students to use their phones to record (audio and video) teachers and for these recordings to be used in complaints against them.

Making films on a smartphone or using surveillance and listening devices raises essential issues such as consent and privacy.

Students should not record, upload or distribute in any other way visual and auditory material concerning staff and other students.

The law prohibits students from creating fake online profiles for teachers. But it makes it a crime to post real images or make any statement online, even if it's true, that provokes harassment.

Playing a recording to anyone other than the parties to the activity is “publication”. The exceptions to this rule include publication “to protect lawful interests”, or in the course of “legal or disciplinary proceedings”. These circumstances are very narrow. For example, a student merely complaining to the school about a teacher is not the protection of “lawful interests”.

The following items must not be brought onto the School campus or to any School event at anytime:

■Alcohol

■Tobacco

■E-cigarettes (vapes)

■Any illegal substance

■Aerosol sprays (including deodorant)

■Chewing gum or bubble gum

■Liquid paper (in bottles)

■Super glue

■Cigarette lighters

■Weapons

■Knives

■Water pistols and any other projectiles

■Razor blades

■Any item designed to shock or injure other students

■Laser pointers

■Skateboards, rollerblades and scooters (unless being used for a Sport activity)

■Medications (both prescription and non-prescription) that have not been approved for self-administration

■Students are to respect the personal space of others.

■Physical contact between students is not permitted.

■Holding hands and any form of petting are not permitted.

■Rough play or behaviour which results in personal contact is not permitted. This includes tackling, punching and any other forms of physical contact.

You can find a detailed explanation of our Uniform policy on our Uniform Guidelines page. In general:

■Earrings are limited to one set of plain gold or silver studs or sleepers no bigger than a match head. Students who choose to have other piercings that are visible may not adorn them in any manner while in uniform.

■Other jewellery is not to be worn unless approved.

■Boys hair is neat and tidy and trimmed if at or below the collar. Undercuts and shaved designs are not permitted.

■Girls hair at or below shoulder length is worn with plain school coloured hair ties (white, maroon or navy).

■Socks must be SCAS socks on sports days. Shoes must adhere to shoe guidelines.

■Not Hat no Play is strictly adhered to.

■Nails must be free of nail polish, and colour will be removed immediately if worn to school.

In Secondary School, the following processes are in place for multiple uniform infractions:

■Wellbeing staff regularly check the number of black and red comments for their students, escalating where necessary.

■Wellbeing staff will check the number of unique uniform detentions a student has received during a term, and escalate three instances to an afternoon detention.

The following areas are out of bounds for all students unless express permission is given from a teacher:

■Teachers’ staff rooms

■Classrooms and other teaching spaces, except for a lesson or with a teacher’s permission

■Car parks

■Maintenance sheds

■Waste transfer area

■Playgrounds before or after school

■Students must behave safely whilst waiting and lining up for buses.

■Students must have their bus passes ready to show them to the driver upon entering the bus.

■Students must behave responsibly and safely whilst travelling on buses.

■Whilst on the school bus students must wear the school uniform appropriately at all times.

■If travelling on an alternative bus, students will be charged for the fare.

In both Primary and Secondary School, the following expectations must be met:

■When waiting for a teacher outside a classroom, students are expected to wait quietly in two orderly lines, allowing room for other students and staff to move past to their next class freely and not interfering with their safe passage. Students must not enter any room without the relevant teacher’s permission.

■When other staff or visitors enter the classroom, students are to stand as a mark of respect and welcome them appropriately.

■If a teacher is more than five minutes late, a class representative should go to the Primary or Secondary School Office to report the teacher’s absence.

■Eating, drinking (other than water), or chewing is not permitted in any classroom.

■Paper scraps, or any other item, must not be thrown around, dropped, or left on the floor.

■School property and that belonging to others, must be respected and should be cared for properly. Students will be required to clean, replace or pay for any item as a result of deliberate damage or defacement.

■“Liquid Paper” in bottles and spirit-based felt pens are prohibited from use by students and may not be brought to school at any time. Teachers may supply these items if they are needed for specialist in-class activities.

■Mobile telephones and personal sound devices must not be brought to class or used during break times. Digital storage media must be free from files that contain inappropriate or offensive content. Students should label their devices clearly and are personally responsible for their property.

■Valuable items should not be brought to school and, if so, are brought to the school at the student’s own risk. Items of value that must be brought onto the school grounds should be left at the Primary or Secondary Office for safekeeping until they are required.

■At the end of each lesson, students are reminded that they may not leave until dismissed by the teacher.

■All students must be familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures. These are posted in each classroom and must not be marked or altered in any way.

Classroom Discipline Procedures in Primary School

The Primary Behaviours for Learning identify the behaviours required to support our School Values of Care, Citizenship and Excellence. Behaviour management strategies are incorporated in all classroom and learning activities. Additionally, students are supported through programs such as Rock and Water, Zones of Regulation and the Kindergarten to Year 6 Wellbeing program.

However, students can require prompting when their behaviour falls out of line with expectations. Incidents can occur, and staff determine whether a first, second and third warning is required or behaviours are escalated to the involvement of the Primary School Leadership team, i.e. Stage Coordinator, Deputy Director of Wellbeing or Head of Primary.

Consequences within a classroom setting can include completing work in break times, a short time out period or a conversation with parents about what has occurred and teacher concerns.

Most days, students can spend break times outside in various areas of the school. The following rules apply when students are in and around the campus:

■Running is not permitted on any concrete areas, near buildings, stairways and verandahs.

■Students must stay within their designated areas and must not enter areas assigned to others.

■Ball games are not to be played on the verandahs.

■All car parks are out of bounds and must not be entered unless accompanied by an adult.

■Technology is not permitted to be used during break times, and before and after school unless specific teacher permission has been given.

■Rough play or behaviour such as tackling, pushing or punching or similar are not permitted.

■Toilets are to be used in a sensible manner. They are to be kept as clean as possible at all times.

■No student is to leave the school grounds during the normal school day without following the procedures for early departures.

Success in Year 12 is very dependent on a student’s attitude towards their school work, responsibilities and expectations. SCAS values the mature, respectful and responsible conduct and attitude of its senior students and this self-motivated and disciplined approach has resulted in success in the Higher School Certificate as well as in post-school life.

Each parent who enrols their child at St Columba enters into a contract whereby the school offers certain services in terms of education and care. The other side of this contract is that the parent/s accept that the school has the right to impose its rules, expectations of behaviour etc. for the period of enrolment.

The following is a list of the expectations and responsibilities that provide the privileges that are part of a student’s senior year(s) at school.

Signing Out

■Students are not to sign out under "medical" without a parent email to the school prior to departure. This is a form of truancy and a Tuesday afternoon detention will be issued. Medical leave is used when students have presented to our First Aid room and a parent or caregiver has given permission for the student to leave school due to being unwell.

■Students in Years 11 and 12 may sign out at the Secondary Office without a parent or caregiver present, however written notification from a parent or caregiver via email to absence@scas.nsw.edu.au is required.

■Students who do not have a timetabled class in period 5 can go home at the end of period 4, but MUST sign out at the Secondary Office prior to leaving the school and show their timetable to Secondary Office staff.

■Students are reminded that while ever they are in school uniform they are representing the school, and normal rules apply regarding conduct and behaviour.

Student Drivers

■Students who drive to school are required to complete the Student Driver Request Form before they are allowed to drive to and from school and receive an allocated car park. Relevant forms are linked below, along with the Student Driver Policy document.

■- Student Driver Request Form

- Student Passenger Request Form

- Student Drivers Policy

■Students who drive in an unsafe manner may lose the privilege of car park access and driving to school. They may also receive a Tuesday afternoon detention.

■Students who drive with other students in their car who have not completed the Student Passenger Request Form may have privileges revoked and/or receive a Tuesday afternoon detention.

■Students are not to leave the school grounds throughout the day unless going home after signing out. This includes driving to and from local shops.

Focus Days

■Students are not to leave the school grounds on Focus Days without following the standard early departure procedures.

■Focus Days are compulsory to attend unless a student is unwell and unable to attend school. A medical certificate may be requested in this instance. Students who do not attend a Focus Day when they have no scheduled classes will be issued a Tuesday afternoon detention. Students are to remain on-site to complete school work and study and will be required to complete the Focus Day planner form and submit it to the Director of Teaching and Learning on the morning of the Focus Day.

■Students are allowed to complete 'work experience' if they do not have any scheduled classes on that Focus Day. This must be pre-arranged with the Head of Secondary School, the Director of Teaching and Learning or the Manager(s) of School Operations.

Year 12 Jerseys

See information on the wearing of Year 12 Jerseys here.

Jewellery

As noted in the Uniform Policy, as a rite of passage, Year 12 students are permitted to wear either one gold or silver bracelet (no cotton, leather etc) or one ring.

The fundamental expectation governing student conduct is that each student should behave in a manner that respects others. Students are expected to treat others in the manner they would wish to be treated themselves. The best possible conduct is expected from all students at all times. Poor behaviour cannot be accepted. Students are expected to behave appropriately as ambassadors of your school and country (if travelling overseas).

While on an excursion or school visit, students are expected to be courteous, punctual and obedient to instructions given by their instructors and are expected to attend all classes and planned activities. Students must inform staff of all movements, and a safety requirement of students of at least three in a group is expected for all activities.

In all circumstances, behaviour that is not in accord with St Columba Anglican School expectations and is unacceptable will be met with appropriate disciplinary action by the attending staff.

The following are some examples of unacceptable behaviour:

■ Bad language, abusive speech

■ Consumption of alcohol

■ Smoking cigarettes or using illegal or other substances

■ Harassing or bullying behaviour, including teasing

■ Sexual harassment

■ Racism in any form, including negative comments

■ Fighting, whether verbal or physical

■ Purchase and use of fireworks and replica (BB) guns

■ Behaviour that is dangerous to themselves or others

■ Breaking the law of the country

■ Dressing inappropriately (bare midriffs, miniskirts, shoestring straps, visible underwear)

■ There will be no boys in girls’ rooms and no girls in boys’ rooms at any time

In serious circumstances, student’s parents/caregivers will be contacted and students dealt with by the school on their return.

Students will endeavour to communicate any difficulty of a personal, financial or social nature to one of the supervising teachers so that the harmony of the group can be safeguarded at all times.

Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Policy

Rationale

The ubiquitous and diverse technologies at SCAS promote the development of 21st Century skills and engaged learning. Schooling must match technological advancements and help prepare students for the modern networked workforce and world. SCAS utilises a BYOT policy to enhance and support learning.

Please note that the SCAS cannot accept responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of any personal property belonging to staff or students.

Policy

■ “Technology” includes but is not limited to tablets, laptops, mobile devices, storage devices and software.

■ Teachers direct student usage of technology during school hours. This includes before and after school and break times. Teachers may confiscate devices if they are concerned about inappropriate use.

■ Charging of devices at school is not allowed. Students must ensure devices are prepared with full charge before arriving at school.

■ Students must only use the secure SCAS Wi-Fi network to connect to the internet while at school. Personal 4G and 5G connections are prohibited, as are VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and internet browsers designed to bypass school internet filtering.

■ While at school, student activity on the school network and internet may be monitored. Any student activity in the SCAS Google Education Suite can be monitored and reviewed. This includes emails or communications that are sent while students are connected to other networks. The use of imessage or chat apps is permitted within a supervised class activity.

■ Students must only use their own passwords to connect to any system or resource.

■ Teachers and IT Staff may collect and audit any student technologies when needed.

■ Laptops should have installed anti-virus software that will protect personal devices and the SCAS networks and their connected devices.

■ Devices may not be used for gaming while at school.

■ No personal technology devices are to be used in the school playground (before and after school, including lunch breaks) unless supervised by a teacher. Students wishing to use devices during these times should attend the library or inform a staff member to seek permission.

■ Students are not permitted to use mobile phones for calls or messages from when they arrive on campus until 3.20pm, when they may make travel arrangements. Students wishing to make calls should attend the relevant student administration office.

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Students need to know that it is unlawful to use mobile phones or electronic devices to:

■ Threaten others or incite violence;

■ Take pictures or video footage of other students without their permission;

■ Post pictures of other students on websites or social networking sites without the formal, written consent of the parents of such students;

■ Bully or harass other students.

In addition:

■ No mobile phones, cameras or video equipment are ever to be used in toilets or change rooms. Breach of this directive will result in the item being confiscated and permanently banned from being brought into the SCAS grounds.

■ Students’ access to and use of, mobile devices during camps, retreats, excursions and overseas trips will be advised by the teacher in charge.

■ Parents seeking to send a message to their child must do so via the Front Office. Even in emergency cases, SCAS needs to ensure that students are under the care and supervision of suitably qualified staff and have up to date information on all students at all times during school hours. If students need to contact parents during the day, they are to go to the relevant administration office after seeking permission from their Head of School or classroom teacher.

■ No abusive emails, pictures or information are sent or received by staff and students.

■ Abusive, threatening or hurtful emails, posts, messages, pictures or behaviours will not be tolerated and will result in immediate corrective action. The police will be notified at the Principal’s discretion.

■ Disrupting others’ learning or damaging others’ property will result in restorative justice whereby the perpetrator will bear the cost of replacing the property and repairing the damage

■ The sending of any messages without clearly identifying the sender’s details is in breach of this ICT policy and will result in the immediate suspension of ICT privileges and access.

Uphold Laws regarding Copyright and Intellectual Property

■ It is illegal to copy any software, graphics, text, games or music that may contravene copyright laws.

■ Copying files, passwords or work belonging to another person may be deemed plagiarism and/or theft.

■ Never bring ‘pirate’ copies of films, games or other multimedia to school or share them with friends using school equipment or resources.

■ All files and materials created using SCAS equipment and resources are deemed to be the property of the SCAS.

Safeguard Security Data and Information

■ Never reveal your password to another person. Change your password regularly and be aware of others watching you enter your password to log-on.

■ If you share your password with others and they use it inappropriately you will be held responsible.

■ Respect all security provisions on the computer network.

■ Do not share personal information or inappropriate materials with others via the SCAS network.

■ Remember that all electronic information sharing cannot be guaranteed to be private. The EdTech team and/or Principal at SCAS may review, delete or recover files (including emails) at any time. Students can also expect teachers to have access to read student files in particular instances.

At St Columba Anglican School, generative AI tools are used to support and enhance teaching and learning. Students are supported to use generative AI tools ethically in both their classwork and assessment tasks. Learning designed for students, including assessment tasks, clearly outlines how generative AI tools should or should not be used. In all contexts, students must provide an acknowledgement of any generative AI used as a part of their assessment task and not claim work generated by any AI tool to be entirely their own creation. This acknowledgement should declare which tools were used and provide a list of all prompts that were entered to generate any information for the task. When using image generating AI, students are required to provide the output images generated and any reference images entered into the tool. Students are also required to make specific references to AI generated work when used throughout their task, as they would when citing other information sources.

Rationale

Social networks are dynamic, positive and connective when used appropriately. Social media terms and agreements generally exclude students from under 13 years accessing their services. At SCAS, we safely utilise selected social media to enhance teaching and learning. In these cases, students can use the secure services below the age of 13 years. Our school approved Learning Management Systems (LMS) include SEQTA and Google Apps for Education (Classroom, Gmail, Forms, Docs, Drive and Calendar). These systems are monitored and managed by the school and may be used in teaching and learning. Teachers and students may communicate using these networks.

Student emails in the Primary School are limited to the SCAS domain. These email addresses are intended as internal communication tools with teachers and peers. In Secondary School, student emails have no limits.

Policy

■ Staff are not permitted to “friend” or “follow” current students on Facebook and other social media platforms.

■ Students and staff are prohibited from creating social networking profiles representing other SCAS students or staff without permission. This is called identity fraud and has serious consequences.

■ Students must respect the name of the School, and if they create, maintain or use social networking sites, they must ensure that no comment or content (including photos) placed on that site by themselves or others could potentially damage the reputation of the School, its staff or students, or use language that is insulting, defamatory, offensive or deemed inappropriate by the School or wider community.

■ Social networking accounts or profiles using the school name, media or images (eg. SCAS Year 9) must be approved by the Head of School or delegate.

■ Students are prohibited from photographing, videoing or recording teachers, staff or other students without asking permission from them first and gaining consent. This media should not be placed on public networks for the general public in any circumstances.

■ Students must behave as responsible, honest and ethical digital citizens while using SCAS social networks. Posting inappropriate or defamatory videos, pictures or comments, making derogatory statements or bullying others is expressly prohibited.

■ Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content will be reported to the relevant authorities. Students must demonstrate respect to others and the School. They must not make any comment on any site that targets any student or staff member of the School with perceived negative intent or undermines the name/good work of the School.

■ Students are in no way to link students of the School, staff or the School itself to actions that the School would not support or condone (alcohol abuse; sexual activity; bullying; illicit drug use; inappropriate, profane and/or offensive language). This includes photographs of students in our school uniform.

Minor offences

■ The teacher reminds the student of the policy and procedures.

■ The student complies immediately – no further action.

OR

■ The student continues to ignore the ICT policy – the teacher confiscates equipment or withdraws students' access privileges. Student and/or parent called to meet with the teacher to determine corrective action. The student complies with policy and equipment, and access rights are restored.

OR

■ The student continues to behave inappropriately – the Head of School (or delegate) is notified. The student has to negotiate a gradual re-instatement of privileges.

Serious offences

Serious offences include serious threats, bullying, illegal or indecent information and images, and intentional damage or neglect.

■ The Principal and parents will be notified, and police may be called to investigate the allegation. Access to ICT equipment and resources will be withdrawn until the investigation is completed.

The best possible conduct is expected from all students at all times. This includes their conduct at school and their travel to and from school, irrespective of the method of transport. This may also include technology and online activity when students are at home. Poor conduct will not be accepted.

St Columba Anglican School acknowledges and applies procedural fairness in dealing with students. Procedural fairness procedures at St Columba Anglican School include giving a student who is under investigation the right and an opportunity to be heard and to understand the procedure to be used in the investigation, should it be warranted. In such cases, the student will be informed of the procedure to investigate the particular issue at the time. Students will be interviewed in a timely manner to ensure the process's integrity and verify the information. Parent approval is not required for this to occur. A variety of discipline strategies may be used, including those listed below:

Behaviour Reflection in the Primary School

The Primary School has a Behaviour Reflection program for students who have broken basic school rules. During Long and Short Breaks, students will be asked to reflect and consider changes that could be made to improve their behavioural choices. The seriousness of the incident determines the amount of time that students are removed from the playground. Parents are informed by the class teacher or a member of the Primary School Leadership when these consequences are being put into place. This may occur after the event if the immediacy of consequence is required. A Tuesday Detention may be used for Stage 3 students for more serious misdemeanours.

Detentions/Community Service

The Secondary School has detention for students who have broken basic school rules. Students will be supervised by staff during detention. There may be lunchtime detentions or, for more serious misdemeanours, Tuesday or Saturday detentions. Secondary School detention/community service is held on Tuesday afternoons until 5.00pm and on Saturday mornings from 9.00am to 12.00pm. Community service during school vacation may also be arranged in consultation with parents/caregivers. Parents/caregivers will be contacted by phone. They will also receive a Parent Lounge notification prior to a student attending detention/community service outside of school hours to ensure they are aware the student is on detention.

Parent Interview

The School aims to keep parents/caregivers informed of issues that occur at school or whilst travelling to and from school. There may be times that an event that has occurred outside school hours that is of sufficient concern for the School to request an interview. There will be times when a telephone interview will take place and other times when a personal parent interview will be requested.

Referral for Counselling

Following interview(s) with parents/caregivers, the School may recommend a student seek assistance from the SCAS Wellbeing team. If needed, counselling from an independent professional may be recommended.

Progress Card or Behaviour Contract

Both Primary and Secondary students may be, at times, given a Behaviour Contract or plan which is developed between staff and the student to focus on their identified area of misbehaviour or where improvement or support is required. This may include a section to be completed by all staff at the conclusion of each period. This records the student’s progress and attitude within that period. Parents/caregivers may be asked to countersign the contract or card and may be asked to communicate with staff by phone, Diary or email for the duration of the contract to review progress.

Suspension

The School reserves the right, should the need arise, to suspend a student from school for some time for a major breach of discipline. Should this occur, parents/caregivers will be immediately informed of the suspension and the reasons for it. Parents may seek to meet to clarify the school’s position further. The school determines the length and whether the suspension is held within the School or at home. If at school, the student is not allowed into class or to have contact at recess or lunchtime with fellow students. If at home, the student is not allowed to come to school until the suspension is completed and a behaviour management contract developed in partnership with parents/caregivers, the student and the School. A return to school interview is held to assist the student’s reflection of the behaviour and for pastoral support. Suspension is seen as a very serious sanction.

Probation

Probation is the penultimate step before expulsion and is determined after an interview with parent(s) or caregiver(s). A Behaviour Management Plan will be developed during this interview in consultation with the students and his or her parent(s) or caregiver(s). Students on probation will normally be placed on report, monitored daily by both the student’s parent(s) or caregiver(s) and a senior member of staff.

Expulsion

When protracted misconduct or other circumstances allow no alternative, the School reserves its ultimate right of expulsion. Expulsion can become necessary when a major breach in discipline has occurred, all other avenues have been explored and the student’s place at the school has to be withdrawn. Parents/caregivers will be informed in person of the expulsion as soon as it is possible to arrange a suitable meeting.

Please note that students who have been expelled are not permitted on the School grounds or to participate in any School function of any form for two full school (calendar) years after the date of expulsion.

The St Columba Anglican School discipline policy expressly prohibits administering corporal punishment by staff and non-school persons, including parents/caregivers and volunteers.