Prepares us for Life

Prepares us for Life

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STATEMENT OF VALUES AND EXPECTIONS

Promoting Healthy, Safe and Respectful School Communities


OUR MISSION: At Geelong High School our mission is to develop caring and respectful relationships, empowering people to realise their potential through effort, responsibility and teamwork and to building health, resilient and productive global citizens.


Vision: Geelong High School is a positive and creative learning community that embraces its history and prepares students for life

We are committed to:

  • Developing caring and respectful relationships
  • empowering people to realise their potential through effort responsibility and teamwork
  • building healthy, resilient and productive global citizens


OUR VALUES ARE: RESPECT

Responsibility Effort Service Positivity Excellence Creativity Teamwork

Geelong High School recognises the importance of the partnership between schools and parents/carers to support student learning, engagement, and wellbeing, and in achieving our vision. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, ensuring inclusive, safe and orderly environments for children and young people.

This Statement of Expectations sets out our behavioural expectations of all members in this school community, including the principal, all school staff, parents, students and visitors. It respects the diversity of individuals in our school community and addresses the shared responsibilities of all members in building safe and respectful school communities.

Discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, bullying, violence, aggression and threatening behaviour are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this school.

Our Statement of Expectations acknowledges that parents and school staff are strongly motivated to do their best for every child. Everyone has the right to differing opinions and views and to raise concerns, as long as we do this respectfully as a community working together. The statement also links strongly with our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Effort, Service, Positivity, Excellence, Creativity and Teamwork.


RESPONSIBLITIES

AS PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL LEADERS, WE WILL:

  • Work collaboratively to create a school environment where respectful and safe conduct is expected of everyone.
  • Behave in a manner consistent with the standards of our profession and meet core responsibilities to provide inclusive, safe and orderly environments.
  • Plan, implement and monitor arrangements to ensure the care, safety, security and general health and wellbeing of all students in attendance at the school is protected.
  • Identify and support students who are or may be at risk.
  • Do our best to ensure every child achieves their personal and learning potential.
  • Work with parents to understand their child’s needs and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly.
  • Respond appropriately when inclusive, safe or orderly behaviour is not demonstrated and implement appropriate interventions and sanctions when required.
  • Make known to parents the school’s communication and complaints procedures.
  • Ask any person who is acting in an offensive or disorderly manner to leave the school grounds.


AS STAFF, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to students consistent with the standards of our profession.
  • Proactively engage with parents about student outcomes.
  • Provide a guaranteed and viable learning program for all students that is aligned with the Victorian curriculum, and assess and report according to the school’s policies and procedures
  • Work collaboratively and inclusively with parents to understand the learning and wellbeing needs of each student and, where appropriate, adapt and differentiate the learning program and environment accordingly.
  • Encourage and facilitate student voice and agency in their learning
  • Treat all members of the school community with unconditional respect.
  • Employ a restorative approach to repairing relationships if they break down
  • Uphold Child Safe standards and adhere to the Child Safe & VIT Codes of Conduct
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when engaging with students


AS PARENTS, WE WELL:

  • Model positive behaviour to our child.
  • Ensure our child attends school on time, every day the school is open for instruction.
  • Take an interest in our child’s school and learning.
  • Work collaboratively with the school to achieve the best outcomes for our child.
  • Communicate constructively and respectfully with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns.
  • Support school staff to maintain a safe learning environment for all students.
  • Follow the school’s policies and procedures and complaints processes if there are concerns.
  • Treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect.


AS STUDENTS, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to other students.
  • Comply with all school policies and procedures and model all school values.
  • Behave in a safe, caring and responsible manner.
  • Respect ourselves, other members of the school community and the school environment.
  • Actively participate in school.
  • Not disrupt the learning of others
  • make the most of our educational opportunities.
  • Be productive global citizens


AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to the school community.
  • Treat other members of the school community with respect.
  • Support school staff to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.
  • Utilise the school’s communications policy to communicate with the school.
  • Support the school in being an active contributor to the community


THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING WILL:

  • Provide support and advice to principals to equip them to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of students, parents and staff.
  • Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of students, parents and staff.
  • Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools respond to and prevent bullying and promote cyber-safety and wellbeing.
  • Provide access to evidence-based resources and strategies to increase student safety, wellbeing and engagement.
  • Provide schools with practical and legal support as required.
  • Provide parents with practical guidance and resources to resolve conflicts with the school.


CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO UPHOLD THE STATEMENT OF VALUES

UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOURS

Behaviours that are considered inappropriate on and adjacent to school grounds or in relation to school business, including camps, excursions, and events, and that do not uphold the principles of this Statement of Expectations include when a person:

  • is rude, aggressive, abusive or harasses others
  • sends rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages
  • is manipulative or threatening
  • speaks in an aggressive tone, either in person or over the telephone
  • makes sexist, racist or derogatory comments
  • uses the media or social media as a forum to raise concerns/make complaints against the school
  • is physically intimidating, e.g. standing very close.
  • Engages in


CONSEQUENCES

Principals are responsible for determining what constitutes reasonable and unreasonable behaviour.

Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Expectations may lead to further investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences. This may include:

  • utilising mediation and counselling services
  • alternative communication strategies being applied
  • warning which may be followed by a formal Community Order, issued by the principal or an authorised person, preventing entry onto school premises or attendance at school activities. Written notice will follow any verbal notice given.
  • an intervention order being sought
  • informing the police which may result in a charge of trespass or assault

By agreeing to meet specified standards of positive behaviour, everyone in our school community can be assured that they will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, this will help to create a school that is safe and orderly, where everyone is empowered to participate, learn and thrive.