December 2017

STUDENT WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT

POLICY

College Vision and Values Pascoe Vale Girls College is committed to providing students with the opportunity to succeed as learners

and as competent and confident citizens who can make a valuable contribution to a global society.

Our College values of RESPECT, DIVERSITY and ACHIEVEMENT reflect community expectations and

provide a framework for relationships and actions within the school community. These values are clearly

defined with behaviours reflecting each of the values determined by the school community.

Respect - We respect ourselves, others and our school through our words and actions to create a positive and caring community. We are committed to acting with honesty and trust.

Diversity - There is acknowledgment and support of diversity within our school community. We value differences and individuality and respect the opinions of others.

Achievement - Striving for excellence and embracing every challenge and opportunity.

Contents Student Engagement Statement 2

College Community Expectations 3

Expectations of staff 3

Expectations of students 3

Expectations of parents/guardians 3

Rights and Responsibilities Statement 3

Shared Rights and Responsibilities 4

Support for Student Wellbeing and Engagement 5

Core Values and Expectations 6

School Actions and Consequences 7

Related College Policies 7

Student Engagement Statement Students at Pascoe Vale Girls College are supported to develop positive, respectful and productive relationships with other students and staff. The College is committed to ensuring all students have a voice in their learning and are able to learn in a safe, supportive, well-resourced and comfortable learning environment that is conducive to encouraging the pursuit of excellence. The participation of our students’ parents/guardians is crucial in ensuring students enjoy success in their studies and the College is committed to further developing the partnership between school, parents/guardians and students. At this school there are high expectations regarding student attendance and punctuality and these are regularly communicated to students and parents/guardians. Consistent and rigorous procedures monitor student attendance and ensure that follow-up occurs in a timely manner.

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College Community Expectations All members of the school community are expected to uphold the College values of RESPECT, DIVERSITY

and ACHIEVEMENT and to work in partnership to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.

Expectations of staff The leadership team provide the vision and direction for the school and take a major role in the development of the School Strategic Plan and the delivery of the Annual Implementation Plan. Positive and respectful relationships will be built and promoted with students, parents/guardians and other staff. All teaching staff are expected to use the College’s Learning Model to provide engaging and challenging learning experiences for students in a learning environment that is safe and supportive for each individual learner and encourages the best educational outcomes for all students. Effective feedback will be provided to students and their parents/guardians in a timely manner. Expectations of students The Core Values and Expectations matrix (Page 6) lists the contexts and expectations of students at Pascoe Vale Girls College. Students should expect to be actively involved in the learning and co-curricular activities at the school. Expectations of parents/guardians Parents/guardians are expected to be involved in the life of the College by attending college events, Parent Teacher interviews and accessing Compass to stay informed of College and student information. Parents/guardians are expected to support the College in ensuring that their child attends school regularly and punctually.

Rights and Responsibilities Statement Every member of the College community has a right to fully participate in an educational environment

that is safe, supportive and inclusive. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity and all

community members have a right to fully participate in an environment free from bullying, harassment,

intimidation and discriminatory behaviour. Pascoe Vale Girls College does not tolerate any form of

bullying or harassment and has developed specific policies and practices to combat this behaviour.

The Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy supports the College to address our legal obligations

under relevant legislation, including:

● The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)

● The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)

● The Disability Standards for Education 2005

● The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)

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Shared Rights and Responsibilities

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Support for Student Wellbeing and Engagement Pascoe Vale Girls College has whole school structures and programs that are aimed at prevention and early intervention, to support student wellbeing and engagement.

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School Actions and Consequences Pascoe Vale Girls College aims for students to develop an understanding of appropriate behaviours that enables them to build positive and productive relationships with other students, staff and the wider community. The College’s core values of RESPECT, DIVERSITY and ACHIEVEMENT are designed to promote a positive school atmosphere and learning environment. Consequences may be used as part of a process with other engagement and support strategies to address the range of factors that may have contributed to a student's behaviour. Consequences that may be applied include:

● The restorative approach to build, maintain and restore relationships ● Withdrawal of privileges ● Withdrawal from class activities for a specified period. Where appropriate, parents/guardians

will be informed of such withdrawals ● Detention (lunchtime and after school) ● Suspension (in-school and out of school) ● Expulsion

Suspension and expulsion can only be approved by the Principal and our school will follow the Department of Education and Training policy.

Related College Policies ● Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Policy ● Assessment and Reporting Policy ● Internet Policy

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