WELFARE & DISCIPLINE POLICY

Narwee Public School Learning and Caring – A Vibrant Community School

The following document has been developed to ensure that the students of Narwee PS learn in an environment that is safe and caring. It is based on The Values of NSW Public Schools, which include:

• Love of Learning. • Aiming for high standards. • Care and respect for ourselves and others. • Care and respect for families and communities. • Respect for work. • Proud Australians and citizens of the world.

At Narwee PS, all members of the school community are involved in maintaining an environment that aims:

• To provide effective learning and teaching within a secure, well-managed environment in partnership with parents/caregivers and the wider school community.

• To develop a partnership between the school community based on shared responsibility and mutual respect.

• To provide guidelines, expectations and consequences. • To meet the needs of students by acknowledging appropriate attitudes and behaviour and

in addressing issues related to unacceptable behaviour.

At Narwee PS, everyone has rights.

• Students have a right to maximise learning opportunities and to work and play in a secure, encouraging environment.

• Staff have a right to teach quality programs in a safe and supportive environment. • Parents have a right to participate in the learning partnership. • Visitors have a right to feel welcome in the school and be treated with respect.

• Be responsible for own action. • Be considerate. • Be honest. • Act in a safe manner. • Bring credit to the school. • Be punctual and organized. • Attend school regularly.

INTRODUCTION

RIGHTS

RESPONSIBILITES

Student’s Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor quality programs for all students. • Provide collegial support for peers and work as a team towards identified school goals. • Encourage student self esteem and achievement. • Provide for student safety through punctual and visible disciplined playground supervision. • Notify appropriate people on matters of student welfare. • Adhere to the professions code of conduct.

All parents and guardians have the responsibility to:

• Make sure their child arrives in time for school. • Make sure their child is dressed in the correct uniform. • Provide healthy food for their child. • Return notes on time. • Provide the necessary school equipment for their child. • Guide homework. • Read notes and newsletters. • Work cooperatively with teachers. • Support the school in its efforts to maintain fair discipline.

• Be Safe • Be Kind • Be Respectful • Be Proud • Be Co-operative

Teacher’s Responsibilities

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

SCHOOL RULES

Rules Responsibilities

Be Safe

• Keep your hands and feet to yourself. • Play sensibly • Be in the right place at the right time. • Walk on the asphalt areas. • Travel to and from school sensibly. • Wear your Narwee hat outside.

Be Kind

• Be polite and courteous. • Be considerate of others. • Treat people the way you would like to be treated. • Say Sorry.

Be Respectful

• Listen to and follow teacher’s and helper’s instructions. • Be honest. • Look after all property: yours, other’s, school’s • Have good manners. • Allow others to learn without disruption. • Be punctual and organised. • Return notes promptly. • Respect our environment and all living things.

Be Proud

• Wear full school uniform. • Do your best at all times. • Participate enthusiastically in all school activities. • Take care of our school. • Uphold the school’s good reputation.

Be Co-operative

• Accept that every person is different. • Help each other. • Work together by sharing and taking turns. • Listen to others. • Work positively with teachers and class members.

Be Proud

The following procedures have been put in place to promote a safe and supportive learning environment:

• NO HAT, NO PLAY. Students without hats to go to designated playground areas. At Narwee PS, hat must be worn at all times when outdoors.

• Students to put bags outside classroom and then proceed to asphalt area in Primary Playground. • Ball games / Handball only on asphalt area. • Move quickly to assembly area or to class lines at 9.20am.

• Students must spend the first 10 min seated in classrooms for eating. • Only Canteen monitors to get lunches from canteen. • Rubbish to be placed in bins before students may play. • No playing in toilets or out of bounds areas as marked. • Running games on the grass area only. • No tackle games. • Library open Tues, Wed & Thurs. • Bell at 12.05pm to line up for class.

• Rubbish to be placed in bins. • No playing in toilets or out of bounds areas. • No tackle games. • Bell at 2.10pm to line up for classes.

• Leave school sensibly and promptly. • All students and parents to leave school by appropriate gate and crossings. • No riding bikes or scooters in the playground. • Uncollected children to go to the office. • No playing on equipment.

GENERAL SCHOOL PROCEDURES AND ROUTINES

Before Class (8.50am – 9.20am)

Lunch 11.20am – 12.10pm Warning/Toilet Bell 12.05 – 12.10pm

Recess 1.50 – 2.10pm

Afternoon 3.20pm

• Lunch orders by 9.45am. • Line up in an orderly fashion. • Use good manners at all times.

• Decision to be made by Assistant Principal’s. • Teachers to organise duties in their blocks as per wet weather roster. • Undertake quiet activities if raining. • If it rains while pupils are already on the playground the teacher on duty will send pupils under the

shelter. Three short bells will be rung to send children to class. • Students must stay within the class room for wet weather.

These items are NOT to be brought

to school NOT to be worn at school

• Chewing gum • Nail polish • Knives, weapons of any description • Make up • Drugs (illegal). Medication to be taken to the office • Beanies • Matches and lighters • Earrings (studs / sleepers allowed) • Toy guns, swords, toys with sharp edges • Jewellery (unless for religion) • Electronic games • Mobile phone to be taken to the office • Collectable cards

Excursions are a means of enriching the learning that takes place in the classroom. Students from Narwee PS who participate in excursions will: • Wear appropriate school uniform • At all times be well mannered and well behaved • Be punctual • Understand that inappropriate behaviour at school or in the classroom could lead to exclusion

from school excursions.

Canteen

Wet Weather

Forbidden at School

Excursions

K – 6

At Narwee Public School we always reward our students for good behaviour, their achievements and all of the special things that they do at our school.

We have two main reward systems at the school.

Students collect merit awards at assembly and keep them throughout the years at our school. The system starts as soon as your child enters Narwee Public School, usually in Kindergarten and continues until they leave at the end of Year 6. When students collect 5 yellow Merit Awards they can hand their awards to their class teacher or give them to Mrs Rizzov. All awards are recorded on a master sheet and are dated and signed on the back before being returned with the relevant coloured award. All awards are given out at Monday and/or Thursday morning assemblies in front of the whole school. When students have collected a total of 40 Merit Awards, they will receive a beautiful Gold Star badge which may be worn to school thereafter. As some children attain the Gold Star before the end of their time at Narwee Public School, a Diamond Award will be given to children who collect 55 Merit Awards. Parents are encouraged to help their child collect and value these awards by keeping them in

a safe place.

5 Merit Awards = Green Award

10 Merit Awards = Red Award

15 Merit Awards = Blue Award

20 Merit Awards = Principal’s Award

25 merit Awards = Bronze Award

30 Merit Awards = Silver Award

35 Merit Awards = Gold Award

40 Merit Awards = Gold Star Badge & Certificate

55 Merit Awards = Diamond award

NARWEE PUBLIC SCHOOL AWARDS SYSTEM

System 1: The Merit Award System

• Our Behaviour Levels system acknowledges the responsible, co-operative, friendly and respectful behaviour that the majority of students display.

• We have 6 levels in the Behaviour Levels system.

Level Behaviour

Gold Continued outstanding behaviour, participation and effort. Silver Continued outstanding behaviour, participation and effort. Bronze Starting Level. 4,5 & 6 Consequences Level.

• All children begin the school year on Bronze Level. (In special circumstances, a child may

begin the year on Bronze Minus.)

• As a student continually demonstrates good and appropriate behaviour he/she will be rewarded and placed on a higher level.

• Any student who is having problems with behaviour and who is constantly disobeying school

rules will be placed on detention and in most cases this will result in a level drop.

• Detention operates on Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime. A member of the executive team

supervises detentions and mentors students. Mentoring is the structured collaborative process that focuses on the needs of the student, whereby they are encouraged to reach their potential at school and are motivated to improve their behaviour.

• If students are placed on detention, a pink note will be issued. Parents are required to sign this note and return it to the school. If the note has not been received by the next detention (Tuesday or Thursday), students will do another detention and a copy of the note will be sent home for signing. If students misbehave or are defiant in detention they will be given another detention.

• All detentions are recorded and filed.

• If students are absent on detention day they will be required to attend on the following Tuesday or Thursday.

• Students on level 4, 5 & 6 will be able to move up to Bronze level when they are able to show that they are becoming responsible school members.

• Students on level 4, 5 & 6 are not permitted to represent the school in PSSA, Gala Days, or

Performing Arts. They cannot attend excursions, school discos, school camp or Acknowledgement Day activities.

System 2: Behaviour Levels System

Detention

• Behaviour is monitored regularly and the school staff meets in weeks 3, 6 & 9 to determine the level for each child in the school. All students are treated on an individual basis and at any time may be placed on Bronze Minus to encourage students to reflect on their behaviour.

• Students may be able to move between levels 4, 5 & 6 at any time.

• Students can also be demoted at anytime.

• In certain circumstances involving the threat or use of violence, possession of suspected illegal drugs, possession of a prohibited weapon, instances of persistent disobedience or engaging in criminal behaviour related to school, suspension from school will occur in accordance with the ‘Procedure for the Suspension and Expulsion of School Students’ issued by the DET 1998.

• All students on Bronze, Silver or Gold level will be able to participate in Acknowledgement Day activities which are held each term to reward good behaviour. Any student on Levels 4, 5 or 6 will not participate in these activities and will spend this session with an executive as part of the mentoring process. If a student below bronze level is absent on Acknowledgement Day they will be required to have the mentoring session on the next detention day.

• As well as rewarding the students on Bronze, Silver & Gold Levels throughout the year, this

system also rewards the students who attain & remain on Gold Level for Terms 3 & 4. These students receive a Gold Level Banner at a special assembly at the end of the year.

Students on Gold Level must meet the following criteria:

• Always strive to do their best.

• Always follow school rules.

• Respect everyone e.g. teachers, students, casual teachers, helpers etc.

• Make an effort to be involved in all organised school activities and events.

• Show initiative.

• Be punctual – to class and to start work.

• Be organised with classroom equipment e.g. pens, pencils, rulers etc.

• Do homework to the best of their ability.

• Wear full school uniform.

• Always display a positive attitude.

Acknowledgement Day

Healthy Canteen Policy Ensures that food available for sale from the school has been endorsed by the school community as appropriate and healthy.

Student Representative Council The SRC is a body of elected representatives from Kindergarten to Year 6. These students meet regularly to discuss concerns or suggestions put forward by other students. The councillors also canvas opinion on proposed changes in policy or routine. They also fundraise for various charities.

Anti Racism Class programs contain strands to promote multicultural understanding and respect for individual differences.

Critical Incidents Are those situations causing school communities to experience usually strong emotional reactions. These incidents may include death or critical injury of a student or teacher, destruction or serious damage to the school, witnessing injury or death. Responses to incidents may be planned to facilitate optimum response at a time of instability, recovery, return to normal routines and demonstrates the cohesiveness, care and support of the school community.

Behaviour Improvement Plans Includes the development of behavioural programs for individual students to meet their specific needs. These plans are constructed through consultation with the student’s parents and staff and form part of school’s reward and discipline code.

Sun Safe Program Educates children about minimizing the harmful effects of exposure to the sun. Students are required to wear hats during playtime and outdoor activities as a ‘No Hat, No Play’ policy applies.

Drug Education Program Provides a series of lessons per year for each grade (Kindergarten to Year 6) aimed at raising drug awareness and developing skills in children to prevent drug abuse.

Child Protection Child Sexual Assault is a serious problem and preventative programs are required to assist and support students. The intended outcome of the child protection curriculum is prevention of child sexual assault:

• By developing student’s knowledge, skills and attitudes for protection against sexual assault. • By developing student’s knowledge of responsibilities of adults and children. • By developing students’ capacity to participate effectively in positive human relationships.

Parental permission is sought prior to implementation of this program and a parent awareness program is offered for new parents to inform them of the content.

WELFARE PROGRAMS

Practices designed to recognise student achievement Narwee Public School endorses positive behaviour through an awards system and the acknowledgement of student achievement. The purpose of the awards structure is to acknowledge success, co-operative behaviour and positive relationships among students.

Learning Support Team The Learning Support Team (LST) consisting of Principal, school executive, support teacher and school councillor meet regularly to discuss and help students, school staff and parents with the best educational opportunities to enhance student learning.

Peer Support Our Peer Support program provides a positive and safe learning environment for students to become young people who can:

• Take responsibility for their own wellbeing. • Deal positively, proactively and resiliently with their life experiences. • Be actively involved in, and supported by, their community.

Students involved in the program are given opportunities to further develop the following skills:

• communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, coping, planning, negotiation, problem solving, decision making, values clarification, assertiveness, empathy, refusal, resilience, monitoring stress, conflict resolution and relationship building.

• Each class will display the school rules.

• They should be clearly visible at the front of the classroom

• When children fail to follow the class rules, the teachers issues:

Step 1 Rule Reminder - Students name is placed on the board

Step 2 Warning 1 - \ next to child’s name

Step 3 Warning 2 - X next to child’s name

Documented in class discipline folder

Step 4 In-class time out (5 mins) - Student is then given the choice to comply with the rules and return to work with the class.

Step 5 If non-compliance continues, in-class time out (a further 10 minutes)

Step 6 Collegial time out

Step 7 Executive Support

Step 8 Principal involvement

Dependent upon the severity of the behaviour, the teacher may choose to progress past some steps altogether. Teacher must - Be fair.

- Have rewards and consequences. - Focus on students taking responsibility for their own actions. - Be clearly understood by all members of the class. - Be consistent. - Display discipline/management system in their classroom.

Unacceptable Behaviours - Disobeying school rules. - Being unco-operative in the classroom or playground. - Disrupting the class. - Swearing. - Being abusive or disrespectful. - Telling lies. - Not considering the right of others. - Refusing to obey instructions. - Leaving the learning area without permission. - Bullying. - Violence.

CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE / MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

No School Hat …. No Play …. Sit in designated area

Low Level Unacceptable Behaviour Strategies

Dropping rubbish

Running on asphalt or verandah

Being at the canteen at the wrong time

Food or toys on equipment

Playing in mud

Playing with ants / bugs

Damaging the environment – gardens/trees

Not accepting game rules

Inappropriate playing on equipment

Pushing

Out of bounds

Step Remind them of the rule

Walk and talk discuss and talk through

with child and remind them of their choices and mention levels.

Pick up papers or Send them to time out area for 5-10

minutes or rest of lunch depending on severity and child’s response.

Ball Games

Tackle Football

No large or hard balls before school

Anything potentially unsafe with a ball or other equipment

Step Remind them of the rule

2nd offence – Take the ball or equipment and go to step 2 & 3

Balls Over the Fence procedure

On the railway side – leave them there or use key if in lane way – at the teacher’s discretion.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR IN THE PLAYGROUND

High Level Unacceptable Behaviour Strategies

Touching inappropriately

Verbal threats to peers or teachers Dangerous play such as: Climbing Trees Sticks/Stones Climbing through windows

Bad language

Damage to school property Teacher defiance eg: running away when called / answering back Violence Aggressive verbal or racist comments Spitting Leaving the school grounds

Step Remind them of the rule

Walk and talk discuss and talk through

with child and remind them of their choices and mention levels.

Pick up papers or Send them to time-out area for rest of

lunch. Name on sheet and place the sheet in the

time-out tray in the staffroom.

Major incident send red card (in playground bag) for immediate intervention by Executive.

• The teacher on duty is to deal with the incident/situation themselves. If it happens at bell time take the child to your room to wait until you settle the class. Send a note to child’s class teacher in this instance.

• Detention will take place on Tuesday and Thursday.

• Any child who attends detention will get a letter sent home to their parents by the executive.

• Detention is recorded in the Detention Book.