Good Standing Statement

Middle School Planner

Good Standing Statement

Good Standing Statement PHILOSOPHY The Good Standing Policy is designed to create a positive school environment, protecting the rights and responsibilities of all members of the School community and enabling students to take responsibility for their learning. It aims to ensure students are creating a positive environment and achieving substantial educational progress. The College asks our students to live the College values through their everyday actions including Faith in action, Character in life and Excellence every day.

Good Standing gives students the right to make their own informed choices concerning their involvement in the College community and to make them aware of the College expectations regarding these choices.

PURPOSE To assist students in taking responsibility for their own education.

PROCEDURE All students commence the year with Good Standing and are expected to maintain this good standing at all times.

This recognises that students take responsibility for, and are committed to, their learning. Maintaining Good Standing requires:

1. Meeting school requirements regarding attendance and punctuality An attendance requirement of 95% is expected for a

APPROVED ABSENCE for personal or family reasons

student to maintain GOOD STANDING STATUS and

may be applied for through the Deputy Principal

achieve success at the College. Absence from class

Middle School.

can be one of two categories: LEGITIMATE APPROVED ABSENCE and UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE/NOT

UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE/NOT APPROVED refers to any

APPROVED.

absence other than that defined above. When a student reaches five unexplained absences, good

A LEGITIMATE ABSENCE is where a student suffers a

standing is lost. The tutor will notify the students’

genuine illness and parents inform the school. In a

Head of House and the Deputy Principal Middle

case where absence is longer than 3 days a student

School. The student and his parents will be asked to

should present a doctor’s certificate to the

attend an interview with their Head of House or

Attendance Officer on return to school. A legitimate

Deputy Principal Middle School.

absence also refers to any occasion when a boy is on

Students are required to be at school prior to the

an excursion or is representing the school at some

start of the academic day and are expected to arrive

event or function.

on class on time and with the appropriate learning materials.

Good Standing Statement

2. Behaviour, uniform and personal presentation according to school rules Students are required to meet the expectations

Students are to be courteous and respectful at all

under which they are admitted to the College,

times, address others properly and stand for staff or

adhere to the Rules and Regulations, show a proper

visitors entering rooms. Failure to report when

regard at all times for the high standards and

requested to do so by a staff member is a serious

reputation of the College, behave decently and with

offence.

good sense and maintain a smart appearance. It is important that all boys in the College lead by

The College recognises its obligation to provide an

example when wearing the uniform appropriately and education for its students free from disruption or maintaining a neat standard of personal

distraction. We believe it is the right of every student

presentation.

to have the best education we can offer. We also believe that each student has a responsibility to

Students are expected to adhere to the College

respect the rights of others. To this end, any

values. This includes behaving in an orderly, civilised

disruptive behaviour in classes will result in a clear

and well-mannered way at all times, in and out of

warning followed by removal from the class if the

College; showing proper courtesy and respect for

disruptive behaviour continues.

others. They must not behave in a way that might cause inconvenience or put at risk the health and safety of others, or cause damage to property and take care to keep the school clean, tidy and litterfree.

3. Participation in College, co curricular, faith formation and House activities Boys need to recognise the College’s expectation

The College commitment to these activities

that all boys will participate fully in the College

necessitates the total support of students.

Curriculum. Boys are expected to attend Religious Education classes and participate in Retreats,

It is an expectation of all College students to behave

Service and Advocacy activities.

in a manner that is respectful and responsible. Those who maintain appropriate standards and contribute

Boys are expected to represent the College in Arts,

to a positive College environment will have numerous

Sport, House and other co-curricular activities when

opportunities to be acknowledged.

required.

LOSS OF GOOD STANDING: Failure to conform to any of the aforementioned

the College (as Prefect or Captain, in PSA sport, Arts

expectations may result in the loss of Good Standing

& Culture and/or other co-curricular activities) and

status which will be communicated by the Deputy

attend any special events (Year 12 Ball, socials, days

Principal Middle School. The College will continue.

of celebration, excursions, etc.).

to work with students and parents for a positive

In the first instance, the loss of Good Standing for

outcome. However, loss of Good Standing is a clear

occur for 2 weeks before a review of student

warning that a student needs to rectify their

behaviour is conducted and a decision whether a

behaviour immediately or their place at the

student will have their Good Standing reinstated.

College may be in jeopardy.

This will be communicated to the student and their

Students who have lost Good Standing may receive a parents by the Deputy Principal Middle School.

Notice of Concern, and will lose the right to represent

The loss of Good Standing may be applied under two Reinstatement of Good Standing pathways;

Good Standing is reinstated by students attending

1.Serious breach(es) of the Student Code of

to causes of concern immediately. To assist students

Conduct as outlined Rules and Regulations for

to rectify their behaviour they may be required to

students;

engage with consistent monitoring with their Head of

2.Repeated minor and major misbehaviours which

House and/or a College Leadership Team member,

are not addressed by the student, despite

placed on a behaviour contract or mentored by a

interventions.

chosen staff member.

THE POLICY IN ACTION Pathway 1: Serious Breach(es) Stage 1: Suspension At times, the behaviour of a student is determined to be a serious breach of the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Rules and Regulations for students. In these instances, the consequence is usually a suspension with the duration and location (internal or external) determined by the Deputy Principal Middle School, in consultation with the Principal and/or Vice Principal. The length of the suspension will be determined in consideration of the nature of the breach, past behaviour and the sub-school of the student.* Serious breaches of the Student Code of Conduct are outlined in the Rules and Regulations for students.

Examples of these breaches include, but are not limited to; Conduct such as Physical Violence (Rules & Regulations #4) Unlawful discrimination and bullying (Rules & Regulations #5) Tobacco and alcohol (Rules & Regulations #6) Illegal substances (Rules & Regulations #7) Forbidden items such as weapons (Rules & Regulations #8) As part of a suspension, the Deputy Principal Middle School will write to the parent/guardian outlining the nature of the breach, the length of suspension, the temporary loss of Good Standing (for the period of the suspension only) and will outline that a further serious breach may result in an extended period of the loss of Good Standing. The student will have a re-entry meeting with their parent/guardian and the Deputy Principal Middle School (or their delegate) outlining the College’s expectations moving forward and in discussion with the student and parents, support mechanisms can be put in place to prevent further breaches.

Stage 2: Loss of Good Standing Should a student’s conduct result in a second serious breach of the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Rules and Regulations the student will again receive a suspension. However, on this occasion the Deputy Principal Middle School will give a clear warning that the student’s position in the College may be in jeopardy and the student will lose Good Standing, for at least 2 weeks, which will be communicated through a meeting with the student and parent/guardian.

A formal letter outlining the nature of the breaches, the exact duration and impact of the loss of Good Standing, as well as the College’s expectations and student responsibilities to regain Good Standing will be sent to parent/guardians and a signed behaviour contract will be completed. *Note that Stage 2 may be invoked by the Deputy Principal Middle School, in consultation with the Principal and/or Vice Principal for extreme breaches of the Student Code of Conduct.

Stage 3: Probationary Enrolment If a student fails to comply with recommendations put in place to reinstate Good Standing as outlined in their behaviour contract in Stage 2, or has further serious breaches of the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Rules and Regulations, the parent/guardian and student will meet with the Vice Principal to discuss their ongoing enrolment. This may result in the student commencing a period of probationary enrolment

Stage 4: Enrolment Review If a student continues to fail to meet expectations whilst on probationary enrolment the parent/guardian will meet with the Principal to determine their enrolment status.

Repeated Minor and Major Misbehaviour Pathway 2 As per the Student Code of Conduct, students must accept the responsibilities that are associated with belonging to the Aquinas College community. Failure to maintain expectations will result in the accumulation of points.

In the Middle and Senior School, the accumulation of points will be monitored and when it reaches certain thresholds (see sub-School specific Flow Chart of Student Discipline and Communication), parent contact and/or consequences will occur. At various stages of the Flow Chart are checkpoints where the Head of House and/or Deputy Principal Middle School will engage with both the student and parent/guardian to support the student to change their behaviour.

Minor Misbehaviour (1-point)

Major Misbehaviour

Failure to maintain basic expectations will result in

Behaviour that results in an immediate issuance of an

the accumulation of 1 point.

after-school detention by a Head of House. Some

Some examples of minor infringements include:

examples include:

Distracting others in class

Being sent to Time Out

Not prepared for class

Mobile phone use

Late for class

Failure to correct inappropriate haircut

Failing to follow instructions

Anti-social behaviour towards peers

Incorrect uniform including shoes

Excessive rudeness

Unacceptable haircut

Failure to follow student parking guidelines

Unshaven

Defiance of teacher instructions

Off task behaviour with ICT

Inappropriate literature

Carrying a bag to class (except sports bag to

Unacceptable behaviour in public (bus, PSA

PE/OE)

sport, excursions, etc.)

Jewelry

Not adhering to the ICT Code of Conduct

Out of bounds

Failure to report when directed

Unduly rough play

Academic misconducts (cheating, collusion,

Littering

plagiarising, etc.)

Foul language

Truancy (including unexplained absence for

Chewing gum

House events)

Failure to secure a locker

3 POINTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL FLOW CHART

Head of House to write SEQTA note to parents outlining concern around behaviour

of Student Discipline and Communication for Minor and Major Misbehaviour 5 POINTS

Student will be issued an after school detention - phone call home by Head of House

The College acknowledges that having students meet College expectations around behaviour is essential to developing an inclusive and supportive community where students feel safe to learn and

8 POINTS Head of House call to parents outlining concern around behaviour

develop their God given talents.

Throughout the following process, the student, and their personal growth, remain at the centre of our work. The role of the Tutor as mentor and

10 POINTS

communication with parents/guardian are essential to the flow chart to assist the student to meet expectations, to allow them to remain fully engaged

After school detention - Student will be issued a behaviour contract (2 weeks)

with the College’s rich educational program.

When appropriate, the Head of House will naturally engage support services internally (for example the

15 POINTS

Inclusive Education, Psychology, Indigenous and

Parents and Student Meeting with the Head of House outlining behaviour concerns and strategies for improvement

Academic teams) or externally, through parents/guardian, to support the student to make the changes required to meet College expectations.

It is important to note, that due to the nature of minor and major misbehaviours, the consequences impact students personal time (after school or Saturday detentions) or co/extra-curricular programs (loss of Good Standing), and hence are not intended to interrupt their academic progress.

Parents and Student Meeting with the Head of House outlining behaviour concerns and strategies for improvement

20 POINTS Parents and Student meeting with the Head of House outlining behaviour concerns and strategies for improvement The student will incur temporary Loss of Good Standing (a minimum of 1 week) and either a Saturday detention or one-day internal suspensions

If no improvement is shown whilst at Stage 3; Parent & Student Meeting with Principal Stage 4 Enrolment Review (as described in Pathway 1)

Please note that the tutor and Head of House will work closely with the student throughout this process.

Middle School Planner