DEFINITIONS

SAFETY OFFICER: a person appointed by the principal (e.g. a teacher), who is also a member of the school safety committee and helps with putting school safety strategies in place.

SAFETY COMMITTEE: the school safety committee is made up of different members of the school community, including parents, learners, teachers, principals, SGB, and school management team, SAPS and community organisations responsible for developing and implementing a school safety plan and monitoring safety measures.

SAFETY PLAN: a school’s plan that clearly outlines its approach to safety issues. The plan should describe the infrastructure that keeps the school safe (e.g. is there appropriate fencing? Is there a working alarm system?), access control issues (e.g. what happens when there is an intruder on school property?), what to do in emergencies (e.g. gang violence or a fire) and any other aspects that may impact or improve safety (e.g. community involvement and partnerships).

SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT TEAM: a team made up of a representative of the School Management Team (e.g. deputy principal), a teacher from each grade or phase, a coordinator and a learning support teacher, if the school has one. This team must make sure that learners who need counselling or psychological support are appropriately referred.