Parent Code of Conduct Policy
Background
The School offers an education program in accordance with our School Charter, Motto and Mission Statement. The School seeks to encourage and educate young men and women who value service to others and strives to develop the whole person – in mind, body, and spirit. This requires members of our school community to assist with demonstrating respectful interactions within the School Community. The School has a duty to ensure a safe environment for all students, volunteers, staff, contractors, and visitors.
Aim
All Souls St Gabriels School staff and students all work in accordance with a Code of Conduct which is reviewed annually. This policy aims to provide guidance to parents regarding their conduct in relation to interactions with the School Community whether it is on grounds, at school functions, events or online and how parents can appropriately direct their concerns.
Scope
The All Souls St Gabriels School Parent Code of Conduct provides guidelines to all parents and visitors regarding their conduct whilst on School grounds, engaging in School related activities, representing the School and in communications relating to All Souls St Gabriels School.
This policy applies to all adults including parents, stepparents, grandparents, extended family members, guardians, and caregivers. In the policy the word ‘parents’ relates to all of the above-mentioned relationships.
General Expectations
Parents are encouraged to read and understand the policies of the School and adhere to these policies at all times.
The School has a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence of any kind, including fighting, assault, threats of violence or any form of threatening language, gestures, or conduct.
It is expected that parents will acknowledge good performance and efforts of all participants (including the opposition) in any co-curricular activities. The professional judgment of staff, referees and officials must be respected. Inappropriate language, sledging or harassment of coaches, staff or participants will not be tolerated at any time.
Parents must respect the privacy of other students, parents, staff, contractors, and volunteers in the School community. Parents must not disclose personal details or confidential information relating to a student or parent to another person without consent. Parents must not take a photo or video recording of another student, parent, staff member, volunteer, or contractor without their consent (written or verbal).
When at the School or any School related event, parents must:
• behave lawfully and observe the terms of any court orders in place.
• refrain from smoking on School grounds or within 5 metres of the school boundary
• not be in possession of, under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol unless the event is sanctioned by the School.
• not be in possession of, under the influence of, or provide others with, illegal drugs.
• dress appropriately according to the occasion. This includes refraining from wearing clothing with offensive behaviour or insignia.
• behave in a manner that does not endanger the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves or others.
• abide by all health and safety rules and procedures.
• refrain from activities, conduct or communications that would reasonably be seen to undermine the reputation of the School, employees or students and other families.
• refrain from photographing or filming of another student, parent, staff member, volunteer, or contractor without consent.
• respect the authority of members of staff.
• behave with courtesy and consideration for others.
• refrain from all forms of bullying and harassment, including online.
• respect School property and the property of staff, contractors, volunteers, and other students
• refrain from touching, handling, pushing or otherwise physically or sexually engaging with students, children or others in a manner which is not appropriate and may endanger the wellbeing of another person.
Communication
Parents are required to schedule an appointment with appropriate staff when they wish to discuss a concern. Under no circumstances are parents to approach students (or the parents of other students) in relation to perceived actions toward their children.
Written and spoken communication to anyone in the school environment should be courteous and respectful.
When communicating, parents must:
• refrain from engaging in malicious or judgemental gossip (either directly or online) and ensure that anything they say about others is fair and truthful.
• refrain from swearing or using offensive, abusive, insulting, or derogatory language, or raised voices.
• avoid engaging in conversations which constitute harassment, discrimination, or denigration or which involve innuendo.
Where parents do not act in accordance with this Parent Code of Conduct in their communications, a staff member may:
• request that the parent cease their inappropriate communication to allow the communication to proceed.
• inform the parent that unless the inappropriate communication ceases, the staff member may put an end to the phone call, meeting, or discussion.
• request another staff member be present for the remainder of the meeting.
• lodge a complaint against the offending parent.
Social Media Use
Parents must ensure they abide by the law and the School’s expectations of parents. When using social media, online forums or other platforms, parents must:
• not discuss or mention the School, its staff, or any members of the School community in a negative or defamatory way.
• be respectful to staff, contractors, volunteers, other parents, and/or students.
• not use it to voice grievances about the School.
• make reasonable efforts to ensure that they and their children comply with the School’s Information Communication & Technology policies.
• not post a photo or video recording of another student, parent, staff member, volunteer, or contractor on social media without their express consent.
• not post photographs of students in School uniform if they have the potential to bring negative implications towards the School and its staff and students.
• not post full names of students, parents, staff, volunteers, and contractors without their express consent.
Any form of cyber bullying or cyber abuse will not be tolerated.
Breaches of the Code of Conduct
The outcomes of a Breach of the Code of Conduct will be determined by the Headmaster however may include:
• banning any member of the School community from attending any co- curricular or other events.
• banning any member of the School community from being on School grounds.
• The School may direct that a member of the School community may only communicate with staff through a nominated School representative.
• In the case of extreme, repeated, or prolonged breach of this Code of Conduct by a parent, the School may terminate the enrolment of the student/s of that parent.
• The School may, where appropriate, involve other authorities.
• The School may take other such steps as it deems appropriate according to the nature of the breach.
Complaints and Grievances
The School takes seriously any issues that are brought to its attention. Parents have the right to raise issues and concerns related to the education of their child or other matters relating to the School and should be raised via the Complaints procedure. In raising a complaint or grievance, parents can expect:
• to be treated with courtesy and respect
• to have confidentiality respected and maintained.
• to receive a timely response to concerns raised.
The School will follow its Complaints Policy and Procedure when handling complaints.