Jackson School Staff Handbook

Values & Expectations

STATEMENT OF VALUES

Jackson School recognises the importance of the partnership between school and parents/carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and responsibility for, ensuring inclusive, safe and orderly environments for children and young people. This Statement of Values sets out our behavioural expectations of all members in this school community, including the principal, all school staff, parents/carers, students and visitors. It respects the diversity of individuals in our school community and addresses the shared responsibilities of all members in building a safe and respectful school community. Discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, bullying, violence, aggression and threatening behaviour are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this school.

 

Our Statement of Values acknowledges that parents/carers and school staff are strongly motivated to do their best for every child. Everyone has the right to differing opinions and views and to raise concerns, as long as we do this respectfully as a community working together.

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

AS PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL LEADERS, WE WILL:

  • Work collaboratively to create a school environment where respectful and safe conduct is expected of everyone
  • Behave in a manner consistent with the standards of our profession and meet core responsibilities to provide an inclusive, safe and orderly environment
  • Plan, implement and monitor arrangements to ensure the care, safety, security and general wellbeing of all students in attendance at the school is protected
  • Identify and support students who are or may be at risk
  • Do our best to ensure every child achieves their personal and learning potential
  • Work with parents/carers to understand their child’s needs and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
  • Respond appropriately when inclusive, safe or orderly behaviour is not demonstrated and implement appropriate interventions and sanctions when required
  • Make known to parents/carers the school’s communication and complaints procedures
  • Ask any person who is acting in an offensive or disorderly way to leave the school grounds

AS TEACHERS AND ALL NON-TEACHING STAFF, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to students consistent with the standards of our profession
  • Proactively engage with parents/carers about student outcomes.
  • Work with parents/carers to understand the needs of each student and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
  • Work collaboratively with parents/carers to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for students with additional needs
  • Communicate with the principal and school leaders in the event we anticipate or face any tension or challenging behaviours from parents/carers
  • Treat all members of the school community with respect
  • ESS to support teachers maintain a safe learning environment for all students

AS PARENTS/CARERS, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to our child
  • Ensure our child attends school on time, every day the school is open for instruction
  • Take an interest in our child’s school and learning
  • Work with the school to achieve the best outcomes for our child
  • Communicate constructively with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns
  • Follow the school’s complaints processes if there are complaints
  • Treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect

AS STUDENTS, WE WILL:

  • Model our PBIS expectations to other students
  • Comply with and model school values and expectations
  • Behave in a safe and responsible manner
  • Respect ourselves, other members of the school community and the school environment
  • Actively participate in school
  • Not disrupt the learning of others and make the most of our educational opportunities

AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE WILL:

  • Model positive behaviour to the school community
  • Treat other members of the school community with respect
  • Support school staff to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for all students
  • Utilise the school’s communications policy to communicate with the school

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL:

  • Provide support and advice to principals to equip them to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of students, parents/carers and staff
  • Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of students, parents/carers and staff
  • Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools respond to and prevent bullying and promote cyber-safety and wellbeing
  • Provide access to evidence-based resources and strategies to increase student safety, wellbeing and engagement
  • Provide schools with practical and legal support as required
  • Provide parents/carers with practical guidance and resources to resolve conflicts with the school

CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO UPHOLD THE STATEMENT OF VALUES

 

UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOURS

Behaviours that are considered inappropriate on and adjacent to school grounds or in relation to school business and that do not uphold the principles of this Statement of Values include when a person:

  • is rude, aggressive or harasses others
  • sends rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or texts
  • is manipulative or threatening
  • speaks in an aggressive tone, either in person or over the telephone
  • makes sexist, racist or derogatory comments
  • inappropriately uses social media as a forum to raise concerns/make complaints against the school
  • is physically intimidating, e.g., standing very close

CONSEQUENCES

Principals are responsible for determining what constitutes reasonable and unreasonable behaviour. Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Values may lead to further investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences.

  • utilising mediation and counselling services
  • alternative communication strategies being applied
  • formal notice preventing entry onto school premises or attendance at school activities. Written notice will follow any verbal notice given
  • an intervention order being sought
  • informing the police which may result in a charge of trespass or assault

By agreeing to meet specified standards of positive behaviour, everyone in our school community can be assured that they will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, this will help to create a school that is safe and orderly, where everyone is empowered to participate and learn.

 

DE Values

The Department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The values define what is important to our organisation and how things will be done. We are all required to uphold and demonstrate DE’s Values which underpin how we interact with colleagues, learners and families, members of the community, suppliers and Government. 

You can access more information on the Department’s Values page.

Reporting Misconduct

All staff should feel safe and confident to raise concerns, issues, complaints and provide feedback about their workplace.

 

Employees who want to raise a concern or make a complaint should speak to an appropriate manager or principal first. This is the best way to reach a quick resolution. You should expect your manager to be responsive and manage your concerns fairly, respectfully, transparently and in a timely way.

 

Otherwise, employees can:

  • Approach their manager's manager or their regional office
  • Obtain more information about lodging a formal grievance about employment decisions or actions, including appointments or leave, to the Merit Protection Board
  • Raise concerns to the Fraud and Corruption Control Unit on (03) 7022 0121 or email fraud.control@education.vic.gov.au
  • Contact the Speak Up service on 1800 633 462 or email educationspeakup@pkf.com.au
  • Contact the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on 1300 735 135 or email info@ibac.vic.gov.au.

Respectful Workplaces

DE is committed to, and responsible for, providing workplaces that are healthy, safe and inclusive, and free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination. A respectful workplace culture, underpinned by the Victorian Public Sector values, is fundamental to the way we operate. We all have the right to be treated with respect and work in a respectful workplace. This also means that we all have the responsibility to act respectfully and treat our colleagues with consideration. 

A respectful workplace:

  • is inclusive and values diversity
  • communicates clear expectations
  • promotes health, wellbeing and safety
  • deals constructively with conflict
  • strives for improvement, and
  • has open channels of communication.

DE’s Respectful Workplaces HR Web page contains resources and links to DE's HR policies and procedures and additional support.