Other College Practices
10.1 Classroom Practice
Students and staff are expected to treat each other with mutual respect. Amongst other things the practice at, and expectation of, the school is
- for students to call teachers Mr./Miss./Mrs./Ms.(surname) and not by their first name.
- for teachers to be punctual to class.
- for students to line up quietly outside the classroom until admitted by the teacher.
- that students do not chew or eat in the classrooms. Note: Chewing gum is banned and this must be insisted on to preserve the carpets and furniture.
- to clean the white board at the end of the period and to supervise students picking up any rubbish on the floor and putting it in the bin.
- to ensure, fans & heaters are turned off and classroom windows are closed at the end of period 5.
- that teachers insist that in the classroom language is suitable and swearing is unacceptable.
- that students speak or move about in the classroom respectfully.
- that classroom displays are not touched.
- that students are not permitted to leave the classroom during period time or between double periods except in exceptional circumstances and then with a note.
- That mobile phones are in lockers and not with students in classrooms unless there have permission due to circumstances addressed in the Mobile Phone Policy.
10.2 Social Staffroom
Most teachers have brought their own mugs for their personal use but others use the staffroom stock.
Staff Association fees for 2024. The annual fee is $45. This covers for any staff morning teas, gifts for expectant parents, farewell gifts (Joan’s signature bears – you don’t want anyone to miss out), flowers, etc. (remember this is tax deductable).
In addition, if you are a coffee/tea drinker this is $25 per term (pro-rata for P/T staff) or you can pay upfront if you wish do so. Come to Reception and see JoAnne or Emma for receipt of payment.
Staff are asked to wash their own dishes, dry them, and put them away. We do not have kitchen or cleaning staff to do this, so each person is responsible for their own.
10.3 Work Staffrooms
Students are not to be invited into staff rooms. All staff are allocated a work station which includes computer networking and a filing cabinet. Staff are asked to be aware in their conversation that these are work rooms not social rooms.
10.4 Administration Area
Students are not to be invited into the Administration area unless seeing a member of the Administration. The corridor outside the work staffroom and staff toilets are not to be used by students.
10.5 Recycling
White office paper, cardboard, newspapers and other paper products can all be recycled. There are separate containers near the photocopiers that are emptied into the correct bins kept in the delivery bay. Photocopy paper wrappers are to be placed in the normal bins.
10.6 Bell Times
10.7 Keys
All keys are distributed by the Business Manager. Staff are expected to take care of the keys they have been allocated and must not leave them lying around. It inadvisable to lend your keys to students. If you require any other key see Nina Nigro.
10.8 Parent/Student/Teacher Conference
Parent/Student/Teacher conferences are held twice a year. The dates and times set for these are published on COMPASS and in the College calendar.
ALL TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND PARENT/STUDENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES.
10.9 Out of Bounds
In general, the out-of-bounds areas are
- all areas outside the high cyclone fence except the oval, basketball courts and stadium when actually engaged in ball games or under staff supervision.
- all areas within 2m of the outer boundary fences.
- the carpark.
- the park and shops adjacent to the college
10.10 Instrumental Music Lessons
Secondary students timetabled for instrumental lessons are required to go directly to the instrumental lesson as timetabled in their schedule. For primary students, the teacher will collect them from their class at the beginning of the scheduled period.
The instrumental class teacher should mark the roll, on COMPASS at the beginning of the period. Instrumental lessons are considered a normal part of timetabled classes.
Students attending instrumental music are expected to catch up on missed classwork that evening or as agreed with their teacher.
10.11 VCE/VET/VCE-VM Rules
For all issues relating to VCE please see the 2024 Senior School Course Handbook or consult a member of the Later Years team.
10.12 Roll Marking
Rolls are marked by classroom teachers on COMPASS.
10.13 Level Assemblies
Level Assemblies are scheduled regularly by Student Managers and the purpose of level assemblies is to:-
- explain upoming events to students
- offer opportunities for performance
- congratulate and publicize student success
- listen to guest speakers
- reinforce school values and respectful relationships
- provide a forum to gain student response to issues
10.14 Student Bicycles
These are parked in the racks outside `B’ block and should be padlocked. No student should loiter near these racks and should be challenged if in this vicinity. Because of safety considerations no student is permitted to ride bicycles in the school grounds and helmets must be work at all times.
10.15 Student Cars
Students who drive to school must park in the school park in the designated area, corner of Carwarp & May Streets. They are to follow the same attendance rules as all other students and must remain at school until the end of their last timetable class on each day. Student drivers must not go driving during lunchtime or private study periods.
Students are not permitted to take other students as passengers. This includes to and from the college as well as during the school day. Students who wish to drive to school must complete a “Permission to drive to school” form available from the General Office. Students with written permission from their parents may bring their siblings to and from school.
10.16 Sport
Staff are often needed to volunteer to coach summer and winter sporting teams, please see David Crowe. Staff are also called for to run the swimming and athletic sports.
10.17 Lost Property
To access lost property students must report to the general office.
10.18 Students Missing Class
Staff are asked to ensure that no student is disadvantaged because of commitments to Instrumental music lessons, yard cleaning duties, sports team membership or any other official school function.
Students missing classes should be given the opportunity to make up the required work as homework and any testing should be done at an alternative time.
10.19 House System
In 1998 the House system, consisting of four houses Scarff (blue), Ramsay (red), Carter (yellow) and Shepherd (green), was re-introduced into the College with the aim of increasing the students’ identity with the group, of providing a vehicle for the students from the primary and secondary sections to interact in a positive way and to provide leadership opportunities.
Students are awarded house points for both participation and competition and events such as participation in the Anzac Day or Remembrance Day Ceremonies and swimming and athletics carnivals.
10.20 Music
Introduction
Macleod College is proud of its tradition as a special Music school within the state system. Many of our students travel to Macleod to access this program. Classroom music is taught in Years 7 - 12 and is complemented by a full instrumental and performance program.
Instrumental Music
This is taught by staff who are at the school one, two or more days a week. Their students are withdrawn from classes on the same day each week, but a different period. Each instrumental music student's timetable is on display near the timetable in the staffroom they are expected to notify their class teachers prior to the lesson of any variations to this. The school offers a wide variety of tuition in orchestra, band and instruments.
Performance
All students who learn an instrument at the school are required to be a member of an appropriate performance group which will be scheduled to have at least two public performances a year. In addition, there are several student initiated groups.
10.21 Course Outline Booklet
The Senior School Course Handbook is published each year. This booklet outlines relevant curriculum structures as well as course outlines, prerequisites and other administrative information.
Updated course booklets are published annually and are available to parents and the general community via the college web site. Students in the secondary section can access relevant handbooks on the in-school Intranet and hard copies of the publications are readily available from the Year Level Offices.
These booklets outline relevant curriculum structures as well as course outlines, prerequisites and other administrative information.
10.22 Parent/Carer Handbook
It contains copies of all relevant policy documents, college requirements and procedures and available on the website.
10.23 Textbooks
Faculties set textbooks which students are expected to buy. It is imperative that all staff ensure that all textbooks required to be purchased are fully utilised. Textbooks are available from North of the Yarra, Macleod.
10.24 Awards Evening & Year 12 Graduation
In December the school holds events to celebrate individual and academic and sporting success and to recognise excellent participation in school life for Years Prep – 12.
- Prep – Year 6 Awards and Year 6 Graduation Ceremony is held at the College.
- Year 7–12 Awards and Year 12 Graduation Ceremony is held at the Heidelberg Town Hall.
ALL STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THEIR APPROPRIATE EVENT.
10.25 Professional Development
Professional development is a high priority of DOE and Macleod College and is managed by the Professional Development Leader. Each staff member is expected to develop their personal professional development plan based on their own professional priorities as well as those of the college and DOE. Staff are encouraged to view their professional development and their Performance and Development plans concurrently.
A wide range of professional development courses is provided in after-school sessions in the school-based PD Program. Staff members run a variety of courses, and external providers are also used. All staff are expected to participate in all professional development sessions run during school time or during scheduled meetings.
There is also a range of voluntary professional development opportunities organised throughout the year run both during school time and out of school hours. Staff are encouraged to attend all relevant professional development, however, due to budgets and time restrictions not all applications will be approved. Approval for time release must be sought from the relevant line manager, & the professional development leader. See "WHAT TO DO IF ... you want to attend a professional development activity".
10.26 Letters on Behalf of the College
All correspondence written about college business must be authorised and countersigned by the Principal. This includes letters to parents, local business and other schools.