Wales Street Primary Newsletter

Communication policy

PARENT/CARER SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS EXPECTATIONS

 

The aim of this document is to clarify the school’s expectation of parent/carer use of additional social media channels/ groups and to provide guidelines of use.

 

The official and primary  means of communication between the school and parents/carers/ class representatives is COMPASS. The school has an official WSPS Facebook page and webpage but the most timely information will come via COMPASS

 

Parent/carer and class representative initiated social media groups (eg. Whatsapp, Messenger and Facebook) are non-compulsory, additional forms of communication that are efficient ways of communicating in a timely manner to the whole class. 

 

The aim of these additional social media channels/groups is to allow parent/carers/ class reps to send relevant messages and information to an entire group, information which is relevant to school.

The messages in these social media groups come from parent/carers/ class reps in their personal capacity or are messages forwarded on behalf of the Wales Street Social or the Fete committee. 

 

The school does not post directly in any parent/carer/ class rep social media groups.

At Wales Street Primary School, we believe it’s important to:

  • Work in partnership with parents/carers to support their child’s learning;
  • Create a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for students, staff and parents/carers;
  • Model appropriate behaviour for our students at all times.

 

The guidelines below aim to establish a code of conduct to ensure activity on these social media groups supports the day to day operation of the school; and supports  parent/ carers/ class reps to  engage in  appropriate and safe behaviour on all school related social media platforms.

 

When Starting new social media groups,  the below guidelines could be added to the group via a link to the school’s policy library and encourage all to be familiar with the guidelines  (this can occur, for example, in their first post on the platform).

 

Guidelines

Parents/carers/ class reps should adhere to the following guidelines when using all school related social media groups.

  • The group should be used keeping in mind mutual respect and cultural sensitivity between all its members.
  • All communications within the group should be made keeping in mind mutual respect and cultural sensitivity between all its members.
  • All members of the group should remain focused on the purpose of the communication and respect the privacy of all members.
  • The group should never be used as a platform to air views/grievances regarding a teacher, child or parent in the class or school. School policy on how to manage grievances should be followed - all grievances regarding a teacher, child or parent in the class or school should be directed to the principal.
  • The group is not, and should not be used as a political platform for airing opinions on current affairs.
  • The group should not be used for private conversations with anyone else using the group.

The school considers the following online activity inappropriate, and when posting on school-related social media groups users are expected to refrain from:

  • Swearing, or using offensive language;
  • Bringing the school into disrepute;
  • Using social media to publicly challenge and/or discuss issues about individual children;
  • Posting comments that harm, damage, or diminish the name or reputation of the school, staff, pupils or any members of the school community.

The school takes safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately.

Communication on all school related social media groups should be treated as public communication. Confidential information or views you would not raise in person should not be raised on a social media Group. 

Be respectful to volunteers, including carers, parents, moderators, other members of the groups and other members of the school community when participating in school related social media groups.

 

Raising Concerns

• If you are concerned about inappropriate comments on a class social media group, in confidence, please contact the Leadership Team through the school’s email address:

wales.street.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

 

This policy has been developed by the Policy and Strategic Planning subcommittee in 2023 and approved by School Council