From the Deputy Principal

Student Wellbeing and CECT Policies Update

Student wellbeing is essential for both academic success and personal development. It involves creating a safe, supportive environment where students feel valued, respected, and connected to others. At our College, we place a strong emphasis on wellbeing, recognising that happy and supported students are better able to learn and thrive. We actively promote mental health, encourage positive relationships, and provide access to support services. By valuing each student’s individual needs, we help them build resilience, manage stress, and maintain a healthy balance between schoolwork and personal life.

I would like to share with our parent community an overview of the updated Student Behaviour and Wellbeing Policy. This policy guides how we create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for every student.

The policy’s purpose is to “promote a positive learning environment” and ensure students feel “physically, emotionally, and psychologically secure.”

Schools must have a Pastoral Care Protocol that supports student safety and wellbeing and is developed with student input with our College currently refining this.

Positive Behaviour Support

The policy requires schools to:

• Encourage positive behaviour

• Build respectful relationships

• Avoid any punishment that “threatens or humiliates students”

• Communicate expectations clearly

Anti‑Bullying Commitment

Schools must take reasonable steps to ensure students can attend and participate “without experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination.”

The second policy I would like to outline is the New Student Code of Conduct: Supporting Safe, Respectful and Inclusive Schools which was launched at the same time as the previous policy to support safe, respectful and positive learning environments across all Catholic schools in Tasmania.

The Code of Conduct outlines clear expectations for student behaviour and reflects our shared commitment to dignity, wellbeing and belonging. It applies to all students enrolled in Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Hobart and is designed to be understood alongside each school’s local procedures and wellbeing practices, which in our context is our SWPBS framework and our student creed of rights and responsibilities.

The Student Code of Conduct policy provides a consistent framework that:

• Promotes respectful, responsible and safe behaviour

• Supports student wellbeing and positive relationships

• Ensures learning environments are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination

• Encourages student voice and shared responsibility

By clearly communicating expectations, the Code helps students understand their role in creating school communities where everyone can learn, contribute and thrive.

Students are expected to:

• Treat others with respect, care and fairness

• Behave in ways that do not cause physical, emotional or psychological harm

• Use school resources and technology responsibly

• Respect diversity, differences and the environment

• Engage positively in learning and school activities

• Follow staff instructions, school rules and expectations 

• Communicate respectfully, including online

• Report unsafe behaviour, bullying or harassment

The Code also encourages students to reflect on their behaviour, work collaboratively to resolve conflict, and actively contribute to improving school climate.

Supporting all learners

CET recognises that students learn and develop in different ways. The Code supports inclusive practices by ensuring that students who need additional support, such as, those with cognitive, communication or self-regulation challenges are provided with appropriate adjustments so they can fully understand and engage with behaviour expectations.

This is a shared responsibility where staff model positive behaviour and apply the Code consistently and fairly, while students are expected to understand and uphold the Code as part of their enrolment.

All behaviour responses are guided by CET’s Student Behaviour and Wellbeing Policy and related procedures, ensuring a restorative, supportive and consistent approach.

Together, this shared commitment helps nurture a safe, inclusive Catholic school community where every student is valued, supported and empowered to grow. By working together staff, students, and families all share the collective responsibility for supporting these policies. Families are reminded that they are expected to “abide by the policies and procedures of a Catholic School.” At the commencement of next term, at our first assembly I will present to the student community ‘a student friendly’ version of the expectations outlined under this policy.  I have attached a copy of both of these policies to the newsletter.  

All CECT policies can  be accessed on their website: https://catholic.tas.edu.au/policies.