Policies & Guidelines
Contained below is both The Friends' School Policies & Guidelines and additional information that sits alongside, and is supportive of, the Policies & Guidelines.
Friends’ Early Learning Policies
The Friends’ Early Learning (FEL) Policies and Procedures outline the way our Service upholds the requirements of the National Law and Regulations for Early Childhood Services and the Purpose and Concerns of the School. The suite of Friends’ Early Learning Policies and Procedures are available to families via Storypark and a printed copy is also available at FEL Reception. We welcome family feedback on our policies and procedures as part of our ongoing review process; families are welcome to request a copy of policies or procedures by emailing feladmin@friends.tas.edu.au
Child Safeguarding
The Friends’ School Child Safety Statement:
“A deep and continuing commitment to child safety is at the very core of The Friends’ School. Respect and concern for each individual in the School’s care is driven by a foundational belief that there is that of God in everyone. Thisis fundamental to Quakerism and The Friends’ School. We strive to develop a culture which promotes child safety and the prevention of harm, where all members of the community feel comfortable speaking up. We commit to seeking and listening to the voices of children and cultivating an environment which is nurturing, open and aware. All forms of abuse and neglect are in opposition to the School’s Purpose and Concerns. The School has an enduring moral and legal obligation to report and act upon any concern counter to the wellbeing of children.”
While these sentiments have always been at the heart of the School’s ethos and culture, the Board of Governors’ formal adoption of the Child Safety Statement, Safeguarding Children Policy and Expectations, Mandatory Reporting Policy Standards and Expectations and the Feedback Form: Compliments, Suggestions, Complaints and Child Safeguarding Concerns served to further enshrine the School’s position in writing.
To this end, the Safeguarding Children Policy and Expectations, Mandatory Reporting Policy Standards and Expectations and the Feedback Form: Compliments, Suggestions, Complaints and Child Safeguarding Concerns all became effective as of 1 March 2022 and can be viewed below.
These policies and expectations apply to students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, contractors and community members who participate in School life and/or visit the campus. Student/child safety is the number one priority of the School and these policies and expectations serve to articulate why and how we provide a safe environment for our students/children of the School.
The Friends’ School Mandatory Reporting Policy Standards and Expectations
Feedback Form: Compliments, Suggestions, Complaints and Child Safeguarding Concerns
The Friends’ School Safeguarding Children Policy and Expectations
For more information, view The Friends’ School Child Safeguarding webpage.
Rights & Responsibilities
All members of The Friends’ School community have the right to gain new knowledge and to develop social and academic skills. All members of The Friends’ School community have the responsibility to ensure that this right is respected.
Our Rights
All members of The Friends’ School community have a right to:
· make the most of their educational opportunities;
· be safe and free from harassment;
· be treated with respect;
· expect fair and reasonable behaviour, and
· a clean and pleasant environment.
Our Responsibilities
All members of The Friends’ School community are responsible for:
· respecting the rights of others;
· treating others with respect;
· behaving in a fair and reasonable manner;
· respecting property;
· maintaining a clean and pleasant environment, and
· acting with integrity
Supportive School Environment
The establishment of a supportive school environment, in which students, parents and teachers are positive about themselves and each other, is fundamental to the quality of teaching and learning. At the core of the supportive school environment are relationships between students, families, and teachers.
These relationships are dependent upon some basic values and beliefs:
· the worth of each individual and their capacity to contribute to our School is recognised and valued;
· every member of our School community should contribute to the wellbeing of all other members;
· students should develop responsibility for their own actions, and
· the rights of others to learn should be respected by all.
Where a student behaves in a way that goes against the principles stated, action will be taken in accordance with our positive behaviours flowchart.
Classroom Essential Agreements
At the start of the year, each class has the opportunity to negotiate an essential agreement with their teacher that guides its learning community in allowing each student to feel safe, supported and able to learn. Informed by the Purpose and Concerns Statement, Quaker Testimonies and the IB PYP Learner Profile, these agreements are written as action statements that focus on the conditions that create a safe and optimal learning environment.
Where a student behaves in a way that goes against the principles stated above, action will be taken as described below.
The School’s approach to positive behaviour management focuses on some fundamental principles:
- restorative in nature
- when a problem arises between a teacher and a student, both must be involved in the solving of the problem – however, other people may be involved in that process;
- the process is a step-by-step approach, which allows those involved time to stop and reflect and develop positive restorative action plans to guide future interactions, and
- at all steps, teachers try to help students to make a commitment to the functioning of the School and to developing, where appropriate, a positive action plan that helps the student move towards responsible behaviour.
The aim is to cultivate self-discipline as the means of upholding standards of behaviour. This is achieved by encouraging students to realise that they are responsible for the outcomes or consequences of their actions.
Behaviour Management
Behaviour management is used to promote learning, safety, and harmonious interpersonal relationships. The Quaker values outlined in the Purpose and Concerns statement encourage the development of self-discipline, respect and tolerance in all members of our School community. With this in mind, students are expected to show courtesy and consideration for others at all times.
Students at The Friends’ School are expected to work towards acting independently, be able to self-regulate, carefully consider their behavioural choices and work cooperatively within the School’s systems, practices and ethos. It is expected that students in an age appropriate way develop the skills and knowledge to be self-directed and accepting of their responsibilities in managing their day-to-day learning, and that they are cooperative and follow all reasonable requests. In keeping with our ‘Purpose and Concerns’, we expect our students to be able to think clearly, act with integrity, make decisions for themselves and be sensitive to the needs of others.
Learning Plans and Restorative Action
Where a student continues to display a lack of commitment with the School’s expectations of behaviour, it may be necessary to take formal action. This process is triggered when a student’s attitude, and approach to learning becomes an ongoing concern to their teachers and School Leaders.
Following a series of discussions with the student concerned, the first formal step is generally when parents are invited to meet with the Head of School to discuss the concerns. The student and their parents will be asked to attend an interview with their teacher or Head of School to work out ways in which the necessary improvements can be made.
A record of the meeting will be kept so that the student and their family clearly understand the changes required, along with the consequences that flow from those changes not occurring. A further meeting in the parent/guardian’s presence will take place where strategies to improve the student’s behaviour and/or approach to study will be reviewed and reiterated in an age appropriate manner. The student will also be advised at this stage that if the required improvements are not made before the next report is issued, a final meeting will take place and, with the knowledge of the Principal or Deputy Principal, a Learning Plan will be drawn up. This may include a Learning Plan that clearly defines the behaviour in question and the steps that the student is to take to participate in the process. The Learning Plan will state the length of time for which it will be in place and be signed by a parent / guardian and the Head of School, Deputy Principal or Principal.
Suspension for a period of time may occur to reinforce the seriousness of the situation or as a result of a student showing disregard for school policies, guidelines and expectations (such as bullying and harassment or demonstrated inappropriate classroom behaviour). Immediate suspension may occur for serious breaches of the School’s policies, guidelines and expectations such as the Computer Ethics statement, physical violence or theft. Please refer to the Directions for Students to Stay at Home, Suspension, or Termination of Enrolment Policy and the Enrolment Contract for further details.
Child Safety Agency
Prevention
The School incorporates age appropriate programs in the curriculum on topics such as consent, protective behaviours and understanding yourself as a means of providing our students with the skills to navigate issues they may encounter.
The Friends’ School Safeguarding Children Policy and Expectations
Guideline on Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination
Drugs and Medicines
We believe in providing consistent and clear expectations and practices to the School community so that appropriate action can be taken to address issues in terms of both prevention and intervention. In order to support this position, the School reserves the right to search a student’s bag where there is a suspicion that it might contain an illegal, unsafe or harmful item.
These practises establish and clarify The Friends’ School community’s expectations regarding:
· medications;
· legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, and
· illegal substances.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, parents/guardians are required to provide the School with all relevant, current medical information for each child enrolled and to update this information as the need arises. Students are not permitted to carry their own medications, with specific exceptions such as Ventolin.
These practices and expectations apply to all members of the school community – students, staff, visitors, parents and friends – while on all programs, activities and official functions in any way connected with The Friends’ School.
Analgesics
Friends’ expects that analgesics (non-prescribed eg, aspirin and paracetamol) will not be used inappropriately. Analgesics may be taken only in special situations such as fever, injury or where alternatives have been tried and parents have given permission on the medical form.
Where analgesics supplied by the School are administered to students, the date, time and dose must be recorded in the student’s file on the student database and on the medication administration register.
Prescribed Drugs and Other Medicine
Friends’ expects that both prescribed and over-the-counter medicines will not be used inappropriately. Students requiring medication are encouraged to take the medication at home whenever possible, rather than at School.
When students require medication for short-term illnesses, the Head of School must be notified in writing by the parents/guardian if the drug is to be used during school hours. This can be done through the Primary School Office. Medication for short-term illnesses must be held and administered by staff members designated with this responsibility by the Head of School. Whenever medication is administered to students, the date, time, dosage and brand are recorded.
Parents should ensure that children know how to use their own medicines responsibly. Students should on no account pass their medicines on to other students or to hold them in their bags and self administer at School.
Long-term Management
Action plans for students with certain medical conditions requiring long-term use or emergency use of prescription drugs (such as Ventolin, Epipens, Insulin) must be developed and agreed upon by parents or guardians and their doctor. The action plan will include the conditions under which such medication will be administered.
Tobacco & Vaping
As we recognise the health risks associated with tobacco use and the use of e-cigarettes or “Vapes”, The Friends’ School is a smoke-free and Vape-free zone. Students are not permitted to smoke tobacco or Vape during School hours, at School-related activities, while on School property, when travelling to or from School, or while wearing School uniform.
After a warning, a student who continues to smoke or Vape while on School premises, attending any School-related activities, wearing School uniform or travelling to or from School, will be suspended for a period of time at the Head of School or Principal’s discretion.
Adults are asked not to smoke or Vape while on campus or at off-campus School-related activities.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not permitted on School premises except where permission has been granted by the Principal. This will generally be restricted to the serving of alcoholic drinks to adults in particular places on the School premises, on specified occasions, at adult only functions. Non-alcoholic drinks will always be available at such occasions.
We encourage fundraising activities without an emphasis on alcohol consumption.
Intervention
Child Safeguarding, Duty of Care and Work, Health and Safety regulations require the School to address any circumstances where students are putting themselves or others at risk. As the School is obliged to provide a safe space for its students, employees and community, any law breaking activities will trigger the introduction of a restorative practices process.
Hence, where the School’s practices, policies and expectations are breached, the student’s parents/guardians will be informed, appropriate help will be sought for the student and action appropriate to the breach will be taken.
Students may also be required to stay at home to create the pre-conditions for the restorative process to occur, namely that there is space to investigate the situation to enable a resolution to be reached.
Where intervention is required, the School supports a positive and supportive approach that will endeavour to modify inappropriate student behaviour.
Consequences of Law Breaking
If a student is found to be breaking the law their enrolment may be terminated, whether there has been any previous warning or not. Termination of enrolment may also occur if, after a period of suspension with its formal, final warning, a student persists in breaking the law and/or breaching the School’s practices, policies and expectations.
Stay at Home, Suspension or Termination of Enrolment
Under the Conditions of Enrolment signed when an offer of a confirmed place is accepted, parents/guardians and students agree to uphold and be accountable to the School’s Learning Partnership Understanding and to support a purposeful relationship between students, parents/guardians and staff, to achieve the aims articulated in the Purpose and Concerns.
All community members understand that the School’s policies and expectations are to be followed both during and outside of school hours. Behaviour and actions of all community members are required to be of a high standard and to not negatively affect the safety, emotional wellbeing or learning of themselves or other community members or to bring the School into disrepute. Under the Directions for Students to Stay at Home, Suspension, or Termination of Enrolment Policy a student who is repeatedly in violation of School policies or guidelines or who has committed a significant inappropriate action may be:
- directed to stay at home and not be on campus;
- suspended from the School, and/or
- have their enrolment contract terminated
Please refer to the Directions for Students to Stay at Home, Suspension, or Termination of Enrolment Policy for full details.
Academic Honesty
The Friends’ School policy on academic integrity promotes the principles of honesty, independent thinking and respect for one’s own work and the work of others. It recognises the need for students to understand the meaning and significance of the concepts of authenticity and intellectual property.
For further details please refer to the School’s Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Integrity Guidelines.
Computer Ethics
The Friends’ School has extensive computer technology facilities and all users are asked to work with these in accordance with the School’s ethos and Purpose and Concerns. Each year all users from Years K – 12 are required to sign the Digital Citizenship Guide and Computer Use Agreement Years 5-12 to acknowledge and accept the conditions of use and the consequences of breaching the agreement.
As members of the School community, it is expected that students respect and care for their computing devices. While the School carries insurance coverage for loss or damage to computing devices, our policies carry significant claim excesses and do not provide cover for wilful damage or neglect. Details of these arrangements will be discussed with parents on a case-by-case basis should the need arise.
School computer devices cannot be taken outside Tasmania without the explicit consent of the School. Families are responsible for all damage or loss of School computing devices outside Tasmania. Consent requests should be made to the Information Services Manager.
The Friends’ School on the Internet
The Friends’ School web site (friends.tas.edu.au) presents general background, policies, procedures, communication and prospectus information to a worldwide audience as well as information for students and their families. The site continues to evolve and its content and structure changes over time.
The following points are provided to help staff, students and other members of the School community who want to publish or communicate on behalf of the School via the internet:
· Staff and students wanting to publish Friends’ School events or activities on the internet should first discuss their ideas with the Information Services Manager.
· Staff and students wanting to publish material on the internet that refers to The Friends’ School and is available to the general public are asked to discuss this content with the Director of Community Engagement.
Mobile Phones and other Personal Computing Devices
The Friends’ School encourages and supports the use of new and evolving technologies to enhance teaching and learning. We also recognise the place of personal technologies in the lives of our students and encourage them to use these in an appropriate way within the School environment and in accordance with the School’s ethos. Students who use personal computer devices inappropriately will face consequences, which may include confiscation or banning of the item from future use at School.
Mobile Phones
Many students own mobile phone and internet devices and may have a legitimate reason to have these at school. However, we require them to be turned off and in their bags until the end of the school day. During school hours, mobile phones and internet devices may only be used under direct supervision from a teacher unless it is at the end of the school day when children have left the School. These expectations include the use of a mobile phone device, including watches, in any capacity including text messaging, taking and sharing of photographs or music, gaming, or for sending emails or accessing the internet. Students need to be aware that if they are using phones, including watches, at school, teachers have the right to check for inappropriate use.
Students who use their mobile phone devices, including watches, in school hours without permission or inappropriately will have them held at the Primary School Office for retrieval by parents.
The School will not accept responsibility for the misuse, loss or theft of such items.
Immunisations
Immunising your child provides effective protection against preventable illness and disease. Many childhood vaccines are available free of charge to children of eligible ages.
Some vaccinations are provided to your child on school premises by a doctor or health professional. These will be arranged by the Department of Health (DoH). Others will be given by a doctor or health professional and are your responsibility as a parent to arrange. For further information, please see the Department of Health website.
The Friends’ School strongly encourages all families to fully immunise their children (appropriate for their age) prior to their commencement at the School and to keep
immunisations up to date. The Friends’ School caters to approximately 1200 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 across two campuses and students are often in close contact with each other and with teaching and support staff. Immunising your child keeps them and those around them safe from easily preventable illness and disease.
If your child does become ill we ask that you please keep them home until they are fully recovered.
If you have any queries, please contact our Risk & Compliance Manager, Mark Natoli.
Sunsafe Practices
At all times The Friends’ School is mindful of the need for students and staff to protect themselves from the damaging effects of over exposure to the sun. We aim to ensure that students and staff are well-informed and that the School provides an environment with due regard to sunsafe practices.
Children are required to wear hats in Term 1 and Term 4. There is a ‘no hat, no play’ agreement. In the interests of child health, this is monitored closely by all teachers. The School provides sun block in each classroom.
Safe and Fair Play Expectations
The School’s playground spaces, including grass and all weather areas on Clemes, High School, Morris and Bell Street campuses, are provided for safe, appropriate and equitable use by all students. We require students at all times to comply with rules and instructions given by staff that relate to safety and to fair play.
In the interest of safety, rough play is not allowed, and climbing is permitted only on those structures and equipment provided for the specific purpose of student recreation.
Students are not permitted to climb on trees or school infrastructure such as buildings and fences and are to remain within designated areas during free play.
Student Attendance at Rallies
In keeping with Quaker practice, we support students taking appropriate action on matters of concern including social justice and peace issues. The School on occasion will arrange for a group of students to attend events such as Harmony Day or International Human Rights Day. In this case, parents will be notified by the School in advance, transport will be arranged and a teacher will accompany the students.
If a student wishes to attend a political event or rally during school hours as a matter of individual choice, this is a decision for the child and parents. The School is unable to take responsibility for their safety, security or transport arrangements. We therefore require written permission from parents, a day or more in advance, addressed to the Head of School. Students must sign out at the reception office of their campus prior to leaving the School grounds, and also sign back in if they return to School prior to the end of that school day.
In this case, where students are attending as individuals, not representative of the School, we also ask that they wear plain clothes. For further details please refer to Student and Staff Agency Guidelines.
Uniform Policy
Expectations
At The Friends’ School we believe that the wearing of the School uniform by students is a fundamental part of students’ and their parents’ commitment to the School Community. Wearing the School uniform is a visible way of establishing a student’s identity as part of The Friends’ School community.
It is expected that Friends’ students’ general appearance and the manner in which they wear the uniform, both at School and in public, will be of a high standard. We expect students’ appearance to be neat and tidy at all times and consistent with School requirements. The School workplace guidelines for dress and skirt length are recommended to be a minimum length of no less than two-thirds of the total length between hip and knee.
Seasonal uniform changeover is not required. Students may choose to wear the options of uniform in which they feel comfortably suited. Mixtures of options are not allowed, nor should there be any mix of formal and sports uniform.
All students at Morris must wear the school bucket hat whilst outside at break time during Terms 1 and 4 and for excursions and other outdoor activities where indicated.
Students in Kindergarten to Year 4 wear sport uniform each day with black sneakers.
In Years 5 and 6 formal uniform is to be worn every day, except for PE days, co curricular days and other special days as notified. Year 5 and 6 students are to wear black leather school shoes with their formal uniform and good quality, supportive sports shoes with their sports uniform.
Students are required to wear hair tied back if it is long or otherwise in a style and colour acceptable to the Head of School (this colour should be natural tones – not bright pink, blue or green as an example). Beading and dreadlocks, for example, are not acceptable. The Friends’ School Shop stocks acceptable hair accessories.
Scarves, gloves and beanies may be worn to and from school. They should be plain navy and suitable items are available at the School Shop.
Students may wear a watch, a ring and plain studs/sleepers. No other jewellery or nail polish is permitted.
Requirements
The full range of uniform requirements is available from The Friends’ School Shop as run by Midfords. The Shop also sells an extensive range of second-hand uniform and accessories.
All uniform items listed, except shoes, are asis as supplied by the Shop. All articles of uniform must be clearly marked with the student’s name. Items listed as compulsory must be purchased for each student. Optional items may be added to the uniform as desired.
Co-curricular Sport Uniform
Some co-curricular sports teams and representative squads require particular items beyond the standard sports uniform. Families will be notified in advance of requirements for these activities.
For more information about uniform, please visit The Friends’ School Shop
Student Fundraising
Student fundraising of any sort on the School campus should be for School events and always need approval from either the Head of School or the Service Committee.
Privacy Policy and Guidelines
The School has developed a Privacy Policy and Privacy Guidelines in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles, to explain how we manage personal information. You can access the policy on our website or by contacting the School’s Privacy Officer on (03) 6210 2200, or at privacy@friends.tas.edu.au
Complaint Resolution Policy and Guidelines
The School has developed a Complaint Resolution Policy and Complaint Resolution Guidelines to provide the School community, and others who interact with the School, a fair and objective way to raise and review issues and complaints without bias.
You can access the policy and guidelines on our website, or by clicking the links above.