Policies in focus
Update on Suspension and Expulsion powers
Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).
We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.
In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.
These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note:
· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.
· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.
Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.
Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.
Sarah Rose
Principal, Gisborne Secondary College
Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools
At Gisborne Secondary College we value the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith of all our students. We are proud of our diversity, and everyone is welcome at our school.
Celebrating the diversity of our community makes us stronger, kinder and more innovative. We are committed to making sure that students from all backgrounds feel accepted, supported and able to learn.
We teach all students according to our school values and teach the respectful relationships framework. This includes education around diversity and inclusion.
To achieve our values and aims, everyone at Gisborne Secondary College plays an important role.
To help us make Gisborne Secondary College a place where everyone feels welcome, respected and supported, we encourage you to speak to your child about the school values of Respect, Achievement, Innovation and Diversity, as well as the importance of:
- understanding that we celebrate diversity and multicultural inclusion
- understanding the importance of everyone at school being treated with respect.
For more information, please see Racism: talking with children and teens, Raising Children Network.
We expect families to also display our school values when dealing with other members of our school community.
Sarah Rose
Principal, Gisborne Secondary College