Student Code of Conduct

At Mount St. Joseph Girls' College we recognise that effective learning can only occur in a secure environment where the dignity, rights and responsibilities of others are known and respected and where standards and rules are fairly and consistently applied.

The Student Child Safety Code of Conduct has been developed to clearly set out standards of behaviour related to child safety that students are expected to abide by.

Restorative Practices 

As a philosophy, Restorative Practices provides MSJ with a framework of management that moves away from the traditional punitive response. While still providing limits and consequences, it looks for ways to repair damaged relationships and improve existing relationships.

Restorative Practices in communities such as MSJ is focused on helping young people become aware of the impact of their behaviour on others through personal accountability and learning from a conflict situation. An important component is restoring the harm but still following through with consequences for the student(s).

Restorative Practices Underlying Principles:

• Focus on the relationship and how people are affected
• Restore damaged relationships
• Talk about the behaviour without blaming or being personal
• See mistakes and misbehaviour as an opportunity for learning
• Accept that sometimes we cannot get to the ultimate truth
• Be future focused and talk about how to make things right.

Using Restorative Practices at our College means that students, teachers and parents/carers will work together collaboratively to develop solutions to misbehaviour; thus the benefits are real as they will be evident in the student/teacher, student/student, parent/carer/teacher interactions and in the respectful, positive school climate that is felt and seen by all.

Restorative Reflection Sessions

Unfortunately, at times, it is necessary to issue a Restorative Reflection Session to a student. These sessions are held during lunchtime/after school. Parents will receive an email explaining the reasonfor the session and asked to provide consent to attend via PAM.

The aim of the session is for students to reflect on their behaviour and to commit to changes. It is based on the principles of restorative practices that encourage students to identify inappropriate behaviour and how it impacts on others. Restorative Reflection Sessions can be given for uniform issues, lateness and inappropriate behavior. They can be issued by the Subject Teacher, Learning Mentors, Year Level/House Leader or a member of the Stewardship team.

Misbehaviour Of Students Between School and Home

Any misconduct on the way to or from school will be accorded the appropriate consequences.

Public Transport

Students who travel to the College via bus or train are expected to behave in a responsible manner. These expectations are consistent with those which apply to all forms of public transport. Students who fail to meet these expectations may be fined by the relevant authorities or suspended by the College from using this transport.

Note: Students must wear full and correct school uniform whilst on public transport to and from school.

Smoking, Alcohol And Drugs

Students are forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs of any kind at school or whilst in school uniform. This includes all school endorsed activities or excursions (including camps). See College policy for more detailed information.

Read the full Student Code of Conduct HERE

Personal Mobile or Smartwatch Devices

Mobile phones or smartwatch devices can play an important role in the learning process and the College recognises that these devices can be used to benefit the learning of students.

Within the classroom, students may use their personal mobile devices for educational purposes at the discretion and direction of the teacher. Managing a diagnosed health condition is an exemption and will be permitted with the approval of Deputy Principals. 

When not being used for classroom activities, students are expected to have their mobile devices in their locker throughout the school day.

The College will take no responsibility for lost or stolen mobile or smartphone devices

The privacy and safety of students and staff at MSJ is taken very seriously. Students who are found using these devices inappropriately or at inappropriate times will have them confiscated and passed onto the Front Office. Inappropriate use may include recording people without their permission, using a device during school time when not asked to by a teacher, making calls and messaging.

If students need to make contact with their parent/carer, they can use the Front Office phone at recess or lunch. Parents and carers are asked not to message, email or call their child during the school day. If parents/carers wish to contact their child, they may call the Front Office which will pass on the message.

We understand that students may require a mobile phone when traveling to and from school, consequently any student who has their phone confiscated because they are using it inappropriately will have to collect it from the Front Office. In exceptional circumstances the College reserves the right to hold on to a mobile device and make immediate contact with parents/carers. Depending on the incident, parents/carers may not be contacted on the first occasion or may be contacted by phone and/or a meeting arranged.

Read the full Student Use of Mobile Devices policy HERE

Student Use of Social Media

Students are expected to show respect to others, including members of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College community. Students are also expected to give due respect to the reputation and good name of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College.

When using social media, students are expected to ensure that they:

• respect the rights and confidentiality of others
• do not impersonate or falsely represent another person
• do not use avatars or other means of hiding or misrepresenting their identity
• do not bully, intimidate, abuse, harass or threaten others
• do not make defamatory comments
• do not use offensive or threatening language or resort to personal abuse towards each other or members of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College community
• do not post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic or incites violence against others
• do not harm the reputation and good standing of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College or those within its community
• do not film, photograph or record members of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College community without express permission of the Mount St Joseph Girls' College or use film, photographs or recordings without express permission of the other parties.

A failure to abide by the above expectations may constitute bullying.

Read the full Student Use of Social Media Code of Conduct HERE