Expectations, 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 The Friends' School Website 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.

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

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