SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS  | Reminders

Respect and Positive Behaviour

At the centre of our Sub School approach is respect for ourselves, for others, and for our community.

We encourage all students to:

• speak with respect
• act with respect
• stand up for respect

We want our students to be upstanders, not bystanders.

To ensure everyone feels safe at school, students are reminded to keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves at all times. Behaviours such as pushing, shoving, grabbing, tripping, slapping, play fighting, horseplay, or physical joking between friends are not acceptable at school.

What may feel like a joke or game to one student can hurt, upset, or intimidate someone else. Physical contact can escalate quickly and will be treated as a serious behaviour matter. If conflict occurs, students are expected to walk away and seek support from a teacher, Year Level Coordinator, or wellbeing staff member. Serious or repeated incidents may result in parent meetings, disciplinary consequences, or suspension.

We also want to be very clear that there is no place in our school for:

• racism
• antisemitism
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• “jokes” or comments targeting a person’s culture, background, identity, or appearance

These behaviours are harmful, negatively impact others, and are not consistent with our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Empathy.

Recognising Positive Contributions

We are proud of the many students who positively contribute to our school community every day. Students who demonstrate our school values can earn House Points through their actions in the classroom, around the school grounds, and within the wider community.

House Points contribute towards a range of rewards and incentives throughout the term, including positive recognition, celebrations, and rewards such as $5 canteen vouchers. We encourage all students to actively contribute to the positive culture we are continuing to build together.

Uniform Expectations

Our Student Dress Code plays an important role in promoting pride, equality, safety, and a strong sense of community within our school. Students are expected to wear the correct school uniform at all times and present themselves in a way that reflects the expectations of our school community.

The dress code helps to:

• promote school pride and cohesion
• support inclusion and reduce competition based on clothing
• strengthen safety and security across the school
• ensure students are dressed appropriately for all school activities
• prepare students for future workplace expectations

We appreciate families continuing to support students in meeting these expectations each day.

Mobile Phone Reminder – “Off and Away, All Day”

In line with Victorian Government policy, mobile phones, earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches must be switched off and securely stored in student lockers from before school until 3.15pm. This expectation applies during recess, lunchtime, and while travelling between campuses. 

Devices should not be visible or used while students are on school grounds.

If students need to contact family during the school day, they can attend the Year Level Office where staff will assist them. Families needing to contact students should do so through the school office.

Please note the following consequences for breaches of the mobile phone policy:

• 1st offence: Phone confiscated, lunchtime detention, collection from Coordinators at the end of the day
• 2nd offence: Phone confiscated, after-school detention, parent collection required, daily phone hand-in for 5 days
• 3rd offence: Phone confiscated, two after-school detentions, parent collection required, daily phone hand-in for 10 days

Attendance and Punctuality

Students are expected to attend school every day, arrive on time, and be ready to learn. School begins promptly at 8.10am/9.00am, and students should be lined up and prepared when the bell goes.

Lateness will be followed up by classroom teachers and the Year Level Office. Please note:

• Three (3) late arrivals in one (1) week = Lunchtime Detention

If a student is absent, parents/carers must notify the school via Compass or email. Missing just one day of school each fortnight adds up to approximately four weeks of missed learning over the course of a year.

If students or families are experiencing difficulties with attendance, we encourage them to speak with the Junior School Coordinators so supports can be put in place early.

Schools are there to help – if you are having attendance issues with your child, speak to your school about ways to address those issues.

Absence Notification 

Notifying the school of your child's absence either prior to, or on the day they will be away: 

• Online (preferred option): Submit Absence Note via Compass. 

• Email: attendance@fhs.vic.edu.au  

• Telephone: Call 9783 7955 and Press 1 

Students Arriving To School Late/Leaving Early 

If a student is late to school or leaving early, they must sign in at the relevant Sub School Office with a parent/carer note (or attendance note entered prior on Compass).  

Homework

It is important that parents/carers check that their children are getting into the correct habits with homework. As all students in Years 9 to 12 have exams in June and/or November, effective revision skills are essential. If no homework has been set for a given evening, students should revise work already completed so that revision is not left to the last minute.

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