1. PURPOSE… Benowa State High School is committed to providing a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment for students and staff, where students have opportunities to engage in quality learning experiences and acquire values supportive of their lifelong well-being.

Our Student Code of Conduct is designed to facilitate high standards of behaviour so that the learning and teaching in our school can be effective and students can participate positively within our school community.

Our Student Code of Conduct outlines our system for facilitating positive behaviours and responding to inappropriate and unacceptable behaviours. Through our school plan, shared expectations for student behaviour are plain to everyone. This assists us in creating and maintaining a positive and productive learning and teaching environment where all school community members have clear and consistent expectations and understandings of their role in the educational process.

2. CONTACT INFORMATION…

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

HINKLER HOUSE LAVER HOUSE

Brendon Wolski

bwols4@eq.edu.au

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

FLOREY HOUSE MURDOCH HOUSE

Sarah Douglas

sdoug70@eq.edu.au

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

BANDLER HOUSE WRIGHT HOUSE

Glenn Chippendale gchip1@eq.edu.au

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

WAKE HOUSE HOLLOWS HOUSE

Lieve Rimbaut

lrimb1@eq.edu.au

Head of House Hinkler: Kylie Diviak kdivi1@eq.edu.au Laver: Adrian Comiskey axcom1@eq.edu.au

Head of House Florey: Matthew Anderson mande362@eq.edu.au Murdoch: Mandy Howden mbeva16@eq.edu.au

Head of House Bandler: Andrew Taylor atayl103@eq.edu.au Wright: Alex Armour aarmo9@eq.edu.au

Head of House Wake: Dee Thorsborne dthor17@eq.edu.au Hollows: Andy McKee ajmck1@eq.edu.au

HODS, HOD Social Justice Junior Secondary, HOD Social Justice Senior Secondary, HOSES, Student Support Services

For Curriculum concerns please contact the Head of Department (refer to website for contact details)

For Social Concerns please contact the HOD’s of Social Justice: Tina Mackay- tmack37@eq.edu.au OR For Students with Special Needs contact HOSES: Kym Ryan- kjord26@eq.edu.au For the Guidance Team please contact: Dave Ramsey- drams19@eq.edu.au OR Jane Mitchell-Watson- jmitc46@eq.edu.au For Health concerns please contact: Helen Dredge- hdred2@eq.edu.au

* DEAN OF STUDENTS * DEAN OF STUDENTS

FACULTY TEACHERS/HOUSE TEACHERS

EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL Mark Rickard

3. CONSULTATION & REVIEW PROCESS…

Benowa State High School has developed this plan in collaboration with our school community. The plan was endorsed by the Executive Principal, the President of the P&C and the President of the School Council in 2020 and will be reviewed further throughout 2020-2021. Data collection on attendance, absenteeism, school disciplinary absences and behaviour incidents in 2017-2019 informed the revision process. The plan is reviewed every three years to ensure practice remains relevant and responsive to student and staff needs. Review may occur more frequently in response to changes in departmental policy or procedures.

4. WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO DICSPILINE…

Benowa State High School promotes learning, creativity and innovation as the platform upon which to build prosperity and quality of life. We are strongly committed to our vision statement “Many Pathways- No limits” and provide a professional, inclusive, diverse and futures-orientated education that enables and strongly encourages all students to achieve their full potential. Benowa’s teachers and students aim to live out the words of the school motto of “Striving and Caring”.

Essential to an effective learning environment is the expectation for all members of the school community to conduct themselves in a lawful, ethical and responsible manner. Benowa State High School sets high expectations for student conduct. Our school community has adopted the following school values, which underpin our approach to developing high standards of responsible behaviour:

Respect

Integrity

Compassion

Diligence

These values support our pursuit of academic excellence, our commitment to leadership development and striving for personal bests in a range of endeavours. They also provide the platform for the development of responsible and proactive citizens. After taking into account individual circumstances, we adopt logical consequences and offer counselling and mediations as effective ways of supporting students in their journey to become valuable participants in society. An extensive team of school staff helps students who require support to make positive choices and develop stronger relationships. Accepting personal responsibility is crucial, and our approach is to talk with student about choices and pathways as we seek to build social skills to empower them to be confident, contributing members of society. The first step in facilitating standards of behaviour is communicating those standards to all students. At Benowa State High School, we emphasise the importance of directly teaching students the behaviours we want them to demonstrate at school. This strategy is directed towards all students and is designed to prevent inappropriate behaviour and provide a framework for responding to unacceptable behaviour.

School Values: We expect that members of our school community will: DILIGENT

Learn to the best of their ability.

Attend school every day.

Maximise the value from classes by: o Being prepared o Completing all classwork o Being punctual o Completing all homework.

Behave in a way that actively contributes to an effective learning environment.

Strive for personal bests in each endeavour.

Participate in a range of school activities.

Look after their health and encourage others to do so.

Seek out the information required for successful operation of the school.

COMPASSION

Uphold the values of the school.

Support and acknowledge the achievements of others.

Volunteer to lead and assist in a range of activities.

Show kindness to other students and be aware of those around them

RESPECT Treat others politely.

Recognise and respect the differences of race, ethnic background, gender, socio-economic status, ability and disability.

Treat others with understanding and kindness.

Respect other people’s property.

Care for the school environment and property.

Behave and dress in a way that will display pride in themselves and their school.

INTEGRITY

Express their opinions with dignity and using established protocols.

Behave well, even when no-one is watching.

Use Social Media appropriately adhering to the 4 core values

Be honest.

Restorative Practices As teachers (and administrators), we know that a safe and orderly educational environment is vital to effectively and efficiently deliver high-quality instruction. Students who display problem behavior, break rules or commit serious school offenses, can disrupt this environment and jeopardize the safety and learning of other students. Punishments such as removal from class, and in and out of school suspensions are often believed necessary to maintain school safety, serve as a deterrent to other students, and to teach students a lesson. It may seem intuitive to simply remove a “problem student” yet research suggests that in low level behaviour, alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices can be highly effective. One alternative is a restorative approach to discipline, also known as restorative discipline or restorative practices (RP) and at Benowa State High School, we use an RP approach to managing problem student behaviour. The RP process is led and managed by the school’s two Deans of Students and is a cornerstone of the school’s Student Code of Conduct. Benowa State High School’s Restorative Approach to student conduct. At its core, the restorative approach is a philosophical shift away from the traditional, punitive approach to wrongdoing. The restorative perspective views misbehavior as an offense against relationships. This approach maintains a focus on accountability of actions with a specific emphasis on empathy and repairing of harm. To that end, RP seek to address underlying issues of misbehavior and reintegrate wrongdoers back into the school and classroom community.

Restorative practices are a framework and set of practices used for the prevention of rule breaking and as an intervention after a rule is broken. They are informally infused in classrooms and formally and systematically implemented school wide. At the classroom level our teachers focus on building a sense of community and fostering relationships to develop a shared sense of responsibility for the well-being of each class member. Implementation of school-wide RP uses the expertise of our trained and experienced staff.

Proactive Practices in our Classrooms o “Fair processes” such as establishing classroom rules and expectations as a group to engage in shared

decision-making. o Teaching, modelling and practicing “affective statements/questions” that explain/ask how others are

impacted by the positive or negative behavior of an individual. o Asking students 3 key questions at point-in-time to self-identify problem behaviour o Informing the restorative approach to parents and also communicating to school staff, o The use of “student-led conferences” to discuss academic and social progress.

Traditional/ Punitive Approach Restorative Approach

What rule was broken? Who has been hurt/what relationship was damaged?

Who broke the rule? What are the needs of those harmed and what parties have a stake?

What do they deserve/how will they be punished?

What stakeholders will be involved and what process will put things right again?

School wide Intervention Practices at Benowa State High School Peer Mediation and student-centered programs. Restorative Student and Family Conferences-all stakeholders come together, including the one who committed

the harm, to discuss the offense and the feelings of those involved, how to make things right and how to prevent a similar situation in the future. A trained facilitator is used as required.

Restitution Planning/Restorative Agreements-a plan of action to repair or “put right” the offense Reintegration Following TRT Referral-the student meets with the teacher to re-negotiate their place back into the

classroom setting Reintegration Following Suspension-holding a restorative meeting circle with parties as determined by the Dean

of Students (may include parents, administrators, teachers, the party harmed with the one who committed the harm) to reintegrate the offender back in to the school community. A trained facilitator may also be used in this setting

Restorative Practices as one of our school intervention strategies. Proponents of RP suggest these practices can stand-alone or be imbedded within existing programs. Within a multi-tiered system of support in our Student Support Services framework, relationship and community building are primary supports, responsive circles and mediation are secondary supports and restorative/family conferences incorporated as tertiary supports.

Our school contends that RP are effective in reducing suspensions, office referrals, disruptive behavior, detentions, and bullying while also improving school climate and teacher-student relationships

RP is not a one-size-fits-all approach and realistically some students may refuse to participate. RP can be available in a continuum of options to address problem behavior and school offenses. Just as instruction is differentiated, teachers and administrators differentiate discipline to meet the needs of all of our students.

Consequences for Inappropriate or Unacceptable Behaviours We make systematic efforts to prevent inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour by teaching and reinforcing expected behaviours. When behaviour incidents occur, it is important that consequences are predictable but are not set in stone so that individual student circumstances can be taken into consideration when weighing action and consequence. Our school seeks to ensure that responses to inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour are consistent and proportionate to the nature of the behaviour. Minor and Major Behaviours When responding to behaviour incidents, the staff member determines if the problem behaviour is minor or major, with the following agreed understanding:

Minor behaviour incidents are handled by staff members at the time it happens;

Major behaviour incidents are referred directly to Heads of Department, Heads of House or Head of Social Justice. Minor problem behaviours are those that:

are minor breaches of the school rules;

do not seriously harm others or cause the staff member to suspect that the student may be harmed;

do not violate the rights of others in any other serious way;

are not part of a pattern of inappropriate behaviours;

do not require involvement of specialist support staff or Executive. Minor problem behaviours may result in the following consequences:

a minor consequence logically connected to the inappropriate behaviour, such as complete removal from an activity or event for a specified period of time, partial removal (time away), individual meeting with the student, temporary removal of property, apology, restitution or detention;

a re-direction process where a staff member takes the student aside and: 1. names the behaviour that student is displaying; 2. asks student to name expected school behaviour; 3. states and explains expected school behaviour if necessary; 4. gives positive verbal acknowledgement for expected school behaviour.

Major behaviours are those that:

significantly violate the rights of others;

put others/self at risk of harm;

constitute misconduct, disobedience, conduct prejudicial to the good order and management of the school. Major behaviours result in referral to Heads of Department, Heads of House, Heads of Social Justice or Deans because of their seriousness. When major unacceptable behaviour occurs, staff members calmly state the behaviour and remind the student of expected school behaviour. The staff member involves the appropriate person (Head of Department for classroom incidents, Head of House or Head of Social Justice for playground incidents and Deans for higher level major incidents). A report of the student’s behaviour is recorded on OneSchool. Major unacceptable behaviours may result in the following consequences:

Detention;

Time out;

Removal from activity;

Community service interventions;

Loss of privilege;

Restitution;

Warning regarding future consequence for repeated or persistent inappropriate behaviour;

Suspension from school;

Exclusion from school;

Cancellation of enrolment;

Removal of invitation to school events, including graduation and formal.

In each case, the following actions will be taken, as appropriate;

Parent/guardian contact;

Referral to Guidance Officer;

Referral to other Student Support Team member;

Placement on monitoring processes. To be successful students are expected to actively participate in the school’s education program, take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour, and behave respectfully in a manner that respects the rights of others to learn and cooperate with staff and others. Universal Behaviour Support Students are reminded of school rules and the student code of conduct at the start of each year and at enrolment students are issued with a diary that contains the school’s expectations, rule, policies and procedures. At assemblies and in all classes these expectations and achievements are taught, discussed, celebrated and reinforced by teachers, Heads of House, Heads of Department, Dean’s and Administrative members. The key elements of the school’s plan include;

Our four core values and four positive classrooms rules, displayed across the school and reproduced in the junior diaries

Individual teachers are also encouraged to develop rules appropriate to their classes. These rules are recorded in the student work books or diaries

The balancing of the language of acknowledgement and the language of correction for appropriate and inappropriate behaviour

Modelling for teachers on ways to acknowledge appropriate behaviour from minor rewards through to major incentives, e.g merit awards, house points, etc.

A least intrusive to most intrusive approach to correcting inappropriate behaviour ,ie. The majority of students (80-90%) will respond to a non-verbal signal or simple rule reminder. However, for the students who like to ‘test the boundaries’, or take a more challenging position, it may be necessary to move to the more intrusive responses such as offering choices between compliance and consequence.

Targeted Behaviour Support The small percentage of students who persistently disrupt the classroom will be involved in the Responsible Thinking Room (RTR). These students are interviewed by the Behaviour Management Teacher and supported with the development of a

plan of re-entry back into the classroom. Students who continue to be continually disruptive in, multiple classes may be placed on Behaviour Watch, where continued referrals will result in them progressing up the Behaviour Watch Ladder. Consequences and support are in place on each ladder step. The Principal in individual circumstances may consider disciplinary Improvement Plan and Community Service Interventions. Parents are contacted and invited to contribute and support their child in being successful in the classroom and school environment. Once students have completed a re-entry to class plan, it is their responsibility to present it to the teacher who referred them. This occurs during lunch break so private negotiations without distractions may take place. The negotiation process provides an opportunity not only to deal with the referral issue, but also to build and re-establish some rapport between student and teacher. Staff and students receive coaching on how to negotiate successfully. IF the negotiation process is positive the student returns to the next lesson where that teacher/student relationship resumes. If the student fails to follow the plan they are referred to the RTR as a broken contract. At risk students are supported through Benowa State High School’s Student Support Services Team, which is a multidisciplinary team made up of Guidance Officers, Heads of House, HOD’s of Social Justice, HOSES, School based, health nurse, Chaplain, Deans and Directors. Students are supported and case-managed by a member of this team and a time-out card can be issued to allow students to leave class and attend Administration/Student Support Centre. Intensive Behaviour Support Students who have very high frequency referrals to the RTR, or who are identified as being at risk for other reasons, eg. Truancy, receive intensive support from our Student Support Team. Regular meetings of SSS personnel are held to discuss proactive case management and student support issues. A referral system coordinated by the Guidance Officers is used to assign students to appropriate support personnel. At this level there is often close consultation with parents. We believe that a collaborative approach involving all interested parties is vital to providing support for the student, and is often the case, support for the parents or caregivers. CONSEQUENCES FOR UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR: Benowa State High School sets high expectations for all students in all areas of their conduct. Student behaviour that does not comply with the expected standards is not acceptable. The Student Code of Conduct sets out the range and levels of response and consequences for behaviours that is inconsistent with these standards. Consequences are applied to provide all students the opportunity to learn, ensure the safety of all staff and students and to assist students who exhibit challenging behaviours to accept responsibility for themselves and their actions. In applying consequences for unacceptable student behaviour, the individual circumstances and actions of the student and the needs and rights of school community members will be considered at all times. Benowa State High School uses a range of consequences authorised by Education Queensland that includes suspension, exclusion and cancellation of enrolment. These consequences are used as the last resort for serious behaviour after consideration has been given to all other responses. Access to alternate programs and input from other agencies may be necessary for students who repeatedly do not comply with the expected standards of behaviour. Benowa State High School takes a restorative approach in dealing with behaviours wherever possible. We believe that in many circumstances a punitive approach can be counterproductive and often create an anger response in some students. A definition of bullying and strategies to deal with bullying are included in the Appendix. Our response to serious or repeated bullying instances is to use restorative practices such as conflict resolution, mediation and community conferencing. While these restorative practices are used in response to many varied cases of unacceptable behaviour, this school has a range of consequences that are used in response to misbehaviour and/or non-compliance of expectations and rules. Lunchtime detentions are issued for infringements of the dress code or by class teachers for incomplete class or assignment work. After school detentions are used as a secondary consequence if the lunchtime detention is not completed. These can be issued by the Head of House, Head of Department or Deputy Principal or Executive Principal. Whenever possible, the consequences will be related to the offense so that natural justice is served, e.g.the response to truancy is an RTR alternate Program Day, lateness to class results in time made up during lunch breaks or after school, littering attract litter duty etc. Benowa SHS has no tolerance for drug abuse and supply, violence or possession of any form of weapon. The sharing of inappropriate images via any electronic media or use of electronic media to sexually harass or intimidate others will be regarded as gross misconduct. Depending on the circumstances, our response may involve the police, suspension or exclusion. The school’s policy for dealing with inappropriate use of personal technological devices at school is noted in the Appendix.

The following table outlines examples of inappropriate behaviour*

Area Examples of Inappropriate Behaviours

Examples of Consequence Responsible Officer/s

DIL

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Late to Class. Make up lost time. Classroom teacher

Not completing classwork or homework.

Complete work under supervision. Classroom teacher

Disrupting other students in class.

Detention. Classroom teacher

Not completing course requirements.

Withdrawal of graduation invitation. Cancellation of Enrolment.

Head of Department Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Att

en

dan

ce Truancy.

Make up lost time. Classroom teacher Head of Department Deans

Leaving the school grounds without permission/pass.

Monitoring of attendance. Supervised breaks.

Heads of House Deans

RES

PEC

T

Use

of

Elec

tro

nic

D

evic

es

Inappropriate use of electronic devices during class.

Device removed. Student to office to hand in

Accessing inappropriate content on an electronic device.

Withdrawal of network access. Classroom teacher- Head of Department Dean Deputy Principals

Inappropriate use of/damage to the school network.

Withdrawal of network access. Suspension/Exclusion.

Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Envi

ron

men

t &

Pro

per

ty

Littering. Clean up a designated area.

Supervising Adult (Teacher Aide/ Classroom teacher)

Stealing. Return stolen item and recompense for harm caused.

Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Graffiti/damaging property.

Repair property/pay damages. Deputy Principals

Safe

ty

Unsafe behaviour. Make the situation safe. Supervising Teacher

Water or food fights. Clean up mess & Detention. Suspension.

Classroom teacher- Head of Department Dean

Possessing or using weapons.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Sch

oo

l Co

mm

un

ity

Inappropriately using images or publishing images using the school name or identifying features without permission.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Publishing inappropriate or abusive material about staff in any public or school domain.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Student Code of Conduct (Based on The Code of School Behaviour)

Contacting media outlets without the authorisation of the Executive Principal.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

CO

MP

ASS

ION

Oth

ers

Threats/Bullying in any form.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Violence/Fighting.

Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

INTE

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ITY

Co

mp

lian

ce Missing detention. Additional detention.

Suspension.

Classroom teacher Head of Department Dean

Wilful disobedience. Suspension.

Dean Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Pe

rso

nal

Co

nd

uct

Inappropriate language. Detention/Suspension. Teacher Dean Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Failure to wear appropriate uniform.

Change in to correct uniform. Supervising Teacher Heads of House

Possessing and/or using drugs, possessing drug implements, providing drugs or implements or being under the influence of drugs at school.

Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Any sexually explicit action. Suspension/Exclusion. Deputy Principals Executive Principal

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, as it simply identifies examples.

Consideration of Individual Circumstances

Our students are treated as individuals, and whatever their circumstances, every effort is made to ensure that they are successful not only academically but also socially. Benowa High strives to achieve this in two ways- a global approach and by individual consideration. The global, or whole school approach, incorporated natural justice and fair and equitable practices. All students at Benowa who may be involved in conflict or dispute situations, are required to give an incident report detailing their point of view. Input from all levels (HOH, HODs, Deans, Deputy Principals) ensures any contributing factors which impact on decision making process are thoroughly considered. In this way the Student Code of Conduct enables fair and equitable approach to behaviour management. Conflict resolution, a powerful component of Benowa’s procedures, promotes a positive outcome for the majority of cases of student dispute. This process is coordinated by the HODs Social Justice and may be attended by any staff member or parent as necessary.

For a variety of reasons Individual students may require a negotiated timetable to suit their needs. At Benowa SHS, a flexible approach is taken in addressing unacceptable behaviour. However, while every effort is made to support our students who have behaviour difficulties, we will never allow unacceptable behaviour to disrupt the teaching and learning process.

Student Property The use of mobile phones and personal music players is subject to the following policy:

Items are to be switched off during class time to protect the classroom environment and to not interfere with the

learning of other students

Items will be confiscated if used during class time and sent to the Administration Office and held in a secure place

Items may be collected from Administration Office at 2.45pm

The sharing of inappropriate images by mobile phone will be regarded as gross misconduct and subject to consequences, Appendix 9.

Prohibited Items The following items which may interrupt the good order and management of the school are not permitted at school, on school excursions, at school functions or on camps:

Chewing gum – confiscated, not returned

Skate Boards/Scooters – confiscated, placed in Administration, return negotiated with Administration

Aerosol Cans of any kind including deodorant - confiscated, not returned

Matches or lighters. Flowchart 1, Level 3 Point 5 - confiscated, not returned.

The above items will be confiscated.

The following items which may interrupt the good order and management of the school are not permitted at school, on school excursions, at school functions or on camps:

Possession of illicit drugs (including cigarettes) or alcohol. Flowchart 1, Level 3 Point 5

Weapons or any sort, whether real or imitation. Flowchart 1, Level 3 Point 4 and Appendix 12 – all weapons confiscated

and not returned

Possession or use of the above items will be referred to Queensland Police Service.

Appendix One: The following behaviours contravene the values espoused by Benowa State High School. Every case will have the particular circumstances considered before consequences are applied. Staff will then apply appropriate consequences from the range of consequences listed (not necessarily in the order they are written). Where there is a choice of consequences and/or extenuating circumstances, the Executive Principal reserves the right to make the final determination. In accordance with the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, disciplinary action can extend to matters/incidents outside of school hours and off school premises, that may affect the good order and management of the school or the safety of staff/students or Benowa Community as determined by the Executive Principal.

Area Behaviours Consequences

DIL

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CE

Cla

ssro

om

Inappropriate classroom behaviours The teacher will employ a range of strategies to re-engage the student in learning. Where the student does not respond to these strategies, the teacher will take steps to ensure that the learning of others is not disrupted and the student receives the support they need to choose to re-engage. This support may include counselling, learning support, detention, making up time, RTR referral, contacting parent/guardian, individual planning, and referral to Head of Department.

Late to Class Teachers will discuss the absence with the student and the student will make up the lost time.

Students may be issued with lunchtime detention that is supervised by the classroom teacher.

Repeated lateness to class is referred to HOD.

Not completing classwork or homework

Teachers will set new timelines for work completion, supervise the completion of work and contact parent/guardian as appropriate.

Not completing course requirements

Teachers will supervise the completion of work.

Heads of Department will supervise the completion of work.

The Head of Department may withdraw credit for the subject.

Invitations to school events may be withdrawn by the Deputy Principals or Executive Principal.

The Deputy Principals or Executive Principal may withdraw invitations to formal and/or graduation (see separate guidelines).

The Executive Principal may cancel enrolment.

RES

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Use

of

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tro

nic

Dev

ice

s

Inappropriate use of mobile phones or electronic devices in the classroom

All mobile phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight in the classroom and outside of the class as the student is waiting to enter, unless they have been explicitly approved to be part of the lesson.

Permission must be sought before ANY recording or photographing takes place.

Students who misuse mobile phones or any electronic devices in the classroom will be sent by the classroom teacher, to the student counter in Administration. Students will exchange the device for a ticket and on return to the class show this ticket to the teacher. Students may exchange the ticket for the phone from the office at the end of the day.

A student who refuses to comply with the direction to surrender their phone to the office will be considered wilfully disobedient and will be referred to the Director.

Where a student repeatedly misuses a mobile phone in or outside of the classroom the matter will be treated as wilful disobedience or harassment and will be referred to the Director.

Inappropriate email use, e.g. offensive language Visits to inappropriate internet sites or downloading of inappropriate material, e.g. pornography.

Students may be removed from internet access, have limitations placed on network access, be removed from the subject, placed on detention and/or be suspended as determined by the Director. Director will notify parent/guardian.

Attempts to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Network systems, e.g. Via hacking, ‘spyware’ or other ‘backdoor’ methods OR the use of the teacher or network

Minimum of suspension, removal of network rights for minimum of a term and possible withdrawal from the subject as determined by the Director.

RES

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Envi

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d P

rop

erty

Graffiti/damaging/destroying property (or intent to damage or destroy)

Heads Of Department will investigate and refer substantiated claims of graffiti to the appropriate Director.

Parent/guardian will be notified.

Student will repair/rectify damage in own time and at own or parent’s/guardian’s expense.

Student will undertake school community service or detention/withdrawal for a period of time.

The student may be suspended and/or excluded from school.

Major damage will result in referral to police.

INTE

GR

ITY

Co

mp

lian

ce

Missing Detention Where this was an oversight and the student attempted to communicate with the staff member concerned, the student may complete the original detention.

An additional detention is usually added to the original.

Repeated or blatant refusal to attend will result in suspension.

Wilful disobedience Continued failure to comply with a reasonable request or instruction will result in detention, suspension and/or exclusion.

RES

PEC

T

Safe

ty

Unsafe behaviour Students will be required to make the situation safe.

One off unsafe behaviours may result in restitution, mediation, detention or suspension

Ongoing or major incidents of unsafe behaviour may result in suspension and/or exclusion.

Water or food throwing/fights Students will clean up the mess made including any to their clothing. The space must be left safe and clean.

May result in detention.

Ongoing or major incidents of unsafe behaviour may result in suspension and/or exclusion.

Possessing or using weapons (see Appendix 3)

Should a dangerous/prohibited item be suspected to be in a student’s bag, a member of staff is able to remove the bag to a safe place until the police are able to collect the item/s.

Students may be suspended and/or excluded for possession of a weapon or if acting in a way that endangers themselves or others, or has the potential to do so.

manager logins OR copying and/or misuse of school data OR damaging the network

Students who cause serious damage to the network or to student learning as a result of interfering with the network can expect to be excluded from Benowa State High School by the Executive Principal.

RES

PEC

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Using Social Media or the school’s network with the intent to cause harm. e.g. Threatening language, Abuse, encouragement to self-harm

Long term suspension or recommendation to exclude as determined by the Executive Principal

Notification to external agencies by Support Services

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Litter Whether dropped by an individual or surrounding a group of students

Student/s will be requested to pick up litter by the staff member supervising.

Staff will attempt to ‘work it out’ with student/s. If this fails, the student will be placed on detention or given a lunchtime environmental-related duty.

Refusal to comply with request will be regarded as wilful disobedience and will be referred to a Director.

Stealing (or intent to steal) or Interfering with the property of others

Heads Of Department will investigate and refer substantiated claims of theft to the appropriate Director.

The parent/guardian will be notified.

The student will be required to restore property or make restitution to the owner.

The student will undertake detention or withdrawal for a period determined by a Director.

The student may face suspension and/or exclusion.

Police will be contacted if necessary.

DIL

IGEN

CE

Att

end

ance

Late to school (arriving after house group)

The student’s name will be recorded on file at the student counter and a late slip will then be issued.

Heads of House will follow up with students with repeated absences.

Parent/guardian of persistent offenders will be contacted. A meeting will take place to develop a support strategy to address persistent lateness. Students may face detentions, withdrawal of certain privileges and daily monitoring.

Documentation of persistent lateness will appear on reports/references.

Truancy Parent/guardian will be notified as soon as practical if a student is suspected of truanting.

The student will be required to make up lost time. Students may face detention or supervised breaks.

Student may be placed on a monitoring card.

Cancellation of enrolment may occur for post compulsory age students who fail to participate in the school’s program of instruction.

Intervention will be sought for compulsory school aged students who are chronic truants.

Leaving school grounds without permission/pass

The Head of House will be informed.

Parent/guardian will be notified.

The student may spend their breaks under the supervision of the staff member on detention duty.

After school detentions may be issued with 24 hour notice for parents and students

Persistent offences will be treated as disobedience.

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Bullying/Threats – Verbal, physical, sexual, racial, and bullying (including cyber-bullying)

Students will be made aware of school policy.

Students will be stepped through a process to change this behaviour.

Mediation, detention, reparations can be expected.

Students may be required to undertake an anti-bullying education program.

Students may be withdrawn from classes or breaks for a specified number of days.

Parent/guardian will be notified.

Suspension and/or exclusion from school may occur.

Parent/guardian will ensure that inappropriate materials are removed from public view or from the internet or any electronic device.

Possible referral to police.

Violence/Fighting Students will be suspended and/or excluded from school.

Possible referral to police.

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Parking vehicles in school grounds Parking vehicles in surrounding streets

Students may not park their motor vehicles in school grounds because of the limited space available. Students who park their vehicles in school grounds will be asked to move it. If students continue to park their vehicles in school grounds the matter will be referred to parent/guardian and/or police.

Student cars may be towed for inappropriate parking in local streets

Unsafe behaviours in cars will result in police being contacted

Publishing inappropriate or abusive material about staff or school in any public or school domain including the internet

Students will be instructed to remove the material from public view or the internet.

Parent/guardian will be notified.

Students will be suspended and/or excluded.

Contacting media outlets without the authorisation of the Executive Principal

Students who contact or supply information to media outlets (or facilitate this) and this results in harm to students/staff or negative publicity for the school will be suspended and/or excluded.

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Inappropriate Language

Incidental

Deliberate or persistent

The teacher will draw attention to the inappropriate language used and the student asked to recognise the inappropriateness.

The student will apologise to the offended party.

The student may be asked to move away, do community service or detention.

Students may be suspended.

Any student who uses defamatory/threatening or foul language directed towards a staff member or their instructions can expect to be suspended

Inappropriate behaviour/dress on trips/camps/excursions/ work experience

The normal consequences for the inappropriate behaviour/dress will be implemented where possible.

If dress is deemed inappropriate, the student will be asked to change.

Depending of the nature of the inappropriate behaviour/dress the student may be sent home at the parent’s/guardian’s expense. The parent/guardian will be notified of the action as will the relevant Head of Department.

Depending on the nature of the inappropriate behaviour, the student may be excluded from attending further trips/camps/excursion for a period determined by the relevant Director after consultation with all parties concerned.

Failure to wear school uniform

Students will be asked to change into the correct uniform.

Students will receive a detention.

Parent/guardian will be notified and arrangements made to address the concern.

Persistent failure to wear the correct uniform will lead to an interview between families and the relevant Head of House to develop a suitable plan for adhering to school policy.

Failure to comply with uniform requirements may be treated as disobedience.

Smoking cigarettes in/around the school grounds Similar consequences will occur if students are smoking at a school activity, in school uniform, or easily identified as a student of Benowa State High School.

If a student is caught smoking, he/she will be suspended for 3 days.

If a student is caught for a second time, the suspension will be for 3 – 5 days.

If a student continues to smoke, he/she will face a 6 – 20 day suspension.

Students who are in the company of smokers can expect similar consequences.

Possession of cigarettes in/around school grounds; while away on a school organised activity; whilst in school uniform or while easily identifiable as a Benowa State High School student.

If a student is suspected of being in possession of cigarettes (or associated materials), the student will be escorted to a member of Executive (where possible) where he/she will be requested to empty his/her bag. Should the student opt not to empty their bag, the bag will be confiscated until the police are able to collect the prohibited items suspected to be in the student’s possession

If cigarettes are found in the student’s possession he/she will be suspended. The cigarettes will be confiscated and parent/guardian notified.

Persistent offenders will face the same consequences as a student caught smoking cigarettes for a second or third time.

Supply of drugs* on/around school grounds; while on a school organised activity; whilst in school uniform or while easily identifiable

Parent/guardian will be informed as soon as practical.

Students supplying drugs or any substance they purport to be a drug can expect to be excluded.

Police will be appropriately involved.

as a Benowa State High School student

Students who are in the company of those involved in a drug related incident can expect similar consequences. Benowa State High School does not tolerate drug supply.

Possession of drugs* or drug implements in/around school grounds Similar consequences will result if students are in possession while away on a school activity, in school uniform, or whilst easily identified as a Benowa State High School student.

If a student is suspected of being in possession of drugs or drug implements, the student will be escorted to the office. Parent/guardian will then be called. Parent/guardian will be invited to the school as soon as practical.

Students in possession of drugs or drug implements or any substance they purport to be a drug can expect to be excluded.

Police will be appropriately involved. Students who are in the company of those involved in a drug related incident can expect similar consequences. Students who are attempting to acquire drugs or drug implements can expect similar consequences. Benowa State High School does not tolerate drug possession.

Use of drugs* on/around school grounds Similar consequences will result if students use while away on a school activity, in school uniform, or easily identifiable as a Benowa State High School student.

If a student is suspected of using a drug or being under the influence of a drug while at school the following will occur:

The student will be brought to the relevant Director.

Parent/guardian will be notified as soon as practicable.

The student will be taken home by parent/guardian and will be kept in the office (separated from the rest of the student body) until parent/guardian arrives.

Where necessary, medical attention will be sought.

The Director will conduct an investigation.

Police will be appropriately involved.

Students who are under the influence of drugs at school or have used drugs at school can expect to be excluded.

Students who are in the company of those involved in a drug related incident can expect similar consequences. Benowa State High School does not tolerate drug use.

Any sexually explicit action This includes but is not limited to; gestures, social media, use of sexually explicit language for the purpose to harass or intimidate another student or staff member

Students will be counselled about socially acceptable behaviour.

Parent/guardian will be informed.

Students may be suspended or excluded.

* Drugs may include prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, illicit or prohibited substances and substances purported to be a drug.

Ensuring Consistent Responses to Inappropriate or Unacceptable Behaviour Staff members authorised to issue consequences for behaviour incidents are provided with appropriate professional development and/or training. Through training activities, we work to ensure consistent responses to behaviour incidents across the school. Staff members also take into consideration a student’s individual circumstances before providing the consequence as outlined above. All consequences are applied after consultation with other stakeholders. Students also receive instruction around how to respond when other students display inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour. The courteous way to respond when a staff member redirects a student’s behaviour is taught and rehearsed to reduce the impact of peer engagement in the behaviour incident. Student disciplinary absences (suspension and exclusion) may be considered:

in the event of a serious, one-off behaviour incident; or

after consideration has been given to all other responses.

Appendix Two:

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, SAFE SCHOOL POLICY

Definition Bullying is typically repeated and intentional hurt inflicted on someone by words or actions of another person or group to exert power.

What Bullying may look like.

Repeated Verbal threats and cruelty

Name calling and persistent teasing

Ridiculing another person’s appearance, physique or actions

Repeated Physical threats and cruelty

Punching, pushing, poking, shoving, spitting, etc

deliberate property damage.

Repeated Indirect threats and cruelty

Malicious gossip, spreading rumours

Deliberately hiding property

Ignoring and persistent exclusion from friendship circles, social exclusion

Cyber

Deliberate inappropriate use of mobile phones texts messaging and internet communications

These actions demonstrate there has been a breakdown in relationships between students

When Bullying occurs, what should be done? By the students

Initially use appropriate responses to solve the problem (eg. walk away)

Seek intervention by reporting bullying to a teacher, support staff or parent

Demonstrate positive bystander behaviour and tell a teacher, support staff or parent if they see another student being

bullied

Never ignore the situation

By the parent

Model appropriate behaviour at all times

Support the school’s philosophy

Watch for signs of your child being bullied (what are the signs?)

Encourage your child to adopt the anti-bullying strategies taught at school

Instruct your child to immediately tell a teacher or support staff if they are bullied

Inform the school immediately of any suspected bullying

By staff

Model appropriate behaviour at all times

Reassure the individual that bullying is unacceptable listen to the student and ask what you can do to help

Act appropriately to the student’s concern by use of an intervention tool like ( to be determined by school) shared

concern

Provide advice, intervene and monitor.

Appendix Three

The Use of Personal Technology Devices at School This policy reflects the importance the school places on students displaying courtesy, consideration and respect for others whenever they are using personal technology devices.

Personal Technology Devices include but are not limited to, games devices (such as Portable gaming devices, Tamagochis, laptop computers, PDAs, Blackberrys, cameras and/or voice recording devices (whether or not integrated with a mobile phone or MP3 player), mobile telephones, iPods and devices of a similar nature.

Use of mobile phones and other personal technology devices.

Education Queensland does not permit any personal device to be connected to the ICT network. It is the school policy that personal laptops must not be brought to school.

Please be aware of the following extract from the Department’s ICT logon message:

“Unauthorised use may result in disciplinary action being taken against you.

If the Department reasonably suspects you are using the network and facilities in a manner that constitutes a crime, the Department will refer the matter to the police.”

The use of mobile phones and other personal technology devices is subject to the following policy as stated in the Student Diary:

These are to be switched off during class time to protect the classroom/learning environment.

These will be confiscated if used during class time.

These confiscated items may be collected from Administration at 2.45 pm.

The recording of voice and images by mobile phone or other device and sharing of these recordings and images will be regarded as gross misconduct and a Level 3 Behaviour and will be subject to consequences as referred to in the school’s Responsible Behaviour Plan.

Personal Technology Device Etiquette

Bringing personal technology devices to school is not encouraged by the school because of the potential for theft and general distraction and/or disruption associated with them. Personal technology devices may be used at morning tea and lunch breaks and before and after school.

Every member of the school community should feel confident about participating fully and frankly in all aspects of school life without concern that their personal privacy is being invaded by them being recorded without their knowledge or consent.

We uphold the value of trust and the right to privacy at Benowa State High school. Students using personal technology devices to record inappropriate behaviours or incidents (such as vandalism, fighting, bullying, staged fighting or pranks etc) for the purpose of dissemination among the student body or outside the school, by any means (including distribution by phone or internet posting) builds a culture of distrust and disharmony and will not be tolerated.

Students must not record images anywhere that recording would not reasonably be considered appropriate (e.g. in change rooms, toilets or any other place where a reasonable person would expect to be afforded privacy).

Recording of events in class is not permitted unless express consent is provided by the class teacher.

A student at school who uses a personal technology device to record private conversations, ordinary school activities (apart from social functions like graduation ceremonies) or violent, illegal or embarrassing matter capable of bringing the school into public disrepute is considered to be in breach of this policy.

Even where consent is obtained for such recording, the school will not tolerate images or sound captured by personal technology devices on the school premises or elsewhere being disseminated to others, if it is done for the purpose of causing embarrassment to individuals or the school, for the purpose of bullying1 or harassment, including racial and sexual harassment, or where without such intent a reasonable person would conclude that such outcomes may have or will occur.

Students involved in:

recording; and/or

disseminating material (through text messaging, display, internet uploading etc); and/or,

knowingly being a subject of a recording

1 Education Queensland does not tolerate bullying behaviour at schools. This includes bullying conducted by electronic means.

Breach of this policy is a Level 3 Behaviour and subject to consequences (including suspension and recommendation for exclusion).

Students should note that the recording or dissemination of images that are considered indecent (such as nudity or sexual acts involving children), is against the law and if detected by the school will result in a referral to QPS.

Text communication The sending of text messages that contain obscene language and/or threats of violence may amount to bullying and or harassment or even stalking, and will subject the sender to discipline and possible referral to QPS. Students receiving such text messages at school, should ensure they keep the message as evidence and bring the matter to the attention of the school office.

Recording Private Conversations and the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 It is important that all members of the school community understand that under the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971, ‘a person is guilty of an offence against this Act if the person uses a listening device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a private conversation’. It is also an offence under the Act for a person who has overheard, recorded, monitored or listened to a conversation to which s/he is not a party to publish or communicate the substance or meaning of the conversation to others.

Students need to understand that some conversations are private and therefore to overhear, record, monitor or listen to such private conversations may be in breach of this Act, unless consent to the recording is appropriately obtained.