WELFARE

Introduction

This handbook contains information on Byron Bay High School's Welfare Policy and Discipline Policy. It has been written so that all members of the school community will understand how Byron Bay High School accepts its responsibility for the education and care of their students when at school. It also highlights the responsibility that all its members have in making this school "safe and happy".

A high value is placed on working together - all members of the school community participate in the learning programs and life of the school.

The Student Welfare Policy is the umbrella policy for school policies and practices relating to the well-being of students. These include: attendance, anti-violence, behaviour, bullying, career education, child protection, conflict resolution, discipline, discrimination, drug education, equity, gender, harassment, health, road safety and support services.

The Discipline Policy shows what type of student behaviour is acceptable, the development of this behaviour, and how we work with students to change or reduce unacceptable behaviour. The Discipline Policy has been developed in the context of the Student Welfare Policy.

Byron Bay High School has a shared vision for the future and looks forward to continuing to provide a quality education for students. We ask all students, parents and the community to be partners in the enterprise.

The importance of this partnership is highlighted in the introduction statements of the two NSW Department of School Education Policy Statements that form the basis of student welfare in the public education system.

The Student Welfare Policy states:

The New South Wales public education system seeks to provide quality education for all students, taking account of their age, background, ability and interests. Government schools help students to become self directed, life long learners who can create a positive future for themselves and for the wider community.

For this to occur, government schools need to be places where every student can learn and grow with confidence. Students develop best in schools where teaching and learning occur in a context of student welfare.

Schools need to be safe and happy places for students and their teachers. Student welfare is enhanced when all members of the school community participate in the learning programs and life of the school.

In December 1995 the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon John Aquilina MP, made a Ministerial statement on Good Discipline and Effective Learning. The introduction: Students, parents and the public school system states:

The public schools of New South Wales exist to provide a first-class education for all young people.

The public school system has three over-riding priorities:

• Raising educational standards and levels of educational achievement,
• The provision of quality education for all, and
• The care and safety of the students in its charge.

In achieving these priorities, it provides young people with their foundation for life.

The quality of this foundation is of the utmost importance to each individual. If a child does not do well at school, the prospects for a fulfilling life as an adult are significantly reduced.

When parents enrol their children at public schools they enter into a partnership with the school staff.

This partnership is based on shared responsibility and mutual respect. It should aim at achieving effective learning and good discipline so that the school environment is both productive and harmonious. The partnership must strive to create in children an understanding of appropriate public behaviour.

Such understanding should lead the student to develop a responsibility for his or her own behaviour.

The precise character of this partnership will be unique to each student. There are, however, certain expectations in common to all such partnerships.

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children attend school. They share in the responsibility of shaping their children's understandings and attitudes about acceptable behaviour. They assume greater responsibility for their children's behaviour as their children travel to and from school.

Teachers are responsible for the education and care of their students when at school. Their task is to provide the best possible program to meet the needs, capabilities and aspirations of each students. They are also responsible for appropriately communicating with parents about the educational progress and behaviour of each student.

As children grow, they become more active participants in the partnership.

When the partnership is based on mutual respect, each partner will support the decisions and responsibilities exercised by the others.

STUDENT WELFARE POLICY STATEMENT - NSW DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

The effectiveness of Student Welfare will be strengthened if all members of the school community understand the contents of the NSW Department of School Education Policy Statement on Student Welfare. Without this understanding it will be very difficult for any member of the school community to fully participate in Byron Bay High School.

Context

Student welfare in government schools:

• Encompasses everything the school community does, to meet the personal, social and learning needs of students.
• Creates a safe, caring school environment in which students are nurtured as they learn.
• Is achieved through the total school curriculum and the way it is delivered.
• Incorporates effective discipline.
• Incorporates preventive health and social skills programs.
• Stresses the value of collaborative early intervention when problems are identified.
• Provides ongoing educational services to support students.
• Recognises the diversity within the school community and provides programs and support which acknowledge difference and promote harmony.
• Recognises the role that the school plays as a resource to link families with community support services.
• Provides opportunities for students to:
  - Enjoy success and recognition
  - Make a useful contribution to the life of the school
  - Derive enjoyment from their learning.

Schools provide effective learning and teaching within secure, well-managed environments, in partnership with parents* and the wider school community. The objectives and outcomes that follow therefore relate to.

Effective learning and teaching
Positive climate and good discipline
Community participation.

* Throughout this policy the term parent should be read to include caregiver.