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If you need help to understand the information in this policy Beaufort Secondary College on 03 5349 2305

 

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the values of our school community and explain the vision, mission and objectives of our school.

Policy

Beaufort Secondary College is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

The programs and teaching at Beaufort Secondary College support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

  • elected government
  • the rule of law
  • equal rights for all before the law
  • freedom of religion
  • freedom of speech and association
  • the values of openness and tolerance.

This policy outlines our school’s vision, mission, objective, values and expectations for our school community. This policy is available on our school website, our staff induction handbook, and enrolment/transition packs.

To celebrate and embed our Statement of Values and Philosophy in our school community, we

  • display posters and banners that promote your values in our school
  • celebrate our values in our school newsletter
  • provide awards and recognition for students who actively demonstrate the values
  • discuss our values with students in the classroom, meetings and assemblies.
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Vision

Beaufort Secondary College’s vision is to: Nurturing | Inspiring | Empowering

Mission

Beaufort Secondary College’s vision is to: To empower learners for tomorrow to reach their full potential through inclusive and enriching experiences


Objective

Our school’s objectives are considered as part of the 4 yearly strategic planning process and reflected in the goals listed in our current School Strategic Plan (SSP). We also develop an Annual Implementation Plan to operationalise the goals and key improvement strategies contained in our SSP.


Values

Beaufort Secondary College identified three key areas for our school to focus on to assist in developing and defining our school culture: Respectful Relationships, High Expectations and Excellence. We worked through a consultative process to define and ‘behaviourise’ each of these areas. In doing so, we created a framework of behaviours for that students and staff are required to exhibit in order to demonstrate they are promoting each of the focus areas.


Our school values were developed using a collaborative and consultative process involving staff, students, parents and the broader school community. Our values to link directly with each of the key focus areas of Respectful Relationships, High Expectations and Excellence. Our focus areas and values provide the basis for a school philosophy to be enacted.



Behavioural expectations

Beaufort Secondary College acknowledges that the behaviour of staff, parents, carers and students has an impact on our school community and culture. We acknowledge a shared responsibility to create a positive learning environment for the children and young people at our school.

As principals and school leaders, we will:

  • model positive behaviour and effective leadership
  • communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
  • work collaboratively to create a school environment where respectful and safe behaviour is expected of everyone
  • ensure all parents/carers are aware of the expectations outlined in the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy
  • behave in a manner consistent with the standards of our profession and meet core responsibilities to provide safe and inclusive environments
  • plan, implement and review our work to ensure the care, safety, security and general wellbeing of all students at school
  • identify and support students who are or may be at risk
  • do our best to ensure every child achieves their personal and learning potential
  • work with parents to understand their child’s needs and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
  • respond appropriately when safe and inclusive behaviour is not demonstrated and implement appropriate interventions and sanctions when required
  • inform parents of the school’s communication and complaints procedures
  • ask any person who is acting in an offensive, intimidating or otherwise inappropriate way to leave the school grounds. 


As teachers and non-teaching school staff, we will:

  • model positive behaviour to students consistent with the standards of our profession
  • communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
  • proactively engage with parents about student outcomes
  • work with parents to understand the needs of each student and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
  • work collaboratively with parents to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for students with additional needs
  • communicate with the principal and school leaders in the event we anticipate or face any tension or challenging behaviours from parents
  • treat all members of the school community with respect.


As parents and carers, we will:

  • model positive behaviour to our child
  • communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community, in line with the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy.
  • ensure our child attends school on time, every day the school is open for instruction
  • take an interest in our child’s school and learning
  • work with the school to achieve the best outcomes for our child
  • communicate constructively with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns
  • support school staff to maintain a safe learning environment for all students
  • follow the school’s processes for communication with staff and making complaints
  • treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect.


As students, we will:

  • model positive behaviour to other students
  • communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
  • comply with and model school values
  • behave in a safe and responsible manner
  • respect ourselves, other members of the school community and the school environment
  • actively participate in school
  • not disrupt the learning of others and make the most of our educational opportunities. 


As community members, we will:

  • model positive behaviour to the school community
  • treat other members of the school community with respect
  • support school staff to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students
  • utilise the school’s processes for communication with staff and submitting complaints.
     

Unreasonable behaviours

Schools are not public places, and the Principal has the right to permit or deny entry to school grounds (for more information, see our Visitors Policy).

Unreasonable behaviour that is demonstrated by school staff, parents, carers, students or members of our school community will not be tolerated at school, or during school activities.

Unreasonable behaviour includes:

  • being violent or threatening violence of any kind, including physically intimidating behaviour such as aggressive hand gestures or invading another person’s personal space
  • speaking or behaving in a rude, aggressive or threatening way, either in person, via email, social media, or over the telephone
  • sending demanding, rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages
  • discriminatory or derogatory comments 
  • the use of social media or public forums to make inappropriate or threatening remarks about the school, staff or students.


Harassment, bullying, violence, aggression, threatening behaviour and unlawful discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our school.


Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Values and School Philosophy may lead to further investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences by the Principal.

At the Principal’s discretion, unreasonable behaviour may be managed by:

  • requesting that the parties attend a mediation or counselling sessions
  • implementing specific communication protocols
  • written warnings
  • conditions of entry to school grounds or school activities
  • exclusion from school grounds or attendance at school activities
  • reports to Victoria Police
  • legal action.

Inappropriate student behaviour will be managed in accordance with our school’s Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy.


Our Statement of Values and School Philosophy ensures that everyone in our school community will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, we will strive to create a school that is inclusive and safe, where everyone is empowered to participate and learn.


COMMUNICATION


This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:


Available publicly on our school’s website

Included in Staff Induction Pack

Included in staff induction processes

  • Included in transition and enrolment packs
  • Hard copy available from school administration upon request


RELATED POLICIES and resources

Department of Education and Training policies and resources:

  • Work-Related Violence in Schools Policy
  • Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy

Beaufort Secondary College polices:

  • Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
  • Inclusion and Diversity Policy
  • Bullying Prevention Policy
  • Parent Complaints Policy
  • Respect for Staff Policy


POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL


Policy last reviewed

June 2023

Approved by

School Council

Next scheduled review date

June 2026