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A reminder to all parents that P&C Meetings are the third Monday of every month in the Staff Common Room in A Block. Please Note the change in the Venue
The NSW Commission For Young People is an independent organisation that works with others in the community to make NSW a better place for Children and Young People. Feedback 2007 is a special Annual report that is produced every year for young people, telling them who the Commission is and what they do. We have also placed a link to that website.
STUDENTS ENGAGING IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
The vast majority of students attending public schools maintain behaviour standards of the highest order and are a source of great pride for all of us.
Recently, however, there have been reported incidents of school students allegedly engaging in criminal behaviour.
Despite their isolated nature, and the fact that schools continue to manage these incidents well, I am anxious to ensure that principals periodically remind students that they will face serious consequences if they are found to have committed a crime.
Message to students
· All schools have discipline policies that ensure members of the school community behave responsibly and are treated with respect.
· Schools are among the safest places anywhere in the community.
· Students are commended for showing genuine concern for the welfare of their friends and others. Students who share information with staff allow help to be provided to peers who are involved in or considering criminal behaviour.
· Students have often played a key role in preventing crimes and their consequences.
· Unacceptable behaviour can have significant consequences. It is important you are aware of these consequences.
· If students use the internet, emails or mobile phones in a way that is offensive, harassing or menacing, this is a serious crime with heavy penalties, including imprisonment.
· If students use mobile phones to film criminal behaviour that they or their friends are engaged in and then share the film with other people or post it on the internet, it is itself a criminal offence.
· If a student witnesses a crime and records images of a crime on a mobile phone or cameras they should give it to the police as soon as possible.
· Having a gun, including a fake gun that looks real, is a serious crime with heavy penalties.
· Having knives or other items that can be used as weapons without a good reason, is also illegal.
· Encouraging other people to commit a crime is itself a crime.
· Being present as part of a group while a crime is being committed by others in the group can lead to all of those present being charged, even when some of those in the group did not engage in the specific act of the crime.
· Just because you are a school student does not mean you cannot be held responsible for a crime. Nor does the fact that you are playing a prank or a trick. You can still be punished as a criminal.
· Pranks, particularly if they involve the use of fake weapons, can be very serious in ways that you may not intend. If another person believes that the weapon is real, they could suffer serious harm, such as a heart attack and you could be punished as a criminal.
· If you are found guilty of a serious criminal offence it could have a big effect on your future life – it could affect your work prospects, or restrict your right to travel to some places.
· All students must report to the principal, teachers, the police or other responsible adults any criminal behaviour that they see or that they know is being planned by others. You should not see reporting a crime as “dobbing in a mate” – such action may in fact save someone’s life or prevent serious injury or damage from occurring.
Signs: Over the holidays we put up some signs reminding the public of the dangers of stopping in the car park, please be mindful of this in 2009. We have also reminded people of the fact that this is a school and there is no access through the school between the hours of 8am and 4pm weekdays.
Recently we have reviewed our school rules to bring them in line with the Core Rules of the DET. Our new code of behaviour is as follows:
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
This code applies to all school settings and for all occasions under the auspices of
All Students at
§ Attend school every day, unless legally excused, and be in class on time and prepared to learn. Students (Yr 7 – Yr 11) are not to leave the school grounds at any time without a signed leave slip.
§ Maintain a neat appearance, including adhering to the requirements of the school’s uniform and dress code policy. This includes the policy on out of uniform days.
§ Behave safely, considerately and responsibly, including when travelling to and from school.
§ Show respect at all times for teachers, other school staff and helpers, this includes following class rules, speaking courteously and cooperating with instructions and learning activities.
§ Treat one another with dignity and respect. All students have the right to resolve problems peaceably without harassment or verbal abuse.
§ Care for property belonging to themselves, the school and others.
§ Care for the environment of the school and its immediate surrounds. This includes keeping your area of the playground clean and tidy.
§ Strive to reach your personal best. Aim High in all aspects of your schooling.
Behaviour that infringes on the safety of others, such as harassment, bullying and illegal or anti social behaviour will not be tolerated.
No parents are to pick up students in the rear car park. This has serious safety implications and has always been banned. Parents are asked to pick students up along Coriston Cres.
A further reminder to parents and students that we must be particularly careful to comply with the parking and speed restrictions that apply around the school. Child safety and the safety and comfort of our closest neighbours must be paramount in our considerations.
Update records We have recently had difficulty contacting a number of parents when their children have fallen ill or are in some trouble. It would be appreciated if parents keep communicating with the school regarding any changes to their child’s circumstances. Any changes of address or medication must be communicated immediately in the interests of your child’s safety.
Mobile Phones
If students use mobile phones inappropriately schools have the right to take action. Depending on the circumstances action can include:
- banning students from using mobile phones at school
- confiscating mobile phones during the course of the school day
- requiring students to hand in their mobile phones at the beginning of the school day for collection when the student goes home
- applying student disciplinary povisions
What is the 'inappropriate use' of a mobile phone?
Students who bring mobile phones to school should not have them on or visible during classtime. Students who are using their phone to talk, listen or text in classtime or who have them on in class will have their phones confiscated by the teacher.
The student is to hand the phone to the teacher and the teacher will bring the phone to the Deputy Principal or Principal for collection by the student at the conclusion of the school day.
If the student has had his/her phone confiscated on a previous occassion the school will require the students parents to pick up the phone at the earliest opportunity.
A reminder to all students and parents that mobile phones are brought to school at their own risk. The school will not take responsibility for theft or damage to any mobile phone.
If you have any questions about mobile phone use at Kotara High please feel free to ring either of our Deputy Principals.
-Peter Sheargold
