21 Jun 2019
A Code of Conduct for parents and visitors ensures that everyone who visits the school site is able to do so in a safe and harmonious manner and that students, staff, parents and other visitors are not subjected to confrontational and/or inappropriate aggressive, hostile or violent behaviour.
Parents are welcome on the school grounds before and after school when leaving or collecting their children; at all other times, they are requested to sign in and out of the school office and carry with them a visitor’s badge.
Parents should make prior arrangements with the school’s executive staff before entering classrooms, other learning spaces or staffrooms.
Principals have the capacity to invoke the provisions of The Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 (the Act) to manage people who enter onto or remain on departmental sites without authority.
The powers available under the Act are wide and can significantly impact on people who might ordinarily have regular contact with the school.
The Act provides for the following relevant offences:
1. Entry without lawful excuse onto inclosed lands without the consent of the Principal.
2. Remaining on inclosed lands after a request to leave is given.
3. Remaining on inclosed lands and behaving in an offensive manner after request to leave is given.
4. Behaving in a manner in the presence of students, staff, parents or other visitors to the school that could reasonably be expected to cause alarm or concern. This includes approaching another parent to discuss perceived negative student interactions. Such approaches and/or discussions are not appropriate on school grounds.
5. Using offensive language (i.e. swearing) in the presence of students.
6. Making or sending abusive, threatening or offensive phone calls, text messages, digital communications (including websites, and emails) to or about staff or directed towards staff or the school.
As part of this Code of Conduct, parents and visitors are:
expected to treat all persons associated with the school with respect and courtesy.
expected to speak and act in an appropriate manner, which is respectful and calm, when dealing with school staff.
reminded that if a parent needs to contact their child in school hours, this should be organised through the school office.
reminded that if they are a volunteer, they are to sign in at the school office before going into classrooms.
requested to contact their child’s classroom teacher in the first instance.
not permitted under any circumstance to enter student toilets. Staff toilets located in the office building are available for parent use. For organised events, toilets located in the school hall will be made available.
requested not to take photos or videos of students at school or school events, apart from their own child. There can be valid reasons why parents do not want photographs of their children taken by other parents.
requested to switch off, or silence, their mobile phones at official functions, meetings and other organised school events.
advised that school facilities are available for community use with the approval of the Principal.
Your co-operation is sought in maintaining a safe and happy school.
Mel Morris Corinne Buxton
Principal P&C President
This Code of Conduct was developed in conjunction with the Bundanoon Public School Communication and Engagement Team and executive staff and endorsed by the P&C Association in 2019.