Wyndham School - Polices / Procedures

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Behaviour Management
Bus Pupils
Computer and Internet
Concerns / Complaints
Day Trip Permission
Homework
Open Door
Road Safety
Uniform
- Uniform Policy

  Contents
POLICIES / PROCEDURES

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

Rationale

     The School recognises that students and teachers have a right to a safe,
     pleasant working and learning environment. Students and staff need also
    to be responsible for their own actions and to show courtesy and respect for
     others,  for the property of others and for the environment.
    The school seeks to assist students to develop appropriate social skills and
    modes of personal behaviour.

Purpose

1.    To develop an environment in which mutual respect is a chief tenet.
2.    To help students to appreciate the rights of others to learn in a safe secure
     environment.
3.    To help students appreciate the consequences of their actions.
4.    To learn and teach alternative behaviour management strategies.

Guidelines

1. The school will develop a behaviour code that is known and understood by the
      whole school and its community.
2.    All members of the school community are expected to abide by the code.
3.    Parents/caregivers, where necessary, will be involved when a child’s
     behaviour is causing concern to enable their co-operation.
4.    A clear set of disciplinary steps will be taken to deal with behaviour that is
      causing concern.
5.    The behaviour code is applicable during the school day, coming to and going
      from school, on school trips and at all events organised by the school.
6.    Behaviour on buses to and from school is also subject to the code.

Bus Pupils
Day to Day Procedures

1.   If your child is not going to be travelling by bus on a particular night, please send a
     note along with your child on that day or telephone the school, explaining
     the alterrnative arrangements.

2.  It is essential that we have notification from you as the school's policy is
     to put all children on their bus unless we are informed differently by you - we
     cannot take a child's verbal information that he was not to go on the bus.

3. If your child is not going to be on the bus on a regular particular night one letter to
cover the number of weeks involved will be sufficient.

4. As with all Wyndham Primary School children we ask that if your child is not going
to be attending school on any day, that you inform the school office.

5. School policy states that only children who are registered on the Wyndham Primary
     School Bus Roll may travel on school buses. It is NOT possible for town children to
     use the buses as a taxi service to visit after school, attend birthday parties or
     similar activities.

Emergency situations Re Bus Pupils:

1. The view of the Wyndham Primary School Board of Trustees in terms of what makes
up an emergency is quite clear:

2. An emergency is a set of circumstances which may arise in a way that could not
     have been foreseen earlier that day. In such cases it will not be possible to provide
     written advice and parents should therefore telephone Wyndham Primary School to
     ensure the safety and welfare of pupils involved.

Bus Safety (individual children/school trips):

· Children are given regular instruction on general bus rules, emergency procedures
and conduct when boarding and leaving the school bus.

· Children must beseated at all times.

· Bus that is deemed, by the teachers, to endanger the safety of children is to be
reported to the Principal, who will discuss this with the bus company.

· All buses hired for transportation purposes will be hired from a chartered bus
company.

· Buses hired for school trips must have adequate seating for the number of children
being carried. (LTNZ guidelines).

· The duty teacher has the responsiblity to ensure that all children are seated and
reinforce the schools behaviour expectations and bus regulation guidelines (LTNZ).

· The bus driver/ duty teacher/bus monitor/ has the responsibility to ensure the
busroll is marked correctly each day.

· When travelling by bus one teacher must accompany the group on the bus and
must ensure all children are accounted for school trips.

· The principal will appoint bus monitors who will be trained for the responsibility by
the Police Education Officers.

COMPUTER and INTERNET

Student Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Prime Goal

To promote and ensure the welfare and safety of children and young people when using the Internet.

Purpose

To provide Internet access, so all students can:

Ø Become effective and safe users of the Internet

Ø Extend their awareness and knowledge of the Internet

Ø Become motivated, responsible, independent users of the Internet

General Policy on Internet Use at the School

Use of the Internet facilities at this school is strictly for educational purposes.

Student Use of the Internet

     Ø   All students must sign the School Computer and Internet User Agreement AND
          have the signed permission of a parent / caregiver before using the Internet at
          school. These documents will be kept on file by the appropriate staff member for
          easy reference.

Ø A teacher must be in the room whenever a student uses the Internet, i.e. a student cannot be sent to the computer / computer room to use the Internet unsupervised. This also applies to any special use before or after school.

Ø Students can use the Internet only during class time unless given special permission, in which case a teacher must supervise.

Ø Students will need to be directed to sites on the Internet, rather than surfing.

Ø ANY use of the Internet than that specified here, i.e. after hours, must be with the agreement of the teacher in charge of Computer / information technology and under supervision approved by that teacher.

The term “Student” can be an adult day student, an adult Community Education student, or any young person whether or not a student of the school. For example, a teacher’s child can use the Internet facilities only after signing the Student Computer and Internet Use Agreement and under supervision approved by the teacher in charge.

Safety Issues for Students on the Internet.

Ø The computer screens will be visible to the teacher at all times.

Ø The Internet Safety policy will be clearly displayed on the wall of the computer
room / classroom, with the poster from the Internet Safety kit.

Ø A filtering software will be deployed on student terminals which access the
Internet.

Ø The school will continue to refine methods of improving safety on the Internet.

CONCERNS / COMPLAINTS Resolving Concerns Policy

RATIONALE
Both staff and members of the community need to be aware of the procedures to
follow when problems arise.

PURPOSE
To handle concerns efficiently in order to minimise irritation.
To provide the procedures and means by which concerns are aired and resolved.

GUIDELINES
     Confidentiality will be maintained throughout this process.
     Good lines of communication need to be developed and maintained between staff,
     BOT and the community.
     For the purpose of this policy “Concerns” are defined as statements which express
     verbally and in writing, concern about some matter or matters.
     Concerns / problems must not in the first instance go to a BOT member, the
     following procedures must be followed instead:

This Policy will be attached to the Newsletter twice a year Term One and Term Three.

PROCEDURES
All concerns or problems relating to curriculum must be directed to:
1. the teacher concerned initially or the principal or
2. the principal if you are dissatisfied with the response.
     All concerns or problems involving a member of staff must first ideally be discussed
     with the person concerned or addressed by the principal.
3.   Response to the concern will be received by the complainant within 3 working days.
4.   If the problem is not resolved, or it involves unresolved issues with the principal,
     then it must be directed in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
5.  Concerns directed to the BOT will be referred to the Principal, if appropriate, who
     in conjunction with the Chairperson will determine if it is a parent concern or an act
    of misconduct.
6. When there is an accusation of misconduct there will be an emergency meeting of
   the BOT whereby they will follow the procedures stated in the Collective
     Employment Contract and seek outside advise from NZEI, STA, etc.
7. Every effort shall be made by the Principal and BOT to reconcile the differences
     involved and achieve an outcome that is fair to the employee and the complainant.
     Collective Employment Contract relates to Primary Teachers, Deputy Principals,
     Assistant Principals and other Unit holders’ Collective Employment Contract 2007-
     2010

CONCLUSION
It is the intention of the Wyndham Primary School to maintain good communication between staff, BOT and the community. In the event of concerns or problems arising it is the aim of the board to have appropriate and satisfactory procedures in place to enable these to be resolved fairly.

DAY TRIP PERMISSION

Throughout your child’s time at Wyndham Primary School, teachers will need to take classes outside the school grounds on short outings to give the children learning experiences outside the classroom e.g. Science or Social Studies visits, Cultural Events, sports trips etc.

To fit in with Board of Trustees procedures, we need parent permission for your child to take part in these activities while he/she is at Wyndham Primary School. You will receive prior notice regarding each upcoming trip.

Please note that any trip involving an overnight stay will require your further permission for that specific event.

Once signed, the form below will be held with your child’s records.

DAY TRIP PERMISSION FORM

Child’s name: _____________________________

I give permission for my child to be involved in all day trips and visits during his/her time at Wyndham Primary School.

Name:________________________ Signature: ____________________ Date: _______

(Parent/Caregiver)

The form is enclosed in the Welcome Book which you will receive when you notify the school that you will be enrolling a child/children at the school.

HOMEWORK

Rationale
It is desirable for children to establish good work habits beyond the classroom and to realise that learning is a shared responsibility between parent, child and school.

Purpose
1.   To encourage independent work habits.
2.   To practise/consolidate skills learned during class sessions.
3.   To further the links between home and school.
4.   To provide parent information about classroom programmes.

Broad Guidelines
1.   It is expected that all children will have homework at sometime during week
     evenings.
2.   Daily reading at home will be encouraged at all levels. In the Junior School homework
     will be mainly reading to, by, and with the child.
3.   As the child progresses, spelling, basic facts, (mathematics), tables and research
      skills will be introduced.
4.   Some form of checking system between home/school will be established.
5.   Book Bags are to be used, for all homework and reading books.

Conclusion
1.   Good individual learning patterns can develop from sound homework practices.
2.   Children are expected to spend the following amount of time on homework.
      Time Frame: Y1 & Y2 - 10 minutes and Reading
                      Y3 & Y4 - 15 minutes and Reading
                       Y5 & Y6 - 20-30 minutes & Reading
3.   Book bags: children are required to use them from Y1 to Y6.

OPEN DOOR POLICY Visitors to the School Open Door Policy
PURPOSE
(a) Under our legal obligations of being in “loco parentis” we must value our contact and
    communication with parents, caregivers, guardians, whanau to ensure that a
     supportive learning environment is maintained.
(b) To ensure procedures are in place for people entering and exiting the school grounds
    to ensure the safe well-being of students and staff from visitors, parents, caregivers
    and whanau.

GUIDELINES
1. The meaning of “loco parentis” is that we must act as the most careful of parents in
    the absence of parents, guardians, caregivers and whanau.
2. The intention of the policy is to cover normal school activities and hours,
    i.e. 8:50a.m to 3.15 p.m.
3. All visitors, parents, caregivers, guardians & whanau to the school must check in
    at the office before proceeding onto the school grounds and when departing.
4. Parents : The only exception to checking into the office is when children are
    dropped off in the morning before school.
5. Those checking in at the office will sign a visitor’s book located on the office counter
   on arrival and departure. An identification badge will be issued and will be returned
    to the office on departure.
6. The Principal and his / her representatives may have the right to deny access.
7. Staff are required to question visitors on the grounds and if necessary escort them
   to the office.
8. Students leaving the school grounds must be signed out at the office and back
    in when they return (i.e. with an explanation).
9. Parents wishing to communicate with staff about their child need to consider that
    staff may have other priorities during the school day and may wish for you to make
    an alternative time to meet.
10. If parents wish to make a casual visit to the classroom it would be appreciated if
    prior arrangements were made.
11. Parents, Caregivers, whanau need to be aware that their presence may alter the
   behaviour and learning within the classroom.

ROAD SAFETY

Road Safety Procedures

Purposes

To enhance the safety of our children as they travel to and from school.
To encourage children to take responsibility for their own personal safety while on the road
To ensure that there are rules and guidelines for all methods of transport that children may be using while in our care at school.

Procedures
School Traffic Safety Teams (STST):
1. STST will operate at designated times and places to assist children across Florence
   and Ferry Streets.
2. All members of the STST will wear the supplied traffic jackets/sashes and be
    responsible for taking out, placing, using, and returning of road traffic equipment.
    All care is to be taken not to unduly damage equipment.
3. Any damaged equipment is to be reported to the Year 6 teacher.
4. An adult is required to be in supervision of each STST team while the team is on
   duty –Adults are there to assist the STST in undertaking their duties.
5. All STST teams will consist of police-trained senior school students. Training is to be
   given by the school’s Police Education Officer and usually consists of two training
    sessions (one at the end of Term 4 and one at the beginning of Term 1 the following
   year).
6. All STST team members must have a signed parent/caregiver consent form returned
    to school before undertaking training.
7.  The Police Education Officer has the right to say that a child is not suitable to be an
    STST member.
8. All children and adults who cross in the area of these teams will be asked to use
    these safer “manned” crossing points.

Walking :
1. Students must walk on a footpath where one is available, where not available
    students are encouraged to walk facing on-coming traffic , shortest at the front to
   tallest at the back.
2. Students and adults must use pedestrian crossings and school patrols where
   available.
3. Students in junior classes will be given regular instruction in the correct way to walk
   and cross the road using the “Stepping Out” programme.

· All children are regularly instructed in safe walking, within rural and urban settings.

· Children are provided with safe supervision within the school context i.e. traffic wardens/teachers instruct them to cross the road in a group when it is safe to do so.

· Senior students are appointed as traffic wardens with parental permission in conjunction with Police Education Officer training.

· If a student misbehaves or is a risk to other students’ (or adults’) safety, the student should be taken back to the school office. The parents will be contacted and alternative arrangements will to be made by the parents to collect the student after school until the student shows that he/she is willing to be behave appropriately to ensure the safety of everyone.

Walking while on school outings, in addition to the above:
    ·           At uncontrolled intersections, children must wait for the teacher to signal
        to cross.
    ·           Teachers must watch for traffic at uncontrolled intersections, signaling to
          children to cross in small groups when roads are clear.
    .    On roads where no footpaths are available, it is recommended that children will
         walk in single file (shortest to tallest) towards on coming traffic (right hand side
        of the road) well off the road’s edge.

Safe Cycling
    ·         In accordance with the recommendations of the New Zealand Police,
         Bike Wise and the LTNZ, we recommend that children under 10 shall always
         be accomanpied by a responsible older person when cycling on the road.
    ·         Children who cycle to school are expected to abide by all road rules and act in a
         responsible manner.
    ·         All cycles must comply with the legal safety standards.
    ·         Students cycling to school must wear a helmet certified to the NZ/Australian
         standard, Snell standard, or US Cons.Prod. Safety Comm. Standard; and have a
         sticker stating which standard it complies with. Helmets should be securely
         fastened and properly adjusted.
    ·          Parents have to ensure that their children have adequate knowledge of bike
         safety rules before they let them ride to school on bikes.
   ·           Children are not to ride their bikes in the school grounds.
    ·           Children who cycle are to exit from the side gate, with the assistance of the
         duty teacher.
    ·           Children are not to travel to school on scooters and rollerblades.

School Trips:
    ·           As with all other aspects – children’s safety is paramount. Each of the above
         (bus, car, walking) should be considered.
    ·            Children may not leave their seat until the teacher has indicated such.
    ·           On day school trips, adult to child ratio should be in accordance to SEOTC or
          Board recommendations. The principal might use his/her discretion in determining
          the ratio. It depends on the risks involved in the activity. (Refer to Safety and
          Education Outside the Classroom (2002) for Ministry Guidelines)
    ·           Before a trip some time should be spent on briefing any parent/caregivers help –
         on their role, responsibilities, and numbers of children (a list), expectations, and
         questions. If appropriate cover the expected route, stops, toilets, parking, where
         to meet, cell phone contact, what to do in case of accidents and/or
         emergencies.
    ·           A risk management form is to be completed for all school trips and signed by the
         Principal, Deputy Principal, or the Assistance Principal – copies to be kept on file
         in the office.

Motor Vehicle Transport :

Where private motor vehicles are used for school trips each driver must have:
   ·            A current registration and warrant of fitness for the vehicle.
    ·            One of the following insurances – Third Party Property/Comprehensive. [EOTC
         Sample form 11.]
    ·            A current full driver’s licence.
    ·            A seatbelt for each passenger in the car.
    ·            A written declaration will be signed by each driver in relation to the above.
    ·           A passenger inventory will be issued to the driver prior to the excursion, a copy
          of which will be retained at the school office for the duration of the trip.
    ·            Children are regularly instructed in correct procedures when travelling in a
          vehicle.
    ·            Travel at the correct speed limit.

   Vehicles visiting school:

· When children are to be picked up after school parents/caregivers are to follow procedures established by the school: Parents/caregivers are to use the pedestrian crossing to collect children waiting in line with a teacher.

· Parents/caregivers are requested not to park in the bus bay and are to refrain from calling children across the road.

· Service vehicles are permitted in school grounds, only with the permission/ knowledge of the Principal or Deputy Principal during school hours and must take all care when moving around the property.

Safety Vests:

Every student is issued with a numbered vest. The safety of students is paramount and they are expected to wear these vests to and from the school. Deliberate non-compliance from students will result in them being subject to the consequences from the school’s behaviour management programme. These vests remain the property of the school and are not to be marked in any way. It is expected that the cost of replacement of deliberately damaged or lost vests will be met by parents.

General:

· Should an accident or an emergency occur involving a child/children from the school, police will be notified after due attention has been paid to the accident / emergency scene.

·            Priorities given to road safety reflect the needs of the community.
    ·           If parents note any illegal or dangerous behaviour when traveling to and
         from school, action could include:

Ø Speaking directly to the person.

Ø Recording number plates.

Ø Informing the Principal.

Ø Informing the Police.

The priorities given to road safety for students of Wyndham Primary School reflect the needs of the local community and legal requirements.

Uniform
- Uniform Policy