CODE of CONDUCT POLICY
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Responsibility to the Government
Staff will:
- implement relevant Department of Education and Training Policy as determined relevant by the Government;
- participate in the development and implementation of departmental objectives and initiatives resulting from policy and
- align behaviour with the values of departmental policy
Servicing Public Interest
Staff will:
- behave in a manner that promotes confidence in the integrity of Public Education;
- perform their duties objectively, making decisions using established criteria and considering only relevant criteria and
- have all of the normal rights and obligations of employees under common and statute law.
Duty of Care to Students
Staff has a duty of care to protect the well being of students. The standard of care is commensurate with the maturity and age of the students.
Staff will:
- assess risks associated with activities;
- address and manage risks associated with activities;
- provide adequate supervision based on student maturity, reliance and needs;
- participate in training and development to assist with risk assessment and management;
- implement policy and procedures for child protection and student welfare;
Community Involvement
Staff recognises the importance of the involvement of the wider community in schools and will provide opportunities for parents / interested parties to participate in policy development and teaching and learning activities – where appropriate.
Professional and Appropriate Behaviour
Blaxland Public School staff are professionals who will exercise the best technical and professional judgement, adhering to ethical codes of the teaching profession.
Staff will:
- make effective and sound judgements;
- strive for quality in teaching and learning in themselves and teachers that are supervised;
- participate in policy development, plans and programs and effective implementation;
- promote and support Public Education;
- strive to impart the knowledge, skills and strategies students require in order to become effective learners and members of the community;
- devise and support effective teaching and learning and evaluation programs;
- use assessment to inform their teaching;
- meet the individual needs of students;
- participate in professional development in order to deliver quality education as a result of sound curriculum development, delivery and evaluation, classroom management and teaching skills;
- have the support of supervisors who promote integrity, professional behaviours, appreciation, recognition and mutual respect.
- assess, evaluate and improve systems, acting on suggestions – where relevant and appropriate;
- dress in a comfortable manner that demonstrates respect for themselves and the community;
- be aware that unlawful or unprofessional conduct that damages the reputation of the department may result in disciplinary action by the Department of Training and Development;
- treat members of the public, their colleagues, students and parents with respect, fairness and equity;
- employ consultative decision making procedures informing relevant parties as promptly as possible;
- promote cooperation, collegiality and harmony in the work place;
- respect and care for departmental property;
- carefully review any documents they are asked to sign and
- be aware that personal references cannot be given on behalf of the school.
Respect for people and property.
Blaxland School Staff will:
A co-operative, collaborative atmosphere conducive to the promotion of integrity in the workplace will assist staff in the implementation of this Code.
Fairness and Equity
- Decisions involving individuals will be based on fact and in accordance with established procedures.
- Decisions will be fair, made with integrity, objectivity and honesty.
- All students will be treated equitably and in accordance with special needs, policy and established procedures.
- Staff will identify themselves when dealing with the school and wider community – where relevant.
Ethical Decision Making
Questions to ask
- Is this decision lawful?
- Who needs to be consulted in this decision?
- Does the decision align with DET policy, procedures and principles?
- What will be the outcome? How will this affect all stakeholders?
- Is there a conflict of interest?
- Can the decision be justified?
- Would the decision withstand public scrutiny?
Conflict of Interest
Real or perceived conflicts of interest arise when a staff member could be perceived to be influenced by a personal interest when performing official functions.
Official functions include such issues as financial, irrelevant personal beliefs or attitudes, politics, personal relationships, private employment, coaching class students privately, etc.
Staff will:
- notify their supervisor if they believe there is a conflict of interest;
- document and resolve the issue with their supervisor and
- disclose to a panel convenor of possible conflict of interest.
The supervisor may resolve the issue in the following ways:
- document the perceived conflict of interest and take no further action as the situation can be delt with in terms of supervision or requires no further action;
- document and remove the staff member from the source of conflict;
- transfer the staff member (where no disadvantage arises);
- refer the situation to a more senior staff member and
- supporting the staff member in a way that minimises the conflict to the extent that it does not / will not impinge on the work place.
LEARNING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
The staff will:
- promote the safety, welfare and well being of students;
- comply with relevant child protection policy and procedures;
- conduct their relationships with students in a way that will not compromise themselves, the student or the department;
- engage with students in a constructive and positive way;
- ensure behaviour management deals with the situation, the behaviour and never the student – personally and
- ensure students do not feel rejected, disliked or belittled;
- treat members of the public, their colleagues and students with respect, fairness and consistency;
- be sensitive to the needs of others and provide all necessary and appropriate assistance practicable;
- where practicable, implement consultative decision making practices;
- convey decisions made and information to those with a right to know as soon as is possible;
- irrespective of position, conduct themselves in a manner which will promote cooperation and harmonious relations among colleagues and
- respect and care for departmental property.
The students will:
- be consistently honest and trustworthy;
- listen to and follow through on teacher instructions;
- strive for the highest personal achievement in all aspects of their school work;
- demonstrate respect for themselves and others;
- accept the right of others to hold different or opposing views;
- take responsibility for their actions;
- cooperate, working together with peers and teachers to achieve common goals;
- support others;
- engage in peaceful resolution to conflict;
- participate proactively and productively in individual and group activities;
- take pride in themselves and their work;
- care for themselves and their peers;
- respect the property belonging to the school and other students and
- be fair and just in their interaction with peers;
The parents will:
- comply with relevant child protection policy and procedures;
- conduct their relationships with students in a way that will not compromise themselves, the student or the school;
- engage with students in a constructive and positive way;
- ensure students do not feel rejected, disliked or belittled;
- treat members of staff, other parents and students with respect, fairness and consistency;
- promote cooperation and harmonious relations;
- respect the privacy of students, teachers and other parents;
- support the school’s implementation of teaching and learning programs and policy;
- communicate with the school on any matters they feel are important to the overall safety and welfare of their child.