The following principles underpin our commitment to child safety at Hamilton North PS:
- All students deserve, as a fundamental right, safety and protection from all forms of abuse and neglect.
- Our school works in partnership with families and the community to ensure that they are engaged in decision-making processes, particularly those that have an impact on child safety and protection.
- All students have the right to a thorough and systematic education in all aspects of personal safety, in partnership with their parents/guardians/caregivers.
- All adults in our school, including teaching and non-teaching staff, volunteers and contractors as well as the broader school community have a responsibility to care for children and young people, to positively promote their wellbeing and to protect them from any kind of harm or abuse.
- The policies, guidelines and codes of conduct for the care, wellbeing and protection of students are based on honest, respectful and trusting relationships between adults and children and young people.
- Policies and practices demonstrate compliance with legislative requirements and cooperation with governments, the police and human services agencies.
- All persons involved in situations where harm is suspected or disclosed must be treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect.
- Staff, volunteers, contractors, parents/guardians and students should feel free to raise concerns about child safety, knowing these will be taken seriously by school leadership.
- Appropriate confidentiality will be maintained, with information being provided to those who have a right or a need to be informed, either legally or pastorally.
At Hamilton North Primary School we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. Our commitment is drawn from Hamilton North Primary School’s values statement.
Our school aims to provide a caring, dynamic and supportive learning environment that encourages all children to achieve and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours to become valued and productive members of the community.
Our focus at Hamilton North Primary Schools to support and understand every child for who they are and to help them achieve success both academically and socially.
This means:
Our students
- Aim to be the best they can be
- Understand that effort equals success
- Have individual starting points for their learning
- Develop the attitude and skills to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour
Our staff
- Put children’s learning at the forefront of planning and activities
- Support individual student learning by providing accurate and timely feedback on their work
- Develop the child to achieve social, academic, emotional and physical wellbeing
- Actively contribute to Professional Learning Teams to promote student learning outcomes
Our Parents
- Are part of a team approach – parents, teachers and students
- Understand their child is valued as an individual
- Understand the school will conference student discipline issues using Restorative Practice to reach a resolution
- Are offered opportunities to share in learning
The Community
- Has a shared understanding of expectation with the school
True North Values Statement
Our expectations that guide the school and provide a reference point for decisions and actions are the True North Values:-
Integrity – in our words and actions, we seek to listen and ascertain the truth upon which we can base our decisions and actions
Empathy – we seek to understand and take into account the perspective of others in a situation of need and we accept and value difference in others
Cooperation – teamwork in learning together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all
Responsibility – we all own our learning and behaviour
Respect – thinking and acting in a way that shows others you care about their feelings and their well-being.
In our school community these values are demonstrated when:
- Learners are at the centre of our teaching and learning.
- Our teaching and learning programs encourage deep understanding, enable the students to make connections and develop a sense of the importance of learning.
- Students and teachers are supported and have the opportunity to work in a positive and caring environment
- Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour.
Students, are encouraged to achieve their best through effort and taking responsibility for their learning and behaviour
RELATED POLICIES
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Child Safe Standards Risk Management
Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
Inclusion and Diversity Policy
Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures
