Preshil School Policies

No Bullying

Definition

Bullying, either by an individual or a group, is typified by the use of strength or power to intimidate or coerce others by fear. Researchers have defined bullying in various ways. One of the more accepted definitions describes bullying as a “repeated attack, physical, psychological, social or verbal in nature, by those in a position of power, (formally or situationally defined), with the intention of causing distress, for their own gain or satisfaction”.

Introductory Comment

Bullying is not tolerated at Preshil. The school community (new teachers, parents and children) will be regularly informed of the School’s policy and reminded that bullying is an unacceptable form of behaviour. Complaints will be taken seriously. Preshil is concerned to seek solutions involving both the bully and the bullied, and to appreciate the school and family context, which may contribute to the incident. Preshil adopts the view that blaming or severely reprimanding the bully without appreciating the social context of bullying is not the most constructive path to follow.

Preshil teachers value highly the intimate knowledge of the children which they gain because of the importance the School places on open and equal relationships between children and adults. They value highly the information they gain about children and are thus well placed to watch for any signs of emotional distress, overtly aggressive behaviour, and or unexplained changes in behaviour. A system of recording problematic behaviour is in place throughout the school and incidents are recorded and kept on file. Teachers periodically review their files to monitor trends or increased frequencies of undesirable behaviour.

Preshil’s position is that bullying is a socially contextualised event and that the teachers, who are the closest adults to the children in the school setting, are in the best position to manage bullying in its early stages. They are also able to encourage proactive approaches such as assisting the “too timid or too submissive” children to develop stronger social strategies.

Preshil’s Procedures

Every act of bullying is unique. Nevertheless the following general procedures are appropriate if an act of bullying is observed or alleged:

1. as a first step, the alleged incident should be reported to a class teacher
2. the teacher should establish what was said and done to the complainant
3. the time and the place when the incident(s) occurred should be determined
4. the reaction (if any) of the complainant
5. whether the complainant had faced that treatment before (if yes, the staff member should establish if it was from the same person/pupil)
6. whether the complainant knows of someone else who has also faced similar treatment from that person or another
7. assess whether the alleged incident should be discussed with parents or whether at this stage it is best left at the classroom/child/teacher level
8. inform the Head or Deputy Head of the case, including a recommendation for handling the issue and record the event in the ‘incident’ book.

Recording and Managing Incidents of Bullying

The following actions may be undertaken:

• teachers will keep a record of all alleged complaints of bullying
• teachers should notify Vivien or Don who, taking into account the teachers’ assessment of the situation, will make a decision either to proceed further, or ask teachers to maintain a “watching brief” at the classroom level
• meet with the parents of both the bully and the victim to explore the problem amicably and impartially, employing mediation and conciliation strategies if Vivien and Don decide this course of action is warranted
• ensure there will be no retaliation and that clear understandings are in place to monitor the situation
• advise the complainants that they may take the matter further if they are not satisfied with the way that the School has handled their complaint.

Proactive Strategies

The School will implement the following strategies:

• children will be encouraged to discuss bullying in their classrooms, and to speak up about it if they believe it is happening to them or any of their classmates.
• institute procedures for monitoring bullying over the term or year so that protagonists and vulnerable children can be identified
• develop procedures for involving teachers and parents in discussions about the reasons for bullying and strategies for its containment
• foster a climate, which encourages the open discussion of bullying throughout the school, and arrange for teachers to share and discuss successful preventative strategies they have developed
• Regularly evaluate the success of the school’s policy.

Harassment Policy

1.0 Introduction

Preshil is committed to providing all students and staff with a working environment free from harassment of any kind. This includes all members of the Preshil community – children, students, staff, and parents. Harassment may have the following bases:

• harassment based on ethnicity or race,
• harassment based on religious beliefs and practices,
• harassment based on unwanted sexual advances,
• harassment based on physical appearance,
• harassment based on physical disability, and
• harassment based on an individual’s preferences for self-expression.

2.0 Preshil’s Commitment

Preshil will not allow harassment in any form to go unattended and will take the appropriate counselling or disciplinary action required. Preshil undertakes to:

• treat complaints seriously and sympathetically,
• treat complaints promptly and confidentially,
• investigate all complaints impartially,
• provide feedback to the complainant,
• ensure the privacy of all parties,
• provide ongoing monitoring of the situation including the prevention of retaliation,
• advise all complainants of their right to take their complaint further if they are not satisfied with the measures the school has taken.

3.0 Scope and Definition:

For the purposes of this policy Preshil defines harassment as any unwelcome or uninvited comment, attention, contact or behaviour of a nature which relates to one’s religion, physical appearance, race or ethnicity, gender, disability, or individuality, that an individual or witness finds humiliating, offensive or intimidating. It can be verbal, physical, written or visual. Harassment can be ‘hostile environment harassment’ where a threatening, fearful, or distressful environment is created for a student or staff member, or quid pro quo harassment whereby some form of advantage is offered or implied in return for favours, (which may be sexual). Examples of harassment include:

• the distribution or display of offensive pictures or written materials,
• repeated unwelcome requests for social outings or dates,
• offensive comments about a person’s physical appearance, dress or private life,
• jokes, innuendo, teasing, intrusive questions, messages or telephone calls of a racial, religious, physical or sexual nature or in relation to a disability,
• direct propositioning or subtle pressure for sexual favours,
• patting, touching, pinching, leering, sexual gestures, sexual demands, rumours or any other unnecessary and unwanted familiarity,
• indecent exposure, sexual assault, or rape, or
• derogatory name-calling relating to any of the categories of harassment listed above.

4.0 Combating Harassment at Preshil

As employees of Preshil all staff have a duty to ensure that any harassment brought to their attention or personally witnessed, is addressed as soon as possible. At Preshil, teachers act as first point of contact for any perceived incidents of harassment relating to students.

5.0 Procedures at Preshil:

If the complainant is a student the complaint should be made to a teacher who will deal with the matter following the steps outlined below. The staff member investigating the complaint within the school will establish:

• what was said and or done,
• when and where the alleged incident took place,
• who else saw or heard the alleged incident,
• what the reaction of the complainant was,
• what the complainant did,
• whether the complainant confronted the offender and if so what the reaction was,
• whether this has happened to the complainant before, and if so whether the offender was the same person and how the situation was handled then,
• the staff member must create a written record of the incident, including an assessment of its severity, recommended strategy for dealing with the event, all of which must be forwarded to the Head and Deputy Head for discussion and action.

Student Health

Preshil runs education programmes to assist students in the development of a healthy lifestyle.

Illegal drugs

Preshil has a strict “no drugs” policy and will not tolerate drugs or alcohol on any of its campuses, including camps. For some time now researchers have been finding links between marijuana use and psychosis. Psychosis is the manifestation of a severe, painful, mental illness. Anyone who has suffered from such mental illness, or had a family member who has suffered, knows how frightening and debilitating psychosis can be. Professor Wayne Hall of Queensland University has estimated that a person’s chance of developing psychosis doubles with long term marijuana use. Drug-induced psychosis is a real risk for those with a pre-disposition to psychotic illness. In addition, some researchers are now saying that heavy drug use may result in psychotic illness in those who appear to have no pre-disposition.

Even if drug-induced psychosis only occurs in those who are pre-disposed, no marijuana user can feel safe as it is difficult to know who has, or who doesn’t have, a pre-disposition.

Apart from the risk of psychosis there is some evidence that smoking marijuana can damage the teenage brain. Smoking marijuana at an early age not only increases the smoker’s chance of developing a severe mental illness, it is also associated with developmental delay and short-term memory loss. Heavy users often find concentration on school work difficult and drop out of school. Depression, which is also associated with marijuana use, may result in suicide if left untreated. Teachers who have taught marijuana affected students have many corroborative anecdotes which support the research findings.

Because of these risks to health, Preshil will not tolerate marijuana, or any other such drugs, on its campuses, school camps, excursions or any other school activities. We also strongly advise students to avoid recreational use outside school.

Smoking Policy

Preshil has a no smoking policy. There is to be no smoking on any Preshil campus. This includes school camps held at locations outside Preshil.

1. If a student is seen smoking on campus they must put the cigarette out immediately, their name will be recorded in the book held in the Blackhall Kalimna Office. If a student refuses to put the cigarette out he/she will be reported to the Head and will have to meet directly with the Head.
2. If a student is seen smoking a second time their name is recorded in the book together with the report from the teacher/witness. The Year Co-ordinator or Tracker will meet with the student and:
   • ascertain level of smoking – regular or occasional etc.
   • alert student to the process from this point
   • seek commitment and offer assistance
3. If a student is seen smoking a third time their name is again recorded in the book together with the report from the teacher/witness and the Year Co-ordinator or Tracker will ring the parents and arrange a meeting with the Head, Co-ordinator, Tracker as appropriate, the parents and the student
   • inform parents about smoking
   • remind parents of the no smoking rule
   At that meeting the student will be asked to undertake a QUIT programme with the support of the parents and the school
4. If smoking continues the Head will meet with the student and parents to discuss the student’s relationship with the school.
5. Years 7/8 and 9/10 are not allowed off campus during the school day.

Dress Policy

Preshil does not have an enforceable school uniform that must be worn by all students. At various times in Preshil history, students at the school have requested to wear tops or windcheaters in the Preshil green and gold bearing the Preshil eagle and Preshil has responded to these requests. Such student initiated projects are entirely optional and there is not compulsion for any individual to wear these garments.

Preshil believes that children should have some choice in what they wear. However, it is also part of the Preshil educational process to dialogue with the children on what is and what is not appropriate apparel. Choice in dress allows for diversity, expression of individuality and responsible personal choice.

Preshil students are asked to come to school in neat casual clothes of their choice. However, there are some rules that must be strictly adhered to for reasons of health and safety.

Hats

All students are requested to wear hats when outside the classroom. The office at Arlington has a stock of hats at a reasonable price. Children playing outside at Arlington must wear hats.

Shoes

Shoes must be worn at all times when at school. Thongs are not accepted as “shoes”. Sports shoes must be worn for games and sport. A shoe which covers the top of the foot needs to be worn in the laboratories.

The enforcement of a strict uniform policy can undermine the relationship between the child and the teacher. The teacher who has responsibility for checking that the child is wearing the correct coloured socks, skirt length within the allowable rules, designated jumper, correct shoes, etc., can be seen as a “policeman” by the child, who resents the teacher placing so much emphasis on matters that the child may regard as educationally unimportant.

At Preshil the relationship between the teacher and the child is the crux of the learning process and nurtures the development of the child. Preshil believes that the enforcement of a strict uniform policy would be counter productive to this relationship.

Hot Weather Policy

If the temperature reaches 40 degrees, classes will continue but parents may collect their children if they wish to do so.

Contact Information

Main Campus and Junior Campus

Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School, 395 Barkers Road Kew, Victoria Australia 3101

Telephone: +61 3 9817 6135
Fax: +61 3 9816 7943
Email: preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Map: Visit Google Maps for Directions

Senior Campus

12—26 Sackville Street Kew, Victoria Australia 3101

Telephone: +61 3 9817 6135
Fax: +61 3 9816 7943
Email: preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Map: Visit Google Maps for Directions

Locality Map

Parking: Parking is available on Kildare Street off Barkers Road (opposite the Junior School).

Melway Reference: Map 45 H8

Design Credits

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