Rationale:
Student Welfare is the concern of every member of staff. In its widest context it covers the safety of all students in our care, their emotional, social and intellectual well being as well as their conduct and behaviour.
Particular responsibilities for student welfare lie with the Student Advisers, Head Teachers, the School Counsellor, Head Teacher Welfare, Head Teacher Administration, Deputy Principals and Principal. The school Welfare Committee is made up of the above-mentioned teachers as well as a number of interested and committed staff. This committee meets regularly and is co-ordinated by the Head Teacher Welfare.
The role of the welfare committee is to:
- monitor student progress and behaviour through the "Referral and Notification Sheet" system used by ALL staff
- conduct case discussions of selected students involving class teachers, to pool information and develop strategies to assist students;
- collect and share information relating to student welfare matters;
- invite guest speakers on aspects of student welfare;
- co-ordinate and communicate with teachers, parents and students on matters concerning the welfare of students
- initiate, develop, co-ordinate and evaluate programs that promote student and staff welfare; and
- implement DET policies including Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Racism.
Teachers are able to use the welfare committee by:
- the referral of a student through the Head Teacher, Student Adviser or Counsellor;
- having the committee assess the "whole school" welfare of a student;
- participating in case discussions;
- requesting committee assistance and support in many areas (eg: behaviour problems, student self esteem, positive reinforcement, learning difficulties, home or peer problems); and
- requesting student "background information" which may help in planning classroom strategies for dealing with students.
Students and parents may also find the welfare committee of assistance for:
- self referral by students;
- referral of students by parents;
- parents coping with adolescents; and
- students coping with life problems.
Welfare aims:
- To promote the academic, emotional, social and physical development of each student.
- To promote the idea that student welfare is intrinsic to the education process.
- To initiate and integrate programs into the school curriculum that will maximise student development and produce a broader based welfare network within the school.
- To ensure the welfare of staff through support networks, counselling, inservicing and stress management.
- To inform students, staff, parents and the community of the welfare program, the educational demands on, and the progress of students and the services available.
- To implement DET policies, including Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Racism.
This is an ongoing program subject to continuous evaluation and annual review.
Student needs will be addressed through a sequential, informative, preventative and remediation program for Years 7 to 12 students.
Differing stages of development and learning styles will be accommodated through a variety of approaches eg. cognitive, behavioural, experiential, skills development and environmental.
This program seeks to provide for the basic needs of adolescents and also the specific needs of the students of this school. Students, staff and parents are regularly surveyed to determine areas of concern and the most effective methods of dealing with these concerns.
Welfare priorities:
- Continue to implement the Anti-Bullying policy within the school community.
- Implementation of Child protection Policies and Procedures.
- Develop and implement a Targeted Study Skills program.
- Develop and further the structures for communication of welfare issues within the school.
- Enhance the process for student monitoring, through greater use of RISC.
- Encourage the use of the Merit System.
- Target students for mentoring program.