Parent & Community Code of Conduct

– supporting learning, wellbeing, and safety at Treetops School

Treetops School welcomes parents/guardians and community participation and values this input.  Parents/guardians have a crucial role in the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of their children.

 Parents/Guardians and other visitors to Treetops support safety by ensuring their communications with the school, and their conduct at the school and at school activities, is respectful.  Working together with the school community, school staff support the learning and wellbeing of every Treetops student and are entitled to a safe work environment.

Communication

It is expected that parents/guardians and visitors will:

• Be polite to others.
• Act as positive role models.
• Recognise and respect personal differences.
• Follow the school’s communication process and policies to address concerns.

 Parents/guardians and visitors demonstrate this by:

• Communicating and behaving in a way that is courteous and respectful at all times.
• Using polite and non-abusive language in written and verbal communications with students, staff, and other members of the school community.
• Being compassionate when interacting with others.
• Informing staff if the behaviour of others is negatively impacting them or their family.
• Respecting staff time by accepting that they will respond to appropriate communication when they are able.
• Requesting a meeting to discuss any concerns about their child’s education – allowing staff time to prepare and appreciating that their time may be limited.

 Email communication:

The priority for school staff is the welfare and education of all students in the school.  School staff are not required to respond to emails and telephone calls instantaneously, or outside normal working hours or school holidays, unless the matter is urgent.  The school will endeavour to respond to parent emails within 2 business days during term time.

Concerns or complaints:

Please see the school’s Concerns & Complaints Policy for more information.

 If the concern centres on the classroom or curriculum:

• The first contact should always be with the classroom or specialist teacher by arranging a mutually convenient appointment time.
• If a resolution is not reached, then it is appropriate to involve the Head of Primary, Head of Secondary, Learning Support Coordinator, or Principal with the aim of reaching a fair and peaceful resolution.

The school will attempt to resolve concerns through:

• Calm discussion between the parties directly involved whilst respecting the dignity of each and every person.
• Actively listening to another point of view.

Collaboration

It is expected that parents/guardians and visitors will:

• Ensure their child attends school ready to learn.
• Support and comply with all relevant policies and procedures as published by the school.
• Support their child to comply with the Appropriate Behaviour Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Student Code of Conduct.

Parents/guardians and visitors demonstrate this by:

• Taking responsibility for their child arriving and departing school safely and on time every day.
• Supporting the school in its curriculum priorities and value-adding programs.
• Attending parent information sessions and scheduled interviews.
• Listening to their student but recognising that a different ‘reality’ may exist elsewhere.
• Complying with all documents sent to them from the school and as published on the school website, including all policies and procedures.
• Reading and encouraging their child to understand and follow the Student Code of Conduct.

There may be times when you feel that the actions of another child have infringed upon the rights of your own child.  Under no circumstances is a parent/guardian to approach another child whilst they are in the care of the school to discuss or chastise because of perceived actions towards their own child.

Bullying behaviour has no place at Treetops and will not be tolerated.  This is true for adult-to-adult, adult-to-child, and child-to-child interactions.

School Culture

All members of the Treetops community are expected to demonstrate our values, ethos, profiles, and attitudes within the school setting.

All students, staff, parents/guardians, and visitors have the right to feel safe at Treetops School.  All interactions between members of our community must be in keeping with the school’s values.  Behaving in a harassing, aggressive and/or threatening manner towards others is not acceptable.

It is expected that parents/guardians and visitors will:

• Recognise every student is important to us.
• Contribute to a positive school culture.
• Work together with staff to resolve issues or concerns.
• Respect people’s privacy.

Parents/guardian and visitors demonstrate this by:

• Valuing each child’s education.
• Acknowledging staff are responsible for supporting the whole school community.
• Speaking positively about the school and its staff.
• Not making negative comments or gossiping about other school community members, including students (in person, in writing, or on social media). This includes both during and after being part of the Treetops Community.
• Understanding, that at times, compromises may be necessary.
• Considering the privacy of all school community members at all times and understanding that the school cannot share confidential information.
• Respecting the privacy of other parents’ email addresses and not sending unsolicited emails or ‘spam’ to other parents nor forward other parents’ email addresses without their permission.

Consequences for breach of the Code

All parents/guardians and community members are required to comply with this Parent & Community Code of Conduct.

Treetops School has a responsibility to protect its community from behaviours which are, or may be, physically or emotionally harmful, or that may bring the school or members of the school community into disrepute.  The school is required by law to provide a safe workplace for employees, volunteers, parents/guardians, visitors, and contractors.

Any parent/guardian, member of staff, or student may notify the Principal of a possible breach of the Parent & Community Code of Conduct.  Where a suspected breach of this Code of Conduct has occurred, the Principal (or delegate) will make further inquiries if necessary and appropriate action will be taken.

The consequences may include, but are not limited to:

• Imposing a temporary or permanent ban on the parent entering the school premises.
• Suspending or terminating the student’s enrolment at the school.
• Contacting the police.
• Responding in a way that the school considers necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.