Introduction
At St Patrick’s College Strathfield, we are committed to nurturing respectful relationships and active partnerships with you as parents. We believe that our students’ learning journeys are enriched through positive and reciprocal home and College relationships.
As parents, you act as one of the most influential role models in your child’s life. We therefore seek your support in promoting and upholding the core values of the College community and its culture of respectful relationships.
This Code of Conduct is intended to guide you in your dealings with staff, other parents, students and the wider College community. It articulates the school’s key expectations of both staff and parents regarding respectful relationships and behaviours. It also specifies the College’s position regarding unacceptable behaviours that breach our culture of respect.
The Parent Code of Conduct is to be read in conjunction with the following policies and procedures (which are available on the College website):
•St Patrick’s College Enrolment Policy and Procedures
•St Patrick’s College Conditions of Enrolment
•St Patrick’s College Complaints Handling Guide
•Edmund Rice Australia Child Protection Policy
•Edmund Rice Australia Child Safe Code of Conduct
•Independent Sporting Association Code of Conduct
•Statement of Co-curricular
Our Culture of Respectful Relationships
Among students, staff and parents we strive to develop the following:
•a respect for the innate dignity and worth of every person
•an ability to understand the situation of others
•a cooperative attitude in working with others
•open, positive and honest communication
•the ability to work respectfully with other people
•trusting relationships
•responsible actions.
In promoting and upholding this culture, we expect that parents will:
•support the College’s Catholic ethos, traditions and practices
•support the College in its efforts to maintain a positive teaching and learning environment
•understand the importance of healthy parent/teacher/child relationships and strive to build the relationships
•adhere to the College’s policies, as outlined on the school website
•treat staff and other parents with respect and courtesy.
In promoting and upholding this culture, we expect that staff will:
•communicate with you regularly regarding your son’s learning, development and wellbeing
•provide opportunities for involvement in your son’s learning
•maintain confidentiality over sensitive issues
•relate with and respond to you in a respectful and professional manner
•ensure a timely response to any concerns raised by you.
Raising Concerns and Resolving Conflict
(Refer to the St Patrick’s College Complaints Handling Guide)
In raising concerns on behalf of your son, or making a complaint about the College’s practices or treatment of your child, we expect that you will:
• listen to your son, but remember that a different ‘reality’ may exist elsewhere;
• observe the College’s stated procedures for raising and resolving a grievance/complaint;
• follow specified protocol for communication with staff members, including making appointments at a mutually convenient time and communicating your concerns in a constructive manner;
• refrain from approaching another student while in the care of the school to discuss or chastise them because of actions towards your son. Refer the matter directly to your son’s homeroom teacher for follow-up and investigation by the school.
In responding to your concerns or a complaint, we expect that staff will:
• observe confidentiality and a respect for sensitive issues
• ensure your views and opinions are heard and understood
• communicate and respond in ways that are constructive, fair and respectful
• ensure a timely response to your concerns/complaint
• strive for resolutions and outcomes that are satisfactory to all parties.
Staff Safety and Wellbeing
The College places high value and priority on maintaining a safe and respectful working environment for our staff; everyone has a right to feel safe. We regard certain behaviours as harmful and unacceptable insofar as they compromise the safety and professional wellbeing of our staff. These behaviours include, but are not limited to:
• shouting or swearing, either in person or on the telephone
• physical or verbal intimidation
• aggressive hand gestures
• writing rude, defamatory, aggressive or abusive comments to/about a staff member (emails/social media)
• racist or sexist comments
• damage or violation of possessions/property.
When a parent behaves in such unacceptable ways, the Principal or a Senior Staff member will seek to resolve the situation and repair relationships through discussion and/or mediation.
Where a parent’s behaviour is deemed likely to cause ongoing harm, distress or danger to the staff member and others, we may exercise our legal right to impose a temporary or permanent ban from the parent entering the College premises. In an extreme act of violence that causes physical harm to the staff member and his/her property, the matter may be reported to the police for investigation.
Conclusion
At St Patrick’s College Strathfield, we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. We aim to create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where children are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel.