Student Conduct and Behaviour
OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL | 2022
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
We want all children to feel and be safe at our school. Our behaviour management procedures protect the dignity of the human person and reflect our pastoral care for students. We strive to provide a safe, supportive and respectful teaching and learning environment that promotes student wellbeing.
We model the Mercy values in our interactions with one another, in our work and in our play. Our behaviour management procedures are based on strong relationships and pastoral care for our students. Appropriate behaviour is also explicitly taught in all classes.
There may be times when students need additional support and guidance. When children receive a reflection sheet or a major behaviour card, we remind children that God has made them special and unique and that God loves them and has given them the power through the Holy Spirit to make good choices.
Our OLOM community also has a Code of Conduct. By working together in a school-parent partnership, we can all help and guide children to grow and flourish as good people.
Above all, we treat each other and resolve matters with gentleness and integrity.
God bless you all.
Ondine Komnick
Principal
Children are explicitly taught appropriate behaviour
Appropriate behaviour is explicitly taught in all classes through our Student Code of Conduct, Religious Education program and our virtues program called Aussie Optimism. Children are taught strategies to regulate their emotions through our Mindfulness program.
- Respect yourself, others and property (school and environment)
- Be kind and courteous at all times
- Listen to your teachers and follow directions quickly
- Be safe, play safe
- Abide by Our Lady of Mercy school’s values and behaviours
Our OLOM Community also has a Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct promotes positive work practices and establishes expectations for personal and professional boundaries concerning appropriate and inappropriate behaviour for staff, students, volunteers, parents, guardians and visitors.
There are clear procedures for raising concerns, facilitating discussion and promoting professional behaviour and healthy relationships to make good decisions that are in the best interests of the child.
- Act safely and competently.
- Students’ safety and well-being is prioritised.
- Follow the values of the Gospel.
- Abide by laws, agreements and policies.
- Respect each member of the school community.
- Personal information is private and confidential.
- Provide honest and accurate information about your child.
- Partner with the school in educating your child.
- Behave to preserve the trust of the school community.
- Maintain the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church
- Act ethically.
- Students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being.
Class teachers and children draft their Classroom Rules
Children are taught the Playground Rules
At recess and lunch staff are active participants in the life of the playground and are identifiable through the yellow or orange vests and duty bags that they carry. Staff are consistently moving around the playground, inter-acting positively and supporting the social development of our students. Staff encourage appropriate behaviours and take action every time they see inappropriate behaviour to ensure that we consistently apply the rules and set high expectations of our students.
We acknowledge and reinforce appropriate behaviour
We acknowledge and reinforce appropriate behaviour through our merit awards which are given for demonstrating a Mercy Value in our school. We also provide faction tokens to students who show Mercy Values in the playground and provide the winning faction with a Free Dress Day at the end of each term. Students receive Mercy Value tickets for displaying Mercy Values in class,
a special Mercy Value certificate is given to 6 students who received the most tickets for a Mercy Value as well as a Pizza with the Principal and Priest Party at the end of each term, who have demonstrated a Mercy value in the classroom.
Children understand who to approach for help
Meanness and bullying are not tolerated
The school will not tolerate bullying, harassment, aggression and violence.
Bullying may take the form of spoken, written, electronic or cyber actions.Bullying includes behaviours that may be:
- verbal like put-downs, threats
- physical like hitting, tripping, punching, stealing
- social like ignoring, hiding, ostracizing
- psychological like threatening looks, spreading rumours, damaging possessions, stalking.
Red Card issued as and when disruptive behaviour occurs
A Reflection Card is issued for minor behaviour incidents
The minor behaviour process is:
- Issue first warning and redirect the student to appropriate behaviours.
- Issue second warning, remove student from the group for five minutes to reflect and review. Speak with the child privately about their behaviour before returning them to the group
- Issue third warning, remove from group. Student to complete a Reflection Card which needs to be signed by the parent. This then needs to be returned to the class teacher.
- Recorded in SEQTA and on Student Behaviour Sheet.
Reflection Sheet behaviours include:
- Rudeness
- Annoying and distracting others
- Avoiding work
- Disruptive behaviour
- Bad language
- Littering
- Refusing to follow an instruction
- Missing part of class time
- Graffiti
- Unsafe behaviour
- Disrespect
- Out of class or off school grounds without permission
- Consistently not following rules
A Major Behaviour Card issued for serious behaviour incidents
Where a serious incident occurs, a Major Behaviour Card may be issued immediately. The child will be sent to the office to speak to the Assistant Principal or Principal and the parents contacted to discuss the issue.
A major behaviour incident is serious
A major behaviour incident includes:
- Violating the rights of others
- Putting others or self at risk of harm
- Requiring involvement of the Principal
Working together as a school-parent partnership is the best way to address concerns about a child's behaviour.
Dealing with concerns
If parents have an issue or concern regarding the child’s schooling:
- Make an appointment with the classroom teacher.
- If you are not happy with the outcome of the meeting with the teacher, notify the teacher and make an appointment to see the Assistant Principal.
- If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, make an appointment to see the Principal.
Our Lady of Mercy Primary School
Email: admin@olom.wa.edu.au
Website: http://www.olom.wa.edu.au
Location: 55 Hudson Avenue, Girrawheen WA 6064, Australia
Phone: (08) 9207 7677
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofmercygirrawheen/