Privacy Policy

1. Scope.
This policy applies to members of school staff and the school council at Yarraman Park Primary School. This policy will be made available on request.

2. Authorisation.
This policy was adopted at Yarraman Park Primary School at the School Council meeting on 16th June 2003.

3. Review Date.
This policy was reviewed at the School council meeting on 19th July 2004 and no amendments were made.

4. Background.
All staff of Yarraman Park Primary School are required by law to protect the personal and health information the School collects and holds.

The Victorian privacy laws, the Information Privacy Act 2000 and Health Records Act 2001, provide for the protection of personal and health information.

The privacy laws do not replace any existing obligations Yarraman Park Primary School has under other laws. Essentially this policy will apply when other laws do not regulate the use of personal information.

5. Definitions.
Personal information means information or opinion that is recorded in any form and whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be determined from the information or opinion. For example, this includes all paper and electronic records, photographs and video recordings.

Health information is defined as including information or opinion about a person's physical, mental or psychological health, or disability, which is also classified as personal information. This includes information or opinion about a person's health status and medical history, whether recorded or not.

Sensitive information is defined as information relating to a person's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religion, trade union, or other professional or trade association membership, sexual preferences, or criminal record that is also classified as personal information about an individual. 

In this policy personal information refers to personal information, health information and sensitive information unless otherwise specified.

Parent in this policy in relation to a child, includes step parent, an adoptive parent, a foster parent, guardian, or a person who has custody or daily care and control of the child.

Staff in this policy is defined as someone who carries out a duty on behalf of the School, paid or unpaid, or who is contracted to, or directly employed by the School or the Department of Education and Training (DE&T). Information provided to a School through job applications is also considered staff information.

6. Policy Context.
Personal information is collected and used by Yarraman Oaks Primary School to:
* provide services or to carry out the School statutory functions,
* assist the School services and its staff to fulfill its duty of care to students,
* plan, resource, monitor and evaluate School services and functions,
* comply with DE&T reporting requirements,
* comply with statutory and or other legal obligations in respect of staff,
* investigate incidents or defend any legal claims against the School, its services or its staff, and
* comply with laws that impose specific obligations regarding the handling of personal information.

7. Collection of Personal Information.
The School collects and holds personal information about students, parents and staff.

8. Use and disclosure of the personal information provided

Students and Parents:
8.1 The purposes for which the School uses personal information of students and parents include:
* keeping parents informed about matters related to their child's schooling,
* looking after students' educational, social and health needs,
* celebrating the efforts and achievements of students,
* day-to-day administration,
* satisfying the School's legal obligations, and
* allowing the School to discharge its duty of care.
Staff.
8.2 The purposes for which the School uses personal information of job applicants, staff members and contractors include:
* assessing the suitability for employment,
* administering the individual's employment or contract,
* for insurance purposes, such as public liability or WorkCover,
* satisfying the School's legal requirements, and
* investigating incidents or defending legal claims about the School, its services or staff. 

8.3 The School will use and disclose personal information about a student, parent and staff when:
* it is required for general administration duties and statutory functions, 
* it relates to the purposes for which it was collected, and
* for a purpose that is directly related to the reason the information was collected and 
  the use would be reasonably expected by the individual and there is no reason to
  believe they would object to the disclosure.

8.4 The School can disclose personal information for another purpose when:
* the person consents, or
* it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious or imminent threat to life, health or safety, or
* it is required by law or for law enforcement purposes.

9. Where consent for the use and disclosure of personal information is required, the school will seek consent from the appropriate person. In the case of a student's personal information, the school will seek the consent from the student and/or parent depending on the circumstances and the student's mental ability and maturity to understand the consequences of the proposed use and disclosure.

9.1. Yarraman Oaks Primary School will generally seek the consent of the student's parents and will treat consent given by the parent as consent given on behalf of the student.

10. Accessing personal information.
a parent, student or staff member may seek access to their personal information, provided by them, that is held by the School.
Access to other information may be restricted according to the requirements of laws that cover the management of school records. These include the Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

11. Updating personal information.
The School aims to keep personal information it holds accurate, complete and up-to-date. A person may update their personal information by contacting the School bursar.

12. Security.
12.1 School staff and students have use of information communication technologies (ICT) provided by the School. This use is directed by:
* DE&T's Acceptable Use policy for Internet, email and other electronic
  communications.
* DE&T's IT Security Policy.

12.2. Web Sites.
Information collected: Yarraman Oaks Primary School's web and web server makes a record:
* of a visit and logs this information for statistical purposes.

13. Complaints under Privacy.
Should the School receive a complaint about personal information privacy this will be investigated in accordance with DE&T's Privacy Complaints Handling Policy.

Student Code of Conduct

Yarraman Oaks P.S. has developed its Student Code of Conduct in full consultation with parents, teachers and students. It reflects the Department of Education guidelines and procedures for implementation.

6.1 School Beliefs:
Our school believes that:-
* the students have a right to feel safe and secure at school.
* students are responsible for their own actions.
* no student should interfere with the educational opportunities of another.
* students are to act honestly and show consideration for the feelings, rights and possessions of others.
* students are expected to co-operate with their teachers, treat them courteously and with respect.
* polite language and behaviour should be practised - aggressive or violent behaviour is unsuitable.
* students should be punctual to all school activities.
* students have a right to be treated with fairness and consistency.
* students should appear neat and clean and wear school uniform in accordance with school policy.
* students should be appropriately recognised for examples of exemplary behaviour.

6.2 School Rules:
These have been formulated in three sections with sanctions for breaking the rules graded in stages according to the severity of the breach.
6.21 RULES FOR GENERAL BEHAVIOUR.
* Play in allocated areas, observe "out-of-bounds" zones.
* All harmful drugs are banned (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol etc.)
* Stay in the school grounds during school times and only enter buildings during recesses with a teacher's permission.
6.22 RULES REGARDING RESPECT FOR OTHERS.
* Bullying, fighting, teasing, sexual harassment or interfering with others' games are not acceptable behaviour.
* Swearing, spitting and littering are not permitted.
* Students must not steal or vandalise others' belongings, including all school property.
6.23 RULES FOR STUDENT SAFETY.
* Dangerous objects must not be brought to school. Students must take care not to throw harmful objects or take part in dangerous games.
* If riding to school, helmets must be worn and bicycles must be walked in the playground.
* School crossings must be used.
* Climbing trees or onto the school building roofs is not permitted.

6.3 Strategies for implementation:
* Students will be encouraged to feel pride in their school and a sense of ownership of the Student Code of Conduct.
* Teachers will be encouraged to be appropriate models for students and to be positive, consistent and fair in using the Code of Conduct.
* Parents will be encouraged to co-operate with the school in positive application of the Code of Conduct and to give sensitive support to sanctions when necessary.

6.4 Sanctions:
Consequences for breaking the Student Code of Conduct will be appropriate to the severity of the breach and the age of the child and may include:
* discussion, followed by warning.
* cooling off period.
* time out from group activities.
* repetition of a prescribed task until standard reached is acceptable.
* written or verbal apology.
* limited access to facilities for a period or loss of privileges.
* referral to the Assistant Principal/Principal.
* parent contact.
* recess detention.
* after school detention.
* suspension - in line with D. of E. procedures.
* expulsion - in line with D. of E. procedures.

Classroom Discipline.
Students are expected to abide by the agreed set of classroom rules.
The following steps will be followed if these rules are broken.

Step 1. On the first occurrence the student's name will be written on the board.

Step 2. On the second occurrence a tick will be placed next to the student's name and the child will complete his or her work isolated within the room.

Step 3. On the third occurrence the student will be removed to another classroom to complete his or her work and a note sent home to the parents.

In extreme situations the student will immediately go to step 3 and the situation will be referred to the principal or assistant principal.

Head Lice Policy

Rationale:
* Head lice (pediculosis) are tiny insects that live on the human scalp where they feed and breed. Probably between 2-3% of primary school children are infested at any one time*. While they do not carry or transmit disease, they are the most common cause of head itch and scratching, which may lead to infection and swollen lymph glands; therefore, they need to be eradicated.

Aims:
* To respond to reports of head lice quickly and effectively.
* To ensure that an effective process for treating head lice is well known and consistently followed.
* To ensure that parents and guardians are well informed about head ice treatment.

Implementation:
* Anyone can catch head lice.
* Head lice cannot fly, hop or jump. They spread from person to person by head to head contact, and by the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes and head gear such as hats.
* While it is parents who have the primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of head lice on their children, the school will assist by offering up-to-date information, by offering a screening process, and by alerting parents of lice when detected.
* The school will organise to have volunteer parents and volunteer staff members trained by the Department of Human Services or the local council in the detection of head lice.
* The school will ask parents to sign a permission form allowing their children to be screened by our trained personnel for the presence of head lice. Only children whose parents have returned the permission form will be checked.
* All children screened will be provided with a confidential report indicating to parents the results of the screening, as well as advice on the latest information regarding head lice.
* Consistent with Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001, the principal will ensure that the parents of any child found to have live lice are informed that their child is to be excluded from attending school until appropriate treatment has commenced.
* The principal will also provide parents of children found to have live lice with information about head lice treatment and prevention.
*Upon their return to school, parents of excluded children must present the signed declaration on Form 2 indicating that appropriate treatment has commenced. All excluded children to undergo another inspection from our trained personnel before recommencing school.
* The principal will ensure that information relating to the prevention and eradication of head lice appears throughout the year in the school newsletter, particularly at times of  heavy outbreaks.

Evaluation
* This policy will be reviewed as part of the school's three-year review cycle. 

This policy was last ratified by School Council in June 2002

# Change to Health Regulations re: Headlice in Schools, Circular 284/2001. Community School Links & Networks Unit: (03) 9637 3183 

Bullying Policy

Purpose:
To allow everyone to enjoy a safe, harassment-free school environment where each person is treated with respect and as an equal.

What is bullying?:
Bullying is an unjustified and frequently repeated act of power that physically or psychologically hurts the victim for the gratification of the bully.

Types of bullying:

Physical bullying
Unwelcome physical contact used intentionally to intimidate or hurt others.
Verbal bullying
Using language to threaten or hurt. Includes teasing, put downs, telephone calls and spreading rumours.
Visual bullying
The use of gestures, signs and looks to "put down" or intimidate others. Includes offensive notes, e-mails and damage to property.
Exclusion bullying
Is deliberately leaving someone out of activities or social events to make the person feel he/she does not exist or feel worthy.
Extortion bullying
Being forced or threatened to hand over possessions, food, money or do work for the bully to avoid punishment.
Sexual bullying
Unwelcome touching or brushing up against another, sexually oriented jokes, drawing or writing about someone's body or behaviours, unwanted sexual invitations, using rude names and asking questions about another person's private life.

The School's approach to bulling:
* Yarraman Oaks Primary School believes bullying is an irresponsible and unwanted behaviour.
* The School encourages everyone to immediately report bullying of themselves or others to staff.
* The Student Code of Conduct describes measures to deal with bullies.
* All students will be encouraged to make friends. A child with friends is less likely to be bullied.
* The School will endeavour to help students develop assertiveness strategies that assist them with body language, voice tone and actions to resist bullies.
* The School acknowledges that bullies may be victims of bullying and staff will endeavour to help them      overcome their bullying.

The School does not encourage or condone:
Students using violence against bullies.
Parents, siblings or friends physically or verbally harassing students accused of bullying.
People spreading rumours or reporting incidents of school bullying to the media, government departments or parents.

Medicines Policy

Rationale / Beliefs:

YPPS has a professional obligation and duty of care to the physical well-being of all students.

Aims:
* To identify students with a chronic medical condition, such as Haemophilia, ADHD, Asthma, Diabete, Hay Fever / Allergies, in order for authorised staff to store medications securely, assist in administering those medications, and be able to record details of when and how the medication was administered.
* To discourage self-medication by students - except in cases where parents have requested and authorised children to take the responsibility.

Identification:
Students with medication requirements will be identified through:
* CASES medical information.
* Information provided on enrolment forms.
* Information supplied by parents / care givers.

Procedures:
* School personnel will administer medications.
* Medicines will be administered only when accompanied by a signed, handwritten authorisation by parents / legal guardians.
* All medications must be named and must come with attached, clearly written instructions.
* All medicines to be administered must come in the original packaging.
* All medicines must be given directly to the teacher at 9 o'clock - or on late arrival.
* Staff will not administer unauthorised medications.
* Students are not permitted to carry tablets or syrups for self-medication. They may carry asthma puffers / inhalers for personal use only.

Forms:
* Where students suffer from asthma, a copy of an asthma management plan from the doctor must be provided by parents. these will be stored in the class medical file and a copy will be kept in an asthma folder in the sick bay.
* Once medicine is dispensed, the following records must be maintained on the "Administration of Medications" record sheet in the YPPS Teachers' Handbook.
* Parent authorisations / letters regarding medications will be kept in a folder in the YPPS Teachers' Handbook.

Bikes, Scooters & Skateboards

Rationale:

* It is well recognised that young children have underdeveloped motor skills, peripheral vision and judgement.

* Our school will provide safe storage for bicycles ridden to school by students under the following conditions:
*  Students wear helmets
* Bicycles are in road worthy condition
* Children under the age of 10 years are encouraged to ride to school in the company of an adult.

* All parents will be made aware of these school rules, and the safety reasons supporting them.

*Students who contravene these requirements but ride bicycles to school, cannot bring their bicycles onto school property or store their bicycles at school.

* Bicycle education, road rules and safety will form part of the school curriculum.

* Scooters may be ridden to school by students wearing helmets, but must be folded and stored inside school lockers or classrooms.  Scooters which are ridden by students without helmets, cant be folded, or are powered by motors of any kind can’t be brought into, or stored in the school.

* Skateboards may be ridden to school by students wearing helmets, but must also be stored in lockers or classrooms.

* Bicycles, scooters or skateboards cannot be ridden inside the school grounds at any time.  Clear and unambiguous signs will be prominently erected informing all visitors of this requirement.

* Students who break school rules will be managed in a manner consistent with the student discipline policy.

* The Student Representative Council will provide awards to students who demonstrate safe practices with bicycles, scooters and skateboards.

* This policy will be reviewed annually as part of the school’s three-year review cycle.

Mobile Phones

Rationale:

Aims:
 * To utilise the benefits of mobile phones whilst managing the problems they can potentially cause.

* The school will purchase a mobile telephone and service contract to satisfy its needs.

* Teachers in charge of all excursions and trips involving students must ensure the school’s mobile phones or similar appropriate communications devices accompany each trip.

* Staff using mobile phones are required to sign for them in the Borrowing Register.

* Staff returning mobile phones are responsible for ensuring that they are recharged.

* Mobile phones are not to be used for private calls, with the exception that staff are permitted to contact families or loved ones during overnight excursions or if an excursion is returning late.

* Students are not to use the school’s mobile phones without permission directly from the Teacher in Charge.

* Staff will be kept informed of Department of Education and Training information relating to health effects of using mobile phones.

* Students are not to bring personal mobile phones to school unless written permission to the principal from the parents has been successfully sought by parents who have outlined the health, safety or personal reasons that justify the student being in possession of a mobile phone.

* The school does not except responsibility for lost or damaged student mobile phones.

* Student’s mobile phones must be handed to office for safe keeping until the end of school day and collected at the end of the school day.

* The principal may revoke a student’s privilege of bringing or using mobile phones whilst at school.

* The school reserves the right to prohibit students from bringing mobile phones into certain spaces or during certain activities eg: science rooms, exam rooms, technology rooms, physical education classes etc.

Evaluation:
* This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s three-year review cycle.

                       This policy was last ratified by School Council in....                             July 2007

Sunsmart Policy

Rationale:
*Over exposure to the sun presents a serious health risk. Students must therefore be educated as to the need for suitable sun protection, and protected from over exposure to the sun whilst at school

Aims:
* To educate students as to suitable sunsmart protection strategies.
* To encourage children and teachers to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.

Implementation:
* This policy is to be read as part of our Student Dress Code.
* Children will be required to wear Anti-Cancer Council approved close-weave broad brimmed hats (at least 8cm rigid brim) during terms 1 and 4 whenever they are outside.
* Encourage staff to act as role models by also wearing broad brimmed hats when outside.
* Children without broad brimmed hats will be restricted play in designated shaded areas.
* Children will be actively encouraged to wear a broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF30+).
* School Council will also investigate the use of close fitting UV protection wrap around AS1067 sunglasses by both students and staff.
* Whenever possible, outside activities on hot days should be scheduled before 11:00 am.
* The School Council will provide adequate shade structures for students as practicable; particularly over high density play areas such as sand pits and play equipment.
* The School Council will ensure that school uniform broad brimmed hats are available for purchase from the uniform store.
* The school newsletter and school assemblies will be used to highlight and reinforce the sunsmart policy.
* Sunsmart activities and sun protection will form part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum at all year levels.
* Our school will seek accreditation as a Sunsmart school at the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria.

Evaluation:
* This policy will be reviewed as part of the school's three-year review cycle.

Waste Minimisation

Rationale:
* Our school, like all schools, has the potential to produce large amounts of solid waste. However, strategies that reduce waste lead to financial savings for the school, considerable benefits for the environment and opportunities for students to develop environmentally sound attitudes and habits.

Aims:
* To develop an environmentally conscious school culture which minimises waste.

Implementation:
* Our school has an unwavering commitment to environmental conservation by minimising waste.
* We are active members of the 'Waste Wise Schools' program.
* A committee consisting of staff, parents and students coordinates all aspects of the program.
* The committee develops and implements an action plan each year.
* Key action plan strategies will include:
    * Separate coloured compost, recycle and rubbish bins.
    * Waste monitoring and audits.
    * Staff awareness of overuse of the photocopier.
    * Kerbside recycling collections.
    * Paper recycling.
    * Designated eating areas.
    * Working Bees.
    * Lunch boxes vs. lunch bags.
    * Worm farms.
    * A commitment to whole school approach to environmental education, of which waste minimisation 
      and litter reduction play a vital role.
    * The strategies of reduce, reuse, recycle and renew be incorporated into everyday activities.
    * Recycled products and others that help reduce waste be purchased where possible.
    * Excursions to land fill sites and recycling depots.
    * Rubbish- free days and garbage-free lunches.
    * Awards for reaching waste reduction targets and incentives or recognition awards being announced 
      and distributed on World Environment Day.
* School Council will initially resource the program, with all savings due to waste reduction being channeled back into the program.
* We will communicate closely with the local council, other schools and environmental groups to investigate other methods of waste minimisation.

Evaluation:
* This policy will be reviewed as part of the school's three-year review cycle.