Papatoetoe Intermediate School

General

Nothing will appear in this section that is opposed to the effect of school policies, Parliamentary Acts, employment contracts and professional Code of Ethics.

• Criticisms
  
  • It is unacceptable for any staff member to censure other staff members, or to criticise their work, in the hearing of students or parents.
  • Staff members must refrain from criticising the school to students, parents and the general public. Disloyalty has a severe effect on school morale and working relationships. Complaints should be handled in a professional manner. See Complaints Procedures.
• Complaints
  
  • Staff members should address all complaints or matters of concern to the appropriate senior staff and/or principal in the first instance. The Board is approached only after all other remedies have been tried. See Complaints Procedures in the Appendices.
  • Student’s complaints to teachers must be given fair and reasonable attention by the teacher who receives the complaint.
  • Complaints against the Principal will be directed to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
• Discipline of Students
  
  • Corporal punishment is illegal. Striking a student in any way is assault and may result in dismissal for the assailant. [See Education Amendment Act 1990 Section 28].
  • Staff members must treat students appropriately – that is, with dignity and respect.
  • Students may not be kept in after school. They may be kept in at lunchtime to complete work or to have a detention.
• Care of Children
  
  • Teachers have authority over students in uniform, to and from school, as well as while at school. They are responsible for students only while they are actually at school from 8.30 a.m. Students may only stay after school if they are involved in a specific programme. All other students must be off the school property by 3.30 p.m.
  • A teacher is responsible for the welfare of all students and in this regard shall take all precautions that a prudent person would take to avoid risk of injury and harm to the health of the students while they are at school. The teacher must exercise discretion in meeting any emergency that may arise
  • Teachers have a duty of care to report all concerns they may have for students in their care to the School Councillor and/or the Principal. Teachers are not qualified to provide advice to students who disclose personal information. However, they have a right to support that student in an approach to the School Councillor and/or Principal.
• School Hours
  
  • Staff members on hourly rates of pay should arrive at school punctually and depart at the correct time. Variations of hours or absences must be cleared with the Principal.
  • All salaried staff are expected to be on the school site by 8.00 a.m. and most days to be on site until 4.30 p.m.
• Education Outside the Classroom
  
  • Field trips outside of the school, or performances at the school, must have the principal’s permission. This is usually acquired through the Trip Permission Form. A permission form must also be received from the parent.
  • No field trip outside of the school can take place without adequate [and approved] adult supervision. See school procedure checklist for EOTC events.
  • A rigorous Risk Management assessment must be undertaken early in any planning for EOTC.
• Teaching and Professionalism
  
  • Staff members should dress appropriately for the job – for teachers this means dressing in a professional manner which is clean, neat and a good role model for children and parents. Casual clothing or beachwear is not appropriate for the classroom situation.
  • Every teacher is expected to be in their classroom no later than 8.00 a.m. prepared to conduct a well-planned day’s teaching programme. This means that teachers should leave the staffroom, resource room etc in ample time to be in the classroom by 8.30 a.m.
  • No staff member is to use the school during school hours for the dissemination of sectarian, political, racist or other propaganda.
  • Reasonable administration tasks must be completed by the specified date. This includes student reports and annual reports.
  • All material submitted to the school in support of a job application must be truthful and accurate. An appointee who is caught lying in such material risks dismissal.
  • Staff are expected to be punctual to all meetings.
  • All adults employed in the school are governed by the school’s sexual harassment policy. This includes work scheme workers to government departments.
  • Every teacher who is convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for 3 months or more must, within 7 days of conviction, report the conviction to the New Zealand Teachers’ Council.
  • Failure to report a conviction is misconduct that may give rise to disciplinary proceedings – the Teachers Council will find out about the conviction when they do a Police Vetting for teacher registration.
  • A staff handbook covering the professional expectations and duties of all staff is issued to new staff members on taking up employment. This handbook is reviewed on a regular basis.
• Security
  
  • Keys issued to staff must be looked after [i.e. not left around to be stolen] and losses promptly reported.
  • Cash or private property left in, or stored, at the school shall be at the sole risk of the owners who should have such items privately insured. The Board of Trustees shall not be responsible for either the loss or the insurance excess.
  • All staff must ensure that the school and its furniture and equipment are left in a safe and secure manner at the end of each day. Damage and losses must be reported promptly. Teachers are responsible for ensuring that their students take care of their class furniture.
  • School property may be used after school hours by staff with the permission of the principal. Staff must have insurance cover.
  • All monies received by staff in the carrying out of their duties must be handed into the school cashier, daily. No school money may be kept in classrooms or on the person or a staff member.
• Drug Abuse
  
  • No one is permitted to smoke on school premises, on school field trips, or on school camps at any time.
  • Alcohol may not be consumed on the premises during school hours or at any time on school EOTC activities [e.g. camps].
  • Only prescribed drugs for medical complaints may be brought on to the school grounds. Offenders risk instant dismissal. See ‘Misuse of Drugs Act’ (1975).
• Other Acts
  • The Board, usually through the principal, may from time to time determine who may be present on school premises other than students or staff. It may prohibit entry where it considers circumstances justify the action. [See Trespass Act].
  • The Education Act (1964) sections 158 – 159 regarding serious allegations made against a teacher have been abolished but still have relevance in relation to employment under competency.
    158(1) lists the following “disciplinary offences”.
    • ...... fails to comply with the requirements of this Act:
    • .... disobeys, disregards or makes wilful default in carrying out any lawful order to instruction given by any person or Board having authority to give such order or instruction.
    • Is negligent, careless, or indolent in the discharge of his duties.
    • Is grossly inefficient or incompetent in the discharge of his professional duties.
    • Improperly used property, stores or equipment for the time being in his official custody or under his control or fails to take reasonable care of any such property or equipment.
    • Absents himself from his duties without leave or valid excuse.
    • Is guilty of conduct in his capacity as a teacher or otherwise which is unbecoming to a member of the teaching service or shows his unfitness to remain in his present position or in the service.

• Authority
  • The Board delegates to its disciplinary committee full authority to make a substantive investigation and to take disciplinary action that a full board may make including authority to suspend a teacher and to dismiss a teacher under section 66 of the Education Act 1989.
  • The Board delegates to its disciplinary committee full authority to hear a suspension case against a student and to make a decision as to lifting the suspension [with or without conditions], extending the suspension for a reasonable period of time, or excluding the student.
  • Papatoetoe Intermediate has a school uniform that must be worn by students who wish to attend this school.
  • Papatoetoe Intermediate has a Dress Code that must be adhered to by students wishing to attend this school.

Signed _______________________________________ Chairperson 2010

Reviewed according to Schedule.