Parents play a formative role in the development of their child's sense of justice, equity, and the dignity and worth of all members of our school community. They also act as one of the most influential role models within a child's life, therefore the onus for promoting and upholding the core values of our school community must fall on all those with the greatest capacity to reason and control their actions. It is a clear expectation of the community that all parents model acceptable behaviour at all times within the school setting at Kinross Primary School. At Kinross PS we are very fortunate to have supportive and friendly parents. Our parents recognise that educating children is a process that involves partnership between home and school and understand the importance of a good working relationship to equip children with the necessary skills for adulthood. For these reasons we welcome and encourage parents/carers to participate fully in the life of our school. The purpose of this policy is to provide a reminder to all parent and visitors to our school about expected conduct so that we can work together to ensure a safe and positive school environment for our children.
EXPECTED PARENT ACTIONS
All parents are expected to abide by the action statements below to ensure the behaviours they model are appropriate at all times.
Support your child in all their educational endeavours by giving praise and showing interest in their school activities.
Help your child to discover that it is often the process that is experienced rather than the end product that makes it all worthwhile; that giving of your very best is what matters rather than always comparing yourself against the capabilities of others.
Ensure all our children have the right to feel safe at school.
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 or guardian to approach another child whilst they are in the care of the school to discuss or chastise them because of their actions towards their own child. It is appropriate to approach the class teacher or the School Principal to seek their intervention in bringing about an equitable and peaceful solution to the situation.
Accept that bullying has no place within our community and as such will not be tolerated. This is as true for adult-to-adult interaction as it is for child-to-child. Instances of bullying must quickly be brought to the attention of the school staff so that justice may be achieved for all involved in the conflict.
Always be positive.
We all have bad days and, at times, events occur which don't always appear fair. However it is often the case that the injustice was not intentional, and many times not even apparent to others. Always approach these situations in a spirit of co-operation and genuine partnership. It is amazing how easily and quickly most situations can be resolved.
Show awareness that a child's perception is not the same as an adult's due to developmental maturity.
A child is not necessarily lying when their story conflicts with another or when the teacher's perspective does not match what you have been told at home. Children see their world through their own limited experiences, which colour their perceptions. Adult perceptions are balanced with life experiences. Listen to your child as they tell you their "reality", but remember that a different "reality" may possibly exist elsewhere. Open, honest discussion with school staff is essential in these situations.
Understand that children may and do act differently at home and school.
When faced with an audience of their own peers often children will act/react in a way, which appears completely out of character to you and the saying "My child wouldn't do that”, might not hold for all situations. Be open to all possibilities.
Protect people’s good name.
Problems, differences of opinion and personality clashes are not resolved by involving other people in a disagreement or by taking sides in an argument. Attempt to resolve these issues through calm dialogue between the parties directly involved whilst respecting the dignity of each and every person.
Separate opinion from fact.
An approach to the relevant personnel within the school to verify the factual basis of a story can assist in allaying your fears of an event in question and the intent involved.
Actively listen to another's point of view.
It may be that the perspective from which the parent is approaching the situation is foreign to the other party and each may be equally of value.
Follow correct procedures in times of conflict to ensure all parties are heard and for harmonious solutions to be reached.
If the conflict centres on a classroom issue, the first approach should always be made with the classroom teacher. If a resolution is not reached then it is appropriate to involve the school administration. Should the matter result from a situation outside of classroom matters then it is appropriate to discuss this with a member of the school administration in the first instance. If parents remain dissatisfied with the result then a formal complaint can be made or the matter can be referred to the Regional Executive Director at the North West Regional Education Office.
Social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, Principals, school staff, and in some cases other parents/pupils. Kinross Primary School considers the use of social media websites being used in this way as unacceptable and not in the best interests of the children or the whole school community. Any concerns you may have must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the Class Teacher, Associate Principal or the Principal so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned.
In serious cases the school will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse of social networking and other sites. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, is the issue of cyber bullying and the use by any member of the school community to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying.
Parking with consideration and respect for others when delivering and collecting children from school.
Parents are expected to abide by the School Parking Policy and display respectful, polite behaviour to other drivers around the school.
In order to support a peaceful and safe school environment, the school does not tolerate:
The above behaviours on school premises will be reported to the appropriate authorities and the Principal may prohibit an offending adult from entering the school grounds to safeguard our school community.
We trust that parents, carers and visitors will fully support this Code of Conduct to ensure a positive environment for all.