In general, the aim of this code is to ensure that the school is a safe and pleasant place in which learning takes place, that the property and reputation of the school is protected and that students develop self-discipline and consideration for others. 

While this document is primarily concerned with disciplinary procedures, it is recognised that the student conduct is also influenced by other aspects of the school program, such as the quality and appropriateness of curriculum, the opportunities provided for student leadership, the positive reinforcement given to students and the availability of welfare services.

Rights and Responsibilities

Principals and staff have a responsibility to

• implement the Code of Conduct fairly, reasonably and consistently. 

Teachers have a right to 

• expect the co-operation of students,
• expect that they will be able to teach in an orderly and co-operative environment,
• expect the support of other staff and the administration in fulfilling their professional duties,
• maintain flexibility in their approach to classroom procedures and organisation within the framework of school policy. 

Teachers have a responsibility to

•  treat students fairly and consistently,
• provide an appropriate range of learning strategies,
• undertake the counselling of students and pastoral role when appropriate,
• develop in students an awareness and understanding of school rules,
• follow the agreed policies and procedures of the school regarding student management,
• communicate with parents and guardians on matters relating to the educational development and behaviour of their children. 

Students have a right to 

• feel safe within the school,
• learn in a challenging environment to the best of their ability,
• be treated with respect by other students and teachers,
• be listened to.  

Students have a responsibility to 

• accept school policies regarding behaviour,
• act and work co-operatively with other students and teachers,
• respect the learning needs of other students,
• take progressive responsibility for their own learning, to work consistently and complete tasks as required,
• be tolerant of differences,
• be punctual and regular in attendance,
• inform parents of educational progress and to ensure that all school communication is effectively delivered. 

Parents/guardians have a right to  

• expect that their children can interact and learn in a secure environment,
• be informed of matters regarding their children,
• be involved in developing strategies for student behaviour.

Parents/guardians have a responsibility to 

• encourage children to observe school rules,
• work co-operatively with the school to solve problems,
• provide support for teachers in implementing the code of conduct,
• communicate relevant information and concerns to the school. 

Responsibilities of students 

Students have a responsibility: 

• to uphold the reputation of the school by observing an appropriate standard of behaviour in transit to and from the school and when wearing school uniform.
• to accept the authority of members of staff and observe specific rules which may be made from time to time.
• to behave in a manner which does not endanger the health and safety of themselves or others.
• to behave with courtesy and consideration for others.  In particular, students must refrain from all forms of bullying and harassment.  See also : Box Hill High School Equal Opportunity policy.
• to refrain from behaviour which would interrupt the work of any class or hinder the learning opportunities of other students.
• to respect school property and the property of staff and other students.
• to be punctual and attend all classes.
• to remain in the school grounds during the school day, except as provided in the Student Regulations.
• to complete work set by teachers promptly and to the best of their ability and to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered at the school.
• to dress neatly and with due regard for health, hygiene and safety.  Students must wear the approved dress as set out in the school handbook and diary.
• students are not permitted to possess or smoke cigarettes, possess or use or be under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs or other substances harmful to health, at school, on school excursions, in transit between school and home or otherwise while wearing school uniform.
• to observe specific rules as set out in the Student Regulations. 

Note the detailed rules listed in the Student Regulations may be varied by the Principal in consultation with appropriate members of the school community, consistent with this policy.

Student Regulations  

Behaviour

Students are expected to behave with courtesy and consideration for others.  Violence, bullying, verbal intimidation and offensive behaviour are not acceptable, and students are expected to behave in a manner consistent with safety and to avoid such practices as running in the building or throwing missiles.  Students are not permitted to bring weapons or dangerous objects or materials to school.  Riding bicycles or skateboards, etc., in the school premises is not permitted. 

Out-of-bounds areas

The natural boundaries of Whitehorse Road, Middleborough Road and the railway cutting establish the limits clearly to the north, east and south.  To the west the boundary is defined roughly by Whitehorse Oval and the car park, i.e., beyond the western goal posts is out-of-bounds, as is the car park area.  The front steps and garden in front of the Assembly Hall and the area around the cricket nets are also out-of-bounds. 

Playing areas 

• Whitehorse Oval is available for use to the School during school hours, and may be used for active sport and games.
• The court on the Middleborough Road side of the buildings is a basketball or net ball area.
• The area across the front of the school is a quiet area which is not to be used for games or running.
• The central quadrangle may be used for netball goal practice and games  which do not endanger school property or endanger or inconvenience persons using the quadrangle.  Ball games may not be played in the undercroft.
•  The asphalted area behind the Assembly Hall may only be used for games, which do not inconvenience or endanger persons using the area or endanger school property.  

Use of Buildings 

For safety reasons students should closely observe the following: 

• No running in corridors, through doorways, along verandahs and balconies, the quadrangle or up and down stairways.
• Students should not enter buildings until the warning bell sounds before school and at the end of recess and lunch times.  At those times students should get their books from their lockers and then go to the classroom for the next lesson where they line up in an orderly and quiet manner until their teacher arrives and admits them to the classroom.
• Students should not be in the buildings during recess and lunch times.  At lunch times students should be clear of classrooms, corridors, etc., within 10 minutes of the lunchtime bell.  All teachers moving out of classrooms in these areas are asked to remind and urge students to leave promptly.
• At no time are students to be in a classroom, workshop or gymnasium, etc., unless accompanied by a teacher or a prefect, or unless under supervision as part of a VCE leadership program.
• Students are to use only the east and west entrances to the old building and the east and west stairways.  The front or main entrance to the school is not to be used by students, and the middle quadrangle entrance is to be used only when going to the General Office or the office of the Principal and Assistant Principals. 

Use of lockers, etc.  

The following rules have been drawn up to achieve the greatest possible security for students’ property, and to ensure that the school operates as efficiently as possible. 

• Students are not to go to lockers during class time unless they are given written permission by a teacher or are supervised by a teacher.
• Students are not to go to lockers between periods, except before or after a physical education class (see below).
• School bags are not to be taken to any class (except for physical education) and must be left in the locker area.
• Where students have physical education classes, they may use school bags to carry a change of clothing to and from physical education, and may go to the locker area before and after physical education.  Bags are not to be taken to other classes.
• Students are strongly advised not to leave any books or other property in school bags at any time.  

Attendance 

• Students shall be punctual and shall attend all classes.
• Students who are absent from school must provide written explanations from their parents or guardians on the day of return.  (Parents are required to inform the school as soon as possible if the student will be absent for more than two consecutive days.).  Students who are over 18 may provide their own notes with the agreement of the level co-ordinator.
• Students (Years 7 to 10) who arrive late will have their names recorded in the classbook.  VCE students must obtain late passes from the level co-ordinator.
• Students shall not leave the school grounds during the day except on official school excursions, unless they obtain a leave pass from the Assistant Principal or level co-ordinator and sign the early leavers’ book.  

The only exceptions are:

• VCE students who have free periods at the beginning or end of the school day need not attend during that time.
• Students, who wish to leave a class for a purpose such as going to lockers, toilets or the resource centre, require written permission from their teacher.  Unless there are exceptional circumstances, such written permission will only be given by a note in the student’s diary. 

Smoking 

If a student or group of students is smoking, it is the responsibility of the other students to dissuade that student or to walk away.  Any student in the company of a smoker will be deemed to be smoking.

Action which may be taken where the Code of Conduct is breached 

• Wherever possible, action will be taken to assist the student to achieve self-discipline and to assist with problems which may underlie the unacceptable behaviour.  Where appropriate, action will be taken as a direct consequence of the misbehaviour; for example, persistent misbehaviour in a class may lead to withdrawal from the class. 
• In general, teachers will deal with instances of unacceptable behaviour in the classroom but cases of persistent or extreme misconduct may be referred to year level co-ordinators.  Year level co-ordinators are responsible for the general overview of discipline at their year level, while the Principal and Assistant Principal will exercise an overview of the discipline of the school as a whole and may be referred to in the most serious cases of misconduct.  

Action to be taken following breaches of school rules may include:  

• discussion with student, advice to or discussion with parents, reference to guidance personnel, etc.  It is school policy to advise parents of all serious or persistent breaches of school rules.
• detention, and the imposition of tasks which will benefit the school.
• Detentions may be given for up to half of any recess period and for up to 45 minutes after school.  Parents will be given notice of any after school detention at least one day in advance.  In serious cases, students may be required to attend school on curriculum/correction days or on Saturdays.
• taking a student out of a school activity or situation; for example, withdrawal from class, exclusion from excursions or restriction of a student to certain parts of the school grounds.
• reparation - the student may be required to make good some damage, clear up a mess which has been made, etc.  When it can be established that damage has been caused by one or more individual students, the Principal may bill the student for all or part of the full cost of the repairs, depending on whether the student’s actions were malicious, negligent or careless.
• suspension from school.  

Grounds for suspension 

A student may, by order of the Principal of a state school, be suspended if, whilst attending school or travelling directly to or from school or engaged in any school activity away from the school, including travel organised by the school, the student:  

• behaves in such a way as to constitute a danger to the health of any staff member, student or any other person assisting in the conduct of school activities;  or
• commits an act of significant violence or causes significant damage or destruction to property, or is knowingly involved in the theft of property;  or
• possesses, uses, or deliberately assists others to use illegal drugs or substances prohibited by the Director of School Education;  or
• fails to comply with any reasonable and clearly communicated instruction of a Principal or teacher;  or
• consistently behaves in a manner that interferes with the educational opportunities of any other student or students;  or
• behaves in a way which threatens the good order of the school’s program or facility;  or
• engages in unacceptable discriminatory behaviour (including harassment) towards another person based on sex, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), marital status, the status or condition of being a parent, the status or condition of being childless, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or physical or mental disability or impairment.  

The Principal may also suspend a student who is fifteen years of age or older, if the student deliberately and consistently fails to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by the school. 

Expulsion 

The Principal can expel a student from the school if, whilst attending school or directly travelling to or from school or engaged in any school activity away from the school, including travel organised by the school  

• the student does anything mentioned under Grounds for Suspension  AND
• the student’s behaviour is of such magnitude that having regard to the need of the student to receive an education compared to the welfare and safety of other students at the school and the need to maintain order and discipline within the school, a suspension is inadequate to deal with that behaviour.  

Smoking and other drugs 

The following penalties are automatically imposed when students are caught smoking.  Note that if some members of a group of students are smoking, all students are liable to be penalised.  It is the responsibility of students not to remain with students who are smoking. 

Year 7-10 

• First offence: after school detention (clean up), warning and Quit Telephone number 13 18 48 given to students
• Second offence: Phone call to parents from YLC, and detention.
• More serious disciplinary action considered, including suspension.  

Year 11-12  

• First offence: after school detention (clean up), warning and Quit Telephone number 13 18 48 given to students
• Second offence: Phone call to parents from YLC, and detention.
• Suspension. 

Cases involving alcohol or unprescribed drugs will be dealt with on an individual basis.  Counselling will be offered to students but immediate penalties may include suspension or expulsion.

Discipline procedures  

Procedures Within the Classroom 

• Teachers are strongly advised to give students a clear statement of their expectations concerning classroom behaviour, and to demand high standards of behaviour from students at all times. 
• Action which may be taken by classroom teachers includes reprimands, warnings and isolation of students within the classroom, detentions organised by the teacher or extra work.  Classroom teachers may wish to contact parents directly.
• Students may be sent out of the room for brief periods of time if the teacher can exercise appropriate supervision.  For more serious misconduct the student should be sent to the Principal, Assistant Principal or year level co-ordinator.  Where possible, a note should be sent with another (reliable) student with a brief account of the misconduct.
• Teachers may refer students to year level co-ordinators where the misconduct is serious or repeated.  Co-ordinators and other relevant staff may be asked to give advice concerning appropriate classroom strategies. 

Referral to senior staff and Incident Report  

• Students who are guilty of serious or repeated misconduct are normally reported to year level co-ordinators.  Where a year level co-ordinator is unavailable, or in cases of very serious misconduct, the Principal or Assistant Principal may be involved in the first instance.
• Where a student is referred to senior staff, an Incident Report must be completed.  Blank forms are located in the staffroom.  The report is completed and photocopied.  One copy goes to the level co-ordinator, the other to the Principal.  This is important in enabling the school to build up records of students who may require action such as suspension or expulsion.  

Detention 

School detentions are organised on Tuesday and Thursday after school.  Students are placed on detention for breaches of school rules other than classroom misconduct.  Teachers who wish to use detention to deal with classroom misconduct are expected to make their own arrangements. 

Where a student is given a detention, this is entered in the detention book, and a detention slip is given to the student at least one day before the detention so that parents can be informed.  

Sanctions available to Year Level Coordinators include:  

• Discussion with parents
• In some cases, referral to the school counsellor
• Conduct cards
• Removal from particular classes, or all classes for periods of time
• Detentions, including recall on student-free days.  Saturday detentions may be used with the agreement of parents provided that appropriate supervision can be provided.
• Suspension and expulsion, with the agreement of the Principal.