School Dress Code Policy

Why does Alfred Deakin High School have a Dress Code?

As a school with a long and proud tradition of delivering quality education, Alfred Deakin HS has always placed a strong emphasis on belonging and connectedness and our decision to not have a uniform supports students being able to wear clothing that they feel comfortable in. Our dress code promotes a sense of pride in the school inline with the school’s mission and values. It is practical and is designed with health and safety in mind.

School Dress Standards

Whilst students attending Alfred Deakin High School are not expected to wear a uniform or adhere to a colour code, they are required to dress according to the following dress code.

School Dress Code Document with Examples

Clothing worn should:

• Protect students from hazards in classrooms, corridors, and outside, including the weather. ADHS strongly promotes the wearing of sun protective clothing and/or sunscreen to protect exposed skin, including upper arms and chest area. Sun UV Protection - Students Policy
• Show respect for the sensitivities of different cultures represented at the school
• Reflect standards determined by the ADHS community
• Reflect dress standards fitting for the school environment

Health and Safety 

The Alfred Deakin High School dress code is designed to meet the standards of health and safety for our students. Shirts are required to cover the chest and entire shoulder from the sun.

Shoes are fully enclosed to meet the safety standards for participation in Science, Technology and PE classes. Students who are not wearing correct shoes may not be able to participate in these classes.

Alfred Deakin High School recommends that all students wear a hat when outside, during breaks or when undertaking learning activities in outdoor environments. All students are encouraged to carry a water bottle with them throughout the day.

Follow Up and Monitoring of the Dress Code

The dress code policy is monitored by the Tutor Group teacher; however every teacher has a responsibility to ensure that the school dress code is worn correctly. In the first instance the TG teacher talks to the student about why they are not meeting the dress code requirements. If no acceptable reason is given then the following will occur:

• TG teacher makes a record in Sentral (Wellbeing - new incident - dress code) and contacts home (record this in Sentral Correspondence).
• Students wearing inappropriate clothing that requires changing immediately (unsafe shoes that don’t fasten at all to foot e.g. thongs/slides, inappropriate slogans/pictures e.g. swearing, nudity) will be asked to go to Student Wellbeing to arrange appropriate attire for the day (phone call home to drop off appropriate attire).
• Continual infringements will result in contact being made home and the Year Coordinator and SLC Student Wellbeing being informed.

The Role of Parents

We ask our parent community to support the school dress code policy. We believe that parents and students need to ensure that they have the correct clothing, and that it is clean and in good repair. Funds are available through Student Wellbeing for families that require financial assistance with meeting school dress code requirements.

Personal Communication Devices & Mobile Phone Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the requirements relating to students using Personal Electronic Devices (PED) and mobile phones during school hours and is consistent with the Personal Use of Communication Devices policy.

The provision of Chromebooks to all students has eliminated any need for student mobile phones and PED’s to be used as learning devices in the classroom. Unregulated non-educational use of mobile phones and related social media can adversely impact learning and wellbeing. At ADHS we support people’s right to learn and teach in an environment free of distractions, where face-to-face interactions and non-digital forms of learning are valued.

ADHS recognises the need for students to have time away from screens and electronic devices, including Chromebooks. Screen free time during recess and lunch breaks promotes physical activity, fosters face to face interactions and strengthens social connections. A wide variety of co-curricular activities, house events and clubs are provided to promote positive connection and social interactions during break times.

Definition

For the purpose of this policy, a mobile phone is a device with access to a cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network. PEDs or Personal Communication Devices refers to but is not limited to, workstations, laptops, tablet devices, and smartphones which are owned by individual users and brought to the school. This includes accessories such as headphones and smart watches.

Use of Mobile Phones and PED’s

• Our teachers remind students about the mobile phone and PED policy and use the prompt “We keep our phones at home or switched off and in our bag”.
• As outlined in the ACT Education Directorate Policy “Students in Years 7-10 at ACT public schools may not use or access personal communications devices at school, including recess and lunch, or during school authorised events unless the school principal has approved a formal or specific exemption”.
• At ADHS “at school” means on school grounds from the time of arrival until the final bell (3:15pm), Monday to Friday.
• Students are strongly encouraged to leave their phones and other personal devices at home.
• It is acknowledged that some students will need their phones or other personal devices immediately before and after school to help them get to and from school safely. In these circumstances, mobile phones must be in student bags and switched off until the end of the school day.
• Contact by/with parents and carers during the school day is to be made via the Front Office staff. This ensures that students will be reached quickly and they follow appropriate procedures.
• Headphones are to be in bags and switched off unless specific permission is given by the classroom teacher. In this circumstance they are to be connected to the Department issued Chromebook.
• Teachers may be required to use their phones in class due to an emergency or work issue. The rights and responsibilities of staff are different from students. Despite this, staff are encouraged to model good practice and appropriate use of a phone when at school.
• The school does not accept liability in the event of loss, theft, or damage of a phone or accessories such as chargers or headphones.
• Other devices connected to mobile phones (eg. smart watches or gaming devices) must not be used for communication purposes (talking or messaging) at any time, while “at school”.

Procedures if a phone is used inappropriately

• If a student has the phone out at school between the time of arrival and end of day (3:15pm), the teacher will inform the student that they need to hand over their phone, and it will be given to the front office. The teacher should then place the phone in a bag with the student’s name on it and place it at the front office for the remainder of the day.
• If the student refuses to hand over the phone, the teacher can call for the faculty Executive teacher. The phone will be confiscated and placed in a bag with the student's name on it at the front office for the remainder of the day. In the case of non-compliance, the Executive will inform the student that student management procedures will be followed.
• In circumstances where a Faculty Executive or Student Wellbeing teacher is not immediately available, the student will be required to hand their phone to an Executive teacher at a later point.
• If a student refuses to follow the teacher’s instructions, the behaviour will be dealt with as non-compliance. Any additional consequences will be in line with the ADHS Student Wellbeing policies.
• Repeated infringements will require the student and parents/carers to meet with a member of the school leadership team to determine a suitable management plan.

Exemptions

• An exemption can be requested and must be approved by the school principal or delegate.
• An exemption can be requested if a student needs their device/assistive technology to:
  • manage or monitor a medical condition.
  • help meet caring or family responsibilities.
• An exemption application form must be completed and is available at this link or on the Education Directorate website. An exemption will only be approved if sufficient supporting evidence is provided, for example, from a treating general practitioner.
• When an exemption is approved, the personal communication device(s) may be used only for the specific purposes approved by the school principal, or their delegate. The device must be silenced and put away again when the approved specific use ends.

Policy Developed: 2024 Policy Review: 2029

Bullying and Harassment Policy

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Definition taken from ‘Bullying No Way’ and was developed by the Safe and Supportive Schools Communities Working Group. https://bullyingnoway.gov.au

Verbal bullying:

Includes: name calling, ‘put downs’, threatening, rumours, and verbal aggression.

Physical bullying:

Includes: fighting, pushing, kicking, spitting, throwing things, vandalism of others property.

Social bullying:

Includes: social exclusion, verbal or physical attacks as part of a group towards individuals or other groups.

Cyber bullying:

Includes: use of the internet, mobile phones, email, social media applications to undertake verbal and social bullying.

Bullying also includes inciting others to bully or encouraging other people who are bullying, by such actions as applauding bullying behaviour or watching it happen and not doing anything about it.

Bullying is violence!

Bullying should not be accepted by anyone!

We all have a duty to stand up to bullying and let bullies know that it is not ok! 

Definition of Harassment

Can be verbal, physical or written.  It is any unwelcome comment or conduct including threats, abuse and insults towards a person

Racial harassment can be verbal, physical or written.  It is any unwelcome comment or conduct including threats, abuse and insults towards a person (or persons) based on their culture, nationality or ethnicity or a characteristic belonging to, or generally believed to belong to, a particular group. Racial harassment can be directed towards individuals or groups.  If these words or actions are repeatedly directed towards the same person it is called racial bullying.

Sexual harassment can be verbal, physical or written.  It is any unwelcome comment, advance, request or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person or group feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Bullying/Harassment Flow Chart

The most important thing is that when a student reports bullying to a teacher or a teacher witnesses bullying - they must act. Either running a restorative conversation, putting in a consequence or seeking support from the Year Coordinator. If the harassment is of a racial or sexual nature then the Safe and Supportive Schools Contact Officer (SASSCO) may be involved.

Note: This is a guide to consequences. Some of these steps may be skipped, depending on the seriousness of the harassment.

Lateness and Truancy Policy

Rationale

Teacher quality is the single highest in-school factor that influences achievement (Hattie, 2009) – so it follows that being in the classroom with a teacher and peers can have the greatest impact on a student’s social, emotional and academic development, learning and achievement. Research has determined that “every day counts” (Hancock et al., 2013) – and trends of lateness, truancy and absenteeism do negatively impact student engagement and performance (Gottfried, 2014; Keppens & Spruyt, 2017).

We are committed to managing lateness and truancy with a positive and educative approach, which is anchored in our framework of Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). PBL approaches to manage tardiness, truancy and absenteeism have shown to be effective in building self-regulation strategies in students and creating motivation for high attendance in students (Caldarella et al., 2011).

Definitions

Lateness (fractional truancy):

Lateness is classified as being between 5 and 15 minutes late to class. This also includes leaving class with permission but returning after the agreed time has passed.

Truancy:

Truancy is classified as being more than 15 minutes late to class or missing a class entirely without explanation. This also applies to students who leave class with permission and do not return. Truancy includes absconding, where students leave school grounds without permission.

Absconding:

Absconding is classified as the leaving of school grounds without permission. At ADHS we are responsible for students under our duty of care and unless they are signed out with parental permission or participating in an excursion, students are not allowed to leave school grounds between 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Follow up of Lateness, Truancy and Absconding

Lateness and truancies are managed differently (as shown on the flowchart below). In both cases, follow up begins by the relevant classroom teacher. When staff become aware of a student absconding either during class time or during a break time they need to notify Student Wellbeing who will follow this up (lesson checks, class attendance monitoring), and notify parents.

Infringements are measured with logical consequences. Research shows that consequences need to be flexible in order to best fit the situation, considering individual circumstances and the actual behaviour that is occurring (NSW Department of Education, 2023). Low-level infringements such as missing the first 5 minutes of class could mean making up the time elsewhere (in the next lesson, or on a teacher’s duty on the playground, or helping out around the classroom in the future) where full lesson truancy may mean the completion of work at home or spending a break time with the classroom teacher to discuss the impact of a student’s actions on themselves and others. Chronic infringements will have higher-level consequences managed by Student Wellbeing.

The procedural flowchart below clearly outlines the response pathway for staff when managing incidents of lateness and truancy.

Smoking and Vaping Policy 

Purpose 

The ACT Education Directorate has a legal and industrial obligation to provide a safe working

environment and to protect its employees, students and clients from injury or illness arising from the workplace. The health of Directorate officers and students should not be put at risk by exposure to cigarette (including electronic cigarette) smoke in the workplace. ACT legislation is clear that smoking or vaping on the grounds of any ACT public school is prohibited. School property includes the school buildings, grounds and surrounding ovals and footpaths.

Rationale 

Alfred Deakin High School (ADHS) is a Smoke-Free Workplace. Smoking is not permitted on school property or at school events held at public venues. ADHS staff are committed to fulfilling their occupational, health and safety responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy working environment for staff and students. Staff encourage students to embrace healthy choices by educating students about health and wellbeing, and offering support through Student Wellbeing.

Dangers of Smoking and Vaping

• Health Risks: Smoking and vaping are known to cause severe health issues, including but  not limited to respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Students who smoke or vape risk negatively impacting their long-term health.
• Impact on Learning: Smoking and vaping can disrupt the learning environment by causing distractions and fostering addiction.
• Influence on Peers: The use of tobacco and vaping products may encourage other students to engage in similar harmful behaviours, leading to a negative peer influence.
• Legal Implications: It is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to possess, purchase, or use tobacco and vaping products.

Maintaining a smoke-free workplace

Alfred Deakin High School students are not permitted to smoke or be in possession of cigarettes (including electronic or e-cigarettes) at school or while attending school activities.

Students learn about making healthy choices through the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (F– 10) which aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable students to access, evaluate and synthesise information to take positive action to protect, enhance and advocate for their own and others’ health, wellbeing, safety and physical activity participation across their lifespan.

Our procedures adopt an educative and deterrent approach. If students are:

* Smoking or vaping on school grounds or while attending official school activities; or/and

* Found to possess cigarettes (including e-cigarettes) or smoking paraphernalia; or/and

* Found with others who are smoking or vaping on school grounds or at school activities,

any smoking related products will be confiscated and destroyed. All incidents will be recorded on Sentral (School Administration System used by all ACT Government schools) and the following consequences will apply:

First Incident

• Conference with Student Wellbeing about behaviour
• Parents/carers informed of the incident
• Student required to complete a reflection activity about the impact of their actions. This could include smoking/vaping diversion booklet, designing and presenting to Student Wellbeing and parents on effects of smoking/vaping.

Second Incident

• Alternate program (working in Student Wellbeing for one day). Revisit previous reflection activity and the impact of their actions
• Parent meeting with Student Wellbeing
• Student offered support for smoking cessation

Third Incident

• Suspension (internal or external depending on circumstances) for persistently breaking school rules and putting the health and wellbeing of others at risk.
• Re-entry meeting with Principal or Deputy Principal
• Student offered support for smoking cessation
• Vaping in the building may result in immediate suspension

Related Policies

1. ACT Government Health: Smoking and Vaping Laws in the ACT

Policy Developed: January, 2024

Review Date: April, 2025