Discipline

The school welfare policy provides the guidelines for student behaviour at Barrenjoey High School. It aims to give each student the opportunity to gain the best possible education in a safe, calm, cooperative, learning focused environment. All students will be encouraged to develop into mature, responsible, self-motivated and self-reliant citizens.

Discipline code

The discipline code at Barrenjoey High School outlines the rights and responsibilities of the students. The rights and responsibilities apply to the individual students, the other students, members of the school community and members of the wider community.

All members of the school are expected to comply with the expectations of this code.

Student rights

Students have a right to:

• be treated with courtesy, fairness and respect;
• receive an education which suits their interests and ability and prepares them to be successful both now and in the future;
• be able to fully develop their academic, social, creative, spiritual and physical potential;
• be safe from physical harm, victimisation and harassment; and
• work in an environment which offers maximum opportunities for success.

Student responsibilities
Students have a responsibility to:

• behave in a way, at all times, that contributes to ensuring our school has a friendly, calm, cooperative, learning focused culture;
• work to the best of their ability with diligence and sustained effort in order to learn and to support the learning of other students;
• complete all set class work and all homework;
• study at home each night, revising the day's lessons, preparing for tests and assessment tasks;
• have positive and respectful relationships with all members of the school community;
  behave well in the classroom, playground, at sport, on excursions and while travelling to and from school;
• apply themselves to work during study periods;
• be tolerant, friendly and courteous to others;
• follow reasonable instructions from those in authority;
• behave safely;
• wear the correct school uniform at all times and follow procedures;
• respect the property of others;
• be punctual and attend all lessons and activities; and
• attend school regularly.

Behaviour that will not be tolerated

Barrenjoey will not tolerate:

• disruption of the learning environment;
• any form of bullying, discrimination or harassment against students and staff;
• disobedience; insolence, disrespectful behaviour towards others;
• truancy or unexplained absences;
• dangerous or violent behaviour;
• physical or verbal abuse.
• the possession of suspected illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco;
• vandalism and theft;
• possession of dangerous implements or prohibited weapons;
• blatant sexual or indecent acts;
• actions which bring the school into disrepute;
• failure to complete disciplinary tasks;
• failure to follow the uniform policy;
• misuse of computers or other school equipment or the internet;
• misconduct and inappropriate behaviour during tests and class assessment tasks;
• misuse of mobile phones; or
• cruelty towards animals.

Items that are banned at Barrenjoey

• Skateboards and scooters
• Marker pens
• Cigarettes, lighters
• Alcohol or suspected illegal substances
• Knives or any dangerous object, prohibited weapons or anything that looks like a prohibited weapon
• Spray cans
• Water bombs
• Other items as determined by the principal

Discipline level system

Students who breach the discipline code are placed on an appropriate level within the level system.

The purpose of the level system is to clearly outline the consequences that will result from serious or continual breaches of the discipline code.

Students and parents should note that, in the case of serious breaches of discipline, students may be placed immediately on a high level e.g Level 2 or 3, and that the NSW Department of Education and Training requires immediate suspension for some offences i.e. Level 4 on our system.

Students of any age can be expelled for misbehaviour and students over the age of 15 can be expelled for unsatisfactory participation in learning.

Complete information about the levels system is published in the Barrenjoey Guide which is issued to all students on enrolment and is available on request.