Talking to Teachers

We have always had a fairly open door approach to parents talking to teachers here at Bonbeach PS.

We still welcome the quick hellos, student absent notifications, illnesses, etc. but we have noticed an increasing number of parents talking about issues that their children are having, both academically and socially.

8:45am and 3:30pm are not the times for these conversations.

Teachers are preparing for, and finetuning their lessons for the day in the mornings and have meetings to attend after school most afternoons.

It is important to make the school aware of social and academic issues that your child may be having, so please make an appointment with the teacher that suits both.

N.B. If the issues are not resolved after that meeting, please make an appointment to speak to Jayne or myself.

Talking Respectfully

I was always taught if you want to be treated respectfully, you must treat others with respect.

There have been several articles in the media recently about teachers leaving the service or going on leave after student (mainly secondary) and parent abuse or bullying.

We are fortunate here that we have a supportive community but there have been a few incidents recently where parents cross that line in conversations with teachers.

We are aware that you are going to be a little agitated because you are talking about your most precious asset, your child.

Remember that we are on the same side. We only want the best for your child. We want them to be happy and succeed socially and academically.

I have included the Respect for School Staff Policy below. Please take the time to read it, even if you don’t feel you need it!

Respect for School Staff Policy

 Purpose

To ensure that members of our community understand Bonbeach Primary School’s expectations for appropriate interactions with school staff.

Policy

 Staff at Bonbeach Primary School, including teachers, education support staff, office staff, the assistant principal and principal are committed to providing a supportive learning environment for all our students. Our staff take their work very seriously and feel privileged to be able to play an important role in each child’s education. Parents/carers and visitors to our school also have an important role to play in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for the entire school community.

Respectful behaviours within the school community

 All staff at Bonbeach Primary School have a right to a safe and supportive work environment, and we expect that parents/carers and visitors behave in an appropriate and respectful manner at all times. The Department of Education and Training has outlined expectations on parent/carer behaviour within the Victorian government school communities in the Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy.

 Unacceptable behaviours

When parents and carers engage in unacceptable behaviours against a staff member of another member of the school community, this can affect their health, safety and wellbeing. Unacceptable behaviours include, but are not limited to:

• being violent or threatening violence of any kind, including physically intimidating behaviour such as aggressive hand gestures or invading another person’s personal space
• speaking or behaving in a rude, aggressive or threatening way, either in person, via email, social media, or over the telephone
• sending demanding, rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages
• discriminatory or derogatory comments
• the use of social media or public forums to make inappropriate or threatening remarks about the school, staff or students. At the Principal’s discretion, unacceptable behaviour may be managed by:
• requesting that the parties attend a mediation or counselling sessions
• implementing specific communication protocols
• written warnings
• conditions of entry to school grounds or school activities
• exclusion from school grounds or attendance at school activities
• reports to Victoria Police
• legal action

 The Principal may also seek support from Department of Education and Training staff when managing unacceptable parent or carer behaviour.

 Respectfully raising complaints

 We welcome complaints from parents and carers if they are communicated in a respectful and constructive way.

Complaints and concerns raised with us can help our school community by providing feedback to improve how our school operates.

 When raising a complaint or concern with us, Bonbeach Primary School expects all members of our community to act consistently with this policy, our Statement of Values and School Philosophy and the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy.

For information on how to raise a complaint or concern with our school, refer to our Bonbeach Primary School Complaints Policy located on the Bonbeach Primary School website.

The Family Engagement in Learning is also a useful Department resource outlining how parents and carers can best engage with schools to provide feedback, suggestions and complaints.

regards

Ken & Jayne

On Wednesday the 27^th August, 36 students represented Bonbeach at the Interschool gymnastics competition in Knox. Since last term, they have been training every Wednesday during lunchtime and have shown great commitment. All the gymnasts performed their routines fantastically and should all be proud of their efforts.

They achieved some amazing results! We came home with 2 first places, 2 second places, a third and a fourth place.                                     

Maddie Mullavey

Prep is such an amazing year. Students eagerly come to school at the start of the year excited to make new friends and learn wonderful things. By the end of the year the knowledge they have gained is astounding, thanks to their, enthusiasm, hard work, teachers and support at home.

Below is a snapshot of the quality of work and creativity our Prep students are capable of, which is quite an achievement after just 3 terms at school. Well done to them all and keep up the fantastic work, becoming lifelong learners.

It is set to be a busy fortnight in the Garden with Prep -Two students preparing for the spring months ahead. Garden beds are being cleared with students and chickens making the most of the delicious veggies and herbs harvested. Soil is being turned over in preparation for the new crops next term and there are  a lot and leaves and twigs to clear after the recent winds.

Students are busily packaging up sunflower seeds to take home and plant. The seeds have been saved from previous sunflower crops so should be beautiful. Students also completed Watering Can Licences which is a fun way to encourage eager little gardeners to help our garden thrive.