1. Purpose

Christ Church Grammar School (the School) is committed to ensuring a respectful learning environment that is safe, positive and supportive, one which safeguards students from all forms of abuse and promotes practices which provide for their safety and well-being. This commitment is clearly articulated in the School’s Code of Conduct and its Child Safety Policy, both of which expressly forbid the use of any form of child abuse, corporal punishment or other degrading punishment. The students have a significant role in contributing to the achievement of these objectives.

This Student Code of Conduct

• Is based upon the principles and values in the Code of Ethics – Integrity, Respect, Care and Compassion and Excellence
• Outlines the specific rights and responsibilities of all students to act in accordance with expressed standards and uphold the School’s core values
• Specifies the conduct expected of all students whilst at School, engaging in Sschool related activities or representing the School. It is not however an exhaustive list of behaviours that are required or prohibited
• Requires that the actions of the students do not bring the School into disrepute at any time regardless of whether the action occurs within or outside of School activities
• Provides guidance to students on raising matters of concern and reporting breaches of this Code
• Sets out the School’s response to and potential consequences of breaches of this Code

2. Scope

All students enrolled at Christ Church Grammar School are bound by the provisions of this Student Code of Conduct. Boys enrolled in the Preparatory School are referred to the appendices to this Code in which the material has been tailored to specifically suit a younger audience.

3. Principles

Our students have a right to:

• Feel safe within the School during the day, in boarding and at any time while under School supervision

• Learn in an environment which challenges them and provides them opportunities to excel and achieve to the best of their ability
• Be treated with respect by their teachers, the School’s administrative staff and their fellow students
• Be valued as individuals, consulted on matters that impact them and be listened to respectfully
• Be treated fairly

Our students have a responsibility to themselves, their parents and their School to

• Strive for excellence, to achieve the highest standards by working individually and collectively to give their personal best and make the most of opportunities to which their skills, talents and interests are well suited
• Be creative and seek to embrace diverse, new, purposeful ideas and solutions to problems
• Demonstrate determination, commitment and confidence to embrace new challenges and the opportunities that these provide
• Have the confidence and self-belief to try, to fail and to try again
• Keep themselves fully informed of matters published via Nexus, on Notice Boards and emails.
• Ensure their actions and interactions with others are always characterised by integrity
• Aspire to be true to whom they are and who they want to become, to be honest and trustworthy
• Accept, and comply with all School rules, regulations and policies relating to their presentation and the wearing of School uniform, the use of School grounds and facilities, ICT systems and devices, mobile phones, school buses, personal transportation such as cycles, scooters, motor vehicles and associated parking on School grounds
• Take responsibility for their own learning, work consistently and complete tasks as required
• Be punctual and regular in attendance
• Participate fully in the School’s co-curricular programmes such as sport, music and drama, physical education, outdoor education (including but not limited to camps/tours and excursions) and service learning
• Discuss with tutors, Head of House and parents their educational progress to ensure that all School communication is effectively delivered
• Demonstrate respect  and always behave with courtesy, kindness and consideration for others, avoiding all forms of verbal and non-verbal aggression.  The use of inappropriate and profane language is strictly prohibited. Tackling, wrestling, fighting, assault or any threats of violence will immediately result in the imposition of sanctions in accordance with the Management of Student Behaviour Policy
• Refrain from all forms of bullying and harassment including engaging in any form of cyber bullying or cyber abuse

• Celebrate diversity and be accepting of differences in others such as race, culture and sexual orientation
• Serve themselves and the community of which they are a part, with empathy, care and compassion
• Follow instructions and work co-operatively with teachers and fellow students, respecting the learning needs of all students

Our students should never

• Possess or smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes, purchase, possess or use (supply or trade) or be under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, or other illicit substances harmful to their health or the health of others, at School, in the boarding house, on School excursions, in transit between School and home or otherwise while representing Christ Church Grammar School
• Engage in any fraudulent and unlawful conduct including stealing or taking or using without permission any property that belongs to others
• Present somebody else’s work as their own
• Provide false or misleading information for the purpose of obtaining a benefit or advantage for themselves or for any other person
• Endanger their own safety and the safety of others by bringing on to the School premises knives, weapons, explosive materials, chemical or fireworks
• Send inappropriate, offensive or explicit text messages, photographs or videos

Reporting breaches of the Code

All students should report any cases to a teacher, tutor or senior staff member (in confidence) of unlawful behaviour or behaviour in breach of the Student Code of Conduct, which they may have observed or had reported to them.

Students will not be party to any cover up of misconduct or the destruction, concealment, alteration or withholding of evidence of misconduct or otherwise conceal the identity or whereabouts of any person who is alleged to have engaged in misconduct.

Consequences of breaches of the Code

Students who breach the Student Code of Conduct may be disciplined by the classroom teacher, Tutor, Head of Department or Head of House as deemed appropriate given the nature of the breach and the age of the student.

Students who repeatedly breach the Code will be interviewed by the relevant Head of School.  Appropriate action may include behavioural contracts, detention, mediation or suspension.

The Head of School may refer the matter to the Principal who has complete discretion to take action including suspension, probation or removal from the School as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with any applicable legislation, the School’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and the Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting Policy, the Police and/or Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support will be informed where appropriate of any unlawful breaches of this Code.

4. Definitions

Child Abuse  includes any form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

Physical abuse occurs when a child is severely and/or persistently hurt or injured by a parent or caregiver.

Sexual abuse in relation to a child, includes sexual behaviour in circumstances where:

1. The child is the subject of bribery, coercion, a threat, exploitation or violence;
2. The child has less power than another person involved in the behaviour or
3. There is a significant disparity in the developmental function or maturity of the child and another person involved in the behaviour

Emotional abuse includes:

1. Psychological abuse and
2. Being exposed to an act of family and domestic violence

Neglect includes failure by a parent to provide, arrange or allow the provision of

1. Adequate care for the child; or
2. Effective medical, therapeutic or remedial treatment for the child

Corporal Punishment  is any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light; typically involving hitting the child with the hand or with an implement; can also include for example, forcing the child to stay in an uncomfortable position.  It does not include the use of reasonable physical restraint to protect the child or others from harm.

Degrading Punishment  is any punishment which is incompatible with respect for human dignity, including corporal punishment and non-physical punishment which belittles, humiliates, denigrates, scapegoats, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.

Related Legislation and Policies

Children and Community Services Act 2004
Children and Community Services Amendment (Reporting Sexual Abuse of Children) Act 2008
Criminal Code Act 1913
Criminal Code Amendment Section 204B (Cyber Predators) Bill 2005
Code of Ethics
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting Policy
ICT Acceptable Use Policy and Communications Guidelines (Students)
Managing Student Behaviour
Sports Bus Policy
Student Bullying
Student Presentation and Uniform Policy
Traffic Management Policy
Use of School Facilities Policy