Behaviour Management
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This policy is one part of the wider community’s reaction to the drug issue. Alone, it will have only a limited impact, but with parental and community support tackling the drug issue together, this team approach will have far greater success. |
Drugs policy
We belive in a whole school, cross-curricula approach to delivering a message of abstinence and/or harm minimisation.
A compulsory Health Education program in Years 8, 9 and 10 involves:
- teaching factual information
- provision to clarify attitudes and values
- the development of interpersonal skills, such as self-esteem, assertiveness
- developing skills in decision making, goal setting and stress management
We can provide:
- A supportive system including access to counselling for students and parents when needed.
- Parent awareness evenings related to drug issues as required.
Prevention
The emphasis of Ocean Reef SHS is on developing a positive environment in which all members feel valued and respected. Emphasis is placed on strengthening the individual’s self esteem, feelings of self worth and resilience and the ability to make effective decisions and to see other points of view. These are the key issues of the whole school approach to Drug Prevention.
A pro-active and consistently positive message is fundamental to the prevention objective.
Guest speakers, role models and motivational programs that empower students and staff will be central to this pro-active approach.
The school recognises the need to provide students with a comprehensive Drug Education Program so they can make informed choices based on factual information.
The Drug Education Program is based on the harm minimisation approach as suggested in the National Policy for Drug Education. The approach recognises the need to take the action necessary to reduce the risks and harm faced by those using drugs, whilst ensuring that drug use is not encouraged or normalised
Intervention
The intervention procedure is designed to address drug use incidents in a way which is in the best interests of all parties concerned, while also conforming to legal requirements.
A policy of zero tolerance will always be promoted.
The school does not permit students while on school premises or any school- sponsored occasion to:
- possess, supply or smoke tobacco products
- possess, supply, trade or consume alcoholic beverages.
- inhale solvents deliberately
- possess, supply or trade drug-related equipment such as syringes, bongs and pipes
- possess, supply, trade or use prohibited drugs in accordance with the 1981 Act
- possess, supply, trade or use legal drugs without the permission of a parent or an appropriate authority in the school
- possess excessive amounts of legal drugs
- demonstrate physically and/or psychologically the effects of drug use.
It is important to note that the above applies to all members of the school community, while they are on school premises or at a school function where there are students present. This includes students, staff, volunteer staff, ground staff and other workers.
The Principal reserves the right to allow the consumption of alcohol for staff & visitors at particular occasions.
Sanctions
The school administration will always reserve the right to act on issues of drug use in whatever manner is appropriate given the many and varied scenarios that may arise.
Whatever individuals may think, or feel, the law regarding the sale or supply and possession of drugs is clear, and penalties are provided for the conviction of offenders. Members of our school community are subject to these laws on as well as off school grounds - members of the school community have the same responsibility as every citizen to uphold the law.
The procedures outlined below have the emotional and physical health and welfare of the students of our school as a priority.
1 Each instance will be considered individually and independently according to the given set of circumstances at the time.
2 Wherever possible, the health and welfare of the individual student involved will be considered in the context of the school environment and its support services.
3 In each instance, the Principal and relevant members of the Student Services team will determine which support services are to be called upon, who is to be informed, and any sanctions to be imposed.
4 In case of uncertainty regarding the physical and/or psychological state of a student - the school nurse/psychologist will be asked for clarification or intervention.
5 Year Coordinators and the Student Services team are available to staff and students when they are concerned about the welfare of an individual and would like advice or support.
Parents and community members’ support is vital to the effectiveness of this process.
Student Services personnel within the school can and should always be contacted when drug problems arise.
Notes
Misdemeanours with respect to alcohol and prohibited solvents may lead to suspension from school. First offences related to tobacco products will carry a 3 day suspension, a letter home and the loss of Good Standing.
Misdemeanours with illicit drugs are bound to lead to suspension or possible exclusion from the school. The school will notify the police about the matter. The precise sanction will depend upon the particular circumstances of the offence. In all cases parents or care givers of the student will be informed and counselling will be offered.
When it is suspected that a student is under the influence of a drug, it is recommended that an immediate assessment of the condition be made by the School Nurse.
Students and parents are encouraged to seek experienced and confidential counselling from specialist school staff:
- School Psychologist
- Youth Education Officer
- Chaplain
- School Nurse
- Deputy Principals
- Year Co-ordinators
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contact student
support
Student Services Co-ordinator
Alistar MacNeill
9307 0208
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