Statement of Values and School Philosophy

Help for non-English speakers

If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Donald Eddington, Principal. Non-English speakers can also access Google translate at the bottom of this web page.

As valuable partners in your child's wellbeing, learning and engagement at William Ruthven Primary School, we welcome and encourage your feedback. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions in relation to our child safe policies and practices, please contact the Principal, Donald Eddington via email, donald.eddington@education.vic.gov.au.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the values of our school community and explain the vision, mission and objectives of our school.

Policy

William Ruthven Primary School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

The programs and teaching at William Ruthven Primary School support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

elected government
the rule of law
equal rights for all before the law
freedom of religion
freedom of speech and association
the values of openness and tolerance.

This policy outlines our school’s vision, mission, objective, values and expectations of our school community. This policy is available on our school website, our staff induction handbook and enrolment/transition packs.

To celebrate and embed our Statement of Values and Philosophy in our school community, we

promote our values via posters and banners
provide awards and recognition for students who actively demonstrate the values
discuss our values with students in the classroom, meetings and assemblies.

Vision

William Ruthven Primary School’s vision is to develop literate, numerate and curious learners who are empowered and ready for each stage of their learning.

Mission

William Ruthven Primary School’s mission is to provide students with the best possible foundation in life through a well-rounded education.

Objective

Our school’s objectives are considered as part of the four-yearly strategic planning process and reflected in the goals listed in our current School Strategic Plan (SSP). We also develop an Annual Implementation Plan to operationalise the goals and key improvement strategies contained in our SSP.

Values

William Ruthven Primary School’s value are:

Respect: Caring about other people, and treating others the way you would like to be treated. It includes integrity, consideration and honesty (wellbeing value).
Inclusion: Providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where all students have a sense of belonging. It includes kindness and acceptance (wellbeing value)
Curiosity: Providing a stimulating learning environment where students have a sense of wonder and an openness to learning. It aligns to our school motto of creating happy, curious and confident learners, and has ties to our STAR and inquiry programs (learning value).
Excellence (Doing your best): Doing and being YOUR best (as opposed to being THE best). It is about personal achievement and putting in effort for personal reeward (learning value).

Behavioural expectations

William Ruthven Primary School acknowledges that the behaviour of staff, parents, carers and students has an impact on our school community and culture. We acknowledge a shared responsibility to create a positive learning environment for the children and young people at our school.

As principals and school leaders, we will:

model positive behaviour and effective leadership
communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
work collaboratively to create a school environment where respectful and safe behaviour is expected of everyone
ensure all parents/carers are aware of the expectations outlined in the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy and our Respect for School Staff Policy
behave in a manner consistent with the standards of our profession and meet core responsibilities to provide safe and inclusive environments
plan, implement and review our work to ensure the care, safety, security and general wellbeing of all students at school
identify and support students who are or may be at risk
do our best to ensure every child achieves their personal and learning potential
work with parents to understand their child’s needs and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
respond appropriately when safe and inclusive behaviour is not demonstrated and implement appropriate interventions and sanctions when required
inform parents of the school’s communication and complaints procedures
ask any person who is acting in an offensive, intimidating or otherwise inappropriate way to leave the school grounds.

As teachers and non-teaching school staff, we will:

model positive behaviour to students consistent with the standards of our profession
communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
proactively engage with parents about student outcomes
work with parents to understand the needs of each student and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment accordingly
work collaboratively with parents to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for students with additional needs
communicate with the principal and school leaders in the event we anticipate or face any tension or challenging behaviours from parents
treat all members of the school community with respect.

As parents and carers, we will:

model positive behaviour to our child/children
communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community, in line with the Department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy and the school’s Respect for School Staff Policy.
ensure our child attends school on time, every day the school is open for instruction
take an interest in our child’s school and learning
work with the school to achieve the best outcomes for our child
communicate constructively with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns
support school staff to maintain a safe learning environment for all students
follow the school’s processes for communication with staff and making complaints
treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect.

As students, we will:

model positive behaviour to other students
communicate politely and respectfully with all members of the school community
comply with and model school values
behave in a safe and responsible manner
respect ourselves, other members of the school community and the school environment
actively participate in school
not disrupt the learning of others and make the most of our educational opportunities.

As community members, we will:

model positive behaviour to the school community
treat other members of the school community with respect
support school staff to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students
utilise the school’s processes for communication with staff and submitting complaints.

Unreasonable behaviours

Schools are not public places, and the Principal has the right to permit or deny entry to school grounds (for more information, see our Visitors Policy).

Unreasonable behaviour that is demonstrated by school staff, parents, carers, students or members of our school community will not be tolerated at school, or during school activities.

Unreasonable behaviour includes:

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.

Harassment, bullying, violence, aggression, threatening behaviour and unlawful discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our school.

Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Values and School Philosophy may lead to further investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences by the Principal.

At the Principal’s discretion, unreasonable 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.

Inappropriate student behaviour will be managed in according with our school’s Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy.

Our Statement of Values and School Philosophy ensures that everyone in our school community will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, we will strive to create a school that is inclusive and safe, where everyone is empowered to participate and learn.

Communication

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

Available publicly on our school’s website
Included in staff induction processes
Included in our staff handbook
Included in transition and enrolment packs
Included as an annual reference in school newsletter
Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request.

Related policies and resources

Department of Education and Training policies and resources:

William Ruthven Primary School polices:

Policy Review and Approval

Policy created: February 2024
Consultation: School Council (18 March 2024)
Edorsed by: School Council (18 March 2024)
Next scheduled review date: February 2028