Holy Name is owned and operated by the Catholic Church, and teaches children in a Christian faith based educational setting. As a school, we believe in and aim to uphold, the principles of social and natural justice, mutual respect and cooperation, respect for privacy, open and honest communication, quality education, access and equity, accountability and working in partnership with others.

Holy Name Primary School considers all staff, teachers, students, parents, clergy and volunteers as members of the school community, and expects the entire community to uphold and abide by this policy. This policy also applies to all visitors and contractors entering the school grounds.

Aim

This policy aims to ensure all members of the school community, maintain positive and respectful relationships in all manner of dealings with each other. Fostering relationships between home, school and members of our community, gives our children and students a better chance of success. Effective student learning is a core value of the school, which is critical in supporting and maintaining respectful relationships.

Expected Behaviours

As a school community, we expect that all members will uphold a high standard of behaviour that is consistent with the principles of the school and church, and provide positive role modelling to the students, including:

Respect

We will treat others fairly and objectively, by working to build and maintain an environment of trust and mutual respect.

Integrity

We will act honestly, responsibly and in a trustworthy manner in everything we do. This includes being honest, open and transparent in all matters, using authority responsibly.

Leadership

We will demonstrate leadership by guiding, directing and influencing, whilst actively upholding the school’s values. We will strive to positively influence, inspire and empower others, and build a cohesive, respectful and supportive community.

Accountability

We will be accountable for our actions and accept responsibility for our decisions.

Impartiality

We will demonstrate impartiality in all decisions, providing advice on merit and without bias, favouritism or self-interest.

Human Rights

We will respect, support and promote the human rights as stated in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, support community diversity, and aim to make best use of people’s backgrounds, skills, talents and perspectives, to ensure fairness and respect for all.

Dealing with Students & Children 


As adults in the community, we have a responsibility to protect, nurture and support children at all times. Adults are often perceived by children to occupy a position of authority in regard to them, and it is our responsibility to not take advantage of this relationship. As adults in the community, we should:

• Not make negative comments about teaching staff that undermine trust and confidence
• Seek appropriate avenues to resolve issues and concerns
• Not approach a student or child directly about an issue or concern, unless immediate intervention is required to protect the child from unacceptable behaviours or a risk to their safety. If this occurs, please speak to a member of staff about the incident immediately
• Not make unwelcome or unwanted physical contact with a child or student
• Actively support the school’s Student Welfare and Behaviour Management Policy

If the actions of a member of our School community are of an unacceptable standard, a formal request will be made by the School to discuss the issue and further actions may be taken.

Protocols for Holy Name Parents when at the school

• Any classroom teaching issues – first point of call is the classroom teacher
• Parents are not to approach other students or families regarding issues at school
• Parents are required to exit the school by 8.50am and may enter from 3.25pm unless in the role as classroom helper or Parents and Friends duty
• Gates opened at 8:30am and 3.25pm
• Gates closed at 8:50am and 3:45pm
• Prams and strollers to be left outside the school buildings
• Please use appropriate entrances and exits from your child’s classroom. Classrooms are not to be used as thoroughfares to other parts of the school.

Protocols for Parents when communicating with Teachers at Holy Name

• Appointment times to be made by email, phone call, contacting the office or in person
• When making an appointment, provide a brief statement describing what the meeting regards and a mutual time for the meeting will be negotiated
• Staff will acknowledge email within 24 hours or their next working day and emails will be responded to between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday
• All dialogue to be respectful at all times
• Older classes use their school diary for communication

Protocols for Holy Name Teachers when communicating with Parents

• Inform parents of availability times through level letter each term
• School notes go home on Thursday
• Level letter each term to go home outlining the programs
• Inform parents of classroom communication
• School diaries monitored where appropriate
• School App and website to contain level information
• For major concerns, either Principal or Deputy to be present and minutes taken

Protocols for Parent Helpers when they are at Holy Name

• Classroom helpers respect confidentiality of students they are working with
• Mobile phones to be turned off when helping
• Pre-schoolers are not part of the program
  • Parents are there at the discretion of the teachers, not necessarily to work with their own child
  • Parents will demonstrate a positive example to all pupils who might be present, in such matters as common courtesy, polite/appropriate language
  • If there are any concerns while helping, address these with the classroom teacher.

School Advisory Council

The Holy Name Primary School Advisory Council is comprised of parents, staff and our Parish Priest, Father Joe Tien. The committee meets each month and is an invaluable group within our school community.

The function of the group is to be a voice for the parent population when the school is making decisions and setting directions.

The parent representatives bring to the School Advisory Council forum, issues to be discussed and present initiatives from the parent community perspective.

The School Advisory Council is also an avenue for the school to present information about current practices, and future initiatives, to a selection of parents. The wealth of information is an important component of the decision making process when the leadership team and staff, as a whole, meet together.

The school’s Acceptable Internet Use Agreement is an example of a school initiative that was presented to the School Advisory Council, and received their ratification before being presented to the school community. Other initiatives the School Advisory Council has worked on include the introduction of an updated Home Learning Policy and introduction and discussion of an updated sexual and relationships education program. Another example is the free sunglasses program to students when they start their Prep year. All students wear sunglasses at lunch times, and outdoors, during terms one and four as part of the school’s Sun Smart policy. This was one of the first initiatives the School Advisory Council decided upon, more than ten years ago, and is still in practice today.

Remember if you have any issues or ideas that you would like to be presented in the School Advisory Council forum, please make contact with one of the members listed below.

The current members of the Holy Name Primary School Advisory Council are:

• Father Joe Tien – prestoneast@com.org.au (Parish Priest)
• Caroline Galea – principal@hnpe.catholic.edu.au (Principal)
• Derryn Ling – dling@hnpe.catholic.edu.au (Deputy Principal, Religious Education Leader & I.C.T. Coordinator)
• Tiare Georgiopoulos  – (Parent rep)
• Mariella Alessi  – mari_alessi@yahoo.com (Parent rep)
• Tim Date – tim.date@yahoo.com.au  (Parent Rep)
• Romel Reckerman – rreckerm@ford.com (Parent Rep)
• Adrian Gervasoni – adrian_gervasoni@hotmail.com (Parent Rep)
• Marla Paul – (Parent Rep)

The Holy Name School Advisory Council can be contacted through their new email address sac@hnpe.catholic.edu.au or their personal email contacts, as listed above. Otherwise, simply chat to one of its members.

Further information about primary school councils can be found on the following link from Parents as Partners, School Boards, Catholic Education Melbourne.

M.A.D – Maintenance And Development Team