17 February 2017
Anti-bullying and Harassment Policy Review
Friday 17 March will be the seventh National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. OAC has a focus on Bullying. No Way! and strongly supports that bullying and violence are not okay at any time and especially not at school. In November 2016 DECD released its Transgender and intersex student support procedures. The aim was to ensure that DECD sites practices support transgender and intersex children and young people to receive a quality education in a safe and inclusive environment, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
OAC reviews its Anti-Bullying and Harassment policy annually giving all member of the college community an opportunity to provide feedback. The OAC policy has been updated to incorporate the new DECD procedures.
As part of the OAC Anti-Bullying and Harassment policy:
- all staff are trained and updated in the DECD “Reporting Abuse and Neglect” training.
- a link to this policy is on the OAC website
- anti-bullying and harassment are part of the enrolment process and “Enrolment Expectations” that all parent/caregivers and students sign as part of their enrolment
- all bullying and harassment incidents are documented
- the Principal provides the Governing Council updates each term in relation to school bullying related data and trends
- Cyber Safety information is disseminated with any OAC laptop/computer/iPad loaned to students.
- OAC is a member of Bullying No Way: Safe Australian Schools Together
OAC seeks feedback on its Anti-Bullying and Harassment policy from the parent, student and staff community as part of its annual review of this policy. Daniel Bayer, Assistant Principal Student Welfare, will lead the review so please look at the policy on the website and forward any written comments to Daniel at Daniel.Bayer@openaccess.edu.au by Friday the 24th March 2017.