The guiding principles
The guiding principles underpin how schools need to approach becoming safe and supportive environments. They make it clear that proactive, strategic leadership is critical, that a whole school approach is needed, and that wellbeing is central to safe and supportive schools. The ethos and environment of the school, the teaching and learning (for the whole school community), and partnerships with the community (families and other agencies) are complementary parts of the whole picture.
As you familiarise yourself with the Framework, think about how the guiding principles fit with your current school environment. Consider what each of the principles really mean in your context.
Australian schools affirm the right of all school community members to feel safe at school.
- Who makes up your school community?
Australian schools promote care, respect and cooperation, and value diversity.
- What does it mean to 'value diversity' in your school?
Australian schools implement policies, programmes and processes to nurture a safe and supportive school environment.
- Who is responsible for implementing these policies?
Australian schools recognise that quality leadership is an essential element that underpins the creation of a safe and supportive school environment
- Where is the leadership in your school?
- Do all the teachers see themselves as leaders?
Australian schools develop and implement policies and programmes through processes that engage the whole school community
- How possible is it to 'engage the whole community'?
Australian schools ensure that roles and responsibilities of all members of the school community in promoting a safe and supportive environment are explicit, clearly understood and disseminated
- What does it mean to be 'explicit' and 'clearly understood'?
- How do you know if the roles and responsibilities are 'clearly understood'
Australian schools recognise the critical importance of pre-service and ongoing professional development in creating a safe and supportive school environment
- What professional development is provided at the moment to your staff?
Australian schools have a responsibility to provide opportunities for students to learn through the formal curriculum the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for positive relationships
- What are the 'knowledge, skills and dispositions' needed in your school?
- Do teachers need these in order to teach them?
Australian schools focus on policies that are proactive and oriented towards prevention and intervention
- What would 'proactive policies' look like?
Australian schools regularly monitor and evaluate their policies and programmes so that evidence-based practice supports decisions and improvements
- What kind of evidence is valid?
- Who provides the evidence?
Australian schools take action to protect children from all forms of abuse and neglect.
- Do you know how abuse and neglect are defined in your state/territory?
- Where do the responsibilities of the school start and finish?
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