All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Multicultural education
Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information refer to:
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information refer to: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.
Learning support
The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
The team:
- supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs, visit Disability, learning and support.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:
What exactly is bullying?
Bullying is not the same things as a disagreement between two people. Bullying is the misuse of power, position or privilege. It is done to intimidate, coerce, create fear and control. It is intended to embarrass, exclude, or cause pain or discomfort. It is a systematic and repeated offence.
So in short, it is repeated behaviour that has the intention to hurt someone in some way.
It may be:
Physical bullying: being hit, tripped, kicked, pinched etc
Verbal bullying: being called names, teased, put down etc
Psychological bullying: being threatened, stalked, gestures etc
Social bullying: being ignored, having rumours spread about you, excluding someone etc
Sexual bullying: unwanted touching or brushing against someone, picking on someone because of their sexual orientation etc
Cyber bullying: insulting someone in chat rooms, sending cruel or threatening emails/text messages, using the web / chat rooms or mobile phones to spread rumours or information about someone.
What can you do if you believe your child is involved in bullying?
If you believe your child is involved in bullying, either as a target or as an aggressor, it is appropriate to communicate this information to the school by contacting a classroom teacher or Stage supervisor as soon as possible.
Advice for Parents:
If you suspect that your child is involved in bullying at school, either as a target or as an aggressor, encourage them to talk to you about it.
Never dismiss the matter by saying it is the child's responsibility to deal with it, either by standing up to the bully or ignoring it.
Don't be too over-protective either. Your child should be encouraged to come to school after the school is made aware of the situation.
Listen carefully and sympathetically. Try to get the relevant facts without interrogation.
Encourage your child to tell someone at school about it.
Describe accurately what has been happening to your child to your contact at the school.
Be prepared to work with the school to resolve the issue(s).
Student leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.