Student+Welfare

 **__Aim High Student Welfare Policy__** We aim to help each and every student to discover and develop their individual talents and passions in all areas of the curriculum while recognising that learning is a broad activity encompassing many avenues. We provide an opportunity for every student to achieve. We recognize and value the contribution each student makes to this world as a unique individual with limitless potential. We encourage students to invest in their colleagues, family, community and themselves in discovering their place in the world and engaging in a process of learning that will continue long after they have left the school.
 * __Rationale__**

Student welfare is the concern and responsibility of all staff, students, families and community members. It includes the safety and progress of every student: their social, academic, emotional and physical wellbeing and development, as well as their conduct and behaviour. Aim High believes that [|a safe school] contributes to an effective learning environment.

To promote the physical, emotional, social and academic development and wellbeing of every student. To use a whole school approach in creating a safe and supportive school community. As student welfare is a platform of support, it underpins all school activities and is responsive to present and future needs, including:
 * __Policy statement__**
 * Curriculum, teaching and learning
 * School ethos and environment
 * Partnerships and services
 * Behavioural expectations and requirements

Throughout this ‘student welfare policy’, the words welfare and wellbeing will be used interchangeably.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has developed [|a framework] in which to implement school welfare approaches. As such, Aim High will focus a continuum of support across the following four key areas, focusing particular attention on the first two areas, being primary prevention and early intervention strategies:
 * __Implementation__**


 * 1) Primary prevention - building structures that will promote resilience, belonging and wellbeing through the following means:**
 * The principal will consider student welfare in the school strategic planning process
 * Aim High will provide pathways for structured student-centred co-curricular activities, such as the Aim High House Program, aimed at allowing students to develop wellbeing, resilience and a sense of belonging by fostering skills in leadership, participation, supportive interpersonal relationships, engagement, self-determination, respect, honesty and excellence. Funds will be allocated by the school council accordingly
 * Aim high will encourage parental involvement and decision-making by developing partnerships with parents through the Parent Representative Council (PRC), school board, parent-teacher interviews and other initiatives, including utilizing by networking the wealth of professional skills and resources available to the school community through the various vocations and talents possessed by the families of students
 * The Aim High principal, coordinators and appropriate staff will encourage ongoing commitment and professional development for all staff members to maintain latest best practice skills and methods for inclusive classroom teaching and management, exciting and engaging curriculum development and a sense of belonging through active student participation in classroom structure and learning
 * The Aim High principal, coordinators, teaching and other staff will encourage a consistent whole-school approach to home group and classroom climate, student-centred teaching and learning approaches, acknowledgment of achievement and excellence (through formal and informal recognition), safe and supportive: school curriculum, [|culture and environment] (including collaborative development and implementation of [|anti-bullying policy]), behavioural expectations and requirements, [|school attendance enhancement] and promotion of partnerships
 * Aim high staff, the Student Welfare Coordinator (SWC) and students will develop strategic partnerships with community members, create school community events, engage with the [|School Focused Youth Service] and other community services and agencies
 * Aim High will nominate a representative (likely to be the SWC) to sit on the [|Student Welfare Coordinating Committee] – a partnership between local schools – formed to coordinate local services and coordination of student services across member schools
 * Aim High will provide continuity of care through our Transitions Program: the ongoing management of young people at risk. The Aim High Transitions Program will also include and have a very special focus on the life transition of students from primary to secondary school and the transition from end of schooling years into employment and/or further education
 * Aim High will make provisions for special needs students
 * Aim High will negotiate and develop individual learning plans, taking special care to develop plans for students with special needs
 * Aim High will ensure the safe use of ICT resources and relevant technologies


 * 2) Early intervention - Implementing appropriate support programs that will develop resilience:**
 * Aim High co-ordinators and teaching staff, in consultation with appropriate ‘other’ staff (such as the SWC), will unitedly provide year level programs to develop age-appropriate functional coping skills, projects, excursions and real-life applications of knowledge and experiences. The school council will allocate funding accordingly
 * Students will be provided the opportunity to participate in the peer mediation program – senior students mediating in disciplinary action or [|restorative practices] with peers, especially those from younger year levels
 * Aim High will be advised of their obligations regarding care, safety and welfare of students and Aim High will make provision for ongoing professional development for school staff regarding student welfare and risks
 * Aim High staff will monitor and evaluate individual learning plans, including school attendance, academic performance and behaviour patterns, and maintain communication with parents with appropriate information
 * Aim High staff will continually assess risks and identify needs of students and families. Reporting procedures and practices will meet the current legislative mandatory reporting requirements
 * Aim High’s SWC will coordinate school-based counselling and support
 * The PRC, Teacher Representative Council (TRC) and SRC to be used as an open forum for representation, communication and problem solving
 * Aim High will have effective and agreed upon interventions
 * Aim High’s SWC will ensure a continuity of care exists – the provision of ongoing case management and coordination, including liaison with other services that students may be accessing


 * 3) Intervention – Activating effective partnerships and services that aim to improve resilience:**
 * The SWC will organise or conduct ongoing professional development for staff about the nature and availability of local services
 * The principal will ensure the appropriate staff communicate clear referral procedures, including regularly updated lines of referral within the school and to links and services within the community
 * SWC will coordinate links to counselling and community services
 * Monitoring and evaluation of intensive progress of students will occur, as led by the SWC, as well as in student support group meetings
 * Aim High will provide a high level of confidentiality and privacy regarding participation in student wellbeing programs
 * Aim High’s SWC will ensure a continuity of care exists – the provision of ongoing case management and coordination, including liaison with other services that a student may be accessing.


 * 4) Postvention - restoring wellbeing and rebuilding resilience:**
 * Aim High will communicate an increase in awareness of trauma impact and management, including professional development, effective self-care techniques, skills and support included in curricular and co-curricular activities, and monitoring reactions of vulnerable students
 * Aim High staff will plan for emergency responses regarding wellbeing and safety issues
 * The principal, school council, SWC and other relevant participants will coordinate provision of counselling and support through community partners and school resources
 * Aim High staff, led by the principal, coordinators and SWC, will participate in monitoring of recovery and evaluation of plans
 * Aim High will provide a high level of confidentiality and privacy regarding participation in student wellbeing programs
 * Aim High’s SWC will ensure a continuity of care exists – the provision of ongoing case management and coordination, including liaison with other services that a student may be accessing.

__**Evaluation**__ Longitudinal data will be collected regarding frequencies and types of welfare issues in order to measure the success of student welfare strategies and approaches, in accordance with privacy legislation requirements

__**Review**__ This policy will be reviewed by the Aim High School Council according to the annual cycle for student welfare policy matters. Issues that require immediate attention will be brought before School Council. Council will then determine if an appropriate strategy for a sub review needs to occur. A decision to revise the entire policy within the annual time frame may occur under the direction of School Council.

Academic Rationale Academic References Student Welfare Development Page