Student Services

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The provision of Student Services within schools is evolving and assuming greater importance in response to societal pressures such as family breakdown, unemployment, crime, drugs and economic circumstances that impact on students' lives. Many such factors can interfere with students' feeling of well being so that they do not reach their full potential. Student Services at Morley SHS endeavors to meet the needs of students and offers support in terms of academic performance, spiritual requirements, health and welfare as well as psychological counselling on a personal and school level. 

The Student Services Team 
Principal: Mrs Gay Fortune.
Deputy Principal: Mr Ian Masarei.
Year Eight Head of Year: Mr Michael James. Year Nine Head of Year: Mr Dennis Screaigh.  Year Coordinators: Year Ten, Ms Sandra Dobson. Year Eleven, Mr Daryl Michie. Year Twelve, Mr Neil Salsano.
School Psychologist: Mrs Pat Hughes
Chaplain: Mr Samuel Oey.
Nurse: Ms Claire Bishopp.
AIEO: Ms Deborah Cotter

For students the team provides a service to meet the needs of the whole child so that their experience at school is happy, healthy and conducive to learning.
For staff it provides a support service by:
facilitating communication of information about students
being proactive in counselling students at academic Risk (SAER)
developing and implementing pastoral care policies and programs

The 2008 Student Services Plan will focus on the following outcomes.
Continue to focus on pastoral care. Continue working towards improve student compliance to the uniform and dress code.
Improve the profile of the role of Student Services in the school. Improve student attendance.

ANTI BULLYING POLICY

Morley Senior High School believes that everyone has the right to feel safe at all times. We declare the whole school environment a "Bully Free Zone" and we intend to continue developing a school culture that is committed to the ideals of:
• resolving conflicts peacefully
• removing power imbalances that foster bullying
• promoting non-violence as the best way to settle differences
What is Bullying ?
Bullying is behaviour that hurts, threatens, or embarrasses someone.
For example, when a person is:
• hit, punched or kicked
• threatened
• singled out for unfair treatment
• picked on
• sent nasty notes
• ignored
• teased repeatedly in a nasty way
• called hurtful, sexist or racist names
• the subject of hurtful rumours
• the victim of property interference
The Effects of Bullying
• physical harm
• low self-esteem
• anxiety
• depressed moods
• tiredness
• illness
• lack of concentration
• reduced academic performance
• loneliness
• unhappiness at school
• disruptive behaviour
• truancy
• an inability to form relationships
The repercussions of bullying do not stop with just the bully and the victim but impact on bystanders and their feelings of safety in the school environment.

What Can the School Do?

Evidence suggests from overseas and in Australia that the best preventative action that schools can take is to adopt a whole school approach to addressing issues of violence and bullying. This encompasses all elements of a school's operation and means the active creation of a culture and environment supporting the notion of a "bully free zone".
It can be an integral part of:
• school policies and procedures
• school organisation and management practices
• school priorities and plans
• professional development
• teaching and learning practices
• curriculum programmes
• whole community input involving parents, students and teachers
The whole school approach needs to tie in also with the whole education system and meet regulations, policies and procedures on issues such as managing student behaviour, duty of care, sexual harassment and other controversial and difficult areas involving gender equity and social justice issues.
The Morley SHS "Whole" Approach to developing a "Bully Free" Zone aims to:

• raise student awareness of the abusive nature of bullying and promote understanding of the potential seriousness of its effects
• encourage student bystanders (and staff) to act in ways which discourage bullying. "It's okay to report bullying !"
• deal with bullies individually to help them to take responsibility for their behaviour by:
(a) rehabilitation
(b) strong action for the protection of other students if behaviour is more resistant
• support group members involved in bullying by teaching skills to counter peer pressure
• teach vulnerable students assertiveness skills and self-protective behaviour to reduce vicitimisation.
Who Can Help ?
Although bullying is largely an individual problem, students can seek help and are not expected to deal with it on their own. At Morley Senior High School, Class Teachers, Tutorial Teachers, Year Coordinators, the School Psychologist, School Nurse, Chaplain, Heads of Department, Program Coordinators,  Deputy Principals and the Principal will all be able to assist in some way. They are committed to listening to students and responding privately to all reports of bullying.
Students are encouraged to:

• accept responsibility for their actions
• respect the property of others
• show consideration and respect for others – in the classroom and in the school grounds
• actively discourage bullying
• report and incident of bullying to a trusted adult
• seek help, advice and/or guidance if they are bullied
Staff
The staff at Morley Senior High School believe that any incident of bullying is an incident too many. Staff members know of the sometimes hidden and secretive nature of bullying.
They are encouraged to:

• adopt positive classroom management strategies
• provide positive role models for students
• actively counteract bullying behaviour
• respond appropriately to any report incidents of bullying
• be obviously present during recess and lunchtimes when they are on duty, as a deterrent to possible incidents of bullying in the grounds of the school

SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY

Morley SHS School Council supports the existing Uniform Policy as set out below:
Uniform should be worn at all times at school and on school activities off site or outside of normal school times (unless otherwise indicated at the time).
The School Council believes that the wearing of School Uniform:
• fosters and encourages the public image of the school.
• encourages equity among students.
• assists in building a strong school ethos.
• ensures that students are safely and hygienically dressed for specific school activities.
• prepares student for work – as many work places have enforced dress and safety codes.
Availability
All items may be purchased from the School Uniform Shop. Prices are maintained at consistently low levels and good supplies are always on hand.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance
As compliance with this policy is a condition of enrolment at Morley Senior High School it is not expected that there will be many occasions of non-compliance.
However for students who do not comply the following will operate:
• Initially, students will be sent to Student Services where they will change into a school uniform provided for them for the day. They will return to Student Services at the end of the day to return the borrowed uniform and collect their own clothes.
• Repeated non compliance (3 + occasions) will result in a letter to parents.
Non compliance will also prevent students from participating in offsite or after hours activities where uniform has been indicated as required.
Safety and Health Issues
• Enclosed footwear is the required standard for all students.
• Students attending any practical classes wear covered footwear.
• Students must change for Physical Education lessons.
• Excessive jewellery and make-up are not appropriate.
• Long hair must be tied back in those classes where it is likely to constitute a safety hazard.
• Loose fitting clothing must be secured for practical lessons.
• Hats/Caps are recommended for outside use.
Financial Assistance
Families in receipt of a Health Care Card are eligible to receive a uniform allowance from the State Government.
 

SCHOOL CLOTHING

(All items available through school uniform shop):
under review

It is school policy that students undertaking physical education, games, or any other physical activity, whether for physical education, lunch time or other school activities, change into suitable clothing and shower afterwards. (Items are available from the school).

EXECUTIVE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR 2008

Under review
Election Procedure (Year Coordinators to organise)

 Under Review

1. To be role models for other students to follow - conduct, dress and academic achievement
2. To actively work towards greater staff/student/community interaction and communication
3. To effectively represent the entire student body by raising student issues, attending functions, and actively supporting school priorities.

Duties of Councillors

1. To attend a leadership course
2. To attend and actively participate in regularly held meetings and provide a written report.
3. To report back to peer group at Year Assemblies and run each assembly.
4 To be a member on one (or more) of the current school committees.
5 To be part of sub-committees as necessary to deal with special issues or events - School Ball, Fund Raising for school charities, or school project.
6. Support Year Coordinators in activities and functions organised on behalf of year group.

PRIVILEGES

1. Wear a Student Councillor badge
2. Receive a certificate of recognition from the school
3. Attend various school and out of school functions representing the school.