Student Engagement Policy

Bullying and unacceptable behaviour should be addressed as part of a school’s duty of care to provide respectful, safe and supportive school environments. The Effective Schools are Engaging Schools: Student Engagement Policy Guidelines outline that all Victorian government schools must have a Student Engagement Policy in place that includes specific strategies to promote positive student behaviour, build a safe and inclusive environment, prevent bullying and anti-social behaviour, and encourage respect, compassion and cooperation.

The development of a Student Engagement Policy forms part of the requirements of the School Compliance Checklist, an element of the School Accountability and Improvement Framework. Schools are expected to integrate their strategies to prevent and respond to bullying and unacceptable behaviour within their Student Engagement Policy.

Schools must ensure their Student Engagement Policy outlines:

• that every student has the right to feel safe at school (including broader learning situations such as digital learning environments) and bullying or unacceptable behaviour including harassment, discrimination or a threat or act of violence is not tolerated goals, standards and expectations for student behaviour
• that the school environment is inclusive of all children and young people and diversity is valued and respected
• the whole-school approach to promoting respectful relationships including school culture, policies and procedures, curriculum, programs and partnerships with families and community organisations
• the range of initiatives and strategies to be utilised to prevent and respond to bullying and unacceptable behaviour
• explicit reference to how the behaviours and strategies relate to the safe and responsible use of digital technologies.

Schools must review their Student Engagement Policy at least annually to ensure its implementation and ongoing relevance to the changing views and issues faced by the school community.