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Student Engagement Policy Guidelines

Effective Schools are Engaging Schools - Student Engagement Policy Guidelines will promote student engagement, attendance and positive behaviours in Victorian government school. These Guidelines replace the Student Attendance Guidelines, 1997 and the Guidelines for Developing the Student Code of Conduct, 1994, and aim to assist schools in developing their Student Engagement Policy.

All Victorian government schools are required to develop a Student Engagement Policy which articulates the school community’s shared expectations in the areas of student engagement, attendance and behaviour. The policy supports the rights and articulates the expectations of every member of the school community to engage in and promote a safe and inclusive educational environment.

The Department is committed to providing safe, secure and stimulating learning environments in all Victorian government schools. Students can reach their full educational potential only when they are happy, healthy and safe, and when there is a positive school culture to engage and support them in their learning. Student wellbeing and student learning outcomes are inextricably linked, and schools should aim to promote an understanding of this link in both the school environment and in the classroom. It is fundamental to acknowledge that each teacher is a vital source of support and a determinant in the success of their students.

Ministerial Order 184, Procedures for Suspension and Expulsion

A key component of the Guidelines is Ministerial Order 184, Procedures for Suspension and Expulsion, which took effect on 1 July 2009.

Ministerial Order 184 has reduced the maximum length of suspension from 10 to 5 school days. In addition, the number of school days a student can be suspended in a school year has been reduced from 20 to 15 days.

Ministerial Order 184, Procedures for Suspension and Expulsion (PDF - 3.3Mb)

Copies of the Effective Schools are Engaging Schools - Student Engagement Policy Guidelines were distributed to all schools in Term 2, 2009. Schools should direct enquiries and questions relating to the Guidelines to the Regional Office.

A copy of the Guidelines can be accessed via the following link: Effective Schools are Engaging Schools Student Engagement Policy Guidelines (PDF - 876Kb)

Element 5 of the Student Engagement Guidelines provides support materials that include proformas and brochures for use by schools. The proformas are provided individually in Word format and the brochures in PDF via the following links:

Appendix 1: Individual Learning Plan Template (Word - 43Kb)

Appendix 2: Staged Response checklist (Word - 44Kb)

Appendix 6: Student Absence Learning Plan template (Word - 38Kb)

Appendix 7: Attendance Improvement Plan or Return to School Plan template (Word - 37Kb)

Appendix 9: Student Attendance Checklist (Word - 53Kb)

Appendix 13: Notice of Suspension proforma (Word - 56Kb)

Appendix 15: Notice of Expulsion proforma (Word - 52Kb)

Appendix 16: Expulsion Report proforma (Word - 40Kb)

Appendix 18: Expulsion Appeal proforma (Word - 45Kb)

Appendix 19: Expulsion Review Panel Report (Word - 49Kb)

Parent/Carer Fact Sheet (PDF - 610Kb)

Student Fact Sheet (PDF - 591Kb)