RATIONALE

1       The Board is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all workers, students, visitors and contractors by complying with relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, New Zealand standards, and approved codes of practice.

2       The Board is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all workers, students, and other people in the workplace.

GUIDELINES

• This will be achieved through:

1.1     making health and safety a priority

1.2     working with the college staff to improve the health and safety system

1.3    doing everything reasonably possible to remove or reduce the risk of injury or illness, dehydration, sunburn and sunstroke

1.4    ensuring procedures are in place regarding the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol that aligns with the protection of students, staff and visitors and also with alcohol laws

1.5    making sure all incidents, injuries and near misses are recorded in the Health and Safety Registry.

1.6    investigating incidents, near misses and reducing the likelihood of them happening again

1.7     having emergency plans and procedures in place

1.8    providing appropriate induction, training and supervision for all new and existing staff

1.9     helping staff who were injured or ill return to work safely

1.10   making sure contractors and sub-contractors working at the school operate in a           safe manner.

2       All staff are encouraged to play a vital and responsible role in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace through:
         2.1     being involved in improving health and safety systems at work

         2.2     following all instructions, rules, procedures and safe ways of working

         2.3     reporting any pain or discomfort as soon as possible

         2.4     reporting all injuries, incidents and near misses

         2.5    helping new  staff members, trainees and visitors to the workplace understand the safety procedures and why they exist
         
         2.6     reporting any health and safety concerns or issues through the reporting system

         2.7     keeping the workplace tidy to minimize the risk of any trips and falls

         2.8     wearing protective clothing and equipment as and when required to minimize their exposure to workplace hazards.
3       Others in the Workplace
         All others in the workplace including students and visitors are encouraged to:
         3.1     follow all instructions, rules and procedures while in the school grounds

         3.2    report all injuries, incidents and near misses

         3.3    wear protective clothing and equipment as and when required to minimize their exposure to hazards while learning

4       The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this policy.

RATIONALE

1. Student safety is paramount.
2. Newlands College is committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect.
3. The college must ensure the safety of all students in its care and also adhere to the Vulnerable Children’s Act (2014) (The Act). It is intended to protect all children staff may encounter – including siblings, the children of adults accessing services and any other children encountered by staff
4. These guidelines apply to all staff who have direct or indirect contact with our students. (See Appendix for full definition.)
5. The college has a commitment to work together to produce the best possible outcomes for the child and to work towards continuous improvement in child protection practices. Recognition of the culture of the whānau, its importance and the rights of whānau to participate in decision-making about their children and the rights of the child to participate in decision making are key aspects.

GUIDELINES

1.  All staff will be made aware of these Guidelines and their obligations under The Act. New staff induction will include information about these Guidelines.
2. The college will provide training to all staff about child protection issues.
   
   
3. All appointments (permanent, fixed term, contractor, casual or volunteer) to positions that have direct and/or frequent contact with children or young people will be made in accordance with the requirements of The Act. These will include a safety check.
   
   
4. No new staff member will start work until the Safety Check has been completed to the satisfaction of the Principal.
   
   
5. The Principal will Safety Check all staff every three years.
6. All volunteers who come into regular contact with students will need to be safety checked before they start their roles.
   
   
7. Guests do not need to be safety checked as long as they are working under the supervision of a staff member.
   
   
8. No-one will have access to student information until they have been safety checked.
   
   
9. Any disclosures from students should be immediately referred to the Deputy Principal or their delegate. The Deputy Principal in charge of Guidance network is the Designated person in terms of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 and is responsible for providing support and advice to staff with concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of a child or young person.
   
   
10. Any issues relating to child abuse should be managed using the college’s Child Abuse Guidelines and Procedures.
    
    
11. Any organisation that provides services to our students on a regular basis or where the student might be in close contact with an individual on an irregular basis, must provide a copy of their Child Protection policy.
    
    
12. All personal information regarding students is to be treated as confidential.
    
    
13. Staff should always maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid behaviour which might be misinterpreted by others. Adults who work with children must therefore act in a way that is considered to be safe practice. This includes the use of digital technologies. Staff should ensure that all communications are transparent and open to scrutiny.
    
    
14. When physical contact is made with a student this should be in response to their needs at the time, of limited duration and appropriate to their age, stage of development, ethnicity, background and the situation. Staff should use their professional judgement at all times, take note of the student’s reaction or feelings and use a level of contact and/or form of communication which is situationally appropriate.
    
    
15. The college has a Complaints Policy which should be used if anyone suspects there is an inappropriate relationship existing between a staff member and a student.
16. The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy.

RATIONALE

1. Addiction and substance use disorder is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication.
2. Addictions are too often the result of a preexisting mental health condition, or in some cases, serious mental health issues can develop from substance abuse. .   

GUIDELINES

1        Rehabilitation, including pastoral care and support, is preferred to support students with addiction.  

2        The Principal or the Principal’s delegate  and the Counsellor shall develop an action plan for each case.

• A student who is struggling with substance abusewill be offered specialist drug & alcohol counselling either internally or externally.

3        The Principal will always involve whānau  if students are suspected of substance use at school or any school-related activity.

4        When appropriate, whānau will be contacted regarding substance abuse at school. There will be consequences for repeat offenders.

5        The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this policy.

RATIONALE

1       This policy aims to balance the preservation of the dignity of the students who may need appropriate hygiene and personal assistance in a safe physical and emotional environment, with the health and safety of the staff.

2       In particular, this policy recognises  the special nature of the Learning Support Centre (LSC) and the students' needs.

3        The policy applies to all staff who may be involved in giving personal care to students in the LSC and elsewhere in the college.

4        The College is  committed to ensuring the rights and needs of the students are maintained and staff are appropriately informed, trained and supported.

GUIDELINES

1        Relevant information about personal or hygiene needs shall be collated on the enrolment form, consent form, and annual update form for all students who require staff assistance or supervision for personal or hygiene care.

2        Parent/caregiver shall provide up-to-date information about any change in the student's personal care needs.

3        All staff designated to provide personal care shall be capable of doing so.

4        Wherever possible and appropriate, a student's preferences for the person assisting with personal care shall be considered.

5        Student dignity and privacy shall be maintained to the maximum extent practicable in providing hygiene care and assistance, and also applies to the distribution of menstrual products.

6        The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy.

RATIONALE

1. This policy aims to ensure a safe physical and emotional environment for students in the school, including students who need medication while at school or during school related activities and to ensure the health and safety of the staff.
2. In particular, this policy recognises the special nature of the LSC and the students’ needs.
3. The school is responsible to ensure the appropriate and safe storage of medication/s where the school has a role in storing or supervising the administration of them. This includes formal identification of those who may access and administer these medication/s, and under what conditions these should be administered.
4. The College is committed to ensuring the rights and needs of the students are maintained and staff are appropriately informed, trained and supported.

GUIDELINES

1. Relevant information shall be collated on the enrolment form, medication consent form, and annual update form for all students who require staff assistance or supervision for the administration of their medication.
2. Parent/guardian shall:

1. Provide required medications and any relevant
   
   
2. Provide instructions for administration of medication, signed and dated.
   
   
3. Provide a statement of expected results and any side effects of the medication.
4. Provide up-to-date information about any change in the student’s medical circumstances, specifically of changes in medication.
   
   
5. Promptly uplift from the College any redundant, surplus, or out-of-date medicine, replacing it with current, fresh stock as necessary.

3    Where medications need to be stored in the school for any duration, the school shall acknowledge receipt of these medications and enter them into a medication/s register.

4     For students requiring staff assistance with their medication/s, appropriately skilled staff shall be designated to administer these.

4.1 Contingency plans shall be signed between the parent/guardian and a representative of the college (and the student if they have the capacity) for a situation where no designated staff member is available to administer medication/s.
4.2 The plan shall name the medication and the directions for administering it.

5.          Medication/s shall always be given as per instructions and the administration recorded and signed.

6          The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this policy.

RATIONALE

1        For the safety of students, the law requires persons with regular contact with schools and school students to undergo a checking of their record with the Police ("vetting").

2        Each employee, and the types of volunteers specified below, must be vetted.

3        The purpose is to make known to the Board any person whose past dealings with the Police have demonstrated, or have led the Police to believe, that that person is or could be a danger to any person in the College community.  The Board is the employing authority of the College and is the body with responsibility for policies which protect the safety of students and staff and the rest of the College community.

GUIDELINES

1        Employees or prospective employees of thee College or who are present on College business, on other than a 'one-off' basis, will be vetted.

2        Volunteers including board members who offer their services to the College will at the Principal’s discretion also be vetted if the volunteer service they are to provide is more than a one off event that doesn’t require overnight supervision, and any of the following could occur during their volunteer service:

2.1     The volunteer could have responsibility for a student or students without the direct supervision of at least one staff member employed by the College;

2.2     The volunteer could have personal contact with a student or students (e.g.       administering first aid, counseling, assisting in the Learning Support Centre);

2.3     Their volunteer service means they could be regularly on the College premises.

3        Vetting will be renewed every 3 years for people who continue to work in the school as staff or volunteers.

4        If the vetting reveals a record which gives rise to concern, the person will be advised of the results of the Police vetting and will be:

4.1          Suspended while they are given an opportunity to consider the matter, take advice, and make any submissions to the Board which they think relevant.

4.2          The Board will consider the vetting result and the employee's or volunteer’s submissions in a fair manner and reach a decision whether or not to continue to employ that person or to continue to accept that volunteer’s service.

5                      This policy should be read in conjunction with the Policy 5.2.4 Child Protection Policy.

6                       The Principal will institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy.

RATIONALE

1. In this policy, "private vehicle" means a vehicle which is not licensed as a passenger service vehicle or not driven by a person licensed to transport passengers.
2. Private transport is frequently required for some College-related activities, including sports events and cultural fixtures.
3. Where the College arranges transport the College shall take reasonable steps to ensure vehicles are safe (current registration and WOF) and the driver of the vehicle is licensed appropriately.

GUIDELINES

1. Where possible, transport will be either by teacher-driven or parent-driven vehicles.
2. Where it is necessary for students to travel in a vehicle driven by a fellow student then the student driver will have a full licence, and ensure that all passengers wear seat belts.
3. Travel arrangements for students to attend College events (sporting, cultural etc) outside school hours are the responsibility of the whānau, unless other arrangements have been specifically made by the College.
4. When transport to or from a school activity is arranged by the student's family this falls outside of Newlands College's ability to monitor and therefore is not covered by this policy but is the responsibility of the student's parents.
5. Private transport is also used to transport students to and from school for a normal school day. This private transport may be student driven or parent/caregiver driven and may include student drivers carrying other passengers. This form of private transport falls outside of Newlands College’s ability to monitor and therefore is not covered by this policy, but is the responsibility of the student's parents.
6. The Principal shall institute procedures pursuant to this Policy.

RATIONALE

 1          Newlands College is a ‘uniform school’. This is a result of community consultation,          which is reviewed on a regular basis.   

GUIDELINES

 1          Students will comply fully with the dress, grooming and personal items code as detailed on the College website and on the online Enrolment Form.

2          Students unable to comply with the dress and grooming code, for whatever reason, will see a Deputy Principal.  A uniform pass may then be issued.

3          Teachers will check dress and grooming compliance.

4          Students not complying with dress and grooming should be referred to a Deputy Principal            who will follow the Uniform Infringement procedure.

5         The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy.

RATIONALE

1. Newlands College provides a safe school environment for all members of the school community.
2. All members of the school community will treat each other with dignity and respect.
3. The Board considers harassment of any kind as a serious issue, as it can affect both physical and mental health.
4. As well as causing health and safety issues, harassment can lead to poor performance, decreased productivity, difficulties in retaining and recruiting staff and less than optimal educational outcomes for students.

GUIDELINES

1. Harassment is behaviour which is:
   1.1 known, or should reasonably be known, to be unwelcome to the recipient; and

          1.2 intentionally directed at a person or a group.

2. Harassment includes the following types of behaviour:

         2.1 Sexual harassment

             2.1.1  Sexual harassment can happen to and by anyone. It can be subtle or more obvious.

             2.1.2 Whether a behaviour was sexual harassment is viewed objectively, considering whether the                 conduct was unwelcome or offensive, from the perspective of the complainant.

              2.1.3  Examples of sexual harassment can include:

• personally sexually offensive comments
• sexual or smutty jokes
• unwanted comments or teasing about a person's private life
• offensive hand or body gestures
• physical contact such as patting, pinching or touching
• provocative posters with a sexual connotation
• persistent and unwelcome social invitations (or telephone calls or emails)
• hints or promises of preferential treatment in exchange for sex
• threats of differential treatment if sexual activity is not offered
• sexual assault and rape.

2.2 Racial harassment

2.2.1 The person doing the harassment doesn’t have to be intending to racially harass for the behaviour to be racial harassment, it depends on how the person the behaviour impacts is affected by the behaviour.

2.2.2 Examples of racial harassment can include:

• making offensive or hurtful remarks about a person's race, colour, or ethnic origins
• copying or making fun of the way a person speaks
• making jokes about a person's race, colour, or ethnic origins
• calling people by racist names
• deliberately mispronouncing or mocking people's names.
• excluding behaviours

2.3 Bullying

2.3.1 Bullying is a form of violence or harassment conducted by one or more people against another or others, which undermines a person’s right to dignity, security or wellbeing.

2.3.2 Bullying may be direct or indirect, verbal, physical, or digital/online.

2.3.3 Bullying behaviour can be a single severe incident or behaviour that is repeated and its effect is cumulative.

2.3.4 Bullying constitutes or is perceived by the victim to constitute a real threat to health and safety.

2.3.5 There are four major forms of bullying in schools:

• Student bullying - from students towards students
• Workplace bullying – from adults towards adults
• Bullying or harassment of adults by students
• Bullying of students – from adults towards students

2.3.6 Bullying behaviour includes excluding, victimising, humiliating, intimidating or threatening a person. Bullying may also include harassment, discrimination or violence.

3 Reporting harassment

3.1 The Principal is responsible for implementing a process for reporting, recording and responding to complaints of harassment.

3.2 Behaviour which amounts to harassment of any kind should be dealt with, even if a complaint has not been made, to promote a culture of respect and safety.

4.   The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this policy

RATIONALE

1.  It is important for two reasons that complaints be listened to in good faith and fairly; and that genuine efforts be made to resolve them as quickly as possible.

1.1 Procedurally, these features are part of fairness.

1.2 Practically, substantive justice is not considered to have been done to the complaint without procedural fairness.

      2.   The College has an obligation to deal with complaints so that caregivers, parents, whānau, students, teachers, and the school community can engage in and relate to education at the College in an open, honest environment.

GUIDELINES

 1          Complaints may be:

            1.1       of a general or specific nature
            1.2       made by students, international students, staff, parents, whānau or people in the     community
            1.3       about a particular incident, or an accumulation of apparently minor or major incidents
            1.4       made by telephone, in writing, or in conversations.

2          Complaints shall be listened to in good faith and fairly, treated seriously and professionally, and investigated and addressed as promptly as possible.

3          Procedures instituted shall protect and advise both parties of their rights.  That shall include both parties receiving copies of the nature of the complaint, and a written summary of the results of any investigation, and of the resolution or decision.

4          A report on the investigation of each complaint shall be written and that, along with further reports on subsequent investigations and the resolution or decision, shall be held for at least three years from the last action and/or after the student or teacher has left the College.

5          Training shall be provided for all designated people who deal with complaints.

6          A choice of who is to deal with the complaint shall be made available to the complainant if appropriate.

7          Any complaint dealing with a teacher’s classroom performance is to be directed to the Head of Faculty (HoF).  If the complaint is about a HoF, it should be directed to the Principal.

8          Any complaint about a staff or volunteer’s behaviour in the College or community shall be directed to the Principal.

9          Any complaint about student behaviour out of school but in uniform shall be directed to the relevant senior leadershipteam (SLT) member.

10        Any complaint from a parent or other student about a student’s behaviour within the school is to be directed to either the dean or HOF depending on the nature of the complaint.

11        Any complaint regarding serious misconduct of students at school e.g. drugs is to be directed to a member of the SLT.

12        All administration and support staff shall be made aware of the complaints policy and procedures.

13        Any complaint in writing shall be replied to in writing.  Written complaints and their responses are filed on staff/students files.

14        Any complaint (other than one about the Principal) received by the Board shall be directed to the Principal in the first instance, and brought to the Board only if the complaint is serious, in the sense that it involves a matter of teacher competence, conduct or discipline as defined in the Secondary Teachers Collective Agreement, the Education Act and other legal statutes.

15        Separate procedures exist for complaints of sexual harassment.

16        Any complaint made by, or about, an international student shall be managed by the same processes.  Any student shall have the right to request access to an interpreter.

17        Any complaint about the Principal shall be directed to the Chair of the Board.

18        Any complaint about a Board member shall be directed to the Chair of the Board.

19        Any complaint about the Chair of the Board shall be directed to the Deputy Chair of the Board.

20        The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy.

Rationale:

Computer Security and Cybersecurity

Computer security and cybersecurity are essential to create a safe digital environment and protect information. The Principal and Board are responsible for school computer security and cybersecurity and review this at least annually.

Guidelines

We have appropriate protections in place for the school network and devices, such as:

• insurance for accidental damage, theft, and loss (as appropriate)
• firewall and antivirus software which guards against malware (viruses) and spyware
• regular updates for operating systems and programs on school devices, and patches to fix interim issues
• limits to who can alter school-installed software programs (only an authorised staff member)
• a safe and secure internet service provider, with content filtering (safe searches).

Access security

• All school devices and user accounts are password-protected.
• We recommend that personal devices used to access the school network or school information are also password-protected.
• Remote access to the school network should only be made over trusted wifi networks (using home networks as opposed to public networks). Accessing the school network from home or using a privacy screen in public reduces the risk of access by an unauthorised audience.

Data protection

• We back up school information, software, and configuration settings, as appropriate.
• The school carefully considers what personal information is available publicly.
• Confidential waste is disposed of appropriately.
• Staff and students are encouraged to keep alert for viruses, malware, and phishing scams by:
  • checking the sender details of emails
  • acting with caution if emails contain links/attachments or request anything unusual or with urgency.

If Newlands College experiences a cyberattack, we contact CERT NZ  (New Zealand's Computer Emergency Response Team) for advice and support, as appropriate.

Supporting Documents:

• Online enrolment – E-Learning agreement.
• Netsafe NZ
• Teaching Council - Code of professional responsibility and standards for the teaching profession.

Rationale:

Newlands College fosters a positive culture of safe and responsible use of digital devices through our Digital Technology and Online Safety policy. We encourage students to be confident, capable, and responsible in their use of digital technology. Inappropriate use is dealt with through our behaviour management policy.

This policy applies to items that are likely to endanger safety, likely to detrimentally affect the learning environment, or are harmful.

Grounds for surrender and retention of personal digital devices

We have clear rules for device use that we share with students and their parents/caregivers. Incidents involving digital devices are managed with due respect for the safety and privacy of the student, and the integrity of the device and contents. We focus on the behaviour of the student, rather than on the technology itself.

In the case of disruption of the learning environment, teachers and authorised staff can ask the student to show them the digital item (e.g. a photos, emails, texts, social media posts, audio and video clips) and/or delete it. They may ask the student to put the device away, surrender the device to be retained for a reasonable period, or apply our cellphone procedures.  Items can be quickly and easily shared through digital devices, and can be difficult to delete. Teachers can ask the student about the source of the item and whether it has been shared as this helps determine the action taken.

The same applies in the case of an item that is likely to endanger anyone's safety. There are extra factors to consider, such as the emotional impact on the people affected, whether the item has been or could be shared or stored, the nature of the item, and the maturity and age of the students involved. We may contact Netsafe for advice and will contact the police if a criminal offence is suspected (e.g. drug involvement, threats to kill or assault, etc).

Retention of digital devices

Newlands College follows the Ministry of Education's Guidelines for the surrender and retention of property and searches to ensure the safe and appropriate retention of digital devices. Our procedures for Cellphone use do not involve the removal of phones as they are stored in pockets. The following statements would apply if it was necessary to remove a phone or laptop.

• Retained digital devices are stored securely and appropriately.
• If it has the capability, the device is turned off and locked when it is given by the student.
• A record is kept including details of the incident and the device.
• The device is returned at the end of the retention period to the student or their parent/caregiver, as appropriate.
• If a criminal offence has occurred or is suspected, the device is passed to the police as soon as possible.

Searches of digital devices

Staff cannot search a device. The police have the ability and authority to search a digital device and must be contacted if a search is deemed necessary.

We can search school–owned digital devices. We consider student privacy when searching a school device.

Senior Leadership  can ask a student to show them an image or message for health and safety reasons. This would be done in the presence of two senior leaders. The child has the right to s

Rationale: Digital Technology and Online Safety

Newlands College is committed to providing a digital and online environment that is physically and emotionally safe, inclusive, and free from racism, discrimination, and bullying (Education and Training Act 2020) and Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

We recognise the vital role of digital technology in learning and how it impacts student wellbeing, so we take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure its safe and responsible use. Our strategies aim to prevent digital incidents and maintain student wellbeing and safety both at and outside the school.

Our digital technology policies and procedures apply to every member of the school community using digital technology, including staff, students, parents/caregivers, volunteers, contractors, visitors, and the board. They apply to digital technology owned by the school or owned privately and used at school or any other location for a school-based activity. They also include off-site access to the school network if applicable.

Our approach to digital technology aims to reduce barriers to education for all students. Newlands College supports students to access the resources needed to participate in online learning. We recognise that although a student may have a device, their internet access may be limited.

Safe and responsible use of digital technology

In keeping with our whole-school approach to wellbeing, Newlands College promotes safe and responsible use of digital technology as a shared responsibility.

At Newlands College, we maintain a safe and responsible digital environment by:

• setting and sharing clear requirements and expectations about acceptable and unacceptable digital use
• ensuring that members of the school community commit to these guidelines by signing the appropriate use agreement outlining requirements and expectations
• reviewing these digital technology use agreements annually
• educating students about the digital world, including understanding privacy and copyright laws, staying safe online, and protecting digital devices
• encouraging our students to be confident, capable, and competent in their use of digital technology by supporting them to:
  • develop digital literacy skills
  • be aware of digital technology challenges and manage them effectively
  • demonstrate honesty, integrity, and ethical behaviour in their use of digital technology in line with digital citizenship
• using appropriate resources (e.g. Netsafe) and supporting staff training and professional development
• encouraging students and staff to continue practising positive digital technology behaviours when not in the school.

We also create a safe digital and online environment through the staff handbook:

• Social Media
• Computer Security and Cybersecurity
• Privacy Policy
• Public Sharing of Personal Information
• Surrender and Retention of Personal Digital Devices

The school maintains the right to monitor, access, and review digital technology use on school equipment and the school network, including school-owned email accounts. The school may use a third party, such as N4L, to monitor school internet use. This may include browsing history.

Breaches

We respond to breaches of our digital technology and online safety policy and the complaints policy.

Under the Education and Training Act 2020, teachers and authorised staff members can only undertake searches if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a student possesses a harmful item (i.e. an item that poses an immediate threat to the physical or emotional safety of any person).

At Newlands College, the Principal and authorised staff members can conduct searches.

A search is not mandatory. Newlands College may manage the issue through the behaviour management strategies including stand-downs and suspensions.

Limits on searches

The person conducting the search must give the student the opportunity to surrender or reveal the item before a search is conducted. Any searches conducted are carried out in a fair and safe way that protects the privacy and dignity of the student, respects their culture, and learning support or other behavioural support needs. Students have the right not to be subjected to an unreasonable search under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

Teachers and authorised staff members cannot search a group of students unless the staff member has reasonable grounds to suspect each individual student has a harmful item. Staff members cannot conduct a blanket search of students.

If the student denies possession of the item or refuses to surrender or reveal it there may be grounds for a search. Staff can only request students remove outer clothing and cannot search clothing that a student is still wearing or search their body. If the student refuses to cooperate, the search is abandoned. We use our behaviour management strategies and may contact the parents/caregivers, and/or police.

We notify the police if a serious criminal offence has been committed, or if we suspect on good information that it will be committed, and if drugs or weapons are involved. If highly dangerous or illegal items are suspected, we contact the police and keep the student and the belongings in a safe place under supervision until the police arrive. Police do not search on behalf of the school; if they have grounds for a search, they follow their own procedures.

For personal devices, refer to the Digital Policy.

Contractors cannot search individual students. A contractor may be hired to bring a trained search dog to school but can only search school property.

Conducting a search

A search may involve requesting that the student empties their pockets, removes outer items of clothing, has their bags searched, and shares "correspondence" such as a diary. School staff are entitled to search school property at any time for any reason including desks, lockers, and other storage areas.

• We do not use physical restraint, except as a last resort to prevent imminent harm and only according to our physical restraint guidelines. Please refer to Phycial Restraint guidelines.
• Searches take place in an appropriate location and with appropriate people. As reasonably practicable, we:
  • have two adults of the same gender as the student present to conduct the search
  • ask a parent/caregiver of the student to attend or arrange a support person for the student.
• Authorised staff members can retain an item that is not harmful but fits one of the other retention categories if found during a search.
• If an item remains in the school’s possession for two or more nights, then the details of the item/device will be recorded.

Teachers and authorised staff members conducting a search:

• explain what they are looking for and why it is a danger
• explain why they suspect the student of possessing the item
• deal with seized items as appropriate
• return bags and clothing items to the student immediately after the search
• notify the parents/caregivers of the search, outcome, and consequences for the student.

Records of searches

We keep a written record of all searches. The record includes the date, name of student, name of the authorised person who conducted the search, and an explanation if any of the practicable requirements could not be met (e.g. searches conducted by a person of the same gender, having a second staff member present, the presence of students, or other relevant details). We also keep the details of any item/device retained for two or more school nights.

The records are kept for a minimum period of seven years, the statue of limitations period for civil matters. See School Records Retention and Disposal.

RATIONALE

At Newlands College, we promote a healthy lifestyle to our school community (students, staff, and families/whānau) as part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive school environment. Educating students about nutrition and encouraging healthy active learning contributes to their personal success and wellbeing, and to a healthier community for everyone. We communicate our nutrition messages to the wider school community clearly and consistently in various ways.

GUIDELINES

A healthy food and drink environment helps support a young person's wellbeing/hauora, including their immediate physical and mental growth and development. It also helps establish positive behaviours for the future. Good nutrition can positively affect student behaviour, learning, concentration, and energy.

At Newlands College, we:

• ensure that any food or drink provided by/through the school (e.g. in class or sold at school) aligns with national food and nutrition guidelines, such as Healthy Food and Drink Guidance – Schools
• incorporate nutrition education across the curriculum, including the health programme
• encourage staff to model healthy food and drink choices
• provide nutrition messages and food that acknowledges the diversity of our community and considers those with special dietary needs (e.g. allergies and intolerances, and religious, cultural, and ethical food requirements)
• consider our nutrition messages when deciding on food provided by the school (e.g. class rewards and celebrations, student prizes, special events, fundraising activities, and school camp menus)
• actively promote physical activity as the partner of good nutrition
• encourage students taking part in physical activity to drink water for hydration and to refuel with healthy snacks.

Rationale

1. Newlands College provides an environment that supports the achievement of all students’ and one that is safe for every member of the College community.
2. On occasions, students exhibit behaviour that is challenging. This can pose a risk to both the student and to other students in terms of their learning. This can also be a health and safety risk to the emotional and physical safety of the student, other students, staff and the public.
3. The College uses the following five principles, in relation to the use of physical restraint as part of the College’s processes and systems to manage challenging behaviour:

Principle 1: Physical restraint is a serious intervention. The aim is to minimise the use of physical restraint.

Principle 2: If there is an alternative to physically restraining a student, use the alternative.

Principle 3: The school is required to provide a safe physical and emotional environment for students and staff. Parents, students and the public have a legitimate expectation that the school environment will be a safe environment that supports learning.

Principle 4: The Ministry of Education, Te Mahu, publication Aramai He Tētēkura, February 2023 P24-25, provides for the circumstances when teachers and authorised staff members may physically restrain a student. In exercising these powers, teachers and authorised staff members must act reasonably and proportionately in the circumstances to achieve a safe environment for students and staff.

Seclusion is prohibited.

Principle 5: Students’ rights are protected under the Bill of Rights Act 1990.

GUIDELINES

1. Physical restraint can only be used by teachers or authorised staff members. Teachers are people employed in a teaching position at a school. This includes a person with a Limited Authority to Teach, and a relief teacher employed by the employer (e.g. Board, sponsor or manager). All teachers are automatically authorised to act under the legislation. Only the Board may authorise a non-teaching staff member, e.g. Teacher Aide, for the purposes of  Education and Training 2020 Act section 99. Authorisation will be in writing and it may be revoked by the Board at any time.

2. Where a student has a known behavioural issue or previous behaviour problems the College’s enrolment procedures will encourage parents and support networks to share this information. This will enable the College to,
   1. Provide the best support it can for the student to enable the student to achieve to their academic potential
   2. Minimises the risks of behaviour which may negatively impact the student’s academic and/or social development and well-being
   3. Put in place an individual behaviour plan if required, in consultation with the student and their parent/caregiver.
3. If physical restraint is an element of any student’s individual behaviour plan, the Principal must ensure that the parent/caregiver of the student is notified when that plan is created.

4. The College manages all student behaviour in accordance with its pastoral care systems, the School’s Health and Safety Policies and the applicable law. This places emphasis on preventative or de-escalation techniques, with alternatives to physical restraint to be used in preference. Seclusion is not an acceptable practice, although the use of time out is.   

5. In accordance with current law,
   1. Physical restraint may only be used if it is necessary to prevent imminent harm to the student or another person,
   2. If such risk is considered to exist, the physical restraint used must be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances
   3. The authorised staff member must reasonably believe there is no other option available in the circumstances to prevent the harm
6. ‘Physical restraint’ means the use of physical force to prevent, restrict, or subdue the movement of the student’s body or part of the student’s body.

7. Teachers and authorised staff members will need to use their professional judgement to decide what constitutes “a serious and imminent risk to safety”.

8. The Principal will ensure adequate training is provided to staff who may be involved in the physical restraint of students

9. The Principal shall institute Procedures pursuant to this Policy