**PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY UPDATING OUR COLLEGE POLICIES, SO COPIES OF POLICIES AND LINKS MAY NOT CURRENTLY WORK. WE ENDEAVOUR THIS SECTION OF THE WEBSITE TO BE UPDATED BY 1ST MAY 2025**

The Copperfield College Leadership Team, in consultation with our Copperfield College School Council, are responsible for formulating all school-based policies that inform the school community about school operations, expectations and procedures.  These policies are reviewed and revised on a regular basis to ensure that they remain relevant and valid.

Overarching policies that are relevant to all schools in Victoria are devised by the Department of Education and provide operational information and guidance. Links to all relevant policies and/or DET websites are provided, for such overarching policies.

We recommend all staff and parents/carers become familiar with the policies of Copperfield College and encourage discussion with students, so they understand their obligations and responsibilities to the College, each other, and themselves.

 

Child Safe Standards Policies

Copperfield College is a school that is unconditionally committed to providing the very best and safest educational environment for every student. As a College, we follow and uphold the new Child Safe Standards, which the Department of Education introduced on 1 July 2022. Our child safety policies demonstrate our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.  Child safety is the primary focus of our care and decision making at Copperfield College.

  • Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
  • Child Safety Code of Conduct
  • Child Safe Standards Risk Register
  • Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures
  • Action Plan – Aboriginal Learning, Wellbeing and Safety

 

Anaphylaxis Policy

In accordance with Ministerial Order 706, Anaphylaxis Management in Schools (published and amended by the Department of Education), Copperfield College will maintain an Anaphylaxis Policy, reviewing it annually at the beginning of every school year prior to students returning to school, or as required.

This Anaphylaxis Policy must be read in conjunction with our school’s Asthma Policy, First Aid Policy, Health Care Needs Policy  and Medication Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies).

 

Asthma Policy

This policy has been created to ensure that Copperfield College appropriately supports students diagnosed with asthma. The policy has been designed to explain to Copperfield College parents/carers, staff and students the processes and procedures in place to support students diagnosed with asthma.

This Asthma Policy must be read in conjunction with our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy, First Aid Policy, Health Care Needs Policy  and Medication Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies).

 

Attendance Policy

Attendance requirements and the consequences of unsatisfactory attendance rates will be clearly communicated to students, their parents/carers and teaching staff.

 

Bullying Prevention Policy

Bullying of any kind is not tolerated at Copperfield College. We aim to create a caring community in which bullying is recognised as wrong and unacceptable and where the reporting of bullying is encouraged and expected.

 

Camps and Excursions Policy

Our Camps and Excursions Policy is provided to ensure that our school community understands the steps that are required of Copperfield College, when camps and excursions are planned and conducted.

 

CCTV in Schools Policy

On 6 December 2021 the Department of Education published the CCTV in Schools Policy. Schools no longer need their own local CCTV Policy because they can now follow the Department’s CCTV Policy.

 

Complaints Policy

Schools are required to have a complaints policy, outlining how our school proposes to manage complaints, including information about the complaints process, timeframes for response and possible outcomes.

 

Digital Learning (Internet, Social Media and Digital Devices) Policy

As at 2 September 2024, schools are no longer required to have a local Digital Learning Policy. Instead, schools are now required to develop Acceptable Use Agreements (AUA) and communicate these expectations with students under the department’s updated Digital Learning Policy.

 

Dress Code – Students Policy (previously called ‘Uniform Policy’)

Copperfield College undertook major review of our College Uniform and its implementation; this was in part due to parent concerns and comments about both the uniform and its consistent implementation.

 

Duty of Care Policy

The duty of care that schools owe to students, staff and members of the school community has an impact on every element of our school operations. Duty of care, in practice, requires us to evaluate, respond to and manage risks in our school environment. In response to some risks, it is appropriate to have issue-specific policies that explain the protocols and procedures that our school proposes to follow to minimise the potential for harm.

 

First Aid Policy

This First Aid Policy must be read in conjunction with our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy, Asthma Policy, Health Care Needs Policy  and Medication Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies).

 

Head Lice Policy

Schools are not required to have a local policy relating to head lice and instead rely on the Department’s Head Lice Policy. Copperfield College request that all parents/carers provide a signed ‘Head Lice Inspection’ consent form, for all students that attend Copperfield College, to assist in our schools management of head lice (should it arise).

 

Health Care Needs Policy

Students may have medical conditions that require support or management at school or during school activities. The purpose of this policy is to outline to our school community, how we propose to support students who may need assistance through the Student Health Support Plan and/or Student Support Group process.

This Health Care Needs Policy must be read in conjunction with our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy, Asthma Policy, First Aid Policy  and Medication Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies).

Students with complex medical needs must have a Student Health Support Plan and designated and appropriately trained staff to provide for their specific health care needs.

  • Student Health Support Plan

 

Homework Policy

Homework is an important part of the learning process for all students at Copperfield College. By undertaking regular homework, students develop self-discipline and valuable time-management skills and begin to take responsibility for their own learning.

 

Inclusion and Diversity Policy

All schools must comply with Victorian and Federal anti-discrimination laws and take steps to ensure that students and staff are not subjected to unlawful discrimination. Schools also have a duty of care to all students.

 

Medication [Administration Of] Policy

Sometimes students may have a medical condition that requires them to take medication at school or during school activities like excursions or camps. This policy outlines the procedures that our school will follow to support students who may need to take medication at school or school activities.

This Medication Policy must be read in conjunction with our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy, Asthma Policy, First Aid Policy  and Health Care Needs Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies).

 

Mobile Phones Policy

In accordance with the Department of Education’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Copperfield College during school hours, including lunchtime and recess.

Mobile phones owned by students at Copperfield College are considered valuable items and are brought to school at the owner’s (student’s or parent/carer’s) risk.  Please note that Copperfield College does not have insurance for accidental property damage or theft. Students and their parents/carers are encouraged to obtain appropriate insurance for valuable items.

Personal Property Policy

The purpose of this policy is to put staff, parents, carers and students on notice, that our school is not responsible for loss and/or damage to personal property that is brought to school.

 

Photography, Filming and Recording Students Policy

This policy provides details regarding the collection, use and disclosure of photographs, films and other recordings of students, in accordance with Department policy and Victorian privacy law.

Appropriate consent is gained for the collection and use of photographs, film and recordings of students and adults:

  • Photography, Filming and Recording Students Consent Form
  • Photography, Filming and Recording Adult Consent Form

 

Privacy Policy

In Victorian government schools the management of ‘personal information’ and ‘health information’ is governed by the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) (collectively, Victorian privacy law). If you would like to understand more about how our school handles your information, please see information below:

All parents/carers and students can refer to the standard collection notice, set by the Department of Education:

  • Privacy Collection Notice

 

Restraint and Seclusion Policy

Copperfield College follows the Department’s policy and guidance on Restraint of Students.

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy

All schools are required, under the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 and Department policy, to have a Student Engagement Policy which includes student behaviour. This policy can be used as a useful reference guide to monitor and manage student behaviour and ensures that parents/carers understand the support and procedures we have in place at our school.

The content of this policy will also be relevant to our Attendance Policy, Bullying Prevention Policy, and to our Statement of Values and School Philosophy, and our Inclusion and Diversity Policy (please refer to relevant sections on this page, for copies of those policies. Our ‘Statement of Values and School Philosophy’ is available under the ‘Mission, Vision, Values’ section of our website, under the ‘Our School’ tab).

 

Uniform Policy

Refer ‘Dress Code – Students Policy’ (takes you back up to the ‘Dress Code’ section)

 

Visitors Policy

It is important that schools have procedures in place to manage visitors to school grounds to ensure the safety of staff and students. It is also necessary for schools to monitor the presence of visitors in the event of an emergency.

The content of this policy will also be relevant to our Volunteers Policy (please refer to relevant section on this page, for a copy of this policy.)

 

Volunteers Policy

Volunteers make a valuable and important contribution to our school community. It is important for our school to have procedures in place to select, screen, supervise and manage volunteer school workers, so that volunteers are suitable to work in a school environment and to meet requirements under the Child Safe Standards.

The content of this policy will also be relevant to our Visitors Policy (please refer to relevant section on this page, for a copy of this policy.)