"PUTTING THINGS RIGHT"
From time to time issues will arise that concern parents/guardians.
The early clarification or resolution of these concerns is important for all involved. The following procedure is intended to assist in sorting concerns quickly.
1. Discuss the concern first hand with the person/s involved.
Such concerns as:
a. class work
b. homework
c. difficulties being experienced by your child
d. something reported to be happening in the classroom which just doesn’t seem right should first be discussed with the teacher/s.
This initial step is vital to identify what is happening. Discussing it first hand will clarify the situation and gather more information. The person involved is also the person most likely to be able to address the concern and resolve the situation.
Early discussion of concerns should be made before they blow out of proportion or are clouded in history.
By talking first hand we are not driven into gossip or hearsay. If a fellow parent raises a concern the most productive advice is to suggest they talk to the person concerned. This will generally be the teacher for classroom issues or the Principal/Deputy Principal for school issues.
2. Unresolved concerns.
If the concern is unresolved, please come forward to discuss it with the Administrative Team. Parents and community members have a right to make formal complaints to the Principal/Deputy Principal. It is important for school staff, parents and community members to be aware of procedures followed in these instances. Specifically, the procedures are as follows:-
All complainants are asked initially if they have
addressed the complaint to the staff member involved as
per step one of this policy. If this has not been done we
urge them to do so. Should they express unwillingness to
do so, we advise the staff member of the complaint. To
resolve the issue contact will be organised with the
parent and teachers and if required a member of the
Administrative Team. We inform the complainant that we
are going to do this and we will be giving their names to
the relevant staff member/s.
Only in extreme cases of alleged impropriety against the staff member would we give consideration to not contacting the staff member, although such instances are extremely rare.
3. Advice of complaints.
We advise all complainants who contact us by phone of the process outlined above. Anonymous complaints deserve no attention other than perhaps some discreet enquiries where this seems to be warranted. The staff member is advised of the complaint.
4. External Intervention.
Should a complaint not be resolved at the school level external intervention may be required. Parents/guardians should be aware that District Officers have a similar complaints policy as outlined above and will probably refer the complainant back to the school.
Page Updated: 07/09/2005