COMPLAINTS & APPEALS POLICY

 

Students need to be aware that complaints made by them in regards to assessment, treatment or other aspects will be undertaken with due regard for fairness by members of College staff.  Vexatious complaints will be dealt with along the Managing Student Behaviour process.  The complaint may be dealt with by discussion, mediation or by sanctions where necessary.

 

Where a complaint is deemed to be of sufficient scale, students should ensure the student or staff member is aware that they feel aggrieved by their action, whether it be surrounding course work, skills assessment, behavioural treatment etc.  Go directly to the Staff member, or to the student involved in order to seek resolution.

 

1. Seek verbal explanation as to why a judgment has been made from where the dispute arose.  Always attempt to resolve the dispute at the lowest level.

2. Where a verbal explanation is insufficient, a written request should be forwarded and a reply received which formalises the process.  A meeting held and minutes kept. Formal notification takes place to all concerned.  Mediation may also take place, or resolution by Management.

3. In the event that the outcome to the dispute is still unsatisfactory, an appeal needs to be made to the next highest person on the “Chain of Command’ within the College from levels 1 through 4.

Level 1 Teacher/Technical Officer/Residential Supervisor

Level 2 Head of Department/ Farm Manager or Assistant, Corporate Services Manager/Programme   Coordinator

Level 3 Vice Principal

Level 4 Principal

   4. In the event that the outcome to the dispute is still unsatisfactory, application needs to be made to the next highest person on          the “Chain of Command” outside of the College which will most likely be the Complaints Management Unit in Central Office,            the Training Accreditation Council,   the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, Police, Ombudsman etc.

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MOBILE PHONE AND SMART WATCH POLICY

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Students are not to carry mobile phones with them during school hours. This enables full focus on learning activities and reduces opportunities for inappropriate behaviours. It also prepares students for the increasing number of employers who are banning mobile phones in the workplace. 

 

Expectation

• Students are not to have a mobile phone on their person or in their bag during school hours- 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 2.30pm Fridays, or during Dairy roster or Weekend Stock.

• Students are not to use their mobile phone during meal or prep time in Residential hours.

• Students are not to use their mobile phones for bullying or harassment of staff or students, or for recording inappropriate behaviour, or for forwarding or receiving inappropriate material. Students who use their phone for bullying or vilification purposes will have their phone confiscated for the maximum period of time and also be dealt with for as bullying.

 

Considerations

• For the purposes of this policy, mobile phones include smart watches, and other electronic communication devices.

• Students with diagnosed medical conditions that require a mobile phone will be permitted to carry them during the school day. 

• Day students have the option of leaving their phones at the front office, in their car, or not bringing them to school. 

• Boarding students will leave their phones in the dorm rooms.

• Students can access cameras from staff in all areas for recording learning/training progress.

• Handheld CB radios are available on Beef and Sheep (and spares for other sections) in the event that a task requires students and staff to be separated and need to communicate.

• Parents can communicate with their child via the front office.

• Parents/carers of residential students may request to have their child’s phone held by staff over night.

 

Sanctions

If a student is found in possession of a mobile phone the following sanctions apply.

First offense                               48 hours confiscation. 

Second offense                           7 days confiscation- plus half day internal withdrawal. 

Third offense                             14 days confiscation- plus day internal withdrawal - plus lose Good standing for 1 week. 

Fourth and subsequent         14 days confiscation- plus two days external suspension- plus lose Good standing for 2 weeks. 

 

Note 1 : At any point, if parents of Day students wish their child to have their phone after school hours when confiscated, the parent must collect it personally from the College.

 

Note 2 : Mobile phones will be returned to students for weekends and handed back on return until full confiscation period has finished.

 

Note 3 : Parents will be contacted when their child’s phone is confiscated.

  

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POSTING MATERIAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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The College does not condone the uploading onto any social media of inappropriate photos or information of staff or students or that detracts from the College reputation in the community.   Students who do this will be expected to take down the post. 

 

Staff are not permitted to be friends with students using social media.

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