Keeping our School Safe

Semester 2, 2014 Report

To be presented to Governing Council – first meeting 2015

·  All incidents are recorded using our internal portal system - as it is immediate and accessible from any computer.

·  All incidents mean from minor to major and even if no further action is to be taken.

·  These are then transcribed by admin SSO to DECD EDSAS system.

·  Any teacher or SSO can make a report.

·  All reports also detail the type of incident for coding and thus further analysis – Reported incidents of bullying behaviour have been included from these coded entries.

This report gives an opportunity to compare 2013 to 2014

EARLY YEARS (R-2)

Comment

  1. The number of incidents recorded decreased significantly – was always under 2013 levels. Feedback indicates that the major factor was the settled nature of classes – directly attributable to Same Day Start. This is also in spite of the fact class sizes increased to accommodate this change in protocol.
  2. There was some increase in responses abut bullying however these are still very small number as a % of overall incidents – 2013 =3%; 2014=5%. The work through our positive education initiatives and implementation of the Child protection Curriculum will continue to be a priority.

·  In 2013 student surveys reported Over 90% report feeling safe in class, toilet, canteen, buildings

·  Over 80% feel safe coming to and from school

·  Less than 80% feel safe in play spaces – playground, village green, b/ball courts

  1. The 2014 developments instituted through yard space changed use, MOC+ activities saw that now well over 80% (87%) feel safe in play spaces.

PRIMARY YEARS (YEAR 3-6)

Comment

1.  The number of incidents recorded increased with spikes in term 1 and 3. Feedback indicates that the major factors (also in Middle Years) were the significant changes in leadership roles and personnel. We can never underestimate the “unsettling” effect that has on our school structures.

2.  There was virtually no increase in reports about bullying (4 more in 2014). These are still very small number as a % of overall incidents – 2013 =4%; 2014=3%. The work through our Kids Matter programming, positive education initiatives and implementation of the Child protection Curriculum will continue to be a priority.

3.  2014 location data indicated that most incidents occur at break-times and this means that in 2015 the developments already instituted through yard space changed use, MOC+ activities must continue to be a major focus.

MIDDLE YEARS (YEAR 7-12)

Comment

  1. The number of incidents recorded increased significantly in term1 and continued in early term 2. Feedback indicates that the major factor was the nearly complete change in leadership roles and personnel. That had to occur through staff winning promotion positions out of the college. In addition over 100 new Year 8 students (25 % of student cohort) came into the college. We can never underestimate the “unsettling” effect that has on our school structures. By term 3 figures had gone below those of the previous two terms and the equivalent times in 2013- this continued for the remainder of 2014.
  2. Whilst there was an increase in reports about bullying, caused in total by the increase in term 1,2014. After term 1 there was a 30% decrease in reports. Through our work with Dr Barbara Spears it is apparent that the major issue continues to be cyber-bullying after hours. The work through our pastoral care programming, positive education initiatives and implementation of cyber-safety education initiatives will be a priority in 2015

SENIOR YEARS (YEAR 10-12)

Comment

  1. The number of incidents recorded increased in term1, however by term 2 had decreased to previous rates. Rates in term 3 were significantly below rates for the previous year. Feedback indicates that the factors were change in some leadership roles, over 180 new Year 10 students and the significant increase overall in student numbers (30%) necessitating utilisation of a new building. Overall behaviour statistics were very favourable and decreased all year.
  2. Whilst there was a small decrease in reports about bullying. Through our work with Dr Barbara Spears it is apparent that the major issue continues to be cyber-bullying after hours. The work through our pastoral care programming, positive education initiatives and implementation of cyber-safety education initiatives will be a priority in 2015.

TOTAL INCIDENTS

Incident reports can be analysed for frequency by individual students.

Comment

  1. The percentage of students with one or less incident reported was virtually equal overall from 2013 to 2014 (86% v 85.5%).
  2. The terms where there were anomalous results correlate with changes in leadership and significant changes in student personnel.
  3. The goal for 2015 is to aim for 90% with one or less reports.

Incidents can also be analysed by consequence type.

A major consequence is considered to be a suspension (1or more days) or an exclusion.

Comment

  1. The percentage of students with major consequences did increase in 2014 from 7% to 8.7% - this is a reflection of the increasing severity with which any inappropriate behaviours are responded too.
  2. The college also acknowledges that the increasing use of SAPOL in supporting our behaviour management protocols.

OVERALL SUMMARY

On all measures of reporting Mark Oliphant College can be considered still to be a very safe school.

·  The number of incidents per total population contact is very low at less than 1 %.

·  The number of students with nil or only one report per term is over 80%

·  Major consequences need to be implemented for under 10% of total incidents reported.

In 2013 and 2014 MOC has undertaken a range of initiatives to ensure we continue to ensure our school is safe for ALL.

The major of these has been through our whole of college approach via Positive Education framework, within this we have undertaken the following-

Administration

·  Ensure all reports being entered – T and D with staff -random checks

·  Ensure appropriate coding- T and D with staff - random checks

Whole of School Approach

·  Implemented VIVO to “reward” good behaviours- pro social skills and pro academic.

·  Implement Mind matters and Kid matters

·  Implement Child protection Curriculum-

·  Implement Student leadership R- 12

·  PALS - Play at Lunchtimes

·  Implement Praise POD

·  Lunchtime activities- became MOC+

·  Children’s University programs

·  Formal and informal social skills groups – operate EY, PY and MY

Physical Improvements – Shared (Third) Spaces

·  More small equipment available

·  More seating in yard

·  More shade – first new mature trees being introduced – has not been as successful as we had anticipated.

·  PY playground equipment

·  Yard reorganisation

·  Library reorganisation- more games , introduction of cinema, comics,

Student feedback and surveys

·  Engage with students (5-12) through a survey on what they want in lessons, teachers and in school- results will be shared, monitored ad same survey repeated annually

·  Continue to engage in cyber-bullying surveys, student forums and feedback .

·  In 2015 Re-engage R-4 with “How I feel Surveys” in lieu of the Hope Scale surveys we had undertaken.

Community

·  Information sessions with parents need to be a priority for 2015.