Each fortnight I have been providing sections of the Student Code of Conduct for your perusal.  There are several segments of the Student Code of Conduct that are mandatory.  Last week, I shared the section on Restrictive Practices.  This week, I will be sharing with you, Temporary Removal of Student Property. 

The removal of property in a student’s possession may be necessary to promote the caring, safe and supportive learning environment of the school, and to maintain and foster mutual respect between all state school staff, students and visitors.

Temporary Removal of Student Property

The removal of any property in a student’s possession may be necessary to promote the caring, safe and supportive learning environment of the school, to maintain and foster mutual respect between all state school staff and students.  The Temporary removal of student property by school staff procedure outlines the processes, conditions and responsibilities for state school principals and school staff when temporarily removing student property.

In determining what constitutes a reasonable time to retain student property, the principal or state school staff will consider:

• the condition, nature or value of the property
• the circumstances in which the property was removed
• the safety of the student from whom the property was removed, other students or staff members
• good management, administration and control of the school.

The Principal or state school staff determine when the temporarily removed student property can be returned, unless the property has been handed to the Queensland Police Service.

The following items are explicitly prohibited at Wondall Heights State School and will be removed if found in a student’s possession:

• illegal items or weapons (e.g. guns, knives*, throwing stars, brass knuckles, chains)
• imitation guns or weapons
• potentially dangerous items (e.g. blades, rope)
• drugs** (including tobacco)
• alcohol
• aerosol deodorants or cans (including spray paint)
• explosives (e.g. fireworks, flares, sparklers)
• flammable solids or liquids (e.g. fire starters, mothballs, lighters)
• poisons (e.g. weed killer, insecticides)
• inappropriate or offensive material (e.g. racist literature, pornography, extremist propaganda).

* No knives of any type are allowed at school, including flick knives, ballistic knives, sheath knives, push daggers, trench knives, butterfly knives, star knives, butter knives, fruit knives or craft knives, or any item that can be used as a weapon, for example a chisel. Knives needed for school activities will be provided by the school, and the use of them will be supervised by school staff. In circumstances where students are required to have their own knives or sharp tools for particular subjects or vocational courses, the school will provide information about the procedures for carrying and storing these items at school.

** The administration of medications to students by school staff is only considered when a prescribing health practitioner has determined that it is necessary or when there is no other alternative in relation to the treatment of a specific health need. Schools require medical authorisation to administer any medication to students (including over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or alternative medicines).

Responsibilities

 State school staff at Wondall Heights State School:

• do not require the student’s consent to search school property such as lockers, desks or laptops that are supplied to the student through the school;
• may seize a student’s bag where there is suspicion that the student has a dangerous item (for example, a knife) in their school bag, prior to seeking consent to search from a parent or calling the police;
• require consent from the student or parent is required to examine or otherwise deal with the temporarily removed student property. For example, staff who temporarily remove a mobile phone from a student are not authorised to unlock the phone or to read, copy or delete messages stored on the phone;
• there may, however, be emergency circumstances where it is necessary to search a student’s property without the student’s consent or the consent of the student’s parents (e.g. to access an EpiPen for an anaphylactic emergency);
• require consent from the student or parent is required to search the person of a student (e.g. pockets or shoes). If consent is not provided and a search is considered necessary, the police and the student’s parents should be called to make such a determination.

Parents of students at Wondall Heights State School:

• ensure your children do not bring property onto school grounds or other settings used by the school (e.g. camp, sporting venues) that:

• • is prohibited according to the Wondall Heights State School Student Code of Conduct
  • is illegal
  • puts the safety or wellbeing of others at risk
  • does not preserve a caring, safe, supportive or productive learning environment
  • does not maintain and foster mutual respect;

• collect temporarily removed student property as soon as possible after they have been notified by the Principal or state school staff that the property is available for collection. 

Students of Wondall Heights State School

• do not bring property onto school grounds or other settings used by the school (e.g. camp, sporting venues) that:

• • is prohibited according to the Wondall Heights State School of Conduct
  • is illegal
  • puts the safety or wellbeing of others at risk
  • does not preserve a caring, safe, supportive or productive learning environment
  • does not maintain and foster mutual respect;

• collect their property as soon as possible when advised by the Principal or state school staff it is available for collection.

Wondall Heights State School staff currently adhere to the above outlined expectations. If you have any questions in relation to the above process please feel free to contact me for further explanation, pkond4@eq.edu.au .