Parent Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

1.1 Introduction

1. Maitland Christian School Limited is an independent Christian educational community, that aims to grow faith, character and abilities through teaching and learning excellence, in partnership with families and the local church. It was established by Metford Community Baptist Church in 1983 and continues to be a ministry of Metford Community Baptist Church. Our School Core Values are Faith, Unity, Excellence, Generosity and Growth. Maitland Christian School Limited operates two schools – Maitland Christian School and Arise Christian College.
2. This Parent Code of Conduct has been developed in conjunction with the School's Enrolment Policy and Visitor Code of Conduct so that parents and those with parental responsibilities clearly understand the school's expectations about their interaction with the school, its teachers, other parents, and students.

1.2 Intention

1. The Code establishes a clear Program to support positive and productive relationships within the school community, based in our Core Values and belief that God calls us to act out our love for Him and one another in all that we do. To support effective relationships between parents and carers, students, teachers and staff, this Code outlines a Program for parents and carers with the aim of upholding a high standard of positive behaviour in the school community and on social media.
2. Positive conduct and relationships support and empower everyone in the school community. Our staff all strive to bring about effective student learning and faith development. We aim for all our teachers, non-teaching staff members, students, parents, and other community members to feel safe and to be able to participate fully in our educational community.
3. This Code of Conduct is an essential tool in helping us to assist the school to fulfil its duty of care to provide a safe and supportive environment for all staff, students, and other community members. For this reason, any aggressive, malicious behaviour that might negatively impact or constitute harassment, violence, intimidation or vilification or abusive behaviour toward any member of our school community is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
4. This Code sits alongside the Visitors Code of Conduct, and forms part of the Codes of Conduct section in our Child Safe Program.

2. Biblical Framework

1. Our School's beliefs and Core Values form the basis for the way we conduct relationships within our school community. Parents and carers play a vital role in the embedding of these values. They also contribute to the ongoing operation and development of the school in line with these values.
2. We believe:
   • The Bible points to the unique and essential role of parents as they raise their children (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 29:17, Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21).
   • We aim to offer care, compassion, sensitivity, and support to all members of the school community with Jesus as our role model for us to follow (2 Corinthians).
   • We are called to love other as ourselves, respect the sanctity of life in all situations, and avoid actions, words or attitudes that will deliberately hurt others. Be quick to forgive where offences have occurred. - John 15:13; Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 6:12
   • Human beings are called to act in a stewardly manner towards each other and towards God's creation, according to God's created norms. Due to the fallen nature of humanity, we exercise this stewardship imperfectly.

3. Scope

1. This Parent Code of Conduct applies to:
   • Parents
   • Carers and
   • Visitors who are related to our students (including grandparents and other relatives).

   Together this group of adults is referred to as "Parents" for the purposes of the Parent Code of Conduct.

2. The School in this code of conduct refers to Maitland Christian School and Arise Christian College.
3. The Parent Code of Conduct applies in all School environments. School environments include both physical and online environments, as well as any environment (including those outside the School's grounds) where School-related or School-approved activities are occurring.
4. This code of conduct and any related policies or procedures may be amended or replaced from time to time.

4. Living in Community

4.1 Our Community Values

1. Celebrating hope and God's grace in our lives, we value:
   1. Faith – We know, proclaim, walk in and share the promises of God's word.
   2. Unity – We encourage each other and work together in love.
   3. Excellence – We pursue the highest possible good for each other.
   4. Generosity – We give of ourselves and our resources out of a heart to serve.
   5. Growth – We develop our strengths to glorify God.
2. We love and value all our parents who form a vital part of our School community. We recognise the important role that parents and carers play in the School community, with our Purpose Statement highlighting the essential partnership we have in Christian Education.
3. We also value and promote a respectful, courteous, and loving approach to community. This Code describes the School's expectations for our parents when in attendance on the school property or at a school event or on social media, and in the event of an incident how it may be managed.
4. Parents and carers can positively impact their children and the children of others by modelling appropriate interactions, dialogue, and approaches to resolving grievances in the school community. They have a shared responsibility with their children to ensure that their children abide by the Student Code of Conduct and similarly undertake respectful interactions with teachers, students, and other members of the school community.

4.2 How to engage with Our Community

1. Parents and carers are required to:
   1. Accept and abide by the requirements and directions of the School relating to the student and all students generally. They are to support the School's decisions relating to conduct, management, and administration of the School.
   2. Support the Purpose, Values, and activities of the School.
   3. Interact safely and carefully with the children of other parents when onsite, during school activities or via electronic and digital media, in accordance with our Child Safe Policy.
   4. Always communicate with staff, other parents/carers, students, and visitors (whether verbal or in writing) courteously and respectfully. This includes using calm and non-confrontational, verbal and non-verbal language. All conflict resolution should be as per the peacemaking principles - PeaceWise
   5. Interact with all members of the school community positively to ensure that the school remains free from harassment or bullying.
   6. Deal with teachers per our Parent-Carer Communication and Involvement Policy so that teachers are able to discharge their duties well and without interference.
   7. Ensure any references to the school, staff, students, or other school community members on social media are upbuilding and affirming, and that such references cannot be construed to be denigrating the School, staff, students, or other members of the school community.
   8. Communicate with their children through the School Office if required to contact them during the school day.
   9. Minimise the impact on the School in any parental dispute that may arise.

5. Communicating with Staff

5.1 Our Expectation

1. There are times when you need to talk to a staff member about a matter or understand something in relation to the school. Make an appointment with the staff member for a mutually convenient time if you would like to meet for a general discussion or when endeavouring to resolve a grievance.
2. Respect the privacy of staff members and their right to disconnect by not contacting them at their home, on their personal phone/email or social media.
3. Maintain a respectful tone in email communications with staff, appreciating the boundaries around teacher workflow and work hours when contacting a member of staff.

5.2 Our Commitment

1. Our staff will make every effort to respond to a request in a reasonable time frame. Some issues may be easily resolved, however, there will be times the matter will benefit from time set aside to meet, reflect and work through the matter.
2. If you feel the matter is particularly important or serious, consult the Complaints Handling Policy and follow its procedures to help you address the matter.

6. Follow School Policies

1. Parents and carers, as members of the school community, play an important part in the effective implementation of School policies. The adherence to reasonable directions, including those relating to health and safety, psychosocial wellbeing, and communications with the School, is an essential part of the ongoing safe, effective, and respectful operation and advancement of the School.
2. Parents and carers play an essential role in helping their children to be successful at school. Supporting their children in complying with school policies is one important area of this role. This includes but is not limited to:
   1. Ensuring the student arrives to school on time and ready to engage in learning.
   2. Ensuring the student has each item of officially required uniform, clean and in good repair, and all other requirements such as textbook and stationery.
   3. Supporting the School with its Discipline Policy and showing care and wisdom with interactions so as not to undermine its authority and operation.

7. Separated Families

1. The School acknowledges the difficulty and impact to families affected by separation. We do ask where there is separation or divorce, parents take care in managing any disputes that arise and that could impact the school context, including those of a financial nature.
2. The School's role is to advocate for the wellbeing of a child and support them, regardless of family circumstances. The School does not make judgments on the merits of claims made by one parent against another and will always act in alignment with legal requirements.
3. In cases of separation or divorce, if needed, taking time to talk with Maitland Christian staff will assist in the School being able to assess and respond to any concerns in the best interest of your enrolled child.
4. The School will take all reasonable steps to observe any orders made by a Court about a student or communications with parents.

8. Extra-Curricular and Sporting Events

1. We recognise that parents and carers are often actively involved in the sporting and extra-curricular events of their children and value the outworking of our partnership in this way. We encourage parents and carers to participate in such activities and to support their children in a manner reflecting the School's values, expectations for encouragement, and participation at any school event.
2. At these events, especially sporting events, parents, and carers are expected to:
   1. Encourage their children to participate.
   2. Uphold the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play.
   3. Never ridicule, berate, discourage, or otherwise interfere with their child or another child,
   4. Never yell, abuse, or otherwise interfere with a sporting official, coach, or other person. Please use Peacewise Principles to discuss any important concerns on the day.
   5. Allow the activity to proceed without interference.
   6. Never incite, encourage, or commit acts of violence.
   7. Use appropriate language.
3. Any concerns with sport should be raised with the relevant section sport coordinator.

9. Complaints and Feedback

1. The School has developed a Complaints Handling Policy to support healthy interactions between the School and its community members in the event of a conflict. The School commits to this policy to ensure that all grievances and complaints are dealt with by the School in an appropriate manner.
2. Many concerns can be resolved through informal dialogue and through conversations of care, as a preferred first step. Should a parent or guardian be unable to resolve an issue informally, they may lodge a complaint with the School in line with School's Complaints Handling Policy.
3. The Complaints Handling Policy is found in the policy section of the School's public website.
4. Feedback is always welcome. If you wish to provide feedback on a matter (that is not a complaint), you can email the School at mcsfeedback@maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au or accfeedback@arisecc.nsw.edu.au.

10. Breach

1. Parents and carers are expected to follow this Code of Conduct, in addition to the broader Visitor Code of Conduct. Where a breach of the Code of Conduct is alleged, the School will investigate the matter and allow parents to respond to any allegations in this space. If a breach of this Code is upheld by the School, it is the expectation that parents would seek active restoration in partnership with the School.
2. A confirmed breach may result in the following actions by the School:
   1. A verbal request to discontinue the behaviour.
   2. A formal written warning from the School.
   3. The limiting of access to some or all of the following:
      • A student or group of students
      • A teacher or group of teachers
      • Any other member of the school community
      • School grounds,
      • School social media sites
      • School events, including sporting events
   4. Termination of enrolment for severe or repeated breaches.

11. Obligation

• NSW Registration Manual (B8.2)