Working together with students, parents and the broader community, our staff strive to ensure every state school provides a safe, supportive, respectful and inclusive learning environment where all students can learn, achieve and reach their full potential.
Supporting student behaviour
Queensland state school staff work hard to create safe and supportive learning environments where all students feel valued and able to learn to their potential. Students learn best in orderly settings with clear, high expectations for positive behaviour in place, respectful teacher-student communication, fairness and consistency.
The
Student Code of Conduct promotes a productive, effective whole school approach to discipline. It explains:
- what the rules are for students at the school
- how the school supports students to meet expectations
- possible actions taken if a student does not follow the rules.
The Student Code of Conduct is on the school website and is provided to newly enrolled students and their parents or caregivers.
The
student discipline procedure tells you what the responsibilities and processes are for each school. It has information about:
- detention
- discipline improvement plans
- suspension
- exclusion
- appealing decisions.
Only a principal can make a decision to suspend or exclude a student. Before they make this decision, they:
- ensure the student and parent are told about the behaviour
- enable the student and parent to present their side of the story
- consider the individual circumstances of a student (like language, disability, mental health and wellbeing, religious and cultural considerations, home environment and care arrangements)
- assess the impact on the student's human rights.
There are no automatic suspensions or exclusions in Queensland state schools. Each situation is considered and determined by the principal based on the particular circumstances.
Discussing your child's behaviour with their school
Everyone benefits when schools and parents work together to support students to learn what behaviours are expected of them.
Talk with your child's school and let them know if you have any concerns about your child's behaviour at home or at school. The school will work with you to support your child's learning and behaviour needs.
If you are told that your child may be suspended or excluded, you have the opportunity to hear the details of the behaviour and see or hear any material (for example: video footage, written statements) that the principal is relying upon to make the decision.
Students who are given a long suspension (11 to 20 school days), charge-related suspensions or exclusions are able to appeal these decisions. For more information, please visit
appeals.
If you have worked closely with your child's school but have been unable to resolve problems, you can call your
local regional office to seek further support.
Parents and caregivers can also seek assistance from family advocacy and community support groups.
Supporting advice and resources
The following resources may assist parents, caregivers and students.
Help in your language
Call 1800 512 451 and ask for an interpreter.