Merici College: Empowering Independence

Academic Integrity – IB

Academic integrity in teaching, learning and assessment serves to promote personal integrity and upholds respect for others and the integrity of their work. In the IB, academic integrity is a key part of striving to be Principled, an attribute of the IB learner profile (International Baccalaureate Organization [IBO], 2013). It also helps to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they acquire during their studies. All students must avoid any form of academic misconduct and teachers should be ambassadors to promote good practice and demonstrate academic integrity.

This policy aims to:
• clarify and define academic integrity
• provide detail of the procedures followed in upholding academic integrity and dealing with academic misconduct
• outline the consequences and penalties for academic misconduct in the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme
• ensure that appropriate documentation is provided to meet IB and College requirements.

Academic Integrity BSSS

Related Merici Policies

Assessment

Homework

Rationale/Purpose

To clarify plagiarism and dishonesty in the senior years: Year 11 and 12.
To provide detail of the processes followed in determining and dealing with plagiarism and dishonesty.
To ensure that appropriate documentation is provided to meet BSSS requirements.

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Positive Behaviour

Related Merici and Catholic Education Policies

Positive Peer Relations

Technology

Child Protection

Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Behavioural Support Policy, https://cg.catholic.edu.au/parents/policies/

Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Attendance Policy, https://cg.catholic.edu.au/parents/policies/

Rationale/Purpose

Merici College adheres to the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Behavioural Support policy. This policy can be accessed via the following link.

https://cg.catholic.edu.au/parents/policies/

The Positive Behaviour (Personal Best) Policy is informed by a commitment to the principles of Restorative Practices. The College aims to promote a sense of responsibility amongst its students and recognises that mistakes will occur. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated but students must also be permitted to repair harm caused by their actions, have an opportunity for personal growth and be provided with strategies to deal with situations in the future.

The College has high expectations regarding behaviour and has set standards for its students. Through our interactions we aim to foster a healthy culture in which high levels of achievement take place within a positive social environment. Our Pastoral Care program is designed to promote high standards of behaviour for our students based on cooperation, mutual responsibility and self-discipline and to promote positive, inclusive relationships among students. This policy, enacted both within the curriculum and co-curricular programs, is designed to be respectful of the dignity and rights of each student and to provide learning opportunities that are responsive to the student’s unique growth and development.

The College encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and values their contribution to the College’s learning community. Where possible, consequences will have a clear educative value in order to bring about a change in behaviour. Staff, when negotiating such consequences, will be afforded a degree of discretion and will base any actions on their pastoral knowledge of the student, the age of the student and any suggested consequences contained in policy. Merici College does not permit corporal punishment of students attending the school. The College does not explicitly or implicitly sanction the administering of corporal punishment by non-school persons (including parents) to enforce discipline at the school.

Pastoral Care and behaviour management are closely linked, as both aim to promote a respectful, secure and healthy environment for all members of the college community. At Merici College, our approach is based on Glasser principles and where possible we encourage staff to undertake formal professional learning in this area and to incorporate the principles into their dealings on all levels with students.

The aims of disciplinary procedures in the College are to ensure the welfare and good order of the community and to encourage the development of responsible behaviour in students.

Students, parents and teachers should have a clear understanding of what is expected of members of the college community.

Pleaser refer to full policy attached.

Use and Procurement of Alcohol

Rationale

As part of our responsible duty of care to provide a safe workplace, students, staff and visitors must be protected from the physical and behaviour risks associated when the is alcohol provided. Laws around the supply and service of alcohol and well as societal norms demand a minimum level of care and responsibility is taken concerning alcohol to protect the well-being of all.

Related Merici and CE Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with Student Safety and Wellbeing, https://www.merici.act.edu.au/school-policies/student-safety-and-wellbeing with specific respect to alcohol, referenced below:

Use of Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco

13.1 Workers are responsible for ensuring their capacity to perform their duties is not impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs, and that the use of these substances does not put them or any other person’s health and safety at risk.

13.2 Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while the worker is ‘on duty’ could affect their ability to work safely and efficiently, especially when they have a responsibility to supervise students or work in close proximity to them.

13.3 Workers must not attend work under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or non-prescribed and/or restricted substances.

13.5 Workers must not purchase for, offer, supply, give or administer to students, including those over the age of 18:

i. illegal drugs
ii. restricted substances
iii. prescribed or non-prescribed medication (unless dealing with or administering medication in accordance with relevant policy)
iv. alcohol
v. tobacco.

13.6 Workers must not encourage or condone the use of or use by students of:

i. illegal drugs
ii. restricted substances
iii. alcohol
iv. tobacco.

13.8 Workers must not consume tobacco on school premises or at any school-related activity where students are present.

Alcohol is not to be consumed during school hours at school whenever students are present at the school. In the absence of a policy specifically prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on school premises, at any school-related activity or any time students are present, workers (including volunteers) should be mindful of the following:

safety of students and others
supervisory responsibilities and duty of care towards students and
professional boundaries with students, colleagues and community
modelling appropriate behaviour for students
work health and safety
not driving under the influence of alcohol
reputation of the school and the CEO
professional reputation

Workers who are concerned about any person at work that may be affected by alcohol or drugs, or may have engaged in the behaviours outlined above, should consult their Principal/Supervisor/Manager.

Children and young people have a greater vulnerability to alcohol than adults.

To provide alcohol to any person under the age of 18 years is against the law.

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Security

Related Merici Policies

Evacuation and Lockdown

WHS policy

Visitors policy

Rationale/Purpose

To ensure the safety of staff and protect college assets from theft or damage.

Definitions

Nil

Policy

Merici College adopts a variety of measures to keep staff and property safe and secure based on ‘layers of security’ including tiered keying system for lock-up, alarm and monitoring and other processes to reduce the risk of theft, loss or harm.

These measures are communicated as part of staff induction.

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure they are up to date on these policy requirements and put in to practise.

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Positive Peer Relations

Related Merici Policies

Behaviour Management

Suspension and Exclusion of Students

Technology

Rationale/Purpose

Merici College is a Catholic school which is committed to promoting Christian values where all members of our community are to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.

We believe that all members of the school community have the right to a learning and work environment free from intolerance, harassment and humiliation.

We all share a responsibility to create a culture of caring. This ideal is embedded in our ethos and is fostered by our Pastoral Care Policy and Practices.

Definitions

Bullying behaviours are a social problem involving an imbalance of power, where there is a deliberate intent to cause harm or distress. These behaviours are sustained over a long period of time are aggressive, repetitive and malicious causing embarrassment, pain or discomfort to others.

Bullying behaviours diminish the life of our community and are NOT tolerated in any form. These behaviours include:

Verbal:

Using offensive names, making threats, teasing, spreading rumours, telling secrets (personal information), using put-downs, persuading another person to unfairly criticise or insult someone, making abusive phone calls.

Non-verbal:

Rude gestures, ‘greasies’/menacing looks, staring, following or stalking, refusing to sit with someone, negative body language, text messaging.

Physical:

Deliberate or intimidating physical contact (eg: shoving/pushing, hitting, punching, and tripping). Stealing, hiding, or damaging property or threatening to do so.

Relational:

Hurtfully excluding others from a group, manipulating friends, rejecting, dismissing or deliberately ignoring others.

Social (bullying based on difference):

Targeting students because of appearance and possessions; background; racial, cultural and religious traditions; physical and intellectual differences.

Electronic:

Offensive use of social network sites, email, chat rooms, blogs and mobile phones( text or speak) and misuse of any part of the Merici Technology Policy

Please note: Normal adolescent development can include periods of social conflict, friendship difficulties and peer group change. It is important to remember that these do not necessarily constitute bullying behaviours. Anchor

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Communication and Use of Mobile Phones

Related Merici Policies

Nil

Rationale/Purpose

Mobile phones and technology are now a key part of modern life. Most students own a mobile phone with access to the internet and for safety reasons students will carry a mobile phone to contact home after or before school. However, mobile phones can and often do lead to several problems in school such as bullying, filming, disruption to lessons and inappropriate usage of the internet and social media leading to potential safeguarding issues.

Here at the Merici, we strongly encourage our students to develop socially and emotionally. This development is just as important as any academic progress or grades. Improving social skills and emotional development can best be done by talking to each other, interacting and developing real connections at break and lunchtime, as opposed to using their mobile phones.

Policy

The process for the use of mobile phones on the school site during school hours is as follows:

It is our policy that:

Mobile phones are brought to the College by students at their own risk. The College does not accept responsibility or liability for lost or damaged student property and does not have insurance which would cover such loss or damage.
Mobile phones or other electronic devices must be turned off during a fire evacuation or lockdown procedure as use could pose significant risks, including students lack attention in following staff direction.
Phones and other electronic devices must be turned off when students are in class, moving between classes, at assembly or involved in any formal school activity in which the use or activation of the phone or device would interrupt the program, unless given specific permission from their teacher, or pre-approval has been given by the College e.g. to manage medical conditions.
Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, Student Services remains a vital point of contact and can ensure students are reached quickly and assisted in the appropriate way.
Students must not use their mobile phone to contact their parents and/or arrange to be collected from school if they are unwell. Students should go to Student Service and staff will then contact parents if appropriate.
Mobile phones are NOT permitted in exam rooms, unless given pre-approval has been given by the College e.g. to manage medical conditions.

Year 7-10

During the school day, during lesson time, students must not, under any circumstances, use mobile phones to make calls, send text messages, access the internet, access social media sites, take photos or use other applications.
Students can access their phones to check messages and respond briefly via text message during recess and lunch while at their locker. Students are not to use their phones in any other part of the school grounds at recess and lunch.
During class time, must store their Mobile phones in a secure locker. Students are not to access or use their mobiles phones during class time unless given specific permission from their teacher, or if approval has been given by the College, e.g. to manage medical conditions.

Year 11-12

Senior Students can access and use mobile phones during recess and lunch breaks and study periods only. Phones should be switched off during class time and Students are not to access or use during class time unless given specific permission from their teacher, or if approval has been given by the College, e.g. to manage medical conditions.
Failure to follow the above points will result in the mobile phone being confiscated. The student will be required to hand in their device to Student Services, in which it will be sealed in an envelope and kept in a secure location for the remainder of the day. The student will collect their phone at the end of the school day.
Suppose a student fails to follow teacher instructions or hand in their device. In that case, they will be referred to the Deputy Principal Wellbeing, who will contact parents and organise a reflection afternoon.

References

Nil

Forms

Nil

Approved by: Merici Executive

Implementation Date: January 2022

Policy last Updated: July 2022

Merici Contact Officer: Deputy Principal Wellbein