The National Safe Schools Framework (2011) was developed to support schools to build safe school communities and to address student wellbeing priorities. The safety of students is essential for academic development and all students should be able to learn and develop in safe, supportive and respectful environments. The National Professional Standards for Teachers also reflects an emphasis on student safety and wellbeing. This is specifically articulated in Standard 4: Create and Maintain Supportive and Safe Learning Environments.
The National Safe Schools Framework, provides a vision and a set of guiding principles for safe and supportive school communities that promote student wellbeing and develop respectful relationships. It identifies nine elements that help create Ainslie School as a teaching and learning community where all members of the school community feel secure from harassment, aggression, violence and bullying. This is not just a new 'program', it is a culture and a philosophy underpinning all that happens at our school.
Guiding principles
As a safe and supportive school, Ainslie's vision is underpinned by the following guiding principles which represent the National Safe School Framework's fundamental beliefs about safe, supportive and respectful school communities, a prerequisite for effective learning in all school settings.
Australian schools:
- affirm the rights of all members of the school community to feel safe and be safe at school
- acknowledge that being safe and supported at school is essential for student wellbeing and effective learning
- accept responsibility for developing and sustaining safe and supportive learning and teaching communities that also fulfil the school's child protection responsibilities
- encourage the active participation of all school community members in developing and maintaining a safe school community where diversity is valued
- actively support young people to develop understanding and skills to keep themselves and others safe
- commit to developing a safe school community through a whole-school and evidence-based approach.