The School Education Act 1999 requires all enrolled student to attend school or participate in an educational program of the school. Principals are required to record and monitor student attendance and develop appropriate strategies to restore attendance for students with persistent absence.

This policy explains what ‘duty of care’ means, how teaching staff may discharge their duty of care to students, and circumstances in which non-teaching staff, external providers and volunteers may owe students a duty of care.

The policy provides an operational framework to raise employees’ and line managers’ knowledge and understanding of entitlements and responsibilities related to leave eligibility, application and approval processes. It ensures that employees and line managers are informed about, leave procedures and leave management strategies under relevant Awards and Agreements.

Public School excursions are undertaken to further students’ learning and social skills development outside their normal school environment. Activities conducted outside the relatively protective environment of the school site involve greater risk. Therefore particular attention must be given to the safety and welfare of all excursion participants.

The Department of Education provides inclusive and equitable work and learning environments, services and management practices free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. This includes the prevention and effective management of discrimination and harassment.