Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent and remain in school, employment or training until they turn 17.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
School frameworks (school policies)
The following frameworks apply to students at our school:
Student welfare policy
Ebenezer School Behaviour Support and Management Plan
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We have a mission to prepare Ebenezer students for the world. We pride ourselves at Ebenezer for responding to students in a positive way whilst also being firm and fair when students do not follow the school rules. At Ebenezer we reflect the Core Rules of all NSW Government students with a focus on developing Safe, Respectful and Responsible Learners.
What? All students at Ebenezer PS are to:
- Attend every school day, unless they are legally excused, and be in class on time and prepared to learn.
- Maintain a neat appearance, including adhering to the requirements of the school's uniform or dress code policy.
- Behave safely, considerately and responsibly, including when travelling to and from school.
- Show respect at all times for teachers, other school staff and helpers, including following class rules, speaking courteously and cooperating with instructions and learning activities.
- Treat one another with dignity and respect.
- Care for property belonging to themselves, the school and others.
Whilst these core rules guide our response to student misbehaviour, we also follow another guiding principle, that is, it is not the severity of the consequence that works, it's the certainty that it will happen. We decide on appropriate responses to misbehaviour in a collaborative way at Ebenezer, with the final decision naturally being made by executive staff.
Consequences
We focus on the positive and have a strong reward system which helps us celebrate learning and excellent behaviour. Alongside this we have a system of consequences where students have the certainty they need to support them to ‘do the right thing' at Ebenezer.
‘Recordings'
Minor behaviours incur a ‘recording' on our Student Welfare system. 3 recorded incidents in 1 term will lead to a detention. This recording does not necessarily mean parents are called, but an executive may contact parents if a call may help curb the behaviour or the parents need to know of the behaviour.
Reflection
A lunchtime reflection will be incurred also if a student's behaviour severely infringes on the safety of themselves or others, they swear in a direct way towards another student or teacher, or they deliberately disobey a teacher's instructions or lie. Intent is a key factor in the decision over whether a student is on reflection or recorded.
A fair but firm disciplinary process is needed in any school to ensure safety and fairness. We try to maintain a focus on positivity, investigate issues thoroughly and provide a safety net of certainty around misbehaviour.
Social Media Policy
Anti-Bullying plan 2023
Anti-Bullying policy
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Due to our emphasis on social and emotional learning and strong student welfare procedures we have found that reported incidents that fall into the bullying category are minimal here at Ebenezer. Each incident is closely evaluated and acted on and due to our online central incident recording system, patterns of behaviour which may be looking like bullying can be quickly spotted and addressed.
Teachers at Ebenezer build student resilience and identify potential bullying problems early by teaching social and emotional lessons throughout the term. We always focus on respectful talk, the impact of words and actions on emotions and developing protective networks. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), Peer Support, Child Protection and the Personal Development Curriculum all provide a sound basis to teach positive social behaviour and non-violence. We integrate social and emotional lessons into everything we do.
As a staff we hold high expectations of ourselves to model this behaviour to the students.
Behind this structure lies a strong and linear Anti-Bullying procedure based on evidence-based research. See the full policy below.
School Uniform policy
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The wearing of school uniforms by students will assist Ebenezer Public School community in:
- defining an identity for Ebenezer Public School
- developing students' sense of belonging at Ebenezer Public School
- providing an opportunity to build our school spirit
- enhancing the health and safety of students when involved in school activities
- promoting a sense of inclusiveness, non-discrimination and equal opportunity
- reinforcing the perception of the school as an ordered and safe environment
Student Leadership policy
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The philosophy of providing quality education through a partnership between teachers, children and parents is a focus of Ebenezer Public School. Student leadership provides an opportunity for students to work collaboratively with staff in some areas of decision making.
Enrolment Policy
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Ebenezer PS Public School has a policy which deals with an enrolment ceiling, enrolment buffer, placement panel, non-local enrolment criteria, waiting list and appeals and grounds on which non-local enrolments will be accepted.
This Enrolment Policy (Policy) is to be read in conjunction with the NSW Department of Education and Communities - Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools: A Summary and Consolidation of Policy(Ref: PD/2002/0006/V01) (DEC Policy).
Student Leadership policy
Click on the text above to view this school policy.
The philosophy of providing quality education through a partnership between teachers, children and parents is a focus of Ebenezer Public School. Student leadership provides an opportunity for students to work collaboratively with staff in some areas of decision making.