Behaviour at Social Functions

When a boy takes a girl to a social function he must remember that the girl is entrusted to his care by her parents. He should not place the girl in a situation where she would be embarrassed to adhere to the behaviour expected of her by her parents. This may be particularly relevant to the matter of drinking alcohol.

Violent/Aggressive Behaviour

The School will not accept violent behaviour. In the event of violence a boy will be sent home for the rest of the day while the incident is investigated.

Smoking

The School believes that there is ample medical evidence that smoking is both habit forming and detrimental to health. Accordingly, boys must not smoke or be in possession of tobacco or other drugs.

Alcoholic Drinks

The School appreciates that some parents may wish to educate their boys in the sensible and moderate use of alcohol, and accordingly may wish to offer the boy beer or wine in properly supervised circumstances. However, the use of alcoholic drinks in unsupervised situations can frequently leave boys in positions which they are unable to handle satisfactorily.

The School rule is that boys may not drink at School functions or functions associated with School groups. This naturally includes overseas or interstate tours. It must be seen too, that it is the height of bad manners to take alcoholic drink to a party or similar function unless one has been invited to do so, or to drink too much. Clearly it is important that hosts provide adequate soft drink for social occasions.

These remarks are not meant to encourage boys to drink. No boy is permitted to drink in hotel bars, even if he is of an age which makes it legal for him to do so.

Drug Education Policy

A committee of staff, parents and students completed the Scotch College Drug Education Policy during the 1999 academic year. The policy document outlines the School's expectations regarding drug use behaviour, related health and social risk and related law. A full copy of the policy is available from the Counselling Department. A brief summary of the main issues addressed in the Drug Education Policy is outlined below.

The School has an obligation to provide a safe environment for all its students. As a result, Scotch College does not permit students while on School premises, at any School-initiated function, excursion or camp to:

• smoke and/or possess tobacco products
• consume and/or possess alcohol
• deliberately inhale volatile substances (solvents)
• possess and/or use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes
• possess and/or use illegal drugs in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1981
• possess and/or use drug-related equipment such as syringes (except in the case of lawful medical use), bongs, pipes etc.

The policy also outlines the School's response to drug related incidents. Procedures have been developed with the health and welfare of Scotch College students in mind and include prevention and intervention strategies such as:

• working with parents and communicating on drug related concerns
• providing drug related workshops and information sessions for parents
• promoting a healthy lifestyle through the Health Education syllabus and within other School programmes
• identifying and acting upon drug related incidents.

Actions may vary considerably depending on the details of the incident including the substance involved, the behaviour history of the student(s) identified as having a part in the incident and the impact of/on other students. The School's response will always be more serious when a student encourages (directly or indirectly) other students in any behaviours associated with drug use. Parents will be informed as soon as possible, of concerns expressed regarding any drug-related activities in which their sons may be engaging.
The student body will be informed of School sanctions, as soon as possible, and in an appropriate manner and forum.

Dances and Parties

The following is taken from a letter addressed to parents from Headmasters and Headmistresses of the Schools in the Association of Independent Schools. It expresses the policy of this School.

We see it as being important to encourage young people to be able to gather at social events which are carefully planned and reasonably supervised. In this environment it is to be hoped that they may develop a positive sense of co-operation with adults in arranging and running their functions. In this way they can learn patterns of behaviour which will be relevant to their adult life. It is clear that while students in their final years at school are approaching adulthood, they still need to be governed by some constraints which take into account their status as school students and their responsibilities to the schools from which they come.

For private parties, whether in homes, or away from home, we expect that adult supervision will be provided, and that alcohol, cigarettes and drugs will not be available. We would also like to express the hope that parents will make themselves responsible for the transport arrangements for their daughters to and from dances.

Planning of social events in advance and the clear definition of expectations, helps to eliminate unfortunate behaviour. The establishment of a guest list and the issuing of invitations can overcome the difficulties arising from unwelcome guests.

We feel that social activities form a significant part of the education of our youth and we seek your co-operation in working to achieve a worthwhile result - a joint outcome of the efforts of the schools and families.

Bullying

Scotch College seeks to affirm each boy's worth and dignity. Bullying strikes at the basis of these values and militates against boys developing their full potential.

Boys are entitled to receive their education free from humiliation, oppression and abuse. Bullying affects everyone, not just the bullies and their victims. It also affects those who may witness violence, intimidation and the distress of the victim. It can damage the atmosphere of a class and even the climate of a school.

Bullying may be the misuse of power, position and privilege, or it may arise from attempts to establish these. It can take a number of forms - physical, verbal, gesture, electronic, extortion and exclusion - which when used deliberately and repeatedly seek to undermine another person.

Bullying in any of its forms is not acceptable in this School. Should students (or parents) wish to report bullying behaviour, they should contact their House Head, or another staff member whom they trust. The matter will be acknowledged as important and discussion will proceed to establish the best strategy to bring an end to the victimisation. The well being of the student experiencing the bullying will be the primary focus of any intervention. However, strategies to effect change in the behaviour of the person(s) perpetrating the bullying and any onlookers will be a secondary focus in order to work towards securing a healthy social climate within the School. For violent behaviour or series of behaviours which constitute bullying, a boy may be immediately removed from contact with the student body by either being sent home or placed in isolation.

The School policy on bullying behaviour is available from the Counselling Department or the website.