Scope

This Parent Code of Conduct helps to maintain an environment of respect and safety throughout the school. All members of the school community have a right to an environment free from harassment and to converse comfortably in a positive and co-operativemanner.

At Yeshivah - Beth Rivkah Colleges (the school) we aim to graduate students who are literate and learned in Jewish Studies, who are able to take theirplaces asfully contributingmembers to their Jewish community and to Am Yisrael as well as the broader Australian community. We believe our partnership with parents of students at the school contributes to the high standard of education we are able to offer students, in accordance with Halacha and our Chabad Chassidic ethos and practice. Our shared values and an understanding of behaviours enable our community to work together in a positive manner.

This Parent Code of Conduct outlines the way in which the school requires all adults including but not limited to parents, guardians, grandparents, extended family members, all identified in the policy as ‘parents’, to conduct themselves. This includes when on or off the school campuses, or whilst participating at in-school activities or out of school events, and includes communicating with members of our school community, including students, staff and parents, or others who are not involved in the school community. Inappropriate conduct or communication in any of these circumstances constitute a breach of this policy.

The Parent Code of Conduct also asks parents to respect school rules, policies and religious ethos, and not to conduct themselves in a manner which will bring the school into disrepute, by ensuring adherence by their children whilst attending Yeshivah and/or Beth Rivkah Colleges.

Yeshivah - Beth Rivkah Values, Mission and Vision

Our School Values:

Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah students will be inspired with:

Ahavas Yisroel: to

• Love and have concern for others

• Give to others

Pride in being Jewish: to

• Be G-d fearing

• Be inspired by the Rebbe and his teachings

• Feel a personal connection to Hashem

• Be Torah-committed

• Love their Torah studies, especially Chabad Chassidus

Respect: to

• Be welcoming

• Have respect for themselves, others and the environment

• Be mentschen

Striving for excellence: to

• Demonstrate persistent commitment to learning

• Pursue the highest quality education

• Fulfil their potential

Empowerment: to

• Take risks

• Demonstrate initiative

• Think positively to engender positive results (tracht gut vet zein gut)

• Encourage themselves and others

• Engage in lifelong learning

Our School Mission:

To refine each student’s character, to foster a passion for Judaism inspired by Chabad Chassidus and to produce outstanding academic and personal results in all endeavours.

Our School Vision:

To provide an affordable, high-quality, Jewish education so our students can succeed in all spheres of their lives and positively impact the world.

Ethical Conduct

• Parents must refrain from engaging in gossip, or malicious or judgemental communication, either directly or online, and ensure that anything they say about others is fair and truthful.

• Parents must refrain from actions and behaviour that constitutes bullying, harassment, discrimination or vilification.

• Parents must refrain from offensive, insulting or derogatory language or conduct.

• At school or at any school related event parents should dress appropriately (respectfully), not smoke on school grounds or within four metres of any entrance (Victorian Law), not possess alcohol on school grounds unless the event has been sanctioned by the school leadership.

• Parents must show proper care and regard for school property, the property of others and for occupational health and safety concerns.

Communication and Interaction with Staff and other Parents and Students

• Written and spoken communication to any other person in the school community should be courteous and respectful.

• Parents must interact civilly and with respect, with staff, students and other parents at all times, whether in or out of the school environment.

• Parents must not use abusive language, raise their voice, insult or engage in violent behaviour to anyone on school grounds or at any school related event.

• Parents must not discipline or raise their voice or get involved in verbal altercations with another parent or child under any circumstances.

• Parents must advise the school of areas of potential conflict, such as parenting and family court orders in accordance with relevant laws. Parents must respect the privacy ofstudents, parents, staff, contractors and volunteers in the school community.

• Parents must not take a photo or video recording of an individual student (other than their own children), staff member or parent without their consent.

• Parents must not post a photo or video recording of a student (other than their own children), staff member or parent on social media without consent.

• Parents must not intimidate, undermine, threaten, bully or harass any student, parent or staff member or disclose the personal details of a staff member, a student or parent to another person without consent.

Use of Social Media

• Despite the range of positive uses of social media, parents should recognise that there are also a number of ethical and legal issues associated with its use. Parents should be aware that there are a number of potential legal liabilities that may arise, particularly in relation to issues related to reputational damage and defamation.

• Parents can ensure they abide by the laws and the school’s expectations of its parents by complying with the following:

• The school, its staff and members of its community should not be mentioned or discussed in a defamatory way. When using social media, it is expected that parents are respectful to staff and students as well as other parents.

• Social media should not be used as a means to voice grievances about the school.

• Photographs of students in school uniform represent the school and its students, and should not be posted if they have the potential to bring negative connotations towards the school or its staff and students.

• Parents should not allow their children to engage in behaviours which do not reflect the school values and ethos, even outside of school hours, especially whilst in uniform. E.g. non-kosher food/establishments. Whilst in uniform, in or out of the school environment, students are reflecting the values and ethos of our school. As such, the uniform must be worn in the correct manner at all times.

• Photographs containing other students should not be posted without the express consent of the other child and the child’s parents.

• The confidential information of parents, staff and students should not be given to other people without their express consent.

Vexatious Complaints

A vexatious complaint is a written or verbal report, or repeated written or verbal reports, of alleged improper conduct made to an authority where there is a demonstrable absence of reasonable grounds for suspecting the improper conduct and the report is made to cause distress.

These vexatious complaints will be considered a breach of the code and the school authorities will take appropriate action against those making the complaints.

Any legitimate complaints, should be made immediately to the School directly, the Board via our Grievance Policy, or relevant regulatory body.

What Parents Can Expect from the School

If parents express their concerns to the school, they can expect to be treated with courtesy and respect in order to try and resolve the matter.

As a general guide, minor issues may be raised with your child’s teacher or Senior Staff of that school campus. Cases of a more serious nature should follow the school’s Grievance Policy guidelines. The school will act in accordance with its Grievance Policy when dealing with complaints.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct

The consequences for breaches of this Parent Code of Conduct will be determined by the Principal (in consultation with the Board Chair as is appropriate) and may include the following:

• The school may ban a parent from entry to school grounds or from attending school- related co-curricular activities or other events.

• The school may direct that a parent may only communicate with members of staff through a nominated school representative.

• In cases of serious or repeated breach of this Parent Code of Conduct, the school may terminate the enrolment of the child/ren of that family, as determined by the Principal

• Where appropriate, the school may involve other authorities.

• The school may take legal or other actions it decides is appropriate according to the nature of the breach.

This Parent Code of Conduct applies to all parents, volunteers and visitors who interact with anyone in our school community at any time. Parents, volunteers and visitors are expected to respect the school’s values and Chabad ethos and way of life and conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner at all times. By following this policy, together we can ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all members of our school community.

Status of Policy - Last Reviewed: March 2022 | Next Reviewed: March 2025 | Approved by: YBRSL Board | Approval Date: April 2022