Policies and Procedures

The framework in which our school operates.

Santa Sophia has a number of school-based policies and procedures that govern various aspects of our school life.

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), also provides advice and recommendations on educational and administrative policies and priorities, and monitors policy implementation.

Santa Sophia Catholic College Box Hill students using laptops

Policies and Procedures

Governance Risk and Compliance

Modern Slavery Statement
CSPD's Modern Slavery statement focuses on confronting modern slavery and ensure that our supply chains respect the dignity and value of each person.

Whistleblower Policy
The purpose of this policy is to encourage reporting of corrupt conduct, maladministration and serious and substantial wrongdoing without fear of reprisal or detrimental treatment.

Privacy Records and Information Management

Alumni Collection Notice
This wording on this Collection Form can be used for School Alumni Associations with reference to CSPD Privacy Policy (Updated 2023)

Employment Collection Notice
This notice outlines what information CSPD collects and stores when you apply for employment with us, and who we disclose that information to.

Information Sharing Policy
The Information Policy sets out how Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), its schools and related services obtain and release personal information from and to third parties

Privacy Policy
This Policy sets out how the CSPD manages the personal and sensitive information we collect and hold. (updated Jan 2023)

Standard Collection Notice
The Standard Collection Notice outlines the types of personal information, including sensitive information about students, parents or guardians, and how that information is used. (updated logo 2023)

Volunteer and Contractor Collection Notice
In applying to provide your services you will be providing our schools, Catholic Early Learning Centres (CELCs), Catholic Out of School Hours Care services (COSHCs) and offices with personal information (Updated 2023)

Professional Learning

Accreditation to Work Teach and Lead in CSPD
This Policy sets out how CSPD will classify and manage the accreditation of all teaching, non-teaching and CSPD staff.

Safeguarding

Code of Conduct When Working With Children and Students
This Code of Conduct is to inform staff members of CSPD of the standards of behaviour and other requirements that must be adhered to when working in an organisation which delivers services to children and students

Safeguarding Procedures
This document outlines the procedures that must be followed by staff members when responding to concerns relating to children and young persons and any alleged breach of the CSPD Code of Conduct When Working With Children and Students.

Santa Sophia Duty of Care

In addition to their professional obligations, principals and teachers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect students in their care from risks of injury that are reasonably foreseeable. This document outlines how Santa Sophia Catholic College implements this policy.

Working with Children Check
CSPD has in place a variety of strategies to ensure child safe schools and communities are maintained including the obligation for all staff members undertaking child-related work to hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check clearance.

School Community

CSPD Family and School Partnership Principles
CSPD and its schools, value parents and carers as partners and this partnership is critical in supporting each child to achieve their best throughout their learning and faith journey.

Enrolment Policy
This Policy provides information about the enrolment principles, enrolment criteria and procedures for Parents/Carers seeking to enrol a child into a CSPD School.

Guidelines for Parents and Carers in Raising Complaints
The objectives of this document are to provide information on raising a complaint.

Research Application Guidelines
These guidelines are designed to support potential external researchers, and researchers internal to CSPD, to make sound decisions about their research application.

Santa Sophia Communications Policy

This policy document details the nature and purpose of communications at Santa Sophia Catholic College. In order to develop a common understanding between the school, the student and the home, this document outlines how we intend to obtain the greatest impact from the College’s communications for all stakeholders.

Santa Sophia Community Partnerships

Positive community partnerships greatly enhance the ability of schools to provide for the needs of students, and contribute significantly to the potential for parents and community groups to impact positively on the lives of young people. This policy aims to develop our school as a focal point of the community, with opportunities for both the school and community members to gain from mutually beneficial arrangements.

Santa Sophia Complaint Resolution and Policy and Procedures

Our school has both a desire and a responsibility to ensure that high standards of conduct are maintained by staff and students at all times, and that complaints are managed and resolved fairly, efficiently, promptly and in accordance with relative legislation.

Santa Sophia Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy

This document details the appropriate use of information and communications technologies (ICT) and social media. ICT include computers, mobile phones, PDAs, iPads, email, internet and network services, portable data storage devices, online data storage mediums, telephones, printers and all other digital communications devices. Social media means web-based and mobile technologies which turn communication into interactive dialogue. Examples include but are not limited to Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, blog or wiki posts and comments. This policy applies to all students and their parents when using ICT provided by the school, when using the school's network and/or when accessing social media.

School Fees Policy
The purpose of this Policy is to ensure fair and equitable school fee assistance and collection processes across all schools in the Diocese of Parramatta.

Staff

Code of Conduct Policy
This document sets out the obligations, responsibilities and standards of behaviour Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) requires of its staff members.

Preventing Discrimination Harassment and Bullying Policy

Students

Banned Substances Student Procedure
This Procedure covers the possession, use and distribution of alcohol, tobacco, vaping devices, illegal drugs or other banned substances. (Updated Feb 2023)

Bullying Prevention and Response Procedure
The purpose of this procedure is to prevent bullying through the creation of safe, respectful & supportive school cultures & responding to bullying behaviour in ways that are just & effective, with a focus on safety, restoring relationships.

Externally Funded Therapy and Allied Health Providers in Schools Policy
This document provides information around externally funded therapy for students and Allied Health providers in school.

Guidelines for Supervising University Student Placement
These guidelines apply to all university students who have been accepted into a professional experience placement at a CSPD school in the fields of social work and psychology.

Santa Sophia Anti-Bullying Policy (inclusive of Cyberbullying)

The school will provide a positive culture where bullying is not accepted, and in so doing, all will have the right of respect from others, the right to learn or to teach, and a right to feel safe and secure in their school environment at all times.

Santa Sophia Driving to School Policy (Year 11-12)

This policy document details the conditions and behaviour expectations around students in Years 11 and 12 driving to and from school, and includes an Agreement Form which must be signed by parents/carers before students drive to school.

Santa Sophia Homework Policy (Secondary)

Homework and revision benefits students by complementing classroom learning, fostering good study habits and providing an opportunity for students to develop themselves as Assessment Capable Learners.

Santa Sophia Medication Administration

Santa Sophia Catholic College recognises that some students require medication and/or management of health conditions at school. While parents have the ultimate responsibility for the administration of medication and the management of health conditions, schools/colleges are often asked to assist with the provision of these services.

Santa Sophia Mobile Phone Policy

The mobile phone policy is not about trust. Rather, this policy is about maximising the learning that happens in the school every day and minimising distractions to this. Additionally, the use of mobile phones by students during recess and/or lunch can also distract them from developing important face to face social skills. With so much time spent with technology, it is critical that students are provided with ample opportunities to be device-free within their friendships.

Santa Sophia Sun Safety Policy

This policy document outlines the importance of sun safety to minimise skin cancer risk.

Santa Sophia Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Policy

The Wellbeing and Pastoral Care policy at the College, strives to develop a nurturing climate for students that is based on the dignity and uniqueness of each child, made in the image and likeness of God.

Student Attendance Policy
Central to championing diversity and equity is our commitment towards the attendance of all students. This Policy sets out the requirements for all staff managing, recording, reporting and monitoring student attendance at CSPD schools.

Student Attendance Procedures
School attendance plays a critical role in enhancing the lives of children and young people. Every day of attendance adds to a student's opportunity to learn, develop and experience success in education. Attendance is a core responsibility of schools.

Student Behaviour Policy
The focus of this policy is to define the behaviour expectations of students and to assert everyone’s right to a safe, inclusive, respectful learning and working environment.

Student Use of Digital Devices and Online Services Policy - External
This Policy is about Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) students’ use of Digital Devices and Online Services in School-Related Settings.

Student Wellbeing Framework
The framework is made up of five strategies which enhance the school-wide focus on student wellbeing, safety and welcome for students of CSPD.

Student Wellbeing Policy
This Policy states that principles followed when making decision about students. It is based on an acknowledgement that parents and carers are the first and most important educators of their children.

Student exemption procedures
These procedures outline the conditions upon which a child may be exempt from being enrolled at and attending school (Implemented 2017)

Suspension, Transfer and Exclusion Procedure
CSPD is committed to developing an educational and organisational culture based on mutual trust and respect that assists people to recognise and develop their personal capabilities.

Weapons Procedures
CSPD is committed to ensuring that all its sites are places of safety for students, staff and other persons attending those places.