TAONUI SCHOOL

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Taonui School provides a safe, physical and emotional environment for students, employees, parents
and visitors through complying with any legislation currently in force or that may be developed to
ensure the safety of students, employees, parents and visitors.
1n order to meet these requirements:
The Board of Trustees develops and implements:
 Procedures for suspected abuse
 Procedures for harassment (sexual and other)
The Principal and Staff (Management) develop and implement:
 Training procedures
 Internet safety procedure
 Accident notification (students), (employees)
 Administration of medication
 EOTC Education outside the classroom Risk Management procedures (see Student
Achievement)
 Behaviour Management Programme
 Evacuation procedures (see General Procedures)
 Headlice procedure (see General Procedures)
 Playground supervision (see General Procedures)
 Dealing with sick or injured children (see General Procedures)
 Procedure for harmful substances
The BOT in conjunction with the principal and staff (management) develop and implement:
 Sun protection programme
 Truancy procedure
 Privacy procedure
 Visitor procedures
 Hazard identification procedure (see General School procedures)
 Blood/Body Fluids
 Pandemic Planning
Through the development of these Health and Safety procedures and practice, Taonui School ensures a
safe, physical and emotional environment for students, staff and visitors.

Policy review date: Next review date

Signed: …………………………………………………………………
 SUSPECTED ABUSE TO STUDENTS PROCEDURE

 Staff must be receptive and sensitive to children so that children feel listened to and believed.
 Keeping safe and self worth units will be taught as part of the Health Curriculum to increase
children’s self efficacy in dealing with uncomfortable situations, and to help raise teachers’
consciousness of the issues
 The safety of the child is paramount and if the child is in danger or in an unsafe situation, action
needs to be taken quickly to secure his/her safety. CYPF and Police should be advised quickly.
 Staff who have concerns about any children are to discuss them with the Health Resource persons
and Principal. If further investigation or action is felt necessary the Principal must be informed.
No outside agency will be involved without the prior knowledge of the Principal.
 Accurate and full records shall be kept of disclosures for the duration of the child’s stay at the
school
 All information and discussions, including the identity of the informant, will be confidential to the
staff involved. Data will be stored in one secure place. This will be forwarded to the child’s next
school at the discretion of the principal.
 Where further investigation or action is necessary, the Principal will contact the appropriate agency,
give them the relevant information, and leave it in their hands. It is important to name the child as
information may be already held by CYPF.
 Decisions about informing parents/caregivers will be made after consultation with CYPF or Police

Guidelines to follow in situations when a child discloses abuse:

 If the child is in danger or is unsafe, act to secure their immediate safety

 Listen to the child and reassure them but do not make promises or commitments you cannot keep.
 Inform the Principal and discuss with the appropriate support teacher/person.
 Principal to ensure that the child has an appropriate person taking responsibility for supporting
them.
 Write down what the child says.
 Do not formally interview the child. Obtain only necessary relevant facts if and when clarification
is needed.
 Refer to the New Zealand Children and Young persons Service or the Police. Await further contact
before taking any action.
 After making sure the referral has gone to NZCYPS or the Police, get support for yourself from
appropriate agencies.
Indicators of child abuse may include:
1. Physical Neglect
The child is not given proper food, clothing, shelter, medical attention or supervision to the
extent that there is serious risk to health and/or safety of that child
2. Emotional Neglect
(This is very hard to define and detect).
It is often the case that the child is only ever criticised, always told that it is stupid, naughty or
the cause of all the family’s problems.
3. Physical Abuse
Where injuries are not caused by accident
4. Sexual Abuse
This includes all situations where a parent, caregiver or other person involves a child in sexual
activity. This can range from touching through to penetration or even the death of the victim.
Indicators of sexual abuse in a child are: -
 Physical injury
 Signs of physical illness, possibly related to genital or urinary functions, headaches or upset
stomach
 Becomes unusually fussy
 Washes frequently
 Refuses her/his favourite food; or an older child may suddenly refuse food
 An unusual fear of strangers
 Sudden extreme shyness
 Lack of enjoyment of favoured pastimes, TV programmes and activities
 Clinging to parents or extreme fear of being left alone
 Difficulty going to sleep
 Sudden fear of the dark
 Nightmares
 Bedwetting
 Return to earlier forms of behaviour or skills
 Changes in school behaviour
 Loss of child’s sense of security
 Unable to adjust to the normal schedule
 Showing loss of memory, sometimes appearing preoccupied or troubled
 Depression
 Advanced sexual behaviour
 Acting out the sexual abuse with playmates
 Running away
 Increased irritability and angry outbursts
 Pseudo-maturity, taking over parental responsibilities (usually associated with incest).
 HARASSMENT PROCEDURE

 In the event of sexual harassment the complainant may approach: -

o The staff elected EEO person or
o An NZEI staff liaison officer, counselor or field officer or

 The complainant should document the case with the assistance of the supporting person or
persons.

 If the complainant decides that further action should be taken, the alleged harasser should be
informed and a decision made to lay a complaint through one of the following avenues: -
o The Principal and/or The Board of Trustees (Principal CEC)
o Personal Grievance through an Industrial Advocate or an NZEI Field Officer (Teacher
CEC)
o Human Rights Commission through a NZEI Field officer

 Complainant should be supported and notified of the availability of guidance and counseling
 BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

The aim of the School behaviour management programme is to encourage positive behaviour
in our students.

Step 1 – Class Plan

At the beginning of each year a plan to encourage good work habits, relationships and safety will be
developed with the class.

This plan will be stated positively and include clear expectations and consequences. The class
behaviour management programme must reflect the school’s Rights & Responsibilities code.

Step 2 – Implementation
Introduce the plan and reinforce expectations regularly. If necessary, target specific behaviours that
need attention.

Behaviour Support Plan/Programme

This should be a school wide system. It should be introduced if students do not respond to the
positive programme. Both programmes should be operated in tandem.
The process should be developed in consultation with the students and might include the following
headings:
Check students understanding of the inappropriate behaviour. This may require the teacher
to explain what each means and its effect on others.
For example:
 Disobedient behaviours
 Disrespect (to teachers or peers)
 Interference
 Inappropriate noise and language.

Consequences of inappropriate behaviour:

For example:
1. Name – warning.
2. Time out table – reflection activity – “we can work it out”
3. Parents informed of the system
4. Copy out letter to parents
5. Time made up during own time

Recurring behaviour:
For example:
1. Record of disruptive behaviour maintained
2. Parent/Principal/Pupil meeting
3. Contract development
Guidelines for Programme
For example:
 Clearly state and model appropriate behaviour
 Structure reinforcement to enhance the development of desired behaviour
 Set logical consequences for inappropriate behaviour
 Consistently implement the above
 Involve parents / caregivers
 State the inappropriate behaviour
 Positive specific praise for appropriate behaviours
 Monitor and review the programme annually
 Links made to stand down procedures

References available in the Office

Suspension Guidelines
Ministry of Education

Cracking the Hard Class

Bill Rogers – Scholastic

Friendly Classrooms, Friendly Kids

Helen McGrath
School Rules (Updated February 2009)

1. Follow directions
2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
3. Eat and play in areas where you should be
4. No teasing, name calling or swearing
5. Move around safely
6. Keep the school tidy

These are simple rules and are designed for students to easily understand and cover most situations.
They will be reviewed in our new behaviour organisation. We have discussed these with all students
and will continue to do so.

Consequences

These consequences are for the more serious situations. Teachers are expected to use discretion when
dealing with students and the application of consequences will be monitored at weekly staff meetings:

1. Warning given (Usually no further action is required)

2. Time out from playground and complete behaviour reflection sheet. (For second breaking of
rule in same week)
3. Parent Interview with Principal. At this meeting options will be explored so the school and
family can work together to improve student behaviour. (For third occasion in same week)
4. Continued disobedience may then lead to more serious consequences including stand-down.
(Considered for continued disobedience and/or safety issue. For very serious incidents step 4
may be the initial action taken)
 PRIVACY PROCEDURES

1. The school enrolment form will contain information about the purpose, use and disclosure of
the information collected.

2. Personal information will only be available to relevant authorities e.g. health nurse,
psychologist, dental nurse, teachers,

3. A Privacy officer will be appointed, complying with the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993.
The Principal will act as the Privacy Officer at Taonui School.

4. A welfare file will be kept in a locked place known only to the Principal.

5. All personal information that the school holds will be stored in locked filing cabinets, so that
only authorised persons have access to it.
 SUN PROTECTION PROCEDURES

1. Children will be expected to wear hats and sun block when involved in outdoor activities
(playtime, lunchtime, sports trips, camps).

2. Staff will act as role models by employing appropriate sun protective behaviour for summer
outdoor activities. i.e. wear sunhats

3. Children will eat their lunch outside under the classroom verandah. In poor weather they will
eat inside the classrooms.

4. SPF 30+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen will be available for staff and children and its use
encouraged, especially on days of high risk. Parents are encouraged to put sunscreen on their
own children. Parents should be requested to ensure that children wear clothing that protects
the shoulder areas when in the sun.

5. The Sun protection Policy will be reinforced in a positive way through school newsletters and
the Health programme that promotes melanoma awareness.

6. The BOT are encouraged to consider further shade areas around the school.
 TRUANCY PROCEDURE

 When children are enrolled at school, enrolment details etc are to be entered on the enrolment
form.

 One copy of the enrolment form is to be used by the class teacher to enter the child’s name on
their class register and another copy is to be used by the school secretary to enter the child’s
name and details in the admission register and the pupil’s file programme on the office
computer.

 Class registers are to be marked as set out in School Attendance Procedure

 The Principal is to be notified immediately if children who have come to school in the morning,
leave school or cannot be found.

 Children who have failed to attend school without reasonable excuse, or have been absent for
five continuous school days, or whose absences have been one or more days every week or
patterns of several days absence shall be referred to the principal for action as part of the
Behaviour Management Programme. Parents are to be fully advised of instances of truancy by
their children and the consequences.

 Accurate written records of absences, telephone calls, home visits, letters sent and explanations
given (including time, date, and place) must be kept by those involved.

 The Feilding Truancy Officer will be involved through the Principal.

 Where any child has failed to attend school without reasonable excuse, and required
interventions have failed to ensure a return to school attendance, or the absences have been
continuous for 15 school days, or one or more days a week, or patterns of several days absence
which persist for a school term, the truant will be referred to the Truancy Officer. Any child
who has not attended school for twenty school days without written reason will be withdrawn
from the school register. The Truancy Officer will be notified of this action.
 HARMFUL SUBSTANCES PROCEDURES

 Any student caught using, possessing or under the influence of harmful drugs, alcohol or
solvents at any time while under the school’s jurisdiction will be referred to the principal and
may be stood down. In all circumstances parents and caregivers will be notified as well as
appropriate authorities.

 Any student caught smoking or possessing cigarettes, cigars, and/or tobacco while under the
school’s jurisdiction will be referred to the principal who will notify the parents in writing and
suspension may be considered in certain circumstances. A second offence will be considered as
continual disobedience and may result in suspension.

 Any student caught in possession of or under the influence of any of the substances above will
be given appropriate support and guidance that will be negotiated with the family/guardian.
 HYGIENE PROCEDURES
WITH BLOOD OR OTHER BODY FLUIDS

Introduction:

There is a need for a set of hygiene procedures which effectively addresses threats of diseases such as,
and that of hepatitis B and other similarly transmitted diseases.

It follows that:

1. The school should have an effective set of hygiene procedures.

2. The school should have the equipment needed in order to give effect to these procedures and
3. That all staff should be fully aware of these procedures.

Additionally, staff should pay added attention to their own cuts or broken skin, protecting them from
direct contact with body fluids. Any cut, (less than 24 hours old) should be covered by an impermeable
dressing.

The following procedures have been devised. They must be used by any member of staff or student
who has gone to the assistance of a child with a cut or broken skin.

1. Avoid contact with blood if your hands or lower arms have open cuts or unhealed wounds.
2. Use disposable gloves and wash thoroughly with soap and water after removal of gloves. If
disposable gloves are unavailable at the time wash your hands and lower arms and any other
bodily parts in contact with or splashed by blood, thoroughly with water and soap after handling
blood.
3. Place any cotton wool, gauze, etc that has had contact with blood in a plastic bag and seal it for
disposal or incineration.
4. Wipe down the benches or other bloodied areas with cold or tepid tap water and then with
household bleach (eg Janola) freshly diluted 1 to10 with water.
5. Wash carpeted areas with water and soap.
6. Wash scissors or other instruments thoroughly in cold tap water to remove any blood, then
instruments can be effectively sterilized by boiling for at least 10 minutes or by soaking them
for 30 minutes in household bleach diluted 1 part to 10.
 Taonui School Emergency Procedures
Rationale

Pupils, staff and parents need to know the procedures that are to be followed by the school and by the
parents at the time of an emergency.

Purposes

1. To have pupils, staff and parents aware of the procedures to be followed so that personal injury
and loss of life is avoided or minimised.

2. To have a practice drill at least once per term with the first drill held in February of each year.

3. To have parents informed of their role in an emergency regarding the collection of pupils from
school.

Guidelines

1. At the beginning of each year the emergency procedures will be discussed with staff and
subsequently with pupils. Staff are required to familiarise themselves with “Emergency
Procedures - Guidelines for School” - particularly pages 20 - 27. Parents will be informed of
procedures in a February newsletter.

2. A battery - powered radio will be kept in the administration area at all times.

3. Emergency drills will take place each term; the first being in February of each year.

4. The emergency signal will be the continuous ringing of the school bell.

5. On hearing the signal, teachers will instruct children to move in an orderly fashion to the
assembly point, on the hard court are on the south side of the library.

- The teacher whose classroom is adjacent to the toilet block will make a check of the toilet
areas.
- The school secretary will check the administration area. The Principal will check the
library.

6. Classroom teachers will take with them a class list to be called at the assembly point. A class
runner will be sent to the Principal when all children are accounted for.

7. The school secretary will take the school Register and the Family List out to the evacuation
area.

8. Copies of the emergency evacuation procedures will be easily seen on the wall in each
classroom, the administration area and the staffroom.

9. Pupils will be encouraged to view evacuation drills with the seriousness they deserve.
 EVACUATION PROCEDURES

Fire

- Act immediately on hearing the alarm (continuous bell).

- Take your class list (if you are in your classroom) and follow your children out of the room.

- Move quietly and in an orderly manner to the Assembly Area.

- Take the class roll call. If you were not able to take the class list the Principal will provide
you with one.

- Advise the Principal of any missing pupils.

Earthquake

- When shaking occurs shout “Earthquake” - crawl under desks/tables and face away from
windows, clasp hands around desk/table legs - bury face in arms and close eyes
firmly.

- Keep the children in this position until they are told to move.

- Remain in the building until the shaking stops.

- Move to the Assembly area.

- When no cover is available

Move to an inside wall
Kneel next to the wall, facing away from windows
Cover head and neck with hands and elbows

- When outside
Stay outside
Move to an open area away from buildings and trees

NB Special Duty: The teacher in the senior room will check the cloakrooms and toilets adjacent to the
room before moving to the Assembly Area.

The Assembly Area is the area immediately to the south of the hall on the playing field.

Remember

- Your first priority is the protection of life and protection from injury. Do not worry about
protecting property.

- There is a fire extinguisher in each classroom block. Please familiarise yourself with its
 location and use.

- Only if conditions permit should attempt be made to extinguish a fire.

Classrooms will have the following

- A plastic bag with a pencil and an up to date class list. This must remain in easily accessible
areas.

- A copy of these Evacuation Procedures on the classroom wall.

Emergency Procedures - Notes for parents/caregivers

Any decision to send students home will be made by the Principal.

Students will not be released until it is safe to travel. Following severe flooding or an earthquake,
roads may be impassable and transport services may be disrupted, making it difficult for students to
reach their homes.

Students will be kept at school until collected by a parent, guardian, or caregiver. The school will keep
a list of people authorised by parents or guardians to collect students after an emergency. A record will
be kept of the student’s names and the name of the person escorting them home. No student will be
released from the assembly area before the name of the parent or guardian who has collected and/or
assumed responsibility for the student, has been recorded. Students will not be left to find their own
way home. Children whose parents, guardians, or caregivers are not available to collect them should
be kept at school until they are able to be collected.

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/educationSectors/Schools/SchoolOperations/HealthAndSafety/Emergency
Management.aspx

TAONUI SCHOOL PANDEMIC PLANNING

RATIONALE
It is essential that schools take all practical steps to protect staff and students from a possible pandemic
outbreak.

GUIDELINES
1. The Pandemic Manager for Taonui School will be the Principal.

2. The school will develop a pandemic action plan. This is to be reviewed on an annual basis.

o The school protocol for dealing with sick staff / students.

o Cleaning requirements and practices in case of a pandemic outbreak.

o Consultation procedures to be used in each stage of pandemic.

PANDEMIC PLAN
Stage 1

Keep It Out
(Border Management)
Trigger: Ministry of Health announces human-to-human transmission
overseas, or Australia or Singapore closes their borders.

Goals
- The pandemic plan is activated and the school is ready for the
subsequent phases, should the pandemic enter New Zealand.
-
- All staff, board of trustees, students and parents is informed, understands
their roles and responsibilities, and have confidence in the school’s
preparedness.

Actions

1. Update and activate staff and Board telephone and email.

2. Check all contact details are correct:

o Staff
o Students
o BOT Members

2. Ensure MOE local office has updated BOT / Principal Contact details.

3. Brief staff on roles and responsibilities including:

o Local status
o Actions to be undertaken with students, including closing school and sending children home
 where necessary
4. Outline to parents possible methods of future communications e.g. national and local media and
school website.

5. With students, implement programmes to limit spread of influenza e.g. hand hygiene, cough and
sneeze etiquette, not spitting, staying at home when sick. Resources available through
www.tki.co.nz

6. Advise cleaner of need to implement Pandemic Cleaning Procedure. Since the school employs the
cleaner, procedures in such an event will be to use detergent and/or bleach to clean all surfaces as
advised by the MOH public health.

7. Review schools resources to ensure that there are sufficient supplies of:
o Cleaning materials

Stage 2

Stamp it Out (cluster control) for Schools outside Cluster Area

Trigger: Ministry of Health announces human pandemic influenza strain
case(s) found in separate locations in New Zealand.

Goals:
- Schools inside cluster area are closed
- Schools outside cluster areas are on heightened alert
- Students, staff and parents are informed, understand their roles and
responsibilities, and have confidence in their school’s preparedness.
School endeavours to keep their community calm and reduce panic.

Actions

1. Through consultation with local DHB emergency planner, local MOE, local Principals and BOT
Chairperson the Principal will make the decision of the need to close the school.

2. Communicate through established means the decision.

3. Take care of students showing influenza symptoms:

o Set up isolation room (sick bay).
o In consultation with group (Action Point 1) arrange to send children home. Only children to
go home are those whose parents either collect them from school or have given permission
via phone or email that they are to go home.
o Notify any cases to health authorities as are requested
o Children staying at school to be kept in normal classes where possible (dependant on
number of staff available) until children are collected or until end of school day.

2. Cancel all extra curricular activities and planned class / school trips.
3. Introduce extra cleaning as per outlined schedule. This will be determined by the nature of the
pandemic and will be advised by the MOH community public health.

Stage 3

Manage It
(Pandemic Management)
Trigger: Ministry of Health announces significant number of pandemic influenza
outbreaks at separate locations, or outbreaks spreading out of control.

Goals: School successfully activates closure procedures in response to multiple

–cluster or nationwide outbreak.

Actions

1. Close school to students

2. Advise all staff

3. Post notices of closure on entry points – office, library, community hall and each classroom
entrance.

4. Through local media (radio), school wiki and SMS – telephone inform all interested groups:

o Local station of pandemic

o What the school is doing
o What parents could be doing with students

2. Collaborate with local agencies in making school facilities available in pandemic response efforts.

Stage 4

Recover From It
(Recovery)
Trigger: Population protected by vaccination and / or pandemic abated in New
Zealand.
MOH Alert Code: Green
Goals: School ensures continuing wellbeing of staff and students, and
education services are fully restored.
Actions

1. Through media (radio, newspaper), school wiki, telephone message and email /telephone, advise
that school is reopen, 0800 to be supplied by MOH.

2. As necessary arrange for trauma / grief counseling – contact M.O.E Group Special Education.

3. With BOT and Staff undertake debrief of procedures undertaken.

4. Staff revisits importance of keeping safe guidelines with students (see Stage 1 Point 7).

Procedures:
A School protocol for dealing with sick / staff and students
1. Take care of students and staff showing influenza symptoms:
o Set up isolation room (sick bay).
o In consultation with the Principal arrange to send children home. Only children to go home
are those whose parents either collect them from school or have given permission via phone
or email that they are to go home.
o Notify any cases to health authorities as requested
o Children staying at school to be kept in normal classes where possible (dependant on
number of staff available) until children are collected or until end of school day.
o Cancel all extra curricular activities and planned class / school trips.

B Cleaning requirements and practices in case of a pandemic outbreak

• Procedures for the extra cleaning required in a pandemic to be developed with the school
cleaner.

• This will be dependent on advise from MOH Public Health as to suitable agent to clean all
services (detergents and /or bleach).

C. Consultation procedures.

The attached letter will be distributed to all parents/caregivers in the event of a pandemic.

Dear Parent
We have been advised by the Ministry of Health of a serious pandemic outbreak and have been
advised, for health and safety reasons, to close the school.
In order to ensure the health and safety of your children, we are advising you of the closure of the
school until further notice.
Please ensure that your children are kept at home until this closure has been lifted. Regular updates on
the situation can be ascertained from local and national media and the school wiki.

Yours sincerely
CONCLUSION

The safety of Taonui School staff and students will be managed during a pandemic outbreak by the
above guidelines.

Chairperson: ______________________

Review Date: _______________