|
Support Information
|
Written by Mrs Billie Hughes
|
|
Monday, 18 May 2009 20:34 |
|
Above L:R: Louise Wolff - Visiting Psychologist, Helen Harley - Speech Pathologist, Barney
Healy - MEC Principal and Simone Fraser - Speech Pathologist.
As part of a regional restructure our Student Support Staff (Speech Pathologists, Guidance Officers and Social
worker) have changed Schools that they are attached to.
Recently staff and students farewelled Speech Pathologists, Anna Clark and Erin Fisk, Social Worker Ken Smith,
and Guidance Officers Sue Inglis and Mary Gibbs. All of these staff have worked at MEC since its inception and
have made a difference in the lives of many of our students.
We are now able to welcome our new Speech Pathologists, Helen Harley and Simone Fraser. Helen and Simone
both have a wealth of experience in the Speech Pathology field. Our new Guidance Officer is Louise Wolff, who
also has a great deal of experience as a Psychologist.
The Speech Pathologists and Guidance Officer will be attending MEC on Mondays at present. Students need to be
referred for these services. If you believe your son/daughter requires either of these services please don’t hesitate to
contact your child’s Home Group teacher or Deputy Principal.
|
|
|
Written by Mrs Billie Hughes
|
|
Saturday, 14 March 2009 13:31 |
RESTORATIVE PRACTICE –WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
At MEC we have the values of Consistency, Achievement, Respect, Enjoyment, Inclusion, Safety.
In developing these values into our culture the MEC community have adopted a Restorative approach both within and outside the classroom. Restorative Practice as a whole Centre approach builds on the Connectedness and feeling of belonging for our students. The building of Positive relationships is a strong protective factor in helping our students to achieve to the best of their ability both at school and beyond.
Restorative Practice is a no blame approach using relational questions to bring out who was affected and how and then discussing what needs to happen to make things right.
Our classroom management process is as below:
|
|
Last Updated on Saturday, 14 March 2009 13:33 |
|
Written by MEC
|
|
Thursday, 01 February 2007 17:27 |
|
HEALTHY EATING POLICY - SUMMARY
Purpose:
This policy is to guide the offering of healthy food choices to students, staff, parents and visitors of Maryborough Education Centre.
Aim:
Maryborough Education Centre’s students, staff, parents and visitors have a range of healthy food choices to choose from at school, including school canteens, school camps, excursions, fundraising and school functions.
Principles:
Maryborough Education Centre acknowledges that they have a responsibility to educate the school community about nutrition and provide them with opportunities to use this knowledge when making healthy food choices.
Children and adolescents should be provided with the knowledge and skills to:
• Understand the role that nutrition and healthy eating plays in the growth and development of children and adolescents
• Understand the role that nutrition and healthy eating plays in the prevention of disease
• Choose healthy nutritious foods – based on Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, the Healthy Eating Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents
• Enjoy and develop an appreciation for food and nutrition.
• MEC has implemented a "no deep fried foods" policy for our Centre canteens – because of the fat content in these types of foods
Rationale:
Poor nutrition can lead to health problems for children including; obesity, underweight, increased triglycerides and cholesterol (body fats), dental caries, unhealthy gums, lack of energy, irritability, increased susceptibility to illness and constipation.
Scope of Policy:
This policy is to cover the entire school community whilst at school, on school excursions and camps and any other function that is conducted and supported by Maryborough Education Centre.
Operation of the canteen:
The canteen manager and supervisor are assisted by students and volunteers.
Volunteers
Parents and caregivers of students volunteer their services to assist in the school canteens. They should be aware of basic food handling principles.
Food Hygiene
Canteen - Paid staff in the canteen are required to have a Food Handlers Certificate.
School camps, Fundraising, School functions - Basic food handling principles apply to the preparation and serving of food within the school community.
Quality Assurance:
Comments, suggestions and complaints about food supply in the school are to be made to the Canteen Committee. These need to be made in writing and need to be signed.
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 03:52 |
|
Written by MEC
|
|
Thursday, 01 February 2007 17:20 |
|
Safe School Policy
Bullying: Maryborough Education Centre - Says No
This document is the product of an Anti-bullying day held in August 2006. The conference was attended by over one hundred Maryborough Education Centre students.
MEC works strongly to instil the values of respect, inclusion, safety, consistency, achievement and enjoyment. In line with these values we will work hard to create a harmonious, caring and friendly environment where the diversity of people and culture is appreciated and valued. Each of us at MEC is recognised as a unique individual bringing special qualities and gifts to share and so we all have a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect each other.
Therefore, MEC does not tolerate bullying in any form. All members of the MEC community are committed to ensuring a safe and caring environment which promotes personal growth, fosters positive self esteem for all and recognises our goals as a learning community.
MEC does not tolerate any form of bullying.
What is bullying?
Bullying is an act of aggression causing hurt, embarrassment, pain or discomfort to others:
• it can take a number of forms -- physical, verbal or psychological
• it is an abuse of power
• it may be planned and organised or it may be unintentional
• it can take place through email or text messaging.
Some examples of bullying include:
• any form of physical violence such as hitting, pushing or spitting on others
• interfering with another person’s property by stealing, hiding, damaging or destroying it
• using offensive names, teasing or spreading rumours about others or their families
• using ‘put-downs’, belittling other’s abilities and achievements
• writing offensive notes or graffiti about others
• making degrading comments about another’s culture, religion or social background
• hurtfully excluding others from a group
• making suggestive comments or gestures
• ridiculing another person’s appearance
• forcing others to act against their will.
If we are bullied:
• we may feel lonely, insecure, hurt, frightened, unsafe, embarrassed, angry or unfairly treated
• you may feel like staying away from school
• our work, sleep, self-esteem and ability to concentrate may suffer
• our relationships with our family, teachers and friends may deteriorate
• we may feel confused and not know what to do about the problem.
What do we do to prevent bullying at MEC?
• As a learning community, we will not allow cases of bullying to go unreported. We will speak up.
• We need to use a peer mediation program at all levels of the MEC where peer mediators are trained to mediate conflict where it arises.
• We will continue to develop programs improve the happiness and resilience of all students.
• We will provide additional support through the student services department for vulnerable students.
• We will regularly survey students to gather feedback on the prevalence of bullying.
• We will work with community organisations to reduce bullying in the wider community.
• We will work to ensure every member of our school community is familiar with this policy
• We will ensure that every student has one staff member who they feel they can talk to about issues such as bullying
• We will document all reported incidences.
This requires staff to:
• model non aggressive behaviour at all times
• be observant for signs of distress or suspected incidents of bullying
• actively supervise during yard duty
• arrive at class on time
• take steps to help victims and remove sources of distress without placing the victim at further risk
• report suspected incidents to the appropriate staff such as Home Group Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinator, Sub-school Manager or Assistant to Deputy Principal
• inform parents and liaise with them to support the child.
This requires students to:
• immediately report incidents of bullying to staff in order to seek help
• support the peer mediation process
• refuse to be involved in any bullying situation
• support students who are being bullied
• actively discourage the bully from continuing the behaviours
• if students who are bullied have the courage to speak out, they may help reduce hurt for themselves and prevent others becoming potential victims
• students who remain as observers while bullying takes place become part of the bullying process by their presence and should be held responsible for that action.
The Centre recommends that parents:
• watch for signs of distress in your child, e.g. unwillingness to attend school, a pattern of illness, missing equipment, requests for extra money, damaged clothing or bruising
• take an active interest in your child’s social life and acquaintances
• advise your child to tell a staff member about any incidence of bullying. If possible, allow your child to report and deal with the situation. Your child can gain respect and confidence through taking the initiative and dealing with the problem without direct parental involvement
• keep a written record (who, what, where, when and how)
• encourage your child not to retaliate but to seek an alternative solution to the problem
• be willing to attend interviews if your child is involved in an incident of bullying and work cooperatively with the Centre
• be willing to inform the Centre of any cases of suspected bullying even if your child is not directly involved or affected
• do not try to deal directly with the other children or their parents but work through and with the Centre.
When the staff, students and parents of MEC work together, we create a truly caring environment.
Bullying Must Be Reported
Who Can Help?
• Parents
• Teachers
• School Chaplain
• Student Support Services Coordinator
• School Nurse
• Friends, Campus Leaders, Class Leaders, Student Peer Mediators, other trusted people.
• Centre telephone numbers: 54617900
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline 131114
• www.reachout.com.au
• www.bullyingnoway.com.au
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 03:53 |
|
Written by MEC
|
|
Thursday, 01 February 2007 17:10 |
|
HELP LINES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
CENTRAL TRIAGE - 1300 363 788 - a 24 hour telephone service for anyone feeling unsafe or very sad.
KIDS HELPLINE - 1800 551 800 - confidential anonymous counselling and information for young people.
QUIT LINE - 13 18 48 Victorian smoking and health program.
YOUTH LINE - 1800 806 981 - 4 to 11p.m. daily.
LIFE LINE - 13 11 14
GAYLINE - 1800 631 493
SUICIDE HELP LINE 1300 651 251
DIRECT LINE - 1800 136 385 Concerns about drugs and alcohol
FAMILY DRUG SUPPORT - 1300 368 186
SEXUAL ASSAULT - 1800 806 292
G LINE - 1800 622 112 (The Gambling Help Line)
DISABILITIES SERVICES- 1800 783 783 OR 5333 6720
CENTRE LINK - 13 28 50 for Government assistance or advice on one of its services
USEFUL WEBSITES
BULLYING PREVENTION www.bullying.com.au
CENTRE LINK ON THE INTERNET - www.centrelink.gov.au
REACHING YOUNG PEOPLE IN RURAL AUSTRALIA www.reachout.com.au
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FEELING SAD www.beyondblue.org.au
www.nhMEC.health.gov.au
www.kidshelp.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
|
Featured Article
-
The MEC from satellite 
|
