Thank you for participating in the Penrhos College Direct Contact Volunteers Induction. Direct Contact Volunteers are those volunteers that are involved in providing support, guidance and supervision directly to students during the normal course of providing the volunteer service. 

This induction will cover the following areas:

1. Penrhos College Strategic Direction
2. Roles and Responsibilities
3. Occupational Safety and Health
4. Duty of Care
5. Code of Conduct for Volunteers
6. Confidential Information
7. Child Protection 
8. Policies and Procedures 
9. Acknowledgement and sign off 

 

Enquiries

If you have any questions relating to any part of this course, please do not hesitate to contact either:

Junior School enquiries to jsadmin@penrhos.wa.edu.au or phone 9368 9555

Parent Support Group enquiries to jenkic@penrhos.wa.edu.au or phone 9368 9539

Penrhos College Strategic Direction

Penrhos has an audacious vision for the future. 

To revolutionise girls’ education so we can all live a future without boundaries. 

Building on a strong foundation of excellence, and a history of inspiring girls to become extraordinary women, in 2021 we began a process of reviewing our strategic direction to expand and enhance it, to build a school for the future. 

This process led us to the understanding that our purpose is quite simply limitless, and with our students at the centre of all we do, we can work together to create, and prepare them for, a future without boundaries. 

The key to achieving this is built upon five pillars: 

Embrace – we nurture timeless connections 

Create – we build learning adventures for life 

Soar – we advance a culture of learning and growth 

Blaze – we empower positive rebels to lead the way 

Impact – we forge new futures in girls’ education 

While working to achieve tangible outcomes against each of these pillars, we also make the following commitments to our students: 

No ceilings – we display vision, determination and growth 

Make your own adventure – we are bold, curious and resourceful 

Find the fun – we see a world filled with wonder, joy and optimism 

Be a force for good – we love, lead and unite. 

Penrhos – Courage starts here.

Roles and Responsibilities

The College's Roles and Responsibilities

• To provide you with a healthy and safe environment
• To provide an induction prior to commencement;
• To provide with sufficient information, instruction and training for you to perform your tasks safely;
• To provide adequate supervision.

Your Roles and Responsibilities

• Work safely
• Not affect the safety of others
• Report any safety concerns
• To observe all established Policies and Procedures
• Provide a Working with Children Check IF: 
  - You are not a current parent  
  - You are an office holder for a Parent Support Group 
  - You attend an College-run overnight camp 

Occupational Health and Safety

Excursion

Should there be an incident where first aid is required the supervising teacher will have a First Aid Kits and Epipens. Teaching Staff and Teacher Assistants have First Aid Training.

On Campus

First Aid kits as well as Epipens are located in the Junior School and Early Learning Centre, Reception areas. (Marked Cupboard)

We also have a Health Centre and School Nurses who are located next to the Boarding House. The School Nurse is on call to attend School Emergencies during school hours.

Hazards and Incidents

Please report all Hazards and Incidents to the Supervising Teacher immediately, who will instruct you on the best course of action.

Emergency Evacuation

The College undertakes practice emergency evacuations across the year to ensure that staff, students and the community are familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency.

All evacuations should be treated as real. The evacuation siren indicates a whole-school evacuation.

The siren is a rising tone one repeated every 4 seconds.

Wooop....wooop....wooop....wooop....wooop

All persons on the campus are required to evacuate the College when the evacuation siren sounds. This includes all students, all Penrhos College staff and all non-Penrhos personnel who may be on site at the time of the evacuation. There are no exceptions to this.

At the end of the Evacuation your supervising teacher will provide direction.

Lock In

The College undertakes practice Lock Ins across the year to ensure that staff, students and the College community are familiar with the procedure in the event of an intruder who wishes to cause harm, being on the grounds.

The lock-in siren indicates a whole-school lock-in.

The siren is a flat monotone one repeated every 1.25 seconds.

Beep....beep....beep....beep....beep

All persons on the campus are required to move to a secure area when the lock-in siren sounds. This includes all students, all Penrhos College staff and all non-Penrhos personnel who may be on site at the time of the lock-in. There are NO exceptions to this.

At the start of the lock-in:

• Account for students (are any in toilets, in transit etc.)
• Lock the classroom door(s)
• Close/lock any open windows through which intruders might enter the room/building
• Watch for students or staff who require admittance
• Close any blinds through which intruders may see into the room/building

At the end of the Lock In your supervising teacher will provide direction.

Duty of Care

What is Duty of Care?

Schools and teachers owe a duty to take reasonable care for the safety and welfare of all students in the school. The duty of care exists when the teacher/student relationship is established. The duty requires schools and teachers to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of students from both known and reasonably foreseeable risks of harm and/or injury. In particular instances, non-teaching staff, volunteers and external providers will owe a duty of care to students. 
 
Generally, by acting as a Volunteer, you will not have Duty of Care for students, this will reside with the supervising teacher.  However, if you are unsure of your role please seek advice from your supervising teacher and refer all student concerns or behaviour issues to the supervising teacher.

Code of Conduct Policy for Volunteers

Penrhos College values the contribution of all members of the school community in volunteering their time and effort.

To assist Penrhos College in providing a safe environment and a positive educational climate, volunteers are expected to comply with the following guidelines:

Put Safety First

Volunteers should:

• Observe safe work practices which avoid unnecessary risks;
• Only work according to their level of competency;
• Follow reasonable safety instructions given by supervisors;
• Report any safety hazard or hazardous practice they observe; and
• Assist in implementing evacuation procedures if required.

Have Respect for Others

Volunteers should treat students, staff and other members of the college community with respect and in particular should:

• Treat everyone with courtesy, sensitivity, tact, consideration and humility;
• Dress appropriately having regard to the nature of the volunteer activity;
• Assist in the creation of an environment free from fear, harassment, racism or exploitation;
• Respect the cultures, beliefs, opinions and decisions of others;
• Take reasonable instruction from staff and not obstruct staff in the execution of their duties; and
• Avoid waste or extravagance and make proper use of the resources of the college.

Communication

Volunteers should use appropriate communication skills when engaging with students, staff and other members of the college community and in particular should:

• Avoid swearing or other use of profanities;
• Use non-discriminatory respectful and non-judgmental language;
• Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality;
• Be aware of people’s personal space;
• Be aware of their own body language; and
• Seek advice where appropriate.

Prohibited Conduct

Whilst volunteering and/or on college property, volunteers must not:

• Smoke or use tobacco products;
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol;
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of illicit drugs; or
• Utilise their position to take advantage of any young person.

Confidential Information

In the course of your activities as a Volunteer you may be privy to confidential information about the College and personal and sensitive information about staff, students and their parents.

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What is Confidential Information?

Confidential information is any information relating to the organisation or affairs of Penrhos College or our staff members, officers or parents/caregivers and students which is not public information. It includes all notes, reports and other records (whether in written form or held electronically), and any copies of any of that information.

Our Policy

Any confidential information that comes into your possession must be kept confidential. It should not be discussed with, disclosed to or given to any person who is not authorised to receive that information.

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The protection of personal (including sensitive and health information) that is collected from members of the College community is subject to the  Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).   
The Privacy Act requires us to protect this information about all individuals who deal with the College.

Personal information is information, or an opinion, about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

As a Volunteer you must not disclose any personal (including sensitive and health) information about any member of the Penrhos Community. Breaches of  data are now subject to mandatory reporting to the OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) and to the persons involved.

All Volunteers are required to read and acknowledge the Penrhos College Privacy Policy. 

Child Protection

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing

All children and young people who come to Penrhos College have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We are committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and are able to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.

We have a zero tolerance for child abuse, grooming and other harm and are committed to acting in students’ best interests and keeping them safe from harm.

The College regards its child safe responsibilities with the utmost importance and is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and maintaining a child safe culture.

Each member of the College community has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role that they play individually, and collectively, to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all students is at the forefront of all that they do, and every decision that they make.

The College’s Child Safe Policy applies to all adults in the College community, including Staff, Volunteers, Contractors, External Education Providers, parents/guardians and other family members. This policy applies in all College environments, both physical and online, and on-site and off-site College grounds (e.g. camps and excursions).

You can read more about our Child Protection approach and related policies on our website.

If you would like further information on any aspect of our Child Protection Program, please contact a member of the College’s Executive Team or alternatively, the College’s Executive Officer Governance & Risk at ambrok@penrhos.wa.edu.au.

Thank You

Thank you for completing the Penrhos College Direct Contact Volunteers Induction.

Please complete the form below to finalise your induction training.

Privacy Policy
Child Safe Policy
Child Safe Adult Code of Conduct
Staff and Student Personal Boundaries
Employee Code of Conduct

Mandatory Reporter Training – please complete this training and forward the completion certificate to ambrok@penrhos.wa.edu.au

On submission of this form you will receive an email receipt of your application. Please retain this receipt.

If you are a member of a Penrhos College Support Group which has direct contact with students you will be required to provide this receipt to the office bearers of your Support Group.