Dear Parents and Carers,

 I write to you this afternoon regarding a rise in our College of incidents that are impacting on the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. You are likely aware of this increase, and have been privy to discussions online and in person, videos posted to social media and reports from your child directly. We know that we at Foxwell are not alone, nor are we immune, to many of the challenges facing schools, students and educators across our nation. We do however acknowledge that Kindness is the Foxwell Way, and that this is not in alignment with our College philsophy. 

 Your child, our student. One team. As a college and parent/career community, we must be united in our efforts in protecting the safety and well-being of our students and staff. On Monday I will continue to visit each class to discuss my concerns with students, and also my expectations. While I acknowledge not all students are engaging in unsafe behaviours and activities, I also value all students knowing that their safety and well-being is our top priority. I implore you to continue this conversation and reiterate these expectations. 

 Schools are not only learning places, but workplaces where school staff and students have the right to feel safe and respected. Staff and students all deserve respectful, safe and non-violent work and schooling environments, so aggression and harassment of any kind—physical, verbal or otherwise—isn't acceptable.

 Abuse is a broad term. Offensive behaviour can vary in form, frequency and severity, but all of it needs to be taken seriously. Sometimes, abuse and occupational violence take the shape of subtle aggression that doesn't feel like a big deal but still has a significant impact on school staff and students. Every action we take has the potential to uplift or tear down. 

 Foxwell State Secondary College is committed to providing a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment for all students, staff, parents and visitors.

The Foxwell State Secondary College Student Code of Conduct sets out the responsibilities and processes we use in our College to promote a productive, effective whole college approach to discipline. Its purpose is to facilitate high standards of behaviour from all members of the school community, ensuring learning and teaching in our school is prioritised, where all students are able to experience success and staff enjoy a safe workplace.If you have ever found yourself wondering, "What is the school doing?", then you will find this Code of Conduct will provide you with clarity. Pages 34 - 37 outline the management of Disciplinary Matters. Pages 22 and 23 outline our teacher classroom responses. 

 You, like many other parents across our nation and like myself as a parent, might find yourself asking "What can I do to help?". You may have heard me recently saying "It takes a village to raise a child". We hear this regularly when our children are young, but this is just as much true as our young people move through their high school years, as it was when they were infants. We as a College are an integral part of that Village. Your child, our student. One team. Below are some useful resources that may assist you in communicating with your child, with us at the College and with each other about our school environment. We have a number of support staff available at our College, available to all students. I have listed below their details, roles and contact information. 

 We want to make sure we are all working together for your child, our student. To help do this a Parent and Community Code of Conduct has been developed, this supports the Student Code of Conduct and the staff Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.

 If you have an issue that you feel is adversely affecting your child's education and requires a resolution. The Compliments and Customer Complaints section provides a step-by-step process to assist with the resolution of complaints.

I thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to ensuring all students and staff feel safe and respected in our College. 

Kate Shepherd

Acting Principal

Foxwell State Secondary College

Educational success is dependent upon effective partnerships between parents, students and the College. Working collaboratively is a part of our strategic vision and at the heart of what we do each day at Foxwell State Secondary College.

To achieve this partnership, honesty, openness and trust are required. The College and our parents/carers, need to be able to communicate with each other when we have concerns, and work together to come to a satisfactory solution for all parties. During the course of your child’s education, you may have compliments, concerns or complaints relating to our College. It is important to us that you share these with the College. Your feedback is important to us and your contribution can always assist the College in improving our core business. When we know more. we can do more. 

As discussed at our last P&C Meeting, we will be finalising our Compliments and Customer Complaints process ahead of consultation at our first Term 2 meeting. In the meantime, if you have a compliment, concern or complaint that you would like to raise with the College, please email admin@foxwellssc.eq.edu.au. Your email will be directed to the most relevant staff member for further follow up. 

Additionally, the Department of Education has a further resource available here.