Policies

Information & Communication
Technology Policy

Introduction

Information and Communication Technology [ICT] has revolutionised the educational landscape and produced powerful tools for both teaching and learning. The advent of cyberspace in 1991 has produced a digital age of extraordinary power and connective capacity that presents new frontiers not only ‘of’ education but ‘for’ education.
While the educational efficiency of ICT enhances cognition and presents considerable gains for student learning, it has the capacity to expose young people to risk associated with cyber-bullying, infringements of copyright, and also the predatory behaviours of those who intentionally misuse the technology for pecuniary or personal gain.
The following Code of Practice aims to address key issues and principles that relate to ICT use in schools and provide teachers and parents with the framework for educating young people for an ethical and productive use of the technology.
The College acknowledges AHISA’s Code of Practice – Information and Communications Technology,
Cyber Safety and Protection material that provides the basis for much of this policy.
Principles underlining the Information and Communications Technology use at Investigator College:

1. That ICT is integral to learning communities in the 21st Century.
2. That all students have proportionate access to the College’s ICT provision including hardware and software.
3. That ICT security and safety will be observed by all staff and students.
4. That ICT will be used exclusively for educational and pro-social purposes, that are allied to research, course of study or positive social interactions.
5. That copyright laws as they apply throughout the Commonwealth will be adhered to at all times.
6. That existing security and safety measures designed to facilitate effective use of ICT in the College be acknowledged and utilised in the College.
7. That issues of privacy as they relate to the Privacy Act 1998 (Privacy Act) and the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 will be respected at all times.
8. That an education program in the school community will support cyber-safety in policy and practice.
9. That authentic sourcing of information to prevent plagiarised information will occur in the production and authentication of student work.
10. That cyber-bullying, via errant use of ICT technology will be subject to policy provision and procedure.
11. That violations and/or infringements of ICT use be reported to the appropriate authority or person.

Set out below is the following information:

• ICT Facilities at Investigator College
• ICT Ethics Statement for all users
• Policy on Student use of the Internet [all devices]
• ICT Network Users Contract
• Mobile Phone/Devices

ICT Facilities at Investigator College

The computing facilities at Investigator College are continually expanding and being updated in a uniform fashion across both campuses.
The College has invested in a private wireless backbone network spanning Goolwa, Victor Harbor and Currency Creek. This backbone link carries data, voice and video communications between campuses and enables ‘one network’.
All computing equipment is connected to the network, with fibre optic between classrooms. Our wireless network is deployed across three campuses to enable devices to automatically connect when within range.
IT equipment deployed across both campuses conform to a ‘Standard Operating Environment’ with all files saved to servers and tape backup.
The internet connection is filtered using current technology and ‘best practice’ techniques. This standardization allows the College to offer identical delivery of curriculum and learning opportunities regardless of location.

ICT Ethics Statement for all users

Ethical behaviour in the use of the computer facilities is required from all who use the network. Behaviour which is considered inappropriate in term of the guidelines below may result in the withdrawal of the user’s access to the ICT network and any student-owned devices are subject to
inspection.

1. Each user may only use the network that has been authorised for their use. If there is password access, the user has a responsibility to maintain secure passwords and take precautions against unauthorised access.
2. Users may only use authorised facilities for authorised purposes.
3. Any attempt to copy software made available for the user’s use is prohibited. The College holds a copyright licence to use the software and copying of such material is liable to prosecution.
4. Unauthorised copying of information belonging to others is unacceptable.
5. Users are responsible for the security of their own work. Students are expected to back-up their work. Providing a paper or electronic copy of your work to other students to gain or confer unfair advantage is deemed to be unethical.
6. Any attempt to interfere with the normal operation of the College’s ICT network OR subvert security measures in unacceptable.
7. Any use of the ICT network to send of record messages which are inconsistent with the ethos of Investigator College is unacceptable.
8. It is the users responsibility to report to a member of staff
   a. any action which you consider may contravene the ethics of computer use; or
   b. any malfunction of equipment so that repairs may be affected immediately.

Policy on Student use of the Internet [all devices]

In educating and equipping our College community to live and work in a rapidly changing world the College believes it is important to learn how to use available technology in a responsible manner. As the internet provides connections to a multitude of other computer systems around the world, and as it is impossible to guarantee close supervision at all times, users and supervisors must understand that the College cannot control the content of information accessed. It is possible that users may inadvertently come across material on the internet which is not in accordance with the College’s or your family’s values.

How students will use the internet

Students will be searching for information on set projects on the internet in class time, and out of class time they will be able to undertake their own research projects.

Level of student access

There is a wireless network throughout both the Victor Harbor and Goolwa Campuses of Investigator College providing internet access via students’ log on passwords. Where students have access to email they are expected to adhere to College guidelines for e-mail etiquette.

User responsibilities

Use of the internet at Investigator College is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in loss of user privileges. As always, students are to take full responsibility for their actions and their effect on the College community. The College is not responsible for any loss or corruption of data (resulting in loss of grades etc).

It is the student’s responsibility

• To check for himself/herself the integrity of information taken from the internet
• To adhere to copyright law by not copying and/or redistributing another’s work or property
• Not to log on in someone else’s name
• Not to copy the ideas of others and not to present it as their own
• To leave any College devices set up as they find them
• Not to load any application programs or files to College hardware
• To report any malfunction in equipment to a staff member immediately
• Not to seek out or create material that could be offensive or defamatory to anyone. This includes information that could be deemed to be racist, sexist, pornographic, irreligious or contains abusive language
• Not to disclose personal details in any conversation

Electronic Devices

Personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, PDAs, laptops, Palm Pilots and similar are brought to and kept at the College entirely at the owner’s risk.
Unless approved under the Bring your Own Device (BYOD) Program outline or by a Head of School, use of all personal electronic devices is not permitted during the school day.

Mobile Phones/Devices

The College recognises that students will use mobile technology in particular circumstances but this needs to managed effectively.
Due to the College’s duty of care responsibility for each student, it is expected that all external communication between students and parents during College hours is conducted through Student Services.

Principles

Investigator College aims to create and sustain quality learning environments that will not be compromised by mobile phones.
General principles that underpin use include:

1. Mobile phones will be used responsibly by students in accordance with requirements of civil and criminal law.
2. Mobile phones will not intrude on the learning environment.
3. Mobile phones will not violate the integrity of assessments and therefore will not be allowed into tests and/or examination centres.
4. Students who bring mobile phones to school agree to proper usage patterns and accept liability for replacement in the event of theft or damage.

Mobile Device Photography and Video

1. Mobile phones should not be used for taking photographs, voice recording or video footage of persons in or around the College or at any College function or activity unless it is for an expressed, legitimate and approved College function or activity for which prior permission has been sought and given, both from the College and from the individual being photographed, filmed or recorded.
2. Any material gathered through such a process must only be used for that permitted purpose.
3. Photographs, voice recordings and video footage of any kind may not, under any circumstances, be emailed, posted or loaded onto any website, published or otherwise distributed in any way other than in strict accordance with the above.
4. Failure to observe these rules may constitute a serious breach of others’ privacy, for which there may be civil and /or criminal legal consequences.

Implementation

1. The College does not accept responsibility for lost or damaged student mobile phones.
2. Mobile phones and students using them must not cause disruption to classes or individuals.
3. If a student brings a mobile phone to school it is to be turned off and out of sight in classes, meetings, assemblies or similar organised activities. The only exception to this is when a teacher has given explicit permission for a mobile phone to be used in a task.
4. Students misusing mobile phones at school will be brought to the attention of the relevant Head of School.

The College reserves the right to prohibit students from bringing mobile phones into certain spaces or during certain activities e.g. exam rooms.

Management Protocol

Students misusing mobile phones at school will have their phone confiscated.

• The phone should be placed in a manila envelope and labelled with the student’s Name, Home Group and Date.
• The phone should be handed to Students Services.
• An email should sent to the student’s Home Group teacher/HOS.
• The student can redeem the phone at the end of the day – HOS/Home Group teacher may impose an additional penalty.
• In the case of repeat offenders, the Head of School may insist that a parent of the student redeems the phone.

 

Privacy Policy

Purpose

This statement outlines the College’s policy on how the College uses and manages personal information provided to or collected by it. It also serves as a guide to the College’s staff as to the standards to be applied in respect of handling personal information and ensures
consistency in the College’s approach to Privacy.
The College is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act and will collect, use and retain personal information in accordance with those Principles.
The College may, from time to time, review and update this Privacy Policy to take account of new laws and technology, changes to College’s operations and practices and to make sure it remains appropriate to the changing College environment.

Scope

Within the College, this policy applies to all management, employees, Board members,consultants, members, volunteers, contractors and visitors entering the workplace and all events and activities conducted by the College of those attended as representatives of the
College, whether on or off site.

Responsibilities

• Obligations of the College
  The College has a legal obligation to ensure the collection, use and retention of personal information satisfies the requirements of the Acts.
• Obligations of Employees and Others
  Staff, Board members, consultants and contractors must ensure they are aware of relevant matters on collection of personal information.

Background and Relevant Legislation

The Privacy Act 1988
Privacy amendment [Enhancing Privacy Protection] Act 2012 [Amending Act] In this policy, the Privacy Act, 1988 and the Amending Act, are referred to as the ‘Privacy Act’. The Privacy Act regulates the collection, storage, use and disclosure of different types of personal
information by:

• Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory government agencies; and
• Private sector organisation with turnover of over $3 million.

The Privacy Act applies to an organisation including:

• an individual
• a body corporate
• a partnership
• any other unincorporated association
• a trust

Definitions
A key component of the legislation is the mandatory requirement for the organisation to comply with the 13 Australian Privacy Principles [APP]. The APP set minimum standards which relate to the collection, security, storage, use, correction and disclosure of personal
information and access to that information.

The following types of information are covered by the Privacy Act:

• personal information
• sensitive information
• health information

Personal Information
Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable
whether the information is true or not, and whether the information is recorded in a material form or not. It includes all personal information
regardless of its source that identifies an individual or allows an individual to be identified.
Personal information does not include information that has been de-identified so that the individual is no longer identifiable either from
the information or from the information when combined with other information reasonably available to the College.

Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is a type of personal information that is given extra protection and must be treated with additional care. It includes
any information or opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious
beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs, membership of a professional or trade association, membership of a trade union, sexual
orientation or practices, or criminal record. It also includes health information.

Health information
Health information is a subset of sensitive information. It is any information or opinion about the health or disability of an individual,
the individual’s expressed wishes about the future provision of health services and a health service provided, currently or in the future, to an
individual that is also personal information. Health information also includes personal information collected in the course of providing a
health service.

Procedures
Collection of Personal Information
The type of information the College collects and holds includes [but is not limited to] personal information, including sensitive information about:

• Students and parents and/or guardians [‘Parents’] before, during and after the course of a student’s enrolment at the College;
• Job applicants, staff members, volunteers and contractors; and
• Other people who come into contact with the College.

Personal Information Parents and Students Provide:
The College will generally collect personal information held about an individual by way of forms completed by parents/caregivers or students,
face-to-face meetings and interviews, correspondence [including emails] and telephone conversations. On occasions people other than parents and students provide personal information [e.g. a report provided by a medical professional or a referee from another College].

Personal Information Provided by Third Parties:
In some circumstances the College may be provided with personal information about san individual from a third party, for example a report by a medical professional or a reference from another College.

Exceptions:
The Australian Privacy Principles do not apply to employee records, and this Privacy Policy does not apply, in relation to the College’s treatment of an employee record where the treatment is directly related to a current or former employment relationship between the organisation and the employee.

Use of Personal Information You Provide
The College will use personal information collected from you for the primary purpose of collection, and for such other secondary purposes that are related to the primary purpose of collection and reasonable expected, or to which you have consented.

Students
In relation to personal information of students, the College’s primary purpose of collection is to enable the College to provide schooling and educational services to that child. This includes satisfying both the needs of parents and the needs of the student throughout the whole period the student in enrolled at the College.

The purposes for which the College uses personal information of students and parents include:

• To keep parents informed about matters related to their child’s schooling, through correspondence, newsletters and magazines
  [including all digital forms of the aforementioned].
• Day to day administration; looking after a student’s educational, social and medical wellbeing.
• Seeking donations and marketing for the College.
• To satisfy the College’s legal obligations and allow the College to discharge its duty of care.
  In some cases where the College requests personal information about a student or Parent, if the information requested is not obtained, the College may not be able to enrol or continue the enrolment of the student.

Job Applicants, Staff Members, Consultants and Contractors
In relation to personal information of job applicants, staff members, consultants and contractors, the College’s primary purpose of collection is to assess and [if successful] to engage the applicant, staff member, consultant or contractors as the case may be.

The purposes for which the College uses personal information of job applicants, staff members, consultants and contractors include:

• In administering the individual’s employment or contract, as the case may be
• For insurance purposes
• Seeking funds and marketing

Volunteers
The College also obtains personal information about volunteers who assist the College in its functions or conduct associated activities, such as the Investigator College Old Scholars’ Association [ICOSA] to enable the College and the volunteers to work together.

Marketing and Fundraising
The College treats marketing and seeking donations for the future growth and development of the College as an important part of ensuring that the College continues to be a quality learning environment in which both students and staff thrive. Personal information held by the College may be disclosed to an organisation that assists in the College’s fundraising.
Parents, staff, contractors and other members of the wider College community may from time to time receive fundraising information. College
publications, like newsletters and magazines, which include personal information, may be used for marketing purposes.

Disclosure of Personal Information
The College may disclose personal information, including sensitive information, held about an individual to:

• Another school of College
• Government departments
• Medical practitioners
• People providing services to the College, including specialist visiting teachers
• Recipients of e-publications like newsletters and magazines
• Parents
• Anyone you authorise the College disclose information to.

Sending Information Overseas

The College may disclose personal information about an individual to overseas recipients, for instance, when storing information with ‘cloud’ service providers which are situated outside Australia. The College will not send personal information about an individual outside Australia without:

• Obtaining the consent of the individual [in some cases this consent will be implied]
• Otherwise complying with the Australian Privacy Principles

Treating Sensitive Information
Sensitive information will be used and disclosed only for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose, unless you agree otherwise, or for a purpose which is allowed or required by law.

Management and Security of Personal Information

The College’s staff are required to respect the confidentiality of personal information and the privacy of individuals. The College has in place steps to protect the personal information held from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure by use of various methods including locked storage of paper records and password access rights to computerised records.

Rights of Access and Correction of Personal Information

Under the Commonwealth Privacy Act an individual has the right to obtain access to any personal information which the College holds about them and to advise the College of any perceived inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Act.
To make a request to access or update any personal information the College holds about you, please contact the Principal in writing. The College may require you to verify your identity and specify what information you require. The College may charge a fee to cover the cost of verifying your application and locating, retrieving, reviewing and copying any material requested. If the information sought is
extensive, the College will advise the likely cost in advance. There may be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where release of the information would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or where the release may result in a breach of the College’s duty of care to an individual. If we cannot provide you with access to that information, we will provide you with written notice explaining the reasons for refusal.
The College may, at its discretion, on the request of a student grant that student access to information held by the College about them, or allow a student to give or withhold consent to the use of their personal information, independently of their parents. This would normally be done only when the maturity of the student and/or the student’s personal circumstances so warranted.

Enquiries and Complaints
If you would like further information about the way the College manages the personal information held, or wish to complain that you believe the College has breached the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact the College Principal/CEO. The Principal/CEO will investigate any complaint and will notify you of a decision in relation to your complaint as soon as practicable after it has been made.

 

Extreme Weather Information

WET WEATHER

In case of inclement weather, there are 3 blasts on the siren.  Students are to return to their rooms and staff members are responsible for their own classes/home groups. Students will be allowed to play quiet games in their rooms, supervised by their teacher. If it stops raining, Duty Teacher may sound the bell and students may return outside. Staff should direct students to be wise in inclement weather.

HOT WEATHER

During hot weather, children should remove jumpers, wear hats and sunscreen and particularly the younger children should be reminded not to run around too much. Children should also be reminded to drink plenty of water. All classrooms at both campuses are adequately air-conditioned. Some school-based activities may need to be modified on extremely hot days.

BUSH FIRE/ CATASTROPHIC FIRE DANGER POLICY

5.6 Bushfire/Catastrophic Fire Danger Day response
Investigator College has considered its response in case of a bushfire emergency and the issue of closure in the case of a designated ‘Catastrophic’ fire danger day. The College obviously does not want any student or member of the school community to be placed
at any risk from a bushfire and as such the College obtains up to date information on bushfires through the media and CFS website.
The College also seeks to comply with bushfire warnings from emergency management authorities.
In Case of Bushfire Emergency
Where the College is aware of a bushfire in a particular area, the College will cancel any excursions or trips into that area. In the case where an excursion has already departed from the College, a decision will be made in consultation with authorities [where possible] as to the safety of students and staff returning to the College.
When the school is aware that students may be at risk from an active bushfire if they travel home after school, the school will enable those students to remain at school until arrangements for their wellbeing are finalised. In these situations, the school buses will not travel into the bushfire areas and relevant students will stay at the school until other arrangements are made. In the event that
students remain at school because of a bushfire, the School will endeavor to contact parents and the College phone will be staffed. In the event that communications to the College are not functioning, parents are encouraged to contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.
Parents are requested to provide the details of an alternative accommodation provider who can be contacted by the School in these situations. It is recommended that the alternative accommodation provider is in an area that is regarded by the CFS as a safer settlement or bushfire safer precinct that can be safely accessed from the school. Details of safer settlements or precincts are available at www.cfs.sa.gov.au
Particularly where family’s homes are an area that may be at risk from a bushfire or children travel to and from school through an area that may be at risk from a bushfire, parents /caregivers are requested to provide details of alternative accommodation to which their child/ren can be directed.
Where parents/caregivers are of the view that their child/ren are not likely to be at risk, an indication of this is required on the return form.
Parents/Caregivers are required to inform the College of any changes that may impact on whether it is safe for their child/ren to travel home in the event of a bushfire.
In the case of a designated ‘Catastrophic’ Fire Danger Day
Please note that where a day of a Catastrophic Fire Danger is announced, both Campuses of the College will be closed.
The College will inform the College community of such closures with an SMS message.
Where a late announcement is made following a student’s departure for school, parents and caregivers are asked to make arrangement to collect their child/ren as soon as possible.  Should this not be possible, the College should be contacted immediately and the arrangements
outlined in ‘In Case of Bushfire Emergency’ will apply. It is imperative, therefore, that contact details are maintained with the College to ensure we are able to contact parents/members of staff in the event of an emergency.
Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff are not required to attend the College on Catastrophic Fire Danger Days. Where members of staff live close to school and in safe locations, attendance would be appreciated to assist with any arrivals. Members of the Leadership Team are required to attend the Campus closest to their place of residence to ensure communication of closure has been successful.