B8 - Safe and supportive environment
Communications Guidelines
Purpose
This document outlines the communication expectations within the school community, ensuring that staff, students, and parents engage in respectful, timely, and professional communication. It also incorporates the staff Right to Disconnect, aligning with Australian workplace laws to support staff well-being and work-life balance.
Scope
This policy applies to all school employees, students, parents, and external stakeholders engaging in communication related to school operations. It covers communication via emails, phone calls, meetings, messaging platforms, and social media.
Communication Principles
All school communications should adhere to the following principles:
- Respectful and Professional – Communication should be courteous, clear, and constructive.
- Timely and Relevant – Messages should be shared within reasonable timeframes and during appropriate hours.
- Confidentiality – Sensitive information should be handled in accordance with our privacy policy.
- Inclusivity – Communication should be accessible and considerate of diverse needs.
- Solution focused - Parents, staff and students are required to address concerns and complaints through official processes rather than through social media. The official process allows for resolution rather than publicity.
Communication Channels
The school will use the following official communication channels:
- Email – The preferred method for professional and administrative communication.
- Phone Calls – Used for matters that are of a more urgent nature.
- School Platforms – SEQTA, Pixevity and Consent2Go provide interfaces for parents and teachers to share information, academic reports, photos, and consent for school excursions, events and camps.
- Newsletters & Notices – Regular updates for parents and students.
- Meetings, Assemblies and Parent Events – Scheduled for staff, parents, and students.
- Social Media – Public notifications of school events, news and achievements.
- Website - Overall school information
Staff Right to Disconnect
In alignment with Australian workplace laws and best practices, the school recognises employees’ right to disconnect outside of working hours. This includes:
- Reasonable Expectations – Staff are not required to respond to emails, calls, or messages outside of their designated working hours, except in emergencies.
- Communication Hours – Work-related communication should occur within standard working hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, unless otherwise agreed. Part-time staff are only expected to respond to emails during their designated work hours/days. When staff are on leave, there is no expectation of a response and an ‘Out of office’ message should be used to direct the sender to an alternative contact.
- Response Timeframes – Staff will respond to non-urgent communications within 48 business hours, and during working hours.
- Emergency Situations – In cases requiring urgent attention, such as matters of safety or sudden changes to the school program, staff may be contacted outside of hours, but should not be expected to respond routinely.
Parent and Student Communication
- Parents and students should direct queries through the appropriate channels (e.g., administrative offices, teacher emails) during school hours.
- Teachers are not expected to respond to emails or messages outside of their regular work hours/days.
- Complaints and concerns should follow the school's formal grievance procedures.
Contact Details
- Phone - 02 4977 0200
- Email - admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au
EVALUATION: This policy was last updated in April 2025 and will be reviewed as part of a three-year school policy review cycle in 2027.