What is gross misconduct and possible consequences?

One of the slides outlined what our response was to antisocial behaviour from students.  Antisocial behavior is when someone acts in ways that are hurtful, disrespectful or disruptive to others and includes things like being mean, saying hurtful things, swearing, bullying, pushing or hitting, taking others' belongings without permission, or not following our school Kawa Values and school expectations. 

If these behaviours are serious then it is likely that they will be deemed as ‘gross misconduct’. This may be at school or at school events. Such behaviour is a harmful or dangerous example to other students.  The consequences for gross misconduct in our school would lead to an internal or external stand down or suspension from school, depending on the seriousness of the behaviour and context.

Whether a case is deemed gross misconduct will always depend on the particular situation. Behaviours that may be considered as gross misconduct in our school are:

• Verbal abuse, intimidation, swearing or speaking rudely to a teacher or about a teacher

• Verbal abuse and intimidation of other students

• Continual disobedience - repeated incidents of disrespect and ignoring instructions from staff

• Bullying of other students

• An assault or fighting 

• Vandalism

• Stealing

• Repeated vaping/smoking

• Repeated cell phone violations

• Bringing alcohol to school or drinking alcohol

• Sharing harmful digital communications

• Bringing, using or selling drugs  

If a student is stood down from our school then there is a ‘stand up’ meeting with the student and family before the student can return to normal classes.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the behaviour and what restorative approaches may support repairing the harm caused for all involved. A component of service to our school often forms part of the return to school.