Student behaviour

Direction and guidance on supporting and managing safe, responsible and respectful student behaviour in NSW public schools.

Audience

All NSW public schools (excluding preschools).

Student behaviour includes behaviour that occurs:

at school
on the way to and from school
on school endorsed activities that are off-site
outside school hours and off school premises where there is a clear and close connection between the school and students' conduct
when using social media, mobile devices and/or other technology involving another student or staff member, where there is a clear and close connection between the school and students' conduct.

Changes since previous update

Version	Date	Description of changes	Approved by
V05.0.0	30/01/2024	Under the 2023 Policy and procedure review program, updated to reflect the department's focus on positive behaviour approaches, safe practices and inclusive education. Clarifies definitions and expectations for students and staff. Added definition of bullying and wording to reflect the consolidation of the Bullying of Students - Prevention and Response policy into the Student behaviour policy.	Deputy Secretary, Learning Improvement

Document history

2023 Sep 13 - updated policy statement and implementation documents, Detention and Time-Out Guidelines , School Behaviour Support and Management Plan guide and Student Behaviour Procedures Kindergarten to Year 12 to repair hyperlinks.

2023 Apr 21 - removed link to related document Student Behaviour Strategy as the document is no longer in use.

2022 Oct 10 - updated the policy statement, changing its name from 'Student Discipline in Government Schools' to 'Student Behaviour'. The updated policy emphasises practices to promote positive behaviour in schools. It focuses on supporting students across the care-continuum through a strategic, integrated, whole-school approach. It aims to strengthen the system of support for students and staff to create respectful learning and working environments that promote engagement and wellbeing. Supporting documents have been updated and strengthened to help schools implement the updated policy.

The changes will affect the way principals and school staff manage student behaviour, including important changes in the procedures

new grounds for suspension
removal of 'short' and 'long' suspension categories
introducing maximum consecutive and annual days of suspension, which are different for students in Years K to 2 and 3 to 12
increased role for Directors, Educational Leadership, including in approving fourth or more suspensions and co-approving expulsions
introducing a 50 school day time limit for formal cautions
replacing local school discipline policy with the School Behaviour Support and Management Plan.

The following implementation documents were updated:

Guidelines for the use of Time-out Strategies Including Dedicated Time-out Rooms updated and name changed to Detention and Time-Out Guidelines
Student Discipline in Government Schools Support materials updated and name changed to School Behaviour Support and Management Plan guide
Suspension and Expulsion of School Students Procedures updated and name changed to Student Behaviour Procedures Kindergarten to Year 12

The 'Guidelines for behaviour management decisions made under previous policy and procedures' was added as an implementation document.

The following implementation documents were removed:

Checklist long suspension
Checklist short suspension
Suspension and Expulsion of School Students Procedures Information for Parents.

2019 Aug 22 - Updated contact details made to policy statement and implementation documents.

2018 Sept - Hyperlink for Bullying of Students Prevention and Response Policy updated.

Superseded documents

Good Discipline and Effective Learning: Ministerial Statement, 1995