Rationale: Holy Name promotes the values of Belonging, Learning and Serving. This procedure will provide guidelines to promote desirable and appropriate behaviour to ensure that all interaction with students and adults is in line with our school’s values and code of conduct.
Holy Name communicates to parents, caregivers and the wider community in a range of digital and print media. The purpose of communication is to ensure families are aware of their children’s progress, events within the school community and changes within the school.
Further elaboration of the different media is below:
Front Office:
Is the primary contact point for any updates that need to be communicated to students. Examples include changes to pick or any information that may be required by students.
Website:
The school website is used to communicate Holy Name’s polices, governance and general information (newsletter, canteen, handbooks) to the existing school community. In addition, the website is the first point of contact for new families enrolling at Holy Name. To ensure information on the school website is accurate and in line with the school’s ethos, only official Holy Name events or authorised information will be published on the Holy Name website. Students appearing on the school website must have permission from their parent.
Newsletters:
Holy Name publishes a newsletter. The purpose is to communicate and celebrate events within the school, whilst also being a source of information for community events. Non-profit community agencies can request that information be published in the newsletter at the discretion of the school.
Soft Copies:
At times, paper copies of information are sent home to families. This predominantly includes formal letters of correspondence or legal documents such as permission letters. At times, the school will use paper copies to reinforce or formally communicate to families other activities within the school. Non-profit community agencies can request that information be sent home in soft copy; however, this is at the discretion of the school.
Facebook:
The school’s Facebook page is used to communicate student successes and celebrations within the school. Its purpose is to promote and celebrate activities facilitated within the school by the school. To ensure the focus is on school-based events and in line with the school’s ethos, only official Holy Name events will be published on the Facebook page. Students appearing on the school Facebook page must have permission from their parents.
Compass:
Compass is the primary tool used by the school and the whole school to send notifications of school events, monitor attendance and share reports.
SMS messages will also be used to send information that is pertinent to events happening within the school within the next 48 hours. All SMS communication is related to school events.
Staff Email:
Staff members at Holy Name have an individual email account for conducting any formal communications with parents. Whilst communicating with parents, staff members are to abide by the following guiding principles:
- Use courteous and acceptable written and spoken language. Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing, aggressive or otherwise offensive language.
- Give encouraging and constructive feedback or suggestions.
- Responses to emails and telephone calls are not expected to be instantaneous or out of normal working hours, unless of an urgent nature. It is encouraged that staff reflect on challenging emails before replying. An acceptable response time for emails is within 48 hours.
- Any communication received that is inappropriate should be forwarded to leadership team and copies of communications saved for future reference.
- All written forms of communication (emails and letters) issued by staff members should use the school’s style guide.
Seesaw and TEAMs:
Classroom teachers have access to a class Seesaw and TEAMs page. The class Seesaw and TEAMs page is used as a learning tool and method to share and celebrate student work only. Parents must sign a permission slip to allow their child to be on Seesaw.