MorleySeniorHighSchool

Mrs G. Fortune, B.Sc. (Curtin) M.Ed. Admin (Deakin), AIMM, MACE, joined Morley Senior High School as principal in 1998 and is the fifth principal in the school's thirty five year history.

Education at Morley Senior High School is a partnership between staff, parents and students which is symbolised in the school motto - "Together We Achieve".

The school environment is designed to encourage students to realise their full potential in academic and vocational pursuits. Social development and participation in sporting activities are also an important part of school life. The school prides itself on providing a caring environment that caters for each person as an individual. 

The diversity of the curriculum is one of the strength's of Morley Senior High School. Students can choose from a wide range of both academic and vocationally oriented programmes giving them a host of opportunities. As well as the formal curriculum students can also participate in a wide range of extra curricula cultural, sporting and community based programmes which enrich their school experience and better prepare them to become the citizens of the future.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The provision of Student Services within schools is evolving and assuming greater importance in response to societal pressures such as family breakdown, unemployment, crime, drugs and economic circumstances that impact on students' lives. Many such factors can interfere with students' feeling of well being so that they do not reach their full potential. Student Services at Morley SHS endeavors to meet the needs of students and offers support in terms of academic performance, spiritual requirements, health and welfare as well as psychological counselling on a personal and school level.

Evidence suggests from overseas and in Australia that the best preventative action that schools can take is to adopt a whole school approach to addressing issues of violence and bullying. This encompasses all elements of a school's operation and means the active creation of a culture and environment supporting the notion of a "bully free zone".

It can be an integral part of:

school policies and procedures

school organisation and management practices

school priorities and plans

professional development

teaching and learning practices

curriculum programmes

whole community input involving parents, students and teachers

The whole school approach needs to tie in also with the whole education system and meet regulations, policies and procedures on issues such as managing student behaviour, duty of care, sexual harassment and other controversial and difficult areas involving gender equity and social justice issues.

The Morley SHS "Whole" Approach to developing a "Bully Free" Zone aims to:

raise student awareness of the abusive nature of bullying and promote understanding of the potential seriousness of its effects

encourage student bystanders (and staff) to act in ways which discourage bullying. "It's okay to report bullying !"

deal with bullies individually to help them to take responsibility for their behaviour by:

(a) rehabilitation

(b) strong action for the protection of other students if behaviour is more resistant

support group members involved in bullying by teaching skills to counter peer pressure

teach vulnerable students assertiveness skills and self-protective behaviour to reduce vicitimisation.

Students are encouraged to:

accept responsibility for their actions

respect the property of others

show consideration and respect for others – in the classroom and in the school grounds

actively discourage bullying

report and incident of bullying to a trusted adult

seek help, advice and/or guidance if they are bullied

Staff

The staff at Morley Senior High School believe that any incident of bullying is an incident too many. Staff members know of the sometimes hidden and secretive nature of bullying.

They are encouraged to:

adopt positive classroom management strategies

provide positive role models for students

actively counteract bullying behaviour

respond appropriately to any report incidents of bullying

be obviously present during recess and lunchtimes when they are on duty, as a deterrent to possible incidents of bullying in the grounds of the school