Staff Handbook 2018

Wendye Koerner
 CONTENTS

THE COLLEGE’S MISSION, VISION AND VALUES ........................................................................................... 1

WELCOME TO SEYMOUR COLLEGE ........................................................................................................................ 2
STAFF AT SEYMOUR .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
2018 TERM DATES ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
BELL TIMES .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
ABSENCES ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................................................................................5
ACCIDENTS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
ASSEMBLIES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
BOARDING HOUSE ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
BOOKING FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
CANTEEN ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
CHILD SAFE ENVIRONMENT.......................................................................................................................................... 7
CLANS ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
CLASSROOMS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
COCURRICULAR COMMITMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 7
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR......................................................................................................................................................... 7
'COMING UP’................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
CONFIDENTIALITY .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
DAILY NOTICES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
DAILY OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
DRESS CODE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9
EMAIL............................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
EMERGENCIES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME .......................................................................................................... 10
EXCURSIONS/VISITS/OUT OF COLLEGE ACTIVITIES ................................................................................. 11
FORMS .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
GUARDIANS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12
ICT HELPDESK .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY ................................................. 12
IEU ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/ COPYRIGHT .......................................................................................................... 12
KEYS .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
LETTERS.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
 CONTENTS

ORDERING ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
PARKING ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
PHOTOCOPYING .................................................................................................................................................................... 14
POLICIES ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
SALARIES....................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
SECURITY ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
SMOKING ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
SEYMOUR ONLINE COLLABORATION SYSTEM (SOCS) ........................................................................ 14
STAFF ASSOCIATION ...........................................................................................................................................................15
STAFF CODES ............................................................................................................................................................................15
STAFF MEETINGS ...................................................................................................................................................................15
STAFFROOM REFRESHMENTS ..................................................................................................................................15
STAFF YARD DUTY ................................................................................................................................................................15
STATIONERY...............................................................................................................................................................................15
STUDENT REPORTS .............................................................................................................................................................16
SUN PROTECTION .................................................................................................................................................................16
SUPERANNUATION .............................................................................................................................................................16
SYNERGETIC ..............................................................................................................................................................................16
WHS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................16
COLLEGE MAP .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
The College’s Mission, Vision And Values

Our Mission
In striving to provide a world-class education and contemporary learning
environment for current and future generations, we have established a vision for
the future:

- To consolidate our position as a - To optimise and evolve our

leading girls’ school in Australia, and
to be recognised globally as being
at the forefront of girls’ education.
- for our girls.
- To deliver an educational
experience that will engage
students intellectually, creatively,
physically, spiritually and socially.
- To establish Seymour College as a
centre of excellence in learning and
in well being through the positive
education of girls.
resources and technology to
create innovative, flexible and
sustainable learning environments
- To establish key strategic alliances
that will broaden the depth and
quality of learning and educational
experience at Seymour College.
- To prepare girls to be active citizens
in a global society, in particular with
an ability to engage with Asia.

- To continue to attract, retain and - To develop in girls an agility of mind

develop staff of the highest calibre.
- To continue our positive influence
on the lives of others through
community outreach and service.
to meet contemporary challenges
through critical and creative
thinking, problem solving and an
entrepreneurial approach to making
the most of opportunities.

Our Vision
Seymour College is a leading independent day and boarding girls’ school from The
Early Years to Year 12, dedicated to academic excellence and helping students
flourish. We implement a quality curriculum, offer extensive co-curricular
programmes and promote the principles of positive psychology.

Staff Information 2018 1

Welcome To Seymour College
We are delighted to welcome you to the College staff and hope that you will enjoy
your time at Seymour.

All new staff take part in an Induction process which spans their first few weeks in
the College. It is designed to give you an understanding of the principles and values
of the College, and to provide you with the information you need in order to know
how we operate, and how your role contributes to the key work of the College – the
learning and development of our students.

Further support and opportunity for discussion will be offered through the probation
process in which all new staff participate. (Your line manager will give you details of
the probations process.)

Schools are complex places and all have their own ways of doing things. In our
Induction sessions, we hope to give you enough information to help you settle in
without overwhelming you with too much detail.

If in doubt, please ask — your line manager or member of College Executive will be
always happy to help. Wendye Koerner, the Coordinator of Staff Wellbeing will also be a
useful point of call.

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Staff At Seymour
Staff at Seymour College are committed to the following practices which underlie a
successful education experience for our students. Where appropriate in their contact
with students, all Seymour staff will:

 provide an environment that is safe, positive, caring and respectful;

 be enthusiastic in promoting student learning;

 encourage all students to develop their independence;

 encourage critical thinking, problem solving and cooperative practices.

In their professional practice, all Seymour staff will:

 strive for continuous improvement through reflective practice, professional

learning and participation in a supportive appraisal process;

 work collaboratively and positively;

 adhere to all departmental, College and mandated policies.
 uphold the aims and values of the College.

All Seymour teachers will:

 be enthusiastic in promoting student learning;

 provide opportunities that encourage all girls to realise their full potential;

 cater for the differing learning styles and abilities of all students.

2018 Term Dates

Term dates are included in the SOCS calendar, which is updated and refreshed
regularly. Ensure that you have the SOCS calendar merged into your Outlook
calendar to see updates instantaneously.

Staff Information 2018 3

Bell Times
Barr Smith and McGregor Campuses Thursday - Barr Smith Campus only

8:35 – 8:45 Home Group 8:35 – 9:20 Lesson 1

8:50 – 9:35 Lesson 1 9:20 – 10:00 Lesson 2
9:35 – 10:20 Lesson 2 10:00 – 10:20 Recess
10:20 – 10:40 Recess 10:20 – 11:05 Lesson 3
10:40 – 11:25 Lesson 3 11:10 – 11:55 Lesson 4
10.40 – 11.30 McGregor 11:55 – 12:35 Lesson 5
11:30 – 12:15 Lesson 4 12:35 – 1:15 Lunch
11.30 – 12.20 McGregor 1:15 – 2:00 Assembly
12:20 – 1:05 Lesson 5 2:00 – 2:45 Lesson 6
1:05 – 1:50 Lunch 2:45 – 3:25 Lesson 7
1:55 – 2:40 Lesson 6 3:25 Dismissal
2:40 – 3:25 Lesson 7
3:25 Dismissal

McGregor Assembly – Thursday Lesson 1

Absences
Barr Smith Campus - Teachers
If you are going to be absent, please notify Jo Ferguson as soon as possible. (Ring
between 6.00am and 7.00am on the day you will be away, if you have not previously
notified your absence.)
Mobile: 0419 800 696.
School: phone (08) 8303 9023 (after 8.00am)
Email: jferguson@seymour.sa.edu.au.

McGregor Campus - Teachers

If you are going to be absent, please notify Steph Bates as soon as possible. (Ring
between 6.00am and 7.00am on the day you will be away, if you have not previously
notified your absence.)
Mobile: 0427 021975
School: phone (08) 8303 9152 (after 8.00am)
Email: sbates@seymour.sa.edu.au

Corporate services staff: phone Glynis Rosser on 0432 139872 to advise of your
absence.

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Abbreviations
Common abbreviations we use here at Seymour are:

BH Boarding House
BS Barr Smith – referring to Barr Smith campus
BSH Barr Smith House
CG Clan Guardian (Head of House equivalent)
DoB Director of Boarding
DoTL Dean of Teaching and Learning
DoW Dean of Wellbeing
DoCC Dean of Co-Curriculum
DoDLI Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation
DoSL Dean of Service Learning
DoS Director of Sport
DoP Director of Performance
DP Deputy Principal
EY/SEYS Seymour Early Years
HC Health Centre
HG Home Group
HoD Head of Department
HoJS Head of Junior School
HoMS Head of Middle School
HoS Head of School
HoSS Head of Senior School
JS/MS/SS Junior/ Middle/ Senior School
MG McGregor – referring to McGregor campus
P Principal
SC Sports Centre
SOCS Seymour Online Collaboration System (Seymour’s Learning
Management system, known outside the College as
‘Schoolbox’)
WHS Work Health and Safety
YD Yard Duty
YG Year Guardian (Head of Year equivalent)

Staff Information 2018 5

Accidents
 Call an ambulance immediately if necessary.

 Call the Health Centre staff during school hours – ext 9071.

 After school/before school activities: Call parents to inform them of the situation.

 Notify the Receptionist who will contact relevant CLT.

Students at Risk: Medical information on students with acute conditions is posted

on the staff room notice boards. Staff should familiarise themselves with these
details.

All accidents, student or staff, need to be reported on Skytrust which will notify the
Business Director and Director People and Policy.

Assemblies
Barr Smith Campus: Thursdays at 1.15pm
McGregor Campus: Thursdays in Lesson 1.

Boarding House
The school has over 100 boarders from Years 6 – 12. Please liaise with Boarding House
staff regarding any student concerns. It is important to bear in mind the boarders’
particular situation in dealing with boarding students. Access to special resources or
supplies can be more of a problem than for day students, and lines of
communication to parents should always include the relevant Boarding coordinator.

Booking Facilities
Facilities are always in demand and hence it is important that any bookings reflect
need. Bookings for most shared areas can be made via SOCS.

Canteen
Price lists are available in staff areas. Staff are welcome to purchase lunch from the
canteen – open at Barr Smith Campus recess and lunch time.

Staff Information 2018 6

Child Safe Environment
Every one of us has a responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children
and young people in our care. All staff will be reminded of and updated on what this
entails in their various areas. If you should ever feel concern for the wellbeing of a
child, please discuss this with your line manager, who can advise what further steps
might be necessary. Our vigilance is a strong protective factor for children.

Clans
All staff and students are members of a clan.

Clan activities/competitions are significant events in the school year.

Classrooms
Classroom numbering includes the first letter of the building in which the room is
situated — e.g. A8 is room 8 in Abbie Building.

Teachers are responsible for ensuring that rooms are maintained and left in an
appropriate condition. Desks should be returned to their original position if moved,
and the board cleaned. If you are in a room for the last lesson that day (check room
timetable), ensure fans, air conditioning/heating and lights are off and the bin
emptied.

Cocurricular Commitments
As part of their role in the College, all teaching staff are involved in the cocurricular
programme in various ways: coaching teams (e.g. sport, debating), supervisions (e.g.
Saturday morning sport, evening swimming competitions).

Code Of Behaviour For Students

Year 6 – 12 students are required to sign a Code of Behaviour in their diaries.

I will endeavour at all times to:

• recognise strengths in myself and others and to foster positive

relationships with others

• be thoughtful, considerate and courteous in my interactions with others

• engage with grit, perserverance and resilience in all aspects of my

schooling
Staff Information 2018 7
 • be respectful of the rigths of all staff and students to have a productive
learning enviornment

• attend, be punctual and well organised.

• show pride in my school by the way I behave and wear my uniform.

• respect school facilities and the property of others.

I understand that, as a member of the Seymour Community, I am bound by

the policies of the school and will abide by them. I accept the consequences
for any breach of these guidelines.

A detention room runs on BS campus on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Level
1 misbehaviours that require this type of consequence.

‘Coming Up’
Please check this space on SOCS daily for general information and news, upcoming
events, variations and disruptions to the school day.

Confidentiality and Privacy

As part of our duties, we are necessarily privy to information about students, families
and staff. This information must remain confidential, and all staff have a moral and
legal responsibility to maintain the highest standards of discretion and
confidentiality in this regard.

Daily Notice
Daily notices are posted in SOCS (Seymour Online Collaboration System) and
emailed each morning ~6.00am. If you wish to put in a notice, it needs to be
submitted before 2.30pm the previous day. Submit via email to
opsadmin@seymour.sa.edu.au.

Daily Operations
All essential information can be located in the ‘College Operations’ section of the
staff tab on SOCS e.g. relief slips, yard duty information, teacher timetables, term
dates, academic groupings

Staff Information 2018 8

Dress Code
A high standard of personal grooming is expected at all times, and the dress code
applies to all College staff. Clothing should be practical, professional and smart, in
the style of casual business attire. This excludes jeans, denim of any colour, shorts,
thongs or other casual wear.

While clothing should be appropriate to the activity undertaken, it is expected that

the clothing is discreet, practical, professional and smart when engaging in sport
and outdoor activities. Although the dress standard may vary slightly on Staff
Development Days or Sports Days etc, the following are never appropriate: thongs,
swimwear, beachwear, singlets.

 Clothing should not display inappropriate or offensive logos, images or

messages.
 Clothing should not be overly tight or revealing – eg no short skirts, bare
midriffs, visible cleavage, halter neck or similar;
 Health and safety clothing requirements must be followed where relevant,
particularly in practical areas, where closed footwear is required;
 Pierced body jewellery should be restricted to the ears, unless hidden by
clothing;
 Body tattoos should be hidden by clothing wherever possible but if exposed
must be discreet and professionally appropriate;
 Sneakers, T-shirts and jeans are not appropriate during term time, with the
exception of PE staff or attendance at outdoor field trips;
 For Parent-Teacher interviews, male staff are encouraged to wear a jacket
and/or tie. Female and other staff are encouraged to dress to a similar
comparable standard.

Staff Information 2018 9

Email
All staff have a College email address (Outlook). Please check your email regularly, as
a great deal of information is communicated in this way.

Emails sent from a College address are professional documents. All emails – internal
or external – need to reflect this in tone and content. The standard format for an
electronic signature (as shown) is the only format to be used by staff:

Dan Walker
Deputy Principal
+61 8 8303 9023
dwalker@seymour.sa.edu.au

Seymour College
546 Portrush Road, Glen Osmond, SA 5064
seymour.sa.edu.au CRICOS No. 00628G

All Middle School and Senior School students also have a College email address; this
is a quick and easy way to communicate with students, particularly at senior levels.

Staff and student groups can be emailed very easily via Synergetic.

Emergencies
It is the responsibility of all staff to be familiar with emergency procedures – posted
in the Policies Section and the Emergency Section on SOCS.

Evacuation: See evacuation route plans posted in all areas. An evacuation and/or
lock down practice will be held each term.

Employee Assistance Programme

The College subscribes to an Employee Assistance Programme, namely: Halifax
House Consulting. This is a free, confidential counselling service for staff. Contact
phone number:
8232 7333.

Staff Information 2018 10

Excursions/Visits/Out Of College Activities
Please ensure that you follow the procedures outlined below when planning an
excursion for Barr Smith Campus students. Please note that the leadership team will
evaluate the effect of missed lessons with the benefits of the excursion before
approval is given.

• Discuss the proposed excursion with the relevant Head of Faculty/DOTL.

• Fill in an Application for Variation to College Routine form (on SOCS) and submit
to the Head of School. The College Operations Administrator will check for
possible clashes and will confirm approval. This approval must be received prior
to making definite bookings. A risk assessment plan must accompany this
application.
• If transport is required from the school, submit a Bus Order form to the Bus Driver,
via Julie Reynolds in Reception (email jreynolds@seymour.sa.edu.au). Bus costs
must have been budgeted for in the Faculty/Sub School budget.
• Parent Paperwork is used to communicate with parents to gain their permission
for their daughters to attend excursions or other events. Please see your Head of
Department to set this up. We do not send hard copy permission forms to
parents.
• All subject teachers affected need to be informed of the activity, which students
will be involved and what times they will be absent from lessons. This is to be
done through the daily notice and email. Generally, a minimum of a fortnight’s
notice should be given.
• The canteen needs to be informed of the absence of students should a large
group not be here for lunch/recess. Notify the kitchen staff in plenty of time if
special requests for early/late lunches are required. (Ring Kitchen ext. 9019.)
• McGregor Campus: discuss plans with Deputy Head of Junior School.

Forms/ Pro Formas

For Bus Orders, Catering Requests, Cheque Requisition, Conference Attendance,
Excursions and Consent Forms, Leave Forms, Request for Use of Facilities, Staff,
Seating Plans, Timetables (blank), etc., print a copy from the Staff page on SOCS.

Staff Information 2018 11

Guardians
Guardians are pastoral care leaders on Barr Smith campus. Middle School Guardian
– for Years 6, 7, 8 and 9 – is the equivalent of a year level coordinator. Clan Guardians,
who oversee the vertical, clan-based form groups in Senior School, are the equivalent
of Heads of House.

ICT helpdesk
ICT support service, available for queries and to report difficulties via email, or by
phone Ext. 9011.

Information And Communication Technology Policy

This policy sets out the rights and responsibilities for computer and
communications network users at Seymour College. It covers use of the computer
network as well as email and Internet facilities. There are staff and student policies
covering this area.

As part of the College’s duty of care and legal due diligence functions, email
accounts may be monitored.

IEU
Independent Education Union (SA). Teaching and administration and support staff
may choose to join the Independent Education Union. Staff reps will disseminate
information.

Intellectual property/ copyright

All intellectual property rights are vested in the College as your employer. Seymour
College owns the copyright to all work created by staff in the course of their
employment at the College. This includes, for example, programmes of work, exam
papers, inventions, lesson plans and lesson materials created by staff, or any other
forms of intellectual property.

Please note that the Principal's permission is required before any intellectual
property of Seymour College may be shared with another organisation or individual.

Staff Information 2018 12

Keys
Keys are issued from the Payroll Office in Barr Smith House, if required. If you need
after hours access, please discuss this with your line manager/ Head of School. (You
will need a personal alarm code and to know how to disarm the alarm.)

As part of our safe work practices, staff should keep their work area locked when on
campus after hours. No day school staff should be working on campus after 8.00pm.

Letters
Any school associated letters should be sent on College letterhead, but must first be
checked and counter-signed by the relevant member of Executive. (The quickest
way to do this is to email the draft.)

Maintenance
We have an excellent team of property services staff, led by Tony Trotta. Please email
maintenance requests to Groundstaff email.

Ordering
An Order Form (from staffroom offices or the Accounts Office) must accompany any
school purchases. Please first consult the Head of Department/Head of School/ line
manager about budgets.

Parking
The staff car park is in the north-eastern section of Barr Smith Campus and the
Junior School (off Gilles Road) for Junior School staff. If you park on Wootoona Tce,
Gilles Road or other local sidestreets, please be considerate of our neighbours. Please
take note of council parking signs, particularly on Gilles Road, where parking
inspectors are vigilant.

Staff Information 2018 13

Photocopying
You will be issued with a swipe card to operate photocopiers. As part of our
programme of responsible and sustainable use of resources, photocopying is
monitored.

All staff are required to complete their own photocopying.

There is a staff photocopier in the work area of the staff room and a copier in
the Photocopy Room of Barr Smith House for staff based in that area.
McGregor Campus: A photocopier is located in the staff room for staff use.

Policies
Policies are available on SOCS. Please familiarise yourself with these. Knowledge of
our policies is an important aspect of any role in the College. The Director People
and Policy will keep all staff advised of policy updates and reminders and will provide
training in those policies.

Salaries
Salaries are paid fortnightly (Payroll Office, Barr Smith House).

Security
Please check security arrangements pertaining to your work area/s.

As part of our safe work practices, staff should keep their work area locked when on
campus after hours. No day school staff should be working on campus after 8.00pm..

Smoking
Seymour College buildings and grounds are smoke free.

Seymour Online Collaboration System (Socs)

The College Learning Management System provides a portal for staff, students and
the community. SOCS is the repository of a wide range of staff information. SOCS
training sessions will be available for staff.

Staff Information 2018 14

Staff Association
Membership involves a small fee. Information on Staff Association activities will be
circulated to staff. A payment option form will be issued to all staff of the start of the
year. Visit the Staff Association SOCS page for a list of your representatives and
general information.

Staff Codes
Staff codes are often used in rosters and timetables etc. The general convention is
the initial of your first name and the first two initials of your family name – e.g. Glynis
Rosser: GRO.

You will quickly become familiar with the codes; however, when everyone is new to
you this can be problematic. To assist in identifying staff from their codes, go to the
‘Staff Directory’ on the Staff page on SOCS. (This will be a valuable resource for
checking names, campus, roles, telephone extensions as well as staff codes.)

Staff Meetings
Staff meetings for teaching staff are held on Tuesdays from 3.40pm – 5.00pm, as
listed in the calendar. Please do not make other appointments at this time. Staff
meetings for Administration and Support staff as scheduled by the Executive
Director of Corporate Services or HR Director. Professional Learning opportunities
tend to be scheduled on Thursdays.

Staffroom Refreshments
Tea, coffee and filtered water are available in the kitchens. Staff should supply their
own mug. Please be sure to wash your own dishes and put them away. Coffee
machines are located in various areas. Coffee pods are available for purchase from
the Senior School Office at $1 per pod with a 5 pods minimum purchase.

Staff Yard Duty

In addition to seeing that the students are being safe and sensible, staff on yard
duty are also asked to ensure that the students leave the campus clean and tidy,
and so need to ask the students to assist by placing rubbish in the bins that are
provided.
If you know you will be absent, please organise a swap. If you telephone from
home to advise your absence on the day, please remember to mention that you
will miss yard duty that day.
Staff Information 2018 15
Stationery
Some supplies are available in each staff area. For large orders please consult with
your line manager. Stationery is to be used only for College-related purposes.

Student Reports
Information is published each year detailing dates and processes. A training session
will be run for new staff.

Sun Protection
For their own safety, and to model Sun Smart practices to students, all staff should
take sun protection measures appropriate to any on-campus or school associated
activity. We encourage the wearing of hats on Yard Duty in Terms 1 & 4.

Superannuation and Salary Sacrifice

Details are available from the HR and Payroll Officer.

Synergetic
Synergetic is the College information management system. It contains a multitude
of data and useful reports which can be generated from the system. You will need
to know how to use Synergetic for your purposes. Your line manager and colleagues
will give you instructions and support in the first instance. Training sessions are run
through the year.

WHS
Please ensure that you adhere to all Work, Health and Safety processes and
requirements. For any Work, Health and Safety queries please contact the Director
People and Policy, Barr Smith House.

Staff Information 2018 16

College Map

Staff Information 2018 17