Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT
DEFINITIONS
1. In this Code of Conduct:
• "Board" means the South Thornlie Primary School Board
• "Code" means the Board's Code of Conduct as amended.
• "Chair" means the Chair of the Board.
• "Meeting" means a meeting of the Board.
• "Member" means a member of the Board.
• "Schools" means the South Thornlie Primary School  and/or the South Thornlie Early Childhood Centre as appropriate.
• "Student" means a student enrolled at the School.

2. In this Code, the singular includes the plural and vice-versa.
 

MEMBERS BOUND
3. Members shall abide by the Code.
 

BOARD DECISIONS
4. In making decisions on matters before the Board, Members
    shall be guided by:
a. the vision, ethos and values of the Schools;
b. what is in the best interests of Students; and
c. what will enhance the education provided by the
School.

5. Members shall seek to represent members of the School
    community fairly and to the best of their ability.

CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
6. In fulfilling their duties, Members shall, at all times, strive
    to:
a. conduct themselves in a civil and respectful manner at
    Meetings and in the course of Board business;
b. promote respectful partnerships;
c. use clear, open and honest communication and
    transparent processes;
d. promote democratic, informed decision-making;
e. act for the benefit of the Schools and not for any
            personal, professional or third party gain;
f. discharge their duties in good faith and with
   impartiality, honesty, integrity and diligence;
g. exercise their powers of office for proper purposes;
h. refrain from conduct likely to bring the Board and/or
    the Schools into disrepute;
i. avoid using information gained as a Member for
   improper purposes; and
j. avoid using the property or resources of the Schools in
   an improper manner.

MEETINGS
7. Members shall ensure that Meetings are orderly, result oriented,
    efficient and as productive as possible.
8. Members shall actively participate in Meetings and must
   ensure that they have read all relevant materials prior to
   attending a Meeting.   
9. Except where prevented from doing so by exceptional
    circumstances, a Member who is unable to attend a Meeting shall
    forward an apology to the Chair prior to that Meeting.

CONFIDENTIALITY
10. Members shall keep confidential, all matters of a sensitive
     nature that come to their attention in the course of their
     membership of the Board. Sensitive matters include, but are not
     limited to; matters of a personal nature relating to staff,
     Students, parents, or other members of the school community.

11. Wherever possible, Members shall refrain from discussing
     individuals (whether staff, Students, parents, or other members
     of the school community) at Meetings.

BOARD SOLIDARITY
12. Members will "speak as one voice" in public once a decision
     has been taken by the Board.

13. Where a Member feels unable to support a decision taken
      by the Board, that Member should consider resigning from the
      Board.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
14. Members must not allow their personal or professional
      interests to conflict with that of the Schools.

15. Members shall declare any conflict of interest (or potential
      conflict of interest) at the start of the Meeting at which the
      relevant issue will be raised or at the point in the Meeting when
      that issue arises.

16. A Member who believes another Member has an undeclared
     conflict of interest shall bring the matter to the attention of the
     Chair.

17. All declared conflicts of interest will be recorded in the
      Board’s Conflicts of Interest Register.
18. Where a conflict of interest (or potential conflict of interest)
      is identified, the Member concerned will leave the room
      immediately prior to discussion of the matter which is the subject
      of the conflict of interest and shall remain outside the room until
      that discussion has finished.
19. A Member with a declared conflict of interest shall not vote
     on the matter which is the subject of the conflict of interest.

20. A Member with a declared conflict of interest shall not take
     part in any discussion of the matter which is the subject of the
     conflict of interest with other Members, unless expressly invited
     to do so by unanimous agreement of those Members who are not
     subject to the conflict of interest.

21. Examples of conflicts of interest include:
a. where a Member or his/her immediate family or
    business interests stands to gain financially from any
    business dealings with or programs or services
    provided to, the Schools;

b. where a Member offers a professional service to the
    School;

c. where a Member has a role on the governing body of
    another organization whose objects, aims, goals or
    activities may be in conflict with the vision, ethos and
    values of the Schools.

HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION
22. The Board has a zero tolerance policy with respect to
      harassment and discrimination.

23. Conflict between Members shall be dealt with respectfully
      and in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

AMENDMENT & REVIEW
24. This Code may be amended by the Board at any time and
      shall be reviewed by the Board at least once every three years.