Anti-Bullying Policy
The NSW Department of Education rejects all forms of bullying behaviour. All members of our school community have the right to be in an environment free from fear, intimidation and harassment. More information for students, parents and carers can be found on the NSW Anti-bullying website. Fort Street High School is a positive, accepting and understanding community that empowers students to be active in pursuit of justice for themselves and others.
The FSHS Anti-Bullying policy sets out the school's position on bullying and the requirements for preventing and responding to student bullying in our school. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated in our school community and will be treated seriously.
Bring Your Own Device Policy
All students are required to bring their own electronic device to school to access the NSW Department of Education Wi-Fi network. Mobile phones are not an appropriate device for working on during lessons. For more details see our BYOD Policy and Acceptable usage of the computer network, internet and email service.
Mobile Phone Policy
Fort Street High School recognises that the vast majority of students have a mobile phone that they bring to school each day. For many families it is an important communication device, particularly for students who may be travelling long distances to school by public transport, or who regularly stay late at school due to co-curricular commitments.
The Electronic Communications Devices Policy and Procedures outlines student expectations, management strategies and parent support.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.
Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:
in school, or registered for home schooling
in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE
in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week)
in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).
Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements.
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
What to do if your child is away from school…
To submit any asbences, parents should use the Sentral for Parents app, or login to the Parent Portal via the school website, https://fortstreeths.sentral.com.au/portal/login prior to 9:00am on the day of your child’s absence. Alternatively parents may also email fortstreet-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au or call the school on 8585 1642 and leave a message on the absences voicemail.
If the school does not receive notification of an absence or late arrival, you will receive an automated SMS or email to which you must respond. To respond to unexplained absences, please use the Sentral for Parents app, or login to the Parent Portal via the school website, https://fortstreeths.sentral.com.au/portal/login Alternatively, please call us on 8585 1600.
If parents prefer to write a note, it must have the student’s full name and year clearly labelled, and state the day and dates it covers and the reason for absence. If the absence lasts longer than 3 days, the student will need to supply a medical certificate on returning to school. Absences for which we have no parental note or explanation go on to the student’s record as unexplained absences. These will appear on the student’s semester report.
What to do when students are late to school…
To notify the school if your child will be late to school, parents should use the Sentral for Parents app, or login to the Parent Portal via the school website, https://fortstreeths.sentral.com.au/portal/login prior to 9:00am on the day of your child’s absence. Alternatively parents may also email fortstreet-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Students who arrive at school late sign in using their Student Identification Card in the front office and collect a late pass which must be given to their teacher to allow entry to class. If a student has a study period in Period 1, they must still sign in at the front office.
If the student does not sign in at the front office and goes straight to class, they will be deemed absent for the whole day and an automated SMS and email will be sent to their parent.
What to do if students need to leave early…
Students may only leave early for a good reason and permission may not be given if it is thought that the reason is not good enough.
To notify the school if your child needs to leave school early, parents should use the Sentral for Parents app, or login to the Parent Portal via the school website, https://fortstreeths.sentral.com.au/portal/login prior to 9:00am on the day of your child’s absence. Alternatively parents may also email fortstreet-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
If parents prefer to write a note, it must have the student’s full name and year clearly labelled, and state the day and dates it covers, the time the student needs to leave school and the reason for absence.
Once the early leave is approved - it will be updated on Sentral
At the departure time, the student must go to the front office to collect their early leave pass.
Early leave passes will only be approved for:
- Specialist medical and dental appointments on production of an appointment card
- Family and personal emergencies
- Bereavements
Absences for medical appointments during school hours and especially during sport will only be approved through the Principal in case of emergency. Absences for tutoring during school hours and especially sport will not be approved.
Regardless of the reasons, early leave is recorded on the official rolls as a partial absence.
The pass is valid for that day only.
Student Leave – How To Make an Application
All Applications for Extended Leave from school should be made in writing to the principal with detailed supporting documentation before purchasing air tickets. An Application for Extended Leave form can be requested from the front office and is required to be submitted for approval at least 1 month prior to travelling.
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Anti-Racism Policy
The Anti-Racism Policy promotes respect and harmony in the school environment. It aims to ensure that educational opportunities are fair for all students regardless of their culture, language or religious background. The policy:
· recognises the impact of racism on Aboriginal people
· ensures that schools hold high expectations of all students and that no one group of students is stopped from reaching their full potential because of their cultural, religious or linguistic background
· requires all members of the school community to think about their own behaviour and make sure their actions don’t result in other people experiencing racism
· requires all staff to complete training so they understand their responsibilities in preventing racism
· requires each school to have a trained Anti-Racism Contact Officer.
Translations of factsheet providing parents and carers with information about the Anti-Racism Policy and the role of the Anti-Racism Contact Officer are available here
A copy of the full policy is available here
What is an Anti-Racism Contact Officer?
An Anti-Racism Contact Officer (ARCO) is a teacher nominated by the principal who assists in leading anti-racism education in the school. The ARCO assists the principal by providing:
· support to build staff understanding of the impact of racism on student learning and wellbeing
· advice to students and staff on how to respond when they see or hear incidents of racism
· advice on what strategies the school can implement to address racism.
The ARCO is trained to provide advice to parents and carers, and teachers and students about the procedure for resolving complaints about racism. If requested, the ARCO can also act as a support person or advocate during the complaints resolution process.
What should I do if my child is experiencing racism at school?
If your child is experiencing racism at school, you should encourage them to report it to a teacher or the school’s Anti-Racism Contact Officer, or you may report it on your child’s behalf.