Our Expectations of Students

For students, five aspects where high standards are always expected are: performance; behaviour; presentation; communication; and participation.

Performance

It is expected that student performance will at least equal or exceed their natural ability. Each child is different and each child’s ability level is different to the student next to them. This is what makes teaching so exciting, yet frustrating at the same time, as one teaching/learning approach is not suitable for all students. However, regardless of a child’s natural ability level, each student is expected to put their best effort into every task they attempt. Always. No excuses.

The important factor in effort is attitude. If a student comes to school with a poor or negative attitude, then teachers and parents will not witness best effort. Although a teacher or parent can provide a positive environment and encouragement, it is up to the individual student to maintain a positive attitude to learning and its tasks. Without this positive attitude, most effort is wasted.

Each grade has set standards for progression. All students will be required to achieve a minimum standard for their year group, if they are to progress to the next year group in January 2009.

Behaviour

AZC is a HAPPY SCHOOL.

The Student Code of Conduct for making this a HAPPY SCHOOL:

· Wearing the correct school uniform

· Being in the right place at the right time

· Respecting staff, students and visitors

· Respecting the property of others

· Putting their best effort into each activity they attempt

· Being honest

· All students are capable of success.

· Parents must be directly involved in their child’s (children’s) academic progress and behavioural maturity.

· Appropriate choices made at school, coupled with open communication between home and school, will generate student success.

· Students will exhibit positive behaviours, at all times, respecting the rights of others to learn and conduct activities in a safe environment.

· Students will foster a safe environment by respecting school property, using it responsibly, and respecting the rights of all students to a physically and emotionally safe environment.

· Students will choose positive alternatives to inappropriate behaviours (that is, teacher assistance and avoidance of confrontations).

· Students will be in class on time, in correct uniform, and make proper use of the instructional setting by assuming the responsibility of being on task and successfully completing all assignments.

Certain kinds of serious misbehaviour will result in immediate action.

Presentation

Students are expected to be in correct school uniform (and worn properly) when they are on school grounds or in the wider community representing AZC.

Communication

‘Sooner rather than later’ is the standard for all communications. If there is an issue or concern, then individuals must communicate this issue or concern to the relevant party. All issues and concerns are expected to be addressed quickly. No one wants to find out about a concern or issue two months later, especially when mutual discussion could have quickly resolved the matter.

Participation

Students are expected to participate in all class/school activities, this includes physical education. Failure to do so raises the question of commitment.

Students seeking to continually excuse themselves from an activity (e.g., physical education), through continued, long-term illness or internal physical/mental impairment (even if documented by a medical practitioner) will also raise the question of commitment. This does not include students with physical impairments.

In terms of academic requirements, students are expected to complete all tasks and sit for all examinations set, as part of the assessment programs for a course.

Schooling is a three-way partnership involving students, their parents and teachers. It is a shared responsibility.

At AZC, all parents are expected to:

· Support the policies and ethos of the college;

· Ensure their children arrive at school before lessons commence and they are ready to learn;

· Provide a supportive learning environment at home for their children;

· Notify the College if their child will be absent from school;

· Communicate any issues promptly with the class/course teacher;

· Demonstrate courtesy and respect in their dealings with AZC staff and other parents;

· Obey all traffic and parking instructions near the College where students are collected;

· Attend parent/teacher interviews and information sessions;

· Participate in the AZC Parents’ & Friends’ Association; and

· Pay college accounts according to the set timeframes.

All staff (teaching and non-teaching) must be professional at all times. Their actions and behaviour are a reflection of themselves, their professional colleagues and AZC.

Staff will demonstrate their professionalism through:

· Their commitment to excellence and high standards that will be reflected in the performance of their duties. Students’ performance and their results are considered a reflection of teaching staff performance.

· Their efforts to ensure effective communication between colleagues, students and parents. All communication must reflect a ‘sooner rather than later approach’.

· Their participation and involvement as a proactive and supportive team player.

· Their establishment of strong home–school relations. It is an expectation that teaching staff will have regular contact with each of their student’s parents.

· Their loyalty and commitment to AZC, at all times and without exception. Staff must support AZC policies and conduct him/herself in a way that is consistent with the ethos of the AZC.

· Their ability to make a difference to AZC as a result of their professional and personal contributions by value-adding in their individual areas of expertise.

· Their prompt follow-through on all tasks and requirements for which they are responsible.

· Their participation in extra-curricula activities and AZC events (applicable to teaching staff).

To be very succinct, AZC only wants employees who demonstrate these expectations on a daily basis. Near enough is not good enough. Staff must be able to perform at the highest level to ensure our Tradition of Excellence.