You can be suspended from school wholly or partly for a period of up to 5 days for a minor breach or 10 days for a serious breach. During any period of suspension, you must still be provided with educational instruction so as to prevent you falling behind with your education.
You can also be suspended for 10 days for a serious breach which can be extended if the Principal is considering that exclusion from school is appropriate.
Minor breaches
- You must be informed (orally or in writing) about the duration of the suspension and the reasons.
- Your parent or responsible adult must be informed and given reasons.
- If you are an Independent Minor or 18 years or over, your parent or responsible adult does not need to be informed.
- You or your parent or responsible adult must be given an opportunity to give reasons as to why you should not be suspended.
Serious breaches
- You must be informed in writing about the duration and reasons.
- Your parent or responsible adult must be informed and given reasons.
- If you are an Independent Minor or 18 years or over, your parent or responsible adult does not need to be informed.
- You or your parent or responsible adult must be given an opportunity to give reasons as to why you should not be suspended or that it not continue.
If you have been suspended for 10 days or more during the school year, the Principal must arrange a consultation with your parent or responsible adult (unless you are an Independent Minor or aged 18 or over) to discuss your behaviour and educational programmes, and to try to come to an arrangement where no further breaches of school discipline by you will occur.
While under suspension, you remain subject to the school’s code of conduct.
Alternative Learning Setting
Students considered violent and out-of-control can be removed from schools and placed in an alternative learning setting and return to their school after a period of time.