My son says a girl in his class was sent home because she was unwashed. This can't be right, can it?
It can actually. Under the Education Act a student can be "precluded" from school if they have a communicable disease (in which case they may need a medical certificate before they can return) or if they are not clean enough.
My daughter Robyn has been "stood down" from her school. What does this mean?
A student can be stood down for "continual disobedience" or "gross misconduct", either of which must be harmful or dangerous to themselves or others, or set a harmful or dangerous example to others.
The principal or parents can call a meeting to discuss the circumstances surrounding a stand-down. This will provide an opportunity for parents and the school to assess issues with a student's behavior and to determine how to prevent reoccurrence.
"Gross misconduct" is an intentional and serious breach of school rules. Examples might include bullying, smoking, using drugs or alcohol at school, or abusing a teacher.
A student who is stood down will be prevented from attending school for a fixed number of days - no more than five per term, or 10 over the whole year.
Does that mean they don't have suspensions any more?
"Suspension" still exists; It is the formal removal of a student from school. If Robyn was suspended, her case would be considered by the board of trustees at a formal suspension meeting. It could decide to lift the suspension (with or without conditions), extend it (with conditions that help her get back to school), or "exclude" or "expel" Robyn altogether. There are a number of options available if you feel the suspension was unfair. Contact the Parents Legal Information Line for further information.
What's the difference between exclusion and expulsion?
Exclusion is where a student under 16 years of age has behaved so badly they are removed from their school and have to enrol in a new school. Expulsion is the same thing for students aged 16 and over. The difference is that they don't have to enrol in another school.
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