The staff of South West Regional College of TAFE take pride in the high standard of training they provide and invite you to work in partnership with them to achieve the best learning experience for all students.

Developing an effective learning environment by:

• Attending all lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions
• Wearing and maintaining clothing and footwear appropriate to the workplace. 
• Arriving on time for all appointments and classes, and remaining in the class for the duration of the session. If you are unable to attend a class for any reason it is your responsibility to advise the College within normal business hours (8 am to 5 pm).
• Using only equipment supplied or approved by the College/lecturer. Mobile phones should be turned off during classes
• Avoiding cheating and plagiarism (using an author’s work without acknowledging that author, including scanned and electronically copied material). Your lecturer can advise how to correctly reference work, so that no unapproved assistance in the preparation of any work (including assignments, tests, reports and examinations) for which you are to be assessed is given or received. In group work, by contributing equally in preparation of work for assessment
• Ensuring only people enrolled in class attend that class unless prior permission has been obtained from the Portfolio Manager

Achieving a healthy and safe learning environment that maximises the learning opportunities for all students by:

• Wearing appropriate protective clothing and equipment, and securing hair, jewellery and  clothing to avoid accidents
• Engaging in safe and co-operative behaviour in classrooms, laboratories, workshops and in other parts of the College premises and while on excursions or work placement organised by the College
• workshops and in other parts of the College premises and while on excursions or work placement organised by the College
• Making an effort to keep the campus clean and tidy for everyone. Your contribution by disposing of your own rubbish will greatly assist
• Keeping food and drinks out of classrooms, laboratories and workshops
• Abstaining from drugs, alcohol and other substances that may affect co-ordination, response rate and/or judgment to the extent that the safety and effectiveness of the learning environment is compromised.  Note:  If you are required to take  prescription medicine, you should advise your lecturer if you are in a situation were it may impact on your performance, particularly activities involving operation of equipment or activities involving risk.
• Your lecturers or technicians will provide specific instructions for your faculty.

Maintaining serviceable facilities and equipment by:

• Reporting breakages of and/or faults with equipment to lecturers, or the campus administration
• Leaving classrooms, workshops and laboratories neat and tidy after lectures and tutorials and ensuring equipment and tools are cleaned and correctly stored
• Using access to the computer network and equipment only for instructional purposes, not allowing other access through your passwords, not using or installing unlicensed software on College computers and checking all floppy disks for viruses    before use on College computers.
• Parking in areas designated for student  vehicles and always driving safely and carefully in parking areas
• Not smoking in College buildings or during outside practical activities. When smoking on College grounds avoiding smoking near open doors or windows and placing extinguished cigarette butts in the bins provided
• Using sporting equipment only in those areas within the College that have been specifically designated for sporting activities
• On College grounds avoiding smoking near open doors or windows and placing extinguished cigarette butts in the bins provided
• Using sporting equipment only in those areas within the College that have been specifically designated for sporting activities

Ensuring that everyone is treated equally and without bullying or harassment (ie any verbal, visual and/or physical behaviour which causes offence or distress to others) by:

• Refraining from any activities that may be construed as bullying or harassment
• Reporting any incidents of bullying or harassment observed in the College whether caused by staff or students
• Showing respect and consideration for other students, staff and College visitors.

What is bullying or harassment?

A form of abuse that is repetitive, often hidden and involves misuse of power against an  individual or a group.  It can be direct or   indirect and difficult to identify.  Anyone can engage in bullying or harassment and the reasons can vary for each situation.

What forms can bullying or harassment take?

• Social/relational – eg ostracising, rumours, social exclusion, rejection
• Physical – e.g kick, punch, physical/sexual assault
• Mental/psychological – e.g stalking, threats, text messaging, gestures
• Verbal – e.g name calling, swearing, put-downs, racism, sexism, nasty notes.

Should you feel that you have been unfairly treated or are concerned about your safety please raise the matter with a member of the College staff who will be able to direct you to the appropriate College Support Officer.  

Information is also available from the Student Association and on the College website.

Support from College staff

All our staff are carefully selected for their expertise so that you may rely on their capacity to interpret these responsibilities and other College policies in a way that suits your particular instructional needs. Our staff will always aim to provide you with the appropriate advice on which behaviours constitute an effective teaching and learning environment that is:

• Safe and clean
• Comfortable and free from distraction
• Equitable and accessible to everyone
• Without harassment or threat
• Respectful of your need for confidentiality and
• An appropriate model of workplace behaviours and practices

If you have a grievance related to Equal Opportunity or harassment of any nature,  contact the Student Association for a referral to a contact officer. Telephone: 9780 7251.  Regional students can contact their Campus Administrators.

The College has the greatest confidence in its staff and will support the decisions they make in order to achieve the best learning  experience for their students.

Notes:

i) College policy is not limited to the statements in this document. The College has more detailed policy statements on these and a range of other issues in its policy manual. From time to time such policies and directions may be applied when appropriate to a particular circumstance.   Clarification of policy on any issue can be obtained by direct request to any College Manager.

ii) Class attendance rolls are maintained and may be used for assessment purposes as well as for determining entitlement for financial support.

iii) All College staff are bound by our Staff Code of Conduct, Quality Policy and Customer Service Charter.   Copies of these may be obtained from any staff member upon request.  If you have any comments to make about the College or its staff, either positive or otherwise, you  may do so using a Customer Feedback form. These are available from all staff members and are displayed in administration centres and other public locations at all campuses.

iv) Students who do not display appropriate conduct may be excluded by staff from participating in class and may, in extreme cases, be subject to other penalties and restrictions as determined by the Managing Director including being denied access to the College.  Offences likely to lead to suspension and being reported to the relevant authorities are:

• Property damage
• Physical assault
• Theft
• Misuse of campus equipment or funds
• The carrying of any form of weaponry (i.e. items which are specifically designed to cause harm to others or damage property) on College property
• Serious verbal assaults or threats of violence
• The unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs on College campuses
• Consumption of alcohol on any College campus or at any College activity unless specifically  authorised by College staff

The basic principles for a collaborative workplace:

• Focus on the situation, issues or behaviour – not the person
• Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of others
• Maintain constructive relationships
• Take initiatives to make things better
• Lead by example