Supporting Learning Through Clear Expectations: Classroom Concerns Process

At Hennessy, we are committed to fostering a positive and productive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. To ensure that our classrooms remain focused and respectful spaces for learning, we have established clear processes for addressing student disengagement.

What Does "Disengagement" Look Like?

Disengagement can take many forms, including:

• Refusing to begin or complete learning tasks
• Repeated off-task behavior
• Distracting others from their learning
• Non-compliance with reasonable teacher instructions

We understand that all students have different learning needs, and we approach disengagement with empathy and support. However, maintaining a consistent approach is essential for fairness and accountability.

Our Step-by-Step Sanctions Process

1. Verbal Redirection
   Teachers begin by using quiet redirection to guide the student back on task. This may include a reminder of expectations or an encouragement to refocus.
2. Warning and Choice
   If disengagement continues or disruption to teaching and learning, a clear warning is given, alongside a choice: the student can choose to re-engage or receive a consequence. This step reinforces responsibility and provides an opportunity for the student to make a positive change.
3. In-Class Consequence
   Should the behavior persist, an appropriate in-class consequence may be applied. This could include moving seats, a brief time-out, or loss of privileges. Teachers may also log the behavior to track patterns and inform future support. Contact home will be made by the classroom teacher either by phone or email. This will then be logged as a classroom concern and be visible via compass.
4. Referral to Director of Student Growth
   Continued non-engagement or more serious incidents will result in a referral to the Director of Student Growth Ms Elaine Zukauskas. A reflective conversation will occur, and a more formal sanction may be applied (e.g., detention, learning support session).  This will then be logged as a classroom concern and be visible via compass. Level 3 Parents or carers will be contacted at this stage.
5. Ongoing Support and Communication
   For students who are regularly disengaged, we implement support plans which may include:

• Academic mentoring via KLA coordinators 
• Pastoral care involvement via Pastoral teachers and House Leaders
• Parent meetings to build strategies together
• Learning adjustments or referrals to specialist staff if required

Working in Partnership

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is key to student success. If your child is finding it hard to engage, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can identify the underlying causes and build a path forward.

By maintaining high expectations and providing structured support, we aim to help all students develop responsibility, resilience, and respect for learning.

The Classroom concerns process is summarised in a flow chart below.