Professional Responsibilities
The following statement of professional responsibilities must be adhered to by all teachers.
In carrying out their duties and responsibilities all teachers must:
• be conscious of their special duty of care to the students of the NSW public education system in all educational activities in and out of school;
• demonstrate the highest standards of professional behaviour, exercise professional judgement and act in a courteous and sensitive manner when interacting with students, parents or caregivers, staff and the public;
• collaborate in the development of school plans, policies and programs;
• devise and document teaching and learning programs and develop and implement appropriate evaluation mechanisms;
• treat students equitably, including those with disabilities or other special needs;
• meet the individual learning needs of students and assist each student to maximise his or her learning outcomes;
• effectively manage and implement programs for child protection and student welfare;
• undertake appropriate ongoing professional development to promote competence in curriculum development, delivery and evaluation, classroom management and teaching skills;
• comply with legislative and industrial requirements and the Department’s Code of Conduct, policies, including The Use of Employer Communication Devices and procedures;
• be familiar with the provisions of legislation relevant to their official responsibilities;
• comply with reasonable directions given by a supervisor or principal and adhere to official guidelines concerning the performance of their duties;
• implement the priorities of the Department and the school and ensure their professional actions reflect Government and Departmental policy;
• be fair in exercising delegated responsibility and promote personal and professional development of staff;
• perform their duties efficiently and effectively and with honesty, integrity and fairness at all times;
• ensure that decisions are made fairly and conveyed promptly both within the Department and to those students and members of the public who have a right to know;
• use information gained in the course of employment only for proper and appropriate purposes;
• use public resources economically; and
• behave in such a manner as to protect and enhance the esteem and standing of public education. In particular:
- teachers must not, under any circumstances, have sexual relationships with students. It is irrelevant whether the relationship is homosexual or heterosexual, consensual or non-consensual or condoned by parents or caregivers. The age of the students or staff member involved is also irrelevant;
- teachers must not, under any circumstances, engage in conduct of a sexual nature with a student. Improper conduct of a sexual nature by a teacher against a student includes sexual intercourse and any other form of child sexual abuse (which must be notified) as well as but not limited to the following:
* inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature;
* obscene language of a sexual nature;
* suggestive remarks or actions;
* jokes of a sexual nature;
* obscene gestures;
* unwarranted and inappropriate touching;
* sexual exhibitionism;
* personal correspondence with students in respect of the teacher’s sexual feelings for the student; and
* deliberate exposure of students to sexual behaviour of others, other than in the case of prescribed curriculum material in which sexual themes are contextual;
- teachers must not give students alcohol or other drugs, nor will they encourage or condone the use of alcohol or other drugs by students. They may, however, administer or supervise the administration of prescribed medications consistent with Departmental guidelines.
- teachers must not , under any circumstances, use any form of discipline which involves corporal punishment or engage in any form of behaviour which could cause physical or emotional abuse to students.