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Staff Conduct

St Joseph's School expects all school staff to act professionally and show integrity in order to ensure that students are able to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement and that the school is a physically and emotionally safe place for students and staff (Education and Training Act 2020, s 127). We make our expectations of staff conduct clear, and ensure that staff are meeting conduct expectations through performance management processes (including through the annual professional growth cycle for the principal and teachers), regular vetting, and responding to concerns and complaints.

Conduct expectations

We expect all staff to act professionally and show integrity by:

• complying with legislative and regulatory requirements and school policies
• respecting, communicating, and working constructively with the school community – see Inclusive School Culture
• carrying out their role to the best of their ability – see Performance Management
• supporting the wellbeing and protection of students – see Staff Responsibilities for Child Protection and Supporting Student Wellbeing
• acting responsibly to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others – see Health, Safety, and Welfare Policy
• maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of students and school community members – see Privacy Policy
• acting in good faith in all areas of their employment – see Employment Policy and Employment Agreements
• sharing relevant information with the school – see Conflicts of Interest and Secondary Employment
• raising and responding to concerns and complaints in good faith, according to school processes – see Concerns and Complaints Policy.

We expect staff to help promote the positive reputation and public image of the school, and to consider how their conduct outside of school hours may be perceived.

Our staff code of conduct includes the requirement to act consistently with our special character and we comply with the Code of Ethics (NZCEO) for staff and board members of Catholic schools.

The principal must also meet the standards of the board code of conduct (Education and Training Act, s 166).

Professional expectations for teachers

As required by the Education and Training Act (s 485), the principal and teachers are expected to understand and comply with Our Code, Our Standards | Ngā Tikanga Matatika, Ngā Paerewa.

• The Code of Professional Responsibility | Ngā Tikanga Matatika provides required standards for ethical behaviour. This applies to all registered and certificated teachers, and those with limited authority to teach.
• The Standards for the Teaching Profession | Ngā Paerewa describes the expectations of effective teaching practice. This applies to all practising teachers.

See Our Code, Our Standards (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand).

Concerns about staff conduct

Our school is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all members of our school community. If anyone has concerns about the conduct of a staff member, they should raise their concerns with the school. See Raising Concerns and Complaints.

We act to address and resolve concerns and complaints involving staff in a timely manner, and follow a fair and reasonable process. See Assessing and Responding to Concerns and Complaints.

If, at any time during their employment, a staff member is being investigated or believes they may be investigated by the police, or is being prosecuted for a criminal offence or convicted of a crime, the staff member is required to act in good faith and notify the principal, then keep them updated.

Related policies

• Board Responsibilities
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• School Community Conduct Expectations
• Safety Checking
• Police Vetting
• Professional Development
• Staff Wellbeing and Safety

Legislation

• Education and Training Act 2020

Resources

• Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand:
  • Our Code, Our Standards
  • Reporting a concern

Release history: Term 4 2024, Term 3 2020

Topic Number: 10370	Last Modified Date: 22/12/2025 13:11:55
Topic Version: 1	Published Date: 30/01/2026