************PKPS FACEBOOK TERMS OF USE************
*PURPOSE:
To connect with our school community in a way that promotes the achievements of students, learning activities and events of our school.
*RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:
In joining our community on Facebook, Port Kembla Public School (PKPS) follows the DEC Code of Conduct, Social Media Policy Implementation Procedures (December 2016) and Faceb
ook terms and conditions.
*STUDENTS:
Please note that the Facebook terms and conditions state that no one under the age of 13 years should have a Facebook profile. Therefore, any known primary students who 'Like' or comment on the Port Kembla Public School page will be deleted and reported immediately.
*COMMENTS POLICY:
Port Kembla Public School encourages interaction from Facebook users but is not responsible for comments or wall postings made by visitors to the page. Comments posted also do not in any way reflect the opinions or policies of Port Kembla Public School. PKPS asks that people making comments on the page show respect for their fellow users by ensuring the discussion remains civil, especially since Facebook allows individuals 13 and over to join. Comments are also subject to Facebook's Terms of Use and Code of Conduct. Remember that your name and photo will be seen next to your comment, visible to the tens of thousands of visitors to the page. We reserve the right, but assume no obligation, to remove comments that are racist, sexist, abusive, profane, violent, obscene, spam, that advocate illegal activity, contain falsehoods or are wildly off-topic, or that libel, incite, threaten or make ad hominem attacks on PKPS students, employees, guests or other individuals. We also do not permit messages selling products or promoting commercial, political or other ventures. Facebook encourages all users to utilise the "Report" links when they find abusive content.
*FRIENDING STAFF ON FACEBOOK:
Please note that the Department of Education and Communities has this advice for teachers 'Friending' parents on Facebook:
“The line between your professional and personal life could become blurred making it difficult to manage your professional relationship with the parents when that becomes necessary. You also need to bear in mind that becoming a Facebook friend with a parent could result in their children getting access to your account as well. You also need to be mindful that you need to be careful what you say on Facebook if you have parents as friends as comments made online can be misunderstood and could result in parental complaints made to your principal.”
In short, please do not ask to friend a member of staff on Facebook as refusal often offends.
*COMMUNICATING WITH PKPS:
This page is not an avenue for any formal communication, such as explaining your child's absence. It is important that children attend school on a regular basis and arrive at school on time each day. Whenever your child is absent from school you should submit your child's absence through our school enews app > Digital Forms > Absentee Form. You can also access the Absentee forms through our school portal @ https://ptkembla-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/> Online Forms > Absence Note. THE REASON FOR ABSENCE must be clearly stated. In following Department of School Education School Attendance Policy and Procedures we are required to have an explanation for any absence. Recording your child's absence this way helps our school with record keeping and having all absences recorded in the one area creates an efficient and reliable system. You are also able to access all of your notifications in the one area. Leaving the school grounds during school time is not permitted, unless approved by the principal. Parents may collect their children early from class by visiting the main office to get an early leave form. Students arriving late must visit the school office before going to class. It will be necessary for you to ring the school to inform of a sickness if your child has an infectious disease. If you are having difficulty with submitting an online absence please call the office on 4274 1041 for further assistance.
---HISTORY OF PKPS:---
Port Kembla Public School has a unique history in that there have been five buildings involved on five different sites. Port Kembla Public School began in rented accommodation near No. 3 jetty of Port Kembla Harbour. Over the years, for various reasons, the school has had to move location, first in 1902, then 1908, once again in 1917 and finally in 2000. Not only do the buildings have an interesting background, but also the pupils who have attended from 1890. The community of Port Kembla has a proud sense of history regarding the Port Kembla area and its significant role in the development of the Wollongong area.
