Otago Boys High School Policies and Procedures.pdf

6/6/23, 12:46 PM
Inclusive Education
Otago Boys High School
Next review: Term 3 2023
Inclusive Education
Under the Education and Training Act 2020, our board is required to ensure every student at
Otago Boys High School can attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement,
and that we cater for and are inclusive of students with di ering needs. We do this by ensuring
our school:
is a physical y and emotional y safe environment for al  students and sta  (NELP Priority
1)
implements the relevant student rights under the Education and Training Act, the New
Zealand Bil  of Rights Act 1990, and the Human Rights Act 1993
takes al  reasonable steps to eliminate racism, stigma, bul ying, and any other forms of
discrimination within education and our school community
re ects Aotearoa New Zealand's cultural diversity (Education and Training Act, s.133)
gives e ect to te Tiriti o Waitangi
maintains an inclusive learning community and culture that al ows students to express
their diverse identities.
Learners at the centre
Learners and their family/whānau are at the centre of Otago Boys High School. We empower
our students to be engaged in their learning, and to experience success. This includes
students who identify as LGBTQIA+, are disabled, have learning support needs, are
neurodiverse, or come from diverse ethnic communities (NELP Priority 1).
We col aborate with our school community to understand the aspirations of learners and their
family/whānau, and identify and respond to learner strengths, progress, and needs.
Incidents of racism, discrimination, or bul ying are addressed through our harassment,
bullying, and/or concerns and complaints policies.
We work with our students and their families/whānau to ensure our school environment and
programmes re ect their identities and keep students engaged in school. This includes:
identifying any practical concerns and support required
discussing any concerns about student wel being and safety
discussing student privacy, preferred level of information sharing, and obtaining consent
before publishing student information
using the  preferred name and pronouns of students
identifying students and groups of students who are not achieving or are at risk of not
achieving, and developing strategies to meet their needs.
At Otago Boys High School we recognise the diverse learning needs of our students, and the
need for barrier-free access to education. We work with students and their families/whānau to
identify and address any barriers that may stop students from accessing, participating in, or
remaining engaged in education. This includes Māori and Pasi ka learners, disabled learners,
and those with learning support needs (NELP Priority 3).
https://obhs.schooldocs.co.nz/index.htm?toc.htm?7011.htm?id=99e3cff8-63da-4de4-9af6-ec7876933abf
1/3

6/6/23, 12:46 PM
Inclusive Education
Cultural and religious diversity
We aim to instil in our students an appreciation of the importance of diversity, cultural
knowledge, identity, and the  o cial languages of Aotearoa New Zealand. We respect and
honour te Tiriti o Waitangi and give e ect to it in al  aspects of school life.
We recognise and value the di erent cultures represented in our school community, and
prioritise inclusivity by:
supporting teachers to competently teach diverse learners, and make appropriate
changes to teaching approaches if necessary
being sensitive to al  religious beliefs and belief systems
supporting students and families whose  rst language is not English, including English
language support for eligible students
running our own cultural events and activities (e.g. clubs, international assemblies, food
festivals).
We respect the place of Ngā Tangata o Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa/Pasi ka peoples and cultures, and
acknowledge the diversity of Pasi ka learners and their families. At Otago Boys High School,
we support engagement and excel ent outcomes for Paci c learners by engaging with the
Ministry of Education's Action Plan for Paci c Education, and integrating diverse Paci c cultural
values, histories, experiences, customs, and languages into curriculum areas, where
appropriate.
We foster Pasi ka culture through fono evenings, our Pasi ka culture group, and our Pasi ka
homework club.
Our school hosts international students, and our international programme is designed to
increase and enhance our students’ awareness and understanding of other cultures and
countries.
Sexuality and gender diversity
Schools have a responsibility to be inclusive learning environments for LGBTQIA+ students,
including  gender diverse students (NELP Priority 1). Inclusive learning environments aim to
keep our school safe and to protect the mental and physical health and wel being of students.
We take the views, beliefs, and customs of our community into consideration, while ensuring
that the health and wel being of our students takes priority.
Our school creates an inclusive learning environment for our LGBTQIA+ students by:
teaching about respectful and inclusive behaviour and languages as part of our ongoing
delivery of our vision and values, and the curriculum
dealing with any issues that may arise around sexuality or gender identity through our
Supporting Student Wellbeing policy
addressing harassment, bul ying, or discrimination through our harassment, bullying,
and/or concerns and complaints policies
upholding the expectations of The Code | Ngā Tikanga Matatika by respecting the
diversity of student identities, promoting the wel being of learners, and protecting them
from harm.
This policy aligns with NELP Objective 1: Learners at the Centre, Objective 2: Barrier Free Access,
and Objective 3: Quality Teaching and Leadership.
Related topics
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Māori Educational Success
https://obhs.schooldocs.co.nz/index.htm?toc.htm?7011.htm?id=99e3cff8-63da-4de4-9af6-ec7876933abf
2/3