St Kevin’s College code of conduct to stop concerned parents speaking to the media

Disgruntled parents may be banned from school grounds under a drastic measure to limit concerns about St Kevin’s College going public.

A code of conduct for parents at St Kevin’s College is one of a number of measures the school is taking to ensure there is a respectful learning and teaching environment at the school.

St Kevin’s College parents are set to be banned from making negative comments to the media, with a draft code of conduct prohibiting them from publicly undermining the reputation of the college.

The code of conduct for parents is one of a number of measures the school is taking to ensure there is a respectful learning and teaching environment at the school.

The code will be communicated to parents via an online session on November 10, giving parents a chance to provide feedback from 7pm. Parents will have opportunity to provide feedback on the draft measures.

One parent said restrictions on communication were a “slap in the face from a female leader”.

“There is a long history of silencing in Catholic education and religion,” she said.

It comes as staff continue to report instances of sexual harassment and a misogynist working culture at the upmarket Catholic boys’ college.

There are also rumblings among students of acts of rebellion such as refusing to stand for the school’s leaders if things don’t improve.

In one section, the draft code states that parents should “refrain from activities, conduct or communication that would reasonably be seen to undermine the reputation of the College, employees or students of the College (including activities on social media).

One parent said restrictions on communication were a “slap in the face”.

Parents who breach the code will be contacted by the college principal, deputy or delegate and actions include a written warning, face to face meeting, being banned from school grounds or functions.

A number of schools have similar clauses. Peninsula Grammar, for instance, has a code which prohibits parents from discussing or mentioning “the School, its staff, or any members of the School community in a negative or defamatory way” on social media.

Tintern Grammar bans parents from posting material that may “damage the reputation of the school”.

However, such restrictions are not widespread.

For example, Scotch College’s parent, guardian and visitor code of conduct stipulates the need for people to abide by the school’s rules and uphold its core beliefs, but there is no clause telling parents not to damage the reputation of the school.

Most state schools do not require parents to consider the public standing of the schools their children attend.

St Kevin’s principal Deborah Barker said the college’s code of conduct was “designed in accordance with the Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese of Schools (MACS) template and is consistent with guidelines at many schools”.

“The College remains prudent in covering off all possible scenarios,” she said.

“We feel this statement ensures that the young people in our care are kept safe in accordance with Ministerial Order 1359 Child Safe Standard 9, which states that ‘physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed’.”