Policies

The PMSA is responsible for reviewing, updating and implementing policies which cover the PMSA and our four schools. PMSA policies assist and guide the actions of all individuals involved. They ensure and endorse the well-being of all staff and students of the PMSA. The PMSA also provide assistance to each school so that they can develop their own school policies.

PMSA policies fall under the following categories:

Audit, Finance and Risk

The PMSA develops audit, finance and risk policies for the PMSA Board, School Councils, Principals and schools on accounting practices, loans, scholarships, bursaries and staff discounts, depreciation, and other financial areas. These are available to the relevant staff at each PMSA school through the PMSA staff portal.

Nominations and Human Resources

The PMSA develops human resources policies for the PMSA Board, School Councils, Principals and schools on areas such as complaints, grievances, recruitment and selection, remuneration and benefits, leave, workplace health and safety, and employee development. These are available to the relevant staff at each PMSA school through the PMSA staff portal.

Code of Conduct – The PMSA Code of Conduct guides our staff and volunteers in the way we relate and work with other staff, professionals, students, parents, visitors and stakeholders. This Code promotes and encourages exemplary behaviour while complementing our policies, employment and industrial agreements, and relevant legislation.
Whistleblower Policy – The PMSA Whistleblower Policy supports our staff, volunteers, and community to raise issues of concern about breaches of rules or policy within the Group. In cases where people feel they need to be protected in relation to raising a matter, this Policy outlines the protections that will apply.

Child Protection

The PMSA’s commitment to child protection is immersed in our vision – ‘to build communities based on Christian foundations, by providing teaching and learning environments of excellence, permeated by Christian faith and actions’.

We believe that the care for the children and young people in our schools is an outward expression and evidence of our Christian faith and our commitment to achieving a vision of collected and committed action, of intolerance to any threat of harm towards children and young people and which actively seeks to prevent the occurrence of any such threat.

The care and protection of the children and young people in PMSA schools is of paramount importance and involves:

Working together to make our schools and workplaces places of safety for children and young people.
Not tolerating any threat of harm towards children and actively seeking to prevent the occurrence of any such threat.
Reporting any suspicion you have that a child or student has been harmed or may be at risk of harm.
Every person who shares in the work of our PMSA communities – including employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors – shares in the responsibility to care for and protect all children and young people from any threat or perceived threat of harm.

The PMSA has developed the following policies to ensure the care and protection of people within PMSA schools.

PMSA Blue Card (Working with Children) Policy – This policy outlines the requirements for PMSA Board members, employees and volunteers to hold Blue Cards in accordance with Queensland requirements.
PMSA Child Protection Policy – This policy outlines the conduct expected of the PMSA schools’ employees and students in accordance with legislation in Queensland about the care and protection of children.
P MSA Historical Abuse Redress Policy – This policy outlines the PMSA’s processes for dealing with allegations of abuse relating to individuals who, as children, received education and/or accommodation or care within a PMSA school or early learning centre but who are not students of the school or centre at the time the allegations are made. Such individuals will be described within this policy as former students.
PMSA Homestay Policy – This policy outlines the processes to ensure that PMSA schools and homestay hosts arranged by and for PMSA schools comply with relevant legislative requirements for ensuring the suitability of accommodation, support and general welfare for homestay students under 18 years of age.
PMSA Child Protection Risk Management Strategy – This strategy identifies the policies and procedures in place across the PMSA and our schools which, together, act to protect students from harm.
PMSA Homestay Risk Management Strategy – This strategy ensures that the PMSA and our schools have appropriate policies and procedures in place to identify and minimise the risk of harm to homestay students where the school has taken responsibility for the accommodation, support and general welfare of the student.
PMSA Diversity and Inclusivity Policy – The PMSA values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating an inclusive system at a policy level and as a part of everyday practice within our school communities. The purpose of this policy is to foster a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion, as well as a strong sense of physical, social and emotional wellbeing, amongst students.
PMSA Child Safeguarding Processes – This document provides a comprehensive guide for PMSA staff, students, parents, and members of the community in the navigation of child safeguarding incidents and operationalises the PMSA Child Protection Policy.