LEAVE POLICY

• The school principal has the responsibility for managing all leave and leave requests, as well as ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the school.

• To provide guidelines and processes to accommodate the leave requests of staff with minimum disruption to the daily organisation and administration of the school.
• To ensure discretionary leave is granted on a fair, reasonable and equitable basis.

Implementation

• Leave may be an entitlement (eg: Family Leave), or may be awarded at the discretion of the principal (eg: Bereavement Leave and Carer's Leave).
• Leave may be paid or unpaid.
• The Principal is responsible for managing a wide range of leave matters, whilst ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the school.
• Each form of leave is granted subject to a variety of legislative requirements.
• Information about leave entitlements can be obtained by staff through verbal requests to the Principal.
• Staff seeking discretionary leave must apply in writing to the Principal as early as possible to assist with forward planning
• Applications for Long Service Leave must be in writing and should be received by the Principal at least one full term in advance.
• Staff taking sick leave will notify the Assistant Principal as early as practicable.
• The Principal will make provision for replacement staff and higher duties where appropriate.
• Teachers taking leave will maintain professional responsibility for the progress of the class and liaise with the replacement teacher (where possible) regarding program/class planning.
• In determining whether leave may be granted, the Principal will consider: -
  • Whether the leave is discretionary or mandatory.
  • The impact the granting of the leave will have on the operations of the school.
  • The entitlement of the staff member to the leave for which they have applied.
  • The order of leave applications.
  • Availability of replacement staff.
  • Previous leave record.
• It is preferred that staff members seeking extended Long Service Leave not be appointed to teach a Preparatory class.
• All periods of extended leave will be reported monthly to School Council.