Work Health and Safety


About Our School

Sydney Distance Education Primary School (SDEPS) is a distance education school catering for K-6 students who are unable to attend their local school due to distance or circumstances.

The vast majority of students enrolled at SDEPS are travelling within Australia or overseas. Therefore, the school’s mobility rate is extremely high and enrolments can often reach 400 students or more during the year.

SDEPS has a long-held reputation for high quality teaching practices and learning resources resulting in outstanding student outcomes and exemplary achievements.

The school uses innovative technologies to link with its many families throughout the world to provide challenging and engaging learning experiences. It is also a provider of learning resources to other schools.

A digital copy of ‘SDEPS Staff Induction Handbook’ can be found using following link -

Click here to download the Staff Induction Booklet  now!

Updated: 03/06/2024


Work health and safety (WHS)

The NSW department of Education (DoE) and Sydney Distance Education Primary School is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment. It is important all staff is familier with the DoE WHS Policy. Please find the following link for Work health and safety (WHS) policy on deartments portal -

Click here to view DoE WHS Policy

Click here to read the DoE WHS policy summary

Updated: 10/09/2024


Staff Responsibility

1. All staff should familiarise themselves with the DoE Health, Safety & Wellbeing Policy Summary and the SDEPS WHS Introduction for Employees (see attached), particularly the Emergency Procedures. Staff who have direct contact with students must be aware of their legal responsibilities related to child protection, mandatory reporting and other relevant school expectations (see ‘Mandatory Training Procedures & Documentation’ and ‘SDEPS Child Protection Procedures’) All staff should familiarise themselves with the DoE Policies and the SDEPS Procedures regarding the policies, particularly ‘Protecting and Supporting Children and Young People’ policy and ‘Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC)’ policy.

2. Staff must notify the Principal or Reception as soon as possible if they are going to be away or late arriving at school. Alternative arrival and departure times should be recorded in the sign on book.

3. All workstations & work areas are to be kept neat and adhere to Health & Safety guidelines. The school does not accept responsibility for personal effects that are lost or damaged.

4. All staff share the responsibility for Health, Safety & Wellbeing. There are first aid officers in the school. Any injury or Health and Safety issues must be reported promptly, within 48 hours if possible.

5. No personal information is to be given to anyone about students or staff. Please refer to the DoE Privacy Policy. If in doubt refer the matter to executive personnel.

6. There is a procedure for borrowing school equipment which has to be approved by the Principal. Some equipment is not available for borrowing. No equipment should be relocated without approval.

7. All visits by families and other visitors must be recorded in the variation of routine diary located at the sign on area. All adult visitors must be signed in and given a badge to give them authority to be on the school site. All staff must record their variation of duty in the diary as well as sign in every day. Energy and Materials conservation and environmental measures should be considered at all times in the school. Efficient use of water, electricity, printing and recycling must be observed.

8. Home visits must follow the SDEPS Home Visit Procedure, and no arrangement should be made without prior approval from the Principal.

Mandatory Training are accessible in MyPL

Aboriginal Cultural Education - 3 years (AC00560)
Required: On the first day.

Anaphylaxis e-Learning - 2 years
Required: Before or on the first day, complete the one as per your role -

Anaphylaxis for Teaching and Administrative Staff (NRG01569)
Anaphylaxis for Leaders (NRG01570)
Anaphylaxis for ATSOs, General and Farm Assistants (NRG01610)

Anti-Racism Policy Training - 2 years (NR30069)
Required: On the first day.

Child Protection
Required: Before or on the first day, complete as per your role -

Child Protection Awareness Induction Training – Once (NR28972)
Child Protection Update – Annually (NR41255)

Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC) – Annually (MT00001)
Required: Prior to commencement or on the first day.

previously known as 'Code of Conduct Online' (NR27345)

Cyber Security
Required: to be completed on the first day by all staff.

Cyber Security Training - All Staff – Once (NR31133)
Cyber Security Annual Refresher - All Staff - Annually (NR36708)

Data Breach Response Plan - Reporting Data Breaches - 5 years (NRG12326)
Required: Prior to commencement or on the first day.

e-Emergency Care - Every 3 years (NRG14190)
Required: Prior to commencement or on the first day.

Fraud and Corruption Control – Annually (NR33012)
Required: On the first day.

Work health and safety (WHS) Induction - Once (NR33383)
Required: Prior to commencement or on the first day.

Public Interest Disclosures (PID) - Once
Required: On commencement. All existing staff are required to complete this course once.

PID for Employees (NR41807)
PID for Managers (NR41672)

Updated September 2024.

For more information, visit: Mandatory training for schools

For information on role based training, visit: Your mandatory training

Useful Links

Working with Children Check (WWCC):

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2005-0264

Child protection - responding to and reporting students at risk of harm:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2002-0067

Code of Conduct Policy:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2004-0020

Fraud and Corruption Control:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2004-0009

Anaphylaxis and allergy management procedures:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2004-0034-05

ASCIA Action Plans

https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/health-and-safety/risk-management/student-safety/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plans

How to give EpiPen®

https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/how-to-give-epipen

Private and secondary employment:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2024-0483-05

 

 

Health, Safety & Wellbeing Introduction

The NSW DoE is committed to the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of employees, students, contractors, and all other  visitors.

  • Violent, threatening or other unacceptable behavior is not tolerated on NSW DoE premises.
  • Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on DoE premises.
  • Dangerous implements and weapons, including knives, are not permitted.
  • All hazards, incidents, accidents and injuries must be reported to the main office and appropriately recorded.
  • First Aid treatment is available on site. There are 2 first aid kits. The main kit contains an Epipen and defibrillator is located in Block-A, Mail Room. The 2nd kit is in Block-B Downstairs kitchen.
  • School Health and Safety Notice board is in resources Room Block-A.
School Hours:
  • School generally opens at 8:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. Staff members are required
    to sign in. 9:00 am and 3:00 pm are the core business hours.
  • Morning Tea is at 11:00 am until 11:20 am. Lunch is between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

 

Exits and Fire Extinguishers:
  • For your safety, make sure you know the location of your nearest exit and Fire Extinguisher which is identified in  school Site Plan section of this booklet and in Emergency Management Plan displayed at Staff H&S Noticeboard in Block-A.
Emergency Procedures:
  • In a life-threatening emergency DIAL 000 For Fire, Police and Ambulance.
  • In ALL CASES, advise the School Principal and/or Executives.
Emergency Alarm Procedure:
  • One Long Bell – Evacuation Signal
  • Two Short Bells – Lockdown Signal*
  • Three Short Bells – Secure* (Lockout) Signal

* Lock perimeter doors and room doors. Remain in the area until the ‘Secure’signal (Three short bell).

Evacuation Alarm and Procedure:
  1. 1 Long Bell.
  2. At the signal of an alarm bell, all work is to cease immediately.
  3. Leave the building via the nearest stairs and door, unless directed elsewhere.
  4. Permanent staff should ensure that visitors and casual staff leave with the main group.
  5. Once clear of the building, continue to the assembly area marked on the evacuation plan at the Cooper Street Park Area.
  6. Remain at the Cooper Street Park Area until further advice is received.

SDEPS Evacuation Plan