Rules and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
Visit the NSW Department of Education’s policy library for all current operational policies.
Our school uses the department's School Community Charter to ensure all of our communication is collaborative and respectful.
Attendance and absences
Students must attend school regularly so they can achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.
In NSW, all children from the age of 6 are legally required to attend school or be registered for home schooling through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All students must complete Year 10, or its equivalent.
Young people below the age of 17 who have completed Year 10 must be:
in school, or registered for home schooling
in approved education or training, such as a traineeship, apprenticeship or TAFE
in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours a week)
in a combination of work, education and/or training (average of 25 hours a week combined).
Students 17 years and over who are enrolled in school must attend school regularly to meet HSC course requirements.
As a parent or carer, you are responsible for ensuring your child attends school every day when they are of compulsory school age. You must explain all absences to the school within 7 days.
For more information about compulsory school attendance, visit:
To explain why your child was absent download the absence explanation form (PDF 32KB).
School frameworks (school rules)
As well as following the department’s operational policies, we have developed frameworks for our students in line with our school’s values and commitments.
Anti-bullying Plan
This plan outlines the processes for preventing and responding to student bullying in our school and reflects the Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Student Bullying in Schools Policy of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities.
Read our Anti-bullying Plan (PDF 1.4MB).
Anti-racism Policy Statement
At Bellingen High School, we reject racism in all its forms. Our school is committed to the elimination of racial discrimination, including direct and indirect racism, racial vilification and harassment.
If your child feels that they are the victims of racism the incident or matter can be resolved by reporting it to the Anti-Racism Officer in our School.
Read our Anti-racism Policy (PDF 3461.6KB).
Evacuation policy
For information about how we deal with evacuations and school lockdowns read our evacuation policy.
Emergency management plan
For information on how we deal with work health and safety (WHS) issues download our emergency management plan (PDF 511KB).
Electronic Devices Policy
For students using personal electronic devices at school, the following guidelines need to be followed: Electronic Devices policy (PDF 270KB)
Bellingen High School Socials - Guidelines
The aim of school socials are:
- To integrate the social and academic elements of education by providing opportunities for students to mix informally in a supervised situation.
- To help students develop a sense of decorum and recognition of socially acceptable standards of dress and behaviour.
- To provide opportunities for children to take ownership and/or responsibility for organising their own leisure time.
For more detailed information please see the Guidelines link above.
Departmental policies
We follow the Department of Education's (DoE) policies for:
Excursions
Read the DoE Excursion Policy.
Internet use
Read the DoE Online Communication Services: acceptable usage for school students policy documentation.