What is a Stand Down?

What is a stand-down?

A stand-down is the formal removal of a student from school, by the principal, for a specified period.  Stand-downs of a student can total no more than 5 school days in a term or 10 school days in a year.

Stand-downs

For what reasons can a student be stood-down?

The principal has to be satisfied that:

• the student?s bad behaviour is a harmful or dangerous example to other students at the school, or the student?s continual disobedience is a harmful or dangerous example to other students at the school; or
• because of the student?s behaviour, it is likely that the student, or other students at the school, will be seriously harmed if the student is not stood-down.

Can a student be stood-down just for breaking a school rule?

The principal cannot automatically stand-down a student because he or she has broken a school rule, or has behaved badly.  The principal has to consider the circumstances of each situation and be satisfied that the situation warrants standing-down the student.

How will I know if my child has been stood-down?

The principal (or a senior staff member) will contact you, probably by phone, to tell you of the decision.  You will then receive a letter from the principal formally telling you that your child has been stood-down.  Please note that the number of days for the stand-down are counted from the day after the incident, i.e. the stand-down always starts from the next day.

If the principal recommends that I take my child to another school, or just tells me to take my child home for a period of time, or my child comes home with a leaving (or clearance) form to be signed, is this a stand-down?

No.  None of these situations are legal stand-downs.  You do not have to remove your child from the school in these circumstances.

If my child has been stood-down, what happens next?

• Your child will be able to return to school on the date given in the principal?s letter.
• You and/or your child may ask to meet the principal (or the principal may ask to meet you) to discuss the stand-down.  You can also take a support person with you.
• Your child may be required to go to the school for guidance and counselling during the stand-down period.
• Your child may be able to go to school, during the stand-down period, for specific activities or classes, if you ask the principal and the principal considers your request is reasonable.
• There is no need for your child to change schools because of the stand-down.
• You may ask the school or the Ministry of Education for a copy of the Education (Stand-down, Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion) Rules 1999.  The rules are on the Ministry?s website and contain detailed information about stand-downs and suspensions.