Christianity | Friendship | Respect
PARENT CONCERNS AND COMMUNICATION
Leschenault Catholic Primary School values open, respectful and collaborative partnerships with parents and carers. Our shared aim is to work together in the best interests of students. Throughout your child’s schooling, it is natural that questions or concerns may arise. The majority of concerns are resolved quickly and effectively through early communication with the relevant teacher (class or specialist) or staff member.
Raising a Concern
- Parents/Carers are encouraged to raise concerns directly with their child’s class or subject teacher.
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Meetings with teachers can be arranged by contacting them directly. To support productive discussions, parents are asked to provide brief details of the matters they wish to raise when requesting a meeting.
Respectful Communication
All communication must align with the LCPS Code of Conduct, which outlines the expectations for respectful and appropriate behaviour at the school, at all times.
- Conversations should remain calm, constructive and solution‑focused.
- While discussions may sometimes be challenging or emotionally difficult, respectful communication is required.
- Staff may immediately end a meeting if the intent or direction of the meeting is not constructive, if behaviour breaches the LCPS Code of Conduct or if further information is required. In such cases, a follow‑up meeting may be arranged and may include a member of the Leadership Team.
If You Prefer Not to Speak to the Teacher
If you are uncomfortable raising a concern directly with a staff member, or if your concern relates to a staff member, you are encouraged to contact a member of the Leadership Team:
- Pre‑Kindy – Year 2: Assistant Principal – Mrs Jo Paini
- Years 3 – 6: Assistant Principal – Mr Bree Dudek
- Other school matters: Principal – Mr Daniel Graves
PARENT COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE PROCEDURE
This information provided is a summary of LCPS Concern, Dispute and Complaint Resolution Procedures (located here on our website)
Our Commitment
The school is committed to addressing complaints and disputes in a manner that is:
- Fair and respectful
- Prompt and transparent
- Child‑focused and safety‑centred
- Consistent with procedural fairness
From Concern to Complaint
Most issues begin as concerns and are best resolved informally. However, when a concern remains unresolved or where the matter is more serious, it may become a complaint or dispute.
- Complaint: An expression of dissatisfaction about school services, decisions, actions, staff conduct or the complaint handling process.
- Dispute: A conflict involving opposing claims or interests that cannot be readily resolved.
Making a Complaint
Complaints can be lodged by:
- Completing the online form available on the school website: Complaints & Disputes Resolution Process – Fill out form
- Email, phone or written correspondence
- Requesting a meeting with a member of the Leadership Team
If assistance or support is required to make a complaint, please contact the school administration.
If you are uncomfortable in lodging a complaint by the options provided above
A complaint may be made:
- In any format (verbal, written, email, online form)
- To any staff member with whom you feel comfortable
The staff member who receives your complaint will forward this information to the Leadership Team to address the concern raised.
Anonymous complaints may be submitted, however, the school will not be able to contact you to clarify details or to provide you with updates or the progress of the outcome of the complaint.
Confidentiality: All complaints are handled confidentially, in line with privacy and legal requirements.
What Happens Next
When a formal complaint is received, the school will:
- Acknowledge the complaint as soon as possible
- Review and investigate the matter fairly and without bias
- Provide a clear written response outlining the outcome
- Offer a review process if the complainant is dissatisfied
Child Safety Comes First
If a complaint or concern involves:
- Child safety or wellbeing
- Grooming or abuse
- A breach of the Code of Conduct
The school will act immediately and follow CEWA Child Protection Procedures, including mandatory reporting obligations to relevant authorities.
If You Are Not Satisfied
If a matter remains unresolved after review:
- You may request to the Principal that the matter be escalated to the Executive Director, Catholic Education Western Australia Ltd
- The Director General of the Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that the school observes the registration standards, including the standard about its complaints handling system. Any student, parent or community member is entitled to contact the Director General with concerns about how the school has dealt with a complaint. Information is available on the Department of Education website. While the Director General may consider whether the school has breached the registration standards, they do not have power to intervene in a complaint or override the school’s decision.
STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE PROCEDURE
- All Staff are required to refer all student complaints received to the relevant Assistant Principal who will follow up as required and appropriate to the complaint.
A “Child Friendly” Complaints Procedure forms part of the LCPS Student Code of Conduct and is:
- visible in each learning area/classroom
- provided in the LCPS Family Handbook
- Available in: LCPS Concern, Dispute and Complaint Resolution Procedures (located here on our website)