Type: Policy
Classification: Operational
Policy Number: SCS2023034
Released: 16 October 2023
Review Date: 16 October 2025
Rescinds/Replaces: SCS2022019

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is committed to ensuring that schools are safe places for students, staff and other members of the school community. A critical aspect of this commitment is to ensure that schools prevent knives and other prohibited weapons from being present on the school site or any other site where a school related event is being held.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the SCS Knives and other Prohibited Weapons Procedures (the Procedures).

This policy applies to all SCS staff, parents and carers, and students. In this policy, SCS staff means all employees, members of religious orders engaged in schools, volunteers, trainees, contractors and interns.

The following principles guide how this policy will operate in practice:

3.1 It is a criminal offence under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) (the Act) for any person to possess a knife or prohibited weapon in a public place, which includes a school site, or off-site school event/activity, and criminal penalties may apply.

3.2 Under section 93IB of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) it is an offence to be in possession of a knife in a public place or a school. This offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $4,400, imprisonment for 4 years, or both.

3.3 SCS is committed to student and staff safety and operates a strict zero tolerance approach to knives and other prohibited weapons being on school sites or at off-site school events/activities.

3.4 SCS will implement measures and take reasonable and practicable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and others in the school community when on school sites or at school events/activities.

3.5 SCS staff and parents and carers will ensure that students are aware of their obligations …