Merits and Cautions

In 2025, MRC is continuing the use of our Merit and Caution System to support the work of all staff in managing low level, repetitive behaviours and to celebrate student successes. As a classroom teacher or mentor teacher you have an important part to play in the success of the system.

CAUTION SYSTEM

Cautions can be given by any teacher for the following:

Out of Uniform
Late attendance to class
Out of class without permission (NOTE Required)
Bags in class without permission
Not bringing learning materials to class

Cautions that can only be issued by the relevant Student Manager:

Truancy (per session)

Points accumulate on a student’s COMPASS file.

Individual cautions = Parent/Carers will receive an automated email notification

5 Cautions = Mentor teacher to call home to discuss concerns
10 Cautions = Lunchtime Redemption logged on Compass by Team Leader who will also discuss supports through tracking sheet. Parent/Carer notified through automated email.
15 Cautions = 45 minute After School redemption. Team Leader will contact home and add the student to the Tier 2 case management load
20 Cautions = Saturday Detention/ Pupil free day. Parent phone call made by the Engagement Team .
25 Cautions = Formal Parent/Carer Meeting with Student Manager to discuss further interventions add to Tier 3 case management load.
30 Cautions = Suspension and SSG with Directors of Student Management
35+ Cautions = Case Managed by the relevant Assistant Principal

Cautions are kept on record on COMPASS: Cautions and Merits Section

Cautions are reset at the end of each year.

Process for all staff:

If a student is out of uniform, late to the college without parent/carer prior approval, out of class without permission, has their bag in class without permission or hasn’t brought essential learning materials they warrant a Caution.
Staff member notifies the student of the Caution.
As soon as conveniently possible, staff member logs the Caution on COMPASS.
Weekly Caution/Merit points will be printed out or emailed for Mentor Teachers. This information needs to be passed onto students in class mentor time.
Parent communication for each Caution will occur through the parent portal/COMPASS.

MERITS

Merit points are awarded for following categories:

Academic Excellence Merit: Top Performers
Academic Excellence Merit: Most Improved
Above and Beyond Positive Behaviours
Demonstrating College values

Academic Excellence Merit: Top Performer

Criteria: Achieving the best scores in class work/assignment/test/exam.

Academic Excellence Merit: Most Improved

Criteria: Achieving a score with the greatest growth in learning.

Above and Beyond Positive Behaviours

Criteria: Displaying behaviours that exceed the expected level of conduct

Demonstrating College Values

Criteria: Displaying the College Values

Honesty and Trust:

Showing honesty in our interactions
Being trustworthy in the classroom or school community
Other

Responsibility:

Helping others in our school community
Taking responsibility in the classroom or school community
Being a role model/Showing leadership in the classroom or school community
Other

Personal Success

Showing perseverance in our work
Showing persistence in our work
Achieving personal goals
Other

Respect and Tolerance

Showing kindness to others
Being inclusive and tolerant
Being an advocate for others
Being community minded
Other

Process for all staff:

Student is identified as being deserving of a Merit.
Staff member notifies student of Merit.
At a convenient time, staff member logs the Merit on COMPASS.
Mentor teachers will share/celebrate merit accumulation with students in Mentor time.
Parent communication for each Merit will occur through COMPASS. Mentor teachers are encouraged to share Merits with families.
Team Leaders will generate a report weekly to identify Merit Award levels in order to populate relevant certificate.
Student Managers to organise student names for publication.