Purpose
To explain to parents/carers:
Scope
This policy applies to the general collection, use and disclosure of photographs, video and recordings (images) of students.
The policy does not cover the:
Policy
There are many occasions during the school year where Bayswater Primary School staff photograph, film or record students participating in school activities or events, for example classroom activities, sport events, concerts, excursions, camps, etc.
We do this for many reasons including to celebrate student participation and achievement, showcase learning programs, document a student’s learning journey/camps/excursions/sports events, communicate with our parents/carers and school community in newsletters and on our website. There may also be occasions where we take images to support student behaviour management or to fulfil legal obligations. Further detail is provided within this policy.
In addition to the above, there may be situations where a third party requests to take, use or disclose images of students.
This policy outlines the practices that Bayswater Primary School has in place for the collection, use and disclosure of images of students to ensure compliance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). It also explains the circumstances in which we will seek parent/carer consent and how consent can be provided and withdrawn.
Consent
The Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Consent Form is provided by Bayswater Primary School at enrolment. This form applies to standard uses of images for the time your child attends the school. Standard uses are defined in the following sections.
For non-standard uses, where consent is required, parents/carers will be sent a consent form for that specific situation. Schools will also notify parents when implementing software that may include photos of students, giving parents an opportunity to discuss any concerns or preferences.
If at any time parents/carers wish to withdraw their consent, they can by emailing the school at Bayswater.ps@education.vic.gov.au. If consent is withdrawn verbally, the school will make a written record of this. However:
Image use within the physical school environment
Bayswater Primary School may photograph, film or record students to use within the physical school environment, including:
A Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Consent Form will be given to parents/carers on enrolment for the standard uses described above. Consent, if given, applies until it is withdrawn or changed. If a parent/carer would like to withdraw or change their consent at any point in time, they must notify the school.
Image use within the school community
Bayswater Primary School may photograph, film or record students to use within the school community, including:
Image use beyond the school community
Photographs, video or recordings of students may also be used in publications that are accessible to the public, including:
We will notify you individually if we are considering using any images of your child for specific advertising or promotional purposes.
Media
The media, or the Department of Education’s media team, may seek to photograph, film or record students for a news story or school event. This may include broadcast media, online or social media or print media, including newspapers and magazine publications.
When Bayswater Primary School receives such requests, our school will:
Students will only be photographed, filmed or recorded by the media at school if express consent is provided for that specific media event. Neither the school nor the department own or control any photographs, video or recordings of students taken by the media.
Research
On occasion, the school may agree to research projects being conducted at the school. If this occurs, parent/carer consent will be sought for student participation, including any photography or recording of students.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Our school's CCTV system is managed in accordance with the department's CCTV Installation and Management Policy. Further information about how CCTV is managed and operated is available in our CCTV Privacy Notice.
Other external collection, use or disclosure
If there is a situation which will involve the collection, use or disclosure of images of students by or to third parties which is not otherwise covered by this policy, Bayswater Primary School will:
Official school photographs
Each year Bayswater Primary School will arrange for a professional photographer to take official school photographs of students. This will generally involve both class photos and individual photos being taken.
Official school photographs may be:
Bayswater Primary School will notify parents/carers in advance of the official school photographs being taken to give them an opportunity to decide whether their child will be included in the photographs.
Parents/carers who choose to opt out of having their child participate in official school photographs must contact Michelle Vallence at the office before the date photos are scheduled to be taken to advise that their child will not participate. There is no obligation on any parent or carer to purchase any photographs taken. However, the school will need to discuss with these parents/carers alternative arrangements for identifying students in emergencies and for other essential purposes.
Images to manage student behaviour or fulfil our school’s legal obligations, including child safety
On occasion, it may be necessary for school staff to photograph, film or record students and/or use images to:
Bayswater Primary School does not require or obtain consent from parents/carers or students to photograph, film or record students, or to use these images, for these reasons. However, when Bayswater Primary School photographs, films or records a student for any of these purposes, staff will only collect and use such images in a way that is necessary, reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances.
Child Safe Standards
Bayswater Primary School will use student images reasonably, appropriately and sensitively, consistent with our obligations under the Child Safe Standards and our school’s Child Safety Policy. If at any time a parent/carer or student has a concern about the use of any images they should contact the principal at the school office.
Curriculum-based activities
Photographs, film and recordings of students may be collected and used for curriculum-based activities (i.e. class work) as part of standard learning and teaching practices. Bayswater Primary School does not require or obtain consent for this. Access is limited to students and relevant teaching staff. Parents/carers may have access to images of their own child in this context.
Professional development
Occasionally, teachers and classes may be recorded for professional development purposes to improve the delivery of educational services. Bayswater Primary School does not require or obtain consent for this, however the recordings will only be used internally and for the specific purpose of staff development.
Storage of images
Photographs, video and recordings of students taken by Bayswater Primary School will be stored in our secure document storage systems with restricted access. Any photographs, videos or recordings made on devices, including non-school issued devices, will be transferred to secure school systems and removed from the devices as soon as reasonably possible.
Images taken by the school community
Bayswater Primary School endeavours to respect the privacy of all members of our school community and requests that parents/carers, students and invited guests do not photograph, film or record school performances, sporting events and other school-approved activities.
Neither the school nor the department own or control any images of students taken by parents/carers, students or their invited guests at school activities.
Communication
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
Further information and resources
Policy review and approval
Policy last reviewed
