Upcoming Installation of Camera Surveillance at James Street School
Consistent with our commitment to maintaining a safe environment, James Street School will soon be installing a camera surveillance system. This initiative is designed to protect our school grounds and ensure the safety of our entire community.
The Purpose of Our Surveillance
The primary goal of this system is to deter and identify unauthorised entry, criminal activity, or any misconduct that poses a risk to health and safety. It is important to emphasise that these cameras will not be used for the routine monitoring of students or staff, as we strictly adhere to the privacy principles of the Privacy Act 2020.
Commitment to Privacy
We have conducted a thorough privacy impact assessment to ensure our practices respect the rights of our students and staff.
Strategic Placement: Cameras are positioned specifically to avoid areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms.
Vulnerability: Our assessment specifically accounts for the vulnerability of children and young people.
Data Security and Access
Maintaining the integrity of the information collected is a top priority:
Restricted Access: Access to recorded data is limited to the Privacy Officer (the Principal) or their authorised delegates.
Strict Oversight: We maintain a record of everyone who accesses the system and the specific reason for doing so.
Secure Storage: All data is protected against unauthorized access and will be destroyed in accordance with approved data protection standards.
Your Rights
Under the Privacy Act, individuals have the right to request access to surveillance data that contains their personal information. To protect the privacy of others who may be captured in the same footage, such access is typically provided as "view-only".
Ongoing Transparency
Once the system is active, clear signage will be displayed at school entrances to notify all visitors that surveillance is in use. Our full Camera Surveillance Policy will also be available for your review on our school document portal.
We appreciate your ongoing support in keeping James Street School a safe place for everyone to learn and work.
Camera Surveillance: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To ensure full transparency regarding the upcoming installation of our camera surveillance system, we have compiled answers to the most common questions from our community.
General Overview
Why is James Street School installing cameras now?
The system is being implemented to proactively deter and identify unauthorised entry, criminal activity, or any behavior that risks the health and safety of our students, staff, and visitors.1
Will the cameras be used to monitor my child's behaviour or staff performance?
No. The policy explicitly states that camera surveillance is not used for the routine monitoring of students or staff. Such use would be a breach of the Privacy Act 2020 principles.
Where will the cameras be located?
Cameras are placed strategically based on a privacy impact assessment. They are specifically excluded from areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or bathroom entrances.
Privacy and Data Security
Who is in charge of the surveillance system?
The School Principal acts as the Privacy Officer and is responsible for the system's oversight.
Who can watch the footage?
Access is strictly limited to the Privacy Officer or their authorised delegates and appointed system managers. We maintain a formal record of every individual who accesses the system and their specific reason for doing so.
How is the recorded data protected?
All data is secured against loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Information is stored and eventually destroyed in accordance with approved data protection and records retention standards.
Your Rights and Access
Can I request to see footage of myself or my child?
Yes. Under Principle 6 of the Privacy Act, individuals have the right to request access to camera surveillance data that contains their personal information.8
What happens if other people are in the footage I want to see?
If viewing the footage would reveal the personal information of others, the school will take reasonable steps to protect their privacy. This often means access is limited to "view-only" to prevent the data from being further disclosed or published.
Does the school share this footage with the Police?
If the Police are investigating criminal activity, they may request access. The school may cooperate if it is reasonably satisfied that doing so will help prevent or investigate an offence without breaching core privacy principles.
Accountability
How do we know the system is being used correctly?
The system’s operation is checked regularly by the Privacy Officer and our IT providers. Furthermore, the system and its related procedures are evaluated annually, with a formal report provided to the Board.