In devising the code, consideration has to be given
to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to create
an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline,
feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development.
Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school.
PRINCIPLES
The school recognises the variety of differences
that exist between children and the need to tolerate these differences.
It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation among staff and between staff, parents \ guardians and pupils.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the code of
discipline is implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner.
Children must:-
¨
..show
respect for fellow pupils, teachers, staff, visitors and school property.
¨
..walk
only in the school building and enter \ exit school premises \ building with
care.
¨
..remain
seated before and during class, and while eating at appointed times.
¨
..not
leave school grounds without written permission.
¨
..wear
either school uniform or school tracksuit on appropriate days.
¨
..supply
a written explanation for all absences from school or a written request to
leave school early.[1]
Children
are:-
¨
..responsible
for the appearance of, condition and safe keeping of school books, possessions,
furniture, equipment and classrooms.
¨
..encouraged
to keep good time, work hard, be honest and truthful.
¨
..not
permitted to wear clothing with offensive, graphics, logos or lyrics.
For the safety of all in Sacred Heart NS:-
¨
..children
should use the pedestrian gate only.
¨
..swinging
on chairs is forbidden
¨
..stud
earrings only are allowed and body piercings of any kind are prohibited.
¨
..helmets
with visors must be worn during games.
¨
..entering
or playing in the shrubs, bushes, trees or on the walls surrounding the school
is strictly forbidden.
Bullying is always
unacceptable and is dealt with separately under the Anti-Bullying Policy.
Praise may be given by some
or all of the following means.
¨
A
quiet word or gesture to show approval
¨
A
comment in a pupil’s exercise book
¨
A
visit to another member of Staff or to the Principal for commendation.
¨
A
word of praise in front of a group or class.
¨
A
system of merit marks.
¨
Delegating
some special responsibility or privilege.
¨
A
mention to parent, written or verbal communication.
¨
Presentation
of certificate \ medal for Exemplary Behaviour.
¨ Presentation of certificate \ medal for Exemplary Attendance.
The nature of the behaviour will determine the strategy.
¨
Reprimand
(including advice on how to improve).
¨ Prescribing extra work.
¨
Communication
with Parents \ Guardians.
¨
Temporary
separation from peers and/or loss of privileges.
¨
Referral
to Principal.
¨
Note
to Parents \ Guardians
¨
Take
note of unacceptable behaviour in Incident Book \ Yard Book \ Pupil’s Journal.
¨
Write
out lines.
¨
Exclusion
from representing School Teams or going on School Tours.
¨ Suspension \ Expulsion (in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular 7/88).
Procedures
The degree of misdemeanours will be judged by the teachers and \ or Principal, based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours as outlined below.
|
Interrupting
class work |
Arriving
late for school |
Running
in school building |
|
|
Talking
in class |
Leaving
seat without permission |
Leaving
litter around school |
|
|
Not
wearing correct uniform |
Being
discourteous/unmannerly |
Not
having homework signed |
|
|
Endangering
self/fellow pupils in the school, yard or field |
Not completing homework without good reason |
||
·
Verbal
reprimand \ reasoning with pupil.
Procedures
The
degree of misdemeanours will be judged by the teachers and \ or Principal,
based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such
misdemeanours as outlined overleaf.
|
Constantly
disruptive in class |
Telling
lies |
Stealing |
|
Damaging
other pupil’s property |
Bullying |
Bringing
weapons to school |
|
Not
working to full potential |
Back
answering a teacher |
Deliberately
injuring a fellow pupil. |
|
Using
unacceptable language |
Bringing
inappropriate literature to school |
Bringing
inappropriate music to school |
|
Leaving school premises during school day without appropriate permission. |
||
24.-(1) Where
the Board of Management of Sacred HeartNS or a person acting on its behalf is
of the opinion that a student should be
expelled from that school it shall, before so expelling the student, notify the
Educational Welfare Officer to whom functions under this Act have been
assigned, in writing, of its opinion and the reasons therefore.
(2) The Educational
Welfare Officer concerned shall, as soon as may be after receiving a
notification under subsection (1), make all reasonable efforts to ensure that
provision is made for the continued education of the student to whom the
notification relates.
(3) For the
purposes of subsection (2), the Educational Welfare Officer concerned shall, as
soon as may be after receiving the said notification-
(a) make all
reasonable efforts to consult with the principal of the school concerned or a
person nominated by him or her, the student concerned and his or her parents,
and such other persons as the Educational Welfare Officer considers
appropriate, and
(b) convene a
meeting attended by him or her of such of those persons as agree to attend such
meeting.
(4) A student
shall not be expelled from a school before the passing of 20 school days
following the receipt of a notification under this section by an Educational
Welfare Officer.
(5) Subsection (4) is without prejudice to the right of a board of management to take such other reasonable measures as it considers appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school concerned and that the safety of students is secured.”
*It should be noted that these lists consist of examples only
and is not meant to be a totally
comprehensive list of misdemeanours and procedural steps.
[1] Under the terms of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which became law in July 2002.
A. The Principal is required to keep “a record of attendance or non-attendance on each school day of each student registered at that school.”
B. Parents \ Guardians are required to submit in writing “where a student fails to so attend, the fact of his or her failure and the reason for such failure.”
C. “Where the aggregate number of school days on which a student is absent…during a school year is not less than 20” the Principal is required by law to inform in writing an Educational Welfare Officer, who will in turn investigate the reasons for such absences.