1.1 Parents and a
supportive home environment play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes, which
produce good behaviour in schools. This in turn helps to mature students for
adult life by fostering in them the essential senses of self-discipline,
self-esteem, respect for others and their property and allegiance to their
communities.
1.2
It is in the best interests of Management, Teachers,
Parents, Guardians and Students to have an effective and fair
behaviour/disciplinary code which will allow the interested parties to work
together in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
1.3 The Code of
Behaviour/Discipline in Moyle Park College should be considered in the context
of the school being a community in which mutual respect; co-operation and
natural justice are integral features.
2.
AIMS OF THE CODE
2.1
To enable the College to operate smoothly and efficiently
for the benefit of all staff and students.
2.2
To create a positive learning environment in which every
student can benefit and based on mutual respect, enable each student to realise
his full learning potential.
2.3
To help students become more self-disciplined and to
encourage good standards of behaviour both within and outside the school
environment.
2.4
To promote a caring environment within which high standards
of co-operation, behaviour and discipline are fostered and maintained.
3.
STATEMENT FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
3.1
Parents/Guardians are required to understand that
"Authority within the classroom rests with the teacher in charge of the
classroom".
3.2 In the exercise of that authority school
management:
(a) Will ensure that the code
of behaviour/discipline is interpreted and administered in a fair and just
manner.
(b) Will ensure that
written procedures for the administration of the behaviour/disciplinary process
are available and monitored.
3.3 To facilitate the implementation of this
code, Parents/Guardians are expected to take a positive interest in all aspects
of school life.
(a) by fully accepting the
school rules as set out in the code.
(b) by taking an active
interest in their child's progress through school, attending parent/teacher
meetings, checking study and homework, and keeping in close contact with the
school authorities.
4.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS
4.1
Behave in a responsible manner both to themselves and to
others, showing consideration, courtesy and respect for other students,
management, teachers and staff at all times.
4.2
To respect the person of the individual at all times.
4.3 To respect
the property of the individual and/or the school at all times and to make every
effort to keep the school clean and tidy.
5.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
5.1
Students are required to attend school at all times during
the school's academic year, otherwise reasons for non-attendance must be shown
and properly notified in writing to the College authorities.
5.2
Students are required to use their own personal ID card to
record their attendance on the machines supplied in the College each morning
and afternoon and when required by School Management.
5.3
Mis-use of a student's ID card is a serious matter and may
result in the student appearing before the College Disciplinary Committee.
5.4
Students are required to be on time for school each day.
Persistent latecomers shall receive a sanction. Students are not allowed to enter
by the front door except with the permission of staff or when accompanied by a
Parent / Guardian.
5.5
After a student has been absent, a note from the Parent /
Guardian indicating the dates of his absence must always be brought to the Form
Teacher on the students return to school.
5.6 If a student is absent for a persistent
period the Form Teacher should inform the year head who in turn will contact
the Parents / Guardians of the Student asking for an explanation.
5.7 If and when a student is absent from
school for an accumulated 20 school days under the
Education Welfare Act 2000, the College is obliged to inform the Education
Welfare Officer (EWO) assigned to the College the name and address of that
student. The EWO may then take further action.
5.8
Students with a full attendance record for the academic year
(i.e. 3 or less days absent in the year) will receive a "Certificate of
Attendance" at the end of each year.
5.9
Students who have supplied the College with written
permission from Parents / Guardians may go home directly for lunch. All other
students must remain in the College grounds at lunchtime. Parents who have
given permission to their son to go home for lunch must sign page 7 of the
College Journal. This states "My son has permission to return home
directly each day for lunch. He does not have permission to enter the shops in
the Village during lunchtime".
5.10 A Student should not be sent home during
school hours except to the care of his Parent/Guardian.
6.
BEHAVIOUR in CLASS
6.1
Students are required to understand that "Authority
within the classroom rests with the teacher in charge of the classroom".
6.2 Students are required to respect that
authority and follow instructions given by their teachers and other members of
staff.
6.3 Students are required to respect the
right of other students to learn and avoid disrupting the work of the
classroom.
6.4 Students are required to enter and leave
their classrooms in an orderly manner.
6.5 Students are required to show courtesy
and respect towards other students.
7.
BEHAVIOUR IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
7.1
Students are required to move about the school in an orderly
manner and to observe the one-way system in the corridors.
7.2.
Except with the express authority of the School Principal, students
shall not remain in the school building during lunch or after school activities
are finished.
7.3.
Students are required to come to and from school with due
care for other students, for property, for traffic and pedestrians and to
observe the rules of the road at all times.
7.4.
Students are required to use the bins provided for litter.
Littering the College or College grounds is forbidden and any form of graffiti
is also forbidden. Students are required to respect school property. Sanction
for breaches of the above will be applied.
7.5 Bullying, smoking, the use of alcohol,
solvent abuse, substance abuse, the illegal use of controlled drugs, sexual
harassment, vandalism, or any form of disruptive behaviour, which undermines
school stability and credibility is forbidden, and possession of alcohol,
tobacco, lighters or matches is forbidden.
8. BEHAVIOUR IN
THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.
8.1
Students are required to have respect for the person and
property of others.
8.2
Students are required to avoid rough play (both verbal and
physical).
8.3
Students must vacate the school building at break time.
Special arrangements will be made in the case of inclement weather.
8.4
Students are only permitted to re-enter the school premises during
break with a teacher's permission.
8.5 Students are required to remain within
clearly defined areas in the playground.
9. HOMEWORK
9.1
Homework, including written exercises, learning, revision and
preview, is given on a regular basis and students are required to complete it
neatly and to the best of their ability.
9.2
Students are required to note all homework assigned in their
College Journal.
9.3
Parents / Guardians are required to ensure that when the
homework, written and oral, is completed, the homework notebook is then signed
by them when required by the schoolteacher.
9.4 If for some reason, homework or part of
it, cannot be completed, Parents / Guardians are required to note this in the
College Journal.
10.
SCHOOL UNIFORM and PERSONAL PROPERTY
10.1
Students are expected to wear correct uniform coming to and
going from school, and may be excluded from class if not
wearing full school uniform. Full PE uniform is required during PE classes. All
facial piercings, including tongue piercing, are forbidden whether covered or
not. Students are expected to be neat and tidy at all times and the School
Authorities are the judges of acceptable standards of appearance.
10.2 When outside school environment and in
school uniform, students are required to uphold by their manners and behaviour
the good reputation and ethos of the school.
10.3 Students are at all times responsible for
their property, books, bicycles and clothing.
Bicycles brought to school must be locked in the bicycle compound. The
College authorities are not responsible for any articles lost or stolen.
10.4 The College authorities discourage students
from bringing Mobile Phones to school. If a student brings a Mobile Phone to
school, it must be switched off and out of sight at all times while the student
is on the school premises or grounds .If a student is caught using a Mobile
Phone or if it is turned on, it will be confiscated along with the SIM card. It
will be necessary for a parent to retrieve it.. If a student’s phone is
confiscated for a second or a subsequent time,, it will be held by the college
for one week, and must be collected by a parent or guardian. This also applies
to MP3 players and Earpieces. In
particular picture messaging phones must not be brought to school under any
circumstances.
10.5 All personal property should be labelled
and identified.
10.6
Shorts, tops and runners are required for Physical
Education, which is an integral part of the school curriculum.
11.
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
11.1 It is accepted that there is a need for
sanctions to register disapproval of unacceptable behaviour.
11.2 The sanctions listed below may result from
unacceptable behaviour by students. The particular sanction used will depend on
the seriousness of the misbehaviour.
11.3 The decision on expulsion from the school
is reserved to the Board of Management.
11.4 The sanctions for unacceptable behaviour
are as follows.
(a) Reasoning with the
student.
(b) Reprimand (including
advice on how to improve).
(c) Temporary physical
separation from the classroom.
(d) Loss of any privileges.
(e) Detention before school,
lunchtime or after school.
(f) Prescribing additional written work or
homework.
(g) Confiscation of Mobile
Phones for a specified period.
(h) Putting students on
report.
(i) Communication with Parents.
(j) Referral to Form Teacher.
(k) Referral to Year Head /
Deputy Principal / Principal.
(l) Disciplinary Committee.
(m) Suspension.
(n) Expulsion. (Note) This list is not exhaustive.
11.5 In the context of imposing sanctions, the
teacher and the school should ensure that "the rules of natural
justice" apply. This requires that before sanctions are applied, the
student, and depending on the nature of the action, which it is proposed to
take, his Parents / Guardians should be advised of the nature of the complaint
and be given an opportunity to respond.
11.6 Parents / Guardians may seek clarification
from the relevant person regarding the implementation of any of the above
sanctions. It is the Management's responsibility to ensure that the school's
Code of Behaviour/Discipline is administered in a manner, which is consistent
and fair to all students.
11.7 Communication with Parents/Guardians
through the College Journal, letters, meetings, phone calls etc will occur at
all stages so that Parents/Guardians are involved at an early stage rather that
as a last resort.
12.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
12.1 The teacher has primary responsibility for
discipline within his/her own classroom and he/she may give extra work, may
detain or may otherwise deal with inadequate work or disruptive behaviour in his/her
classroom.
12.2 In general the teacher should handle all
the day-to-day problems that arise in the classroom.
12.3 Each teacher must apply the code of
discipline in a fair and just manner.
12.4 Punishment to be effective must be known
and understood by all the class. Such punishment should normally take the form
of extra work or loss of privileges. Students must never be put to stand
outside the door of the classroom unsupervised.
12.5 If a student is detained:
(a) Before School: This
should not be earlier than 45 minutes before the first class begins.
(b) During Lunch: Students
should be allowed at least 15 minutes to eat their lunch.
(c) After School: Parents
must get 24 hours notice.
(d) Students are not to be
sent to the Study Hall, under any circumstances for Disciplinary reasons. If a
student is removed from class by the class teacher, it is the class teacher's
responsibility to ensure that the matter is dealt with immediately through the
normal Disciplinary Channels. Once the student receives the appropriate
sanction he must return to class.
12.6 When the classroom teacher is faced with a
persistent offender, then the matter is referred to the Form Teacher. The Form
Teacher takes a note of the incident.
12.7 The Form Teacher will assign the
appropriate sanction and may decide to contact the Parent / Guardian. Should
the subject teacher wish to see a Parent/Guardian it must be done with the
knowledge of the Form Teacher.
12.8 If there is no improvement in the student's
behaviour, the Form Teacher will refer the matter to the Year Head. He/She may
decide to deal with the matter, or may bring the matter before the Disciplinary
Committee.
12.9 The Year Head may proceed as follows:
(a) Full details are taken
by the Yearhead of the incident.
(b) Arrangements are made
if necessary, to contact or interview the Parents / Guardians.
(c) For serious
disciplinary matters the student may be sent home by the Year Head to return
with his Parent / Guardian. A student should not be sent home during school
hours, except in the care of his Parent / Guardian.
(d) If the Year Head deems
the matter to be sufficiently serious or has potential for further problems,
then he/she has the option of requesting a meeting of the Disciplinary
Committee.
(e) Before the Disciplinary
Committee meets, the Parent / Guardian must be informed and given the
opportunity to come to the College and discuss the matter with the relevant
person. The Parent / Guardian may also make a written submission. The student
should provide the committee with his written account of the incident. The
Parent / Guardian does not attend the Disciplinary hearing.
(f) The Disciplinary Committee consists
of: The Principal, the
Deputy-Principal, and Year Head of the student and/or the Form Teacher of the
student.
12.10 The student is given a full hearing and will
be questioned about the case by the members. After the student withdraws, the
committee will discuss the case and make recommendations to the Principal. Both
the incident and the decision of the Disciplinary Committee are recorded in the
Disciplinary Committee Book.
13.
ANTI-BULLYING CODE
Bullying behaviour
Bullying is repeated
aggression - verbal, psychological or physical - conducted by an individual or group
against others.
Examples of bullying:
·
Physical aggression - pushing - shoving - punching -
tripping, etc.
·
Damage to student's property
·
Extortion - demands for money etc.
·
Intimidation
- writing insulting remarks about another person
- passing around notes about another person
- passing around drawings of another person
- whispering insults about another person loud enough to be heard
- name calling which hurts, insults or humiliates
- ostracising another person from games or group activities
- threats, demands, invitations or coercion to fight
- using any type of equipment to cause fear in another person
Note: This list
is not exhaustive.
Anti-Bullying
Charter
• We want Moyle Park College to be free
from bullying
• There should be no name calling
• There should be no physical abuse
• There should be no ganging up on
people
• There should be no hurtful slagging
·
Everyone should feel respected
• When one of us does something wrong they should not be laughed at
• Problems should be shared
We all share responsibility
to ensure that bullying is not tolerated.