Ballycanew N.S.
Code of Behaviour
PRINCIPLES GOVERNING FORMATION OF CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
1. In devising the code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to ensure that the individuality of each child is accommodated while acknowledging the rights of all children to education in a disruption free environment.
2. Every effort will be made by all members of staff at adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school. The code offers a framework within which positive techniques of motivation and encouragement are utilised by teachers.
3. The school places greater emphasis on rewards than on sanctions in the belief that this will, in the long run, give the best results.
4. The school recognises the variety of differences that exist between children and the need to accommodate these differences.
5. 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, pupils and parents.
6. The rules are being kept to a minimum and are positively stated in terms of what pupils should do. The pupils take ownership of the rules by being involved in their formulation and enforcement at class level.
7. All efforts will be made to match the curriculum to the abilities, aptitudes and interests of each pupil so as to enhance a sense of self-worth.
8. The overall responsibility for discipline within the school rests with the principal. Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within his/her classroom while sharing a collective responsibility for good order within the school premises. A pupil will be referred to the principal for serious breaches of discipline and for repeated incidents of minor misbehaviour.
9. Teachers will keep a written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour as well as a record of improvement in the behaviour of disruptive pupils. Before resorting to serious sanctions (suspension) the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Parents will be involved at an early stage rather than as a last resort. The ultimate responsibility for a child’s behaviour rests with the parents/guardians.
10. Communication with parents will be verbal or by letter, depending on circumstances. The parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case. For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, suspension will be considered. Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher/pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour.
Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the Principal. If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future, the pupil may have to be suspended for a temporary period. Suspension will be in accordance with the terms of Rule 130(5) of the Rules for National Schools.
In case of gross misbehaviour the Board shall authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.
Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with rule 130(6)
11.Every effort will be made to have an emotionally disturbed child referred for psychological assessment without delay. Help will be sought also from support services within the wider community e.g. Community Care Services provided by Health Board.
12. All members of the teaching staff have been involved in planning the code. A copy of this code is available to all parents on request.
13. In the belief that the most effective schools tend to be those with the best relationships with parents, every effort will be made by the principal and staff to ensure that parents are kept well informed, that the school provides a welcoming atmosphere towards parents and that parents are not only told when their children are in trouble but when they have behaved particularly well.
14.The code will be reviewed at agreed intervals.
AIMS OF CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
The code of behaviour aims to achieve three things:
a) The efficient operation of the school and the structuring of in-class discipline so that there exists an efficient and stimulating learning environment.
b) The maintenance of good order throughout the school and respect for the school environment.
c) The development of self-discipline in pupils based on consideration, respect and tolerance for others.
PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLINE POLICY
If the school is to achieve a happy, secure environment in which children can develop to their full potential, it is necessary to provide a framework, which promotes constructive behaviour and discourages unacceptable behaviour. The school places a greater emphasis on rewards than on sanctions, and the idea is that pupils will acquire the skills of self-discipline. There are times, however, when it may be necessary to impose sanctions in order to maintain good order and to discourage offenders. The school recognises the variety of differences which exist between children and the need to accommodate these differences. School rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community
SCHOOL RULES
If a school is to function efficiently, it is necessary that rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently and wisely.
1. Respect and Courtesy: All pupils are expected to treat staff, their fellow pupils and visitors with respect and courtesy at all times. The use of foul language and any form of bullying are unacceptable.
2. Punctuality: The official opening time is 9am. Classes for infants end at 1.40pm. Classes for all other pupils end at 2.40pm. No responsibility is accepted for pupils outside these times.
3. Absences: Every absence of a child must be accounted for either by forwarding a note or by making contact with the school. If a child wishes to leave school early the parent/guardian should contact the school by phone/note. Children cannot leave the school grounds without the permission of the principal. Children can only be collected from school during the school day by their legal guardian. Any uncertified absences over 20 days have to be reported to the Health Board.
4. Illness: Any infectious illness should be notified to the school immediately.
5. Personal Property: Children should have their names on their coats and other personal property such as schoolbooks, copies etc.
6. School Property and the School Environment: Pupils must respect all school property and keep the school environment clean and litter free.
7. Healthy Lunch Policy: This prohibits sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks or crisps except on Fridays. No chewing gum is allowed in school at any time.
9. School Uniform: All pupils are expected to wear the School Uniform at all times, otherwise Parents should provide an explanation by note etc. Jewellery and clothes which present a health hazard should not be worn.
9. Mobile Phones: Children are not allowed bring mobile phones into school.
10. Birthday Invitations: The issuing of birthday invitations, cards etc. in school is forbidden as this can cause upset to children not included.
11. Bullying: Bullying of any kind is unacceptable (see Bullying Policy)
12. Breaks: Children are not allowed into the school building during breaks except to use the toilets of the senior classes.
13. Homework: All pupils are expected to complete homework assignments, unless there is a genuine reason for not doing so.
BEHAVIOUR IN CLASS
Pupils are expected to have their books and materials as required each day and wear full school uniform – including tie! All pupils are expected to work to the best of their ability. Respect and courtesy are basic to classroom behaviour. Pupils are expected to comply with their teacher’s instructions so that learning can take place in a pleasant environment. Any form of behaviour, which interferes with the right of teachers to teach and of other pupils to learn and to feel safe, is unacceptable.
BEHAVIOUR OUT OF CLASS
(corridors, cloakrooms, toilets, yard areas)
Pupils should treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. Pupils should behave in an orderly manner at all times and must walk when going from one area to another within the school building. Pupils are expected to keep to the designated areas and must not behave in any way which may endanger themselves or others. Bullying in any form will not be accepted.
REWARDS FOR ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
Encouraging high standards of behaviour among pupils and creating and maintaining an orderly atmosphere for learning in the school will involve the use of praise and rewards for good behaviour. Oral praise, written praise, merit lists, stars, certificates, showing exceptional work to other teachers, note to parents praising effort, positive motivation towards helping the pupils to achieve excellence.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
When sanctions are invoked to register disapproval of unacceptable behaviour, the pupil understands that his/her behaviour is not acceptable and is rejected by all. In any case where unacceptable behaviour continues, despite the best efforts of the teaching staff involved with the pupil, parents will be consulted and an agreed approach to the problem will be discussed and monitored over a period of time. The co-operation of parents/guardians is of critical importance i.e. dealing with on-going behavioural problems since the root of the problem may well lie outside the school. In general, positive encouragement and reinforcement are regarded as primary in helping pupils to develop responsibility, a positive attitude and self-discipline. However, where a pupil wilfully disregards school rules and infringes on the rights of others to participate in an ordered and structured learning environment sanctions will be needed.
SANCTIONS
The following strategies may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:
a) Reasoning with pupil
b) Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve
c) Temporary separation from peers, friends and others
d) Recording of incident of misbehaviour by means of a misbehaviour mark or by loss of credits
e) Detention during a break
f) Prescribed additional work
g) Communication with parents
h) Referral to Principal
i) Pupils who misbehave frequently may not be allowed to participate in school outings for their own safety and that of the other pupils
Note: Although incidents of misbehaviour are recorded, the emphasis is on encouraging children to behave well and praise is given for commendable behaviour. Parents will be informed at an early stage if problems occur and not simply at the point where a crisis has arisen.
DISCIPLINARY PORCEDURES
If a pupil misbehaves on a continuous basis, or if there is a serious incident of misbehaviour, it may be necessary to suspend a pupil. Procedures for the suspension of a pupil are as follows:
1. Parent is invited to discuss the matter with the class teacher and the principal.
2. If suspension is being invoked, the parent is informed and then confirmation of the duration of the suspension is provided in writing.
3. The maximum period of an initial suspension is three school days.
4. A special decision of the Board of Management is necessary to authorise a further period of exclusion up to a maximum of ten school days to allow for consultation with the pupil’s parents. In exceptional circumstance the Board of Management may authorise a further period of exclusion in order to enable the matter to be reviewed.