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Code of Behaviour Policy

Our Lady’s Secondary School is a Catholic secondary school under the Trusteeship of Ceist.. Our primary aim is to work together as staff and students to realize our full potential in a healthy, safe, stimulating and friendly environment where the atmosphere is one of mutual respect, cooperation and challenge.

As a school community we are proud of our school, its traditions, heritage and the standards it sets for us all. In order to achieve our aims, continue our traditions and maintain our standards a commitment by all to accepted and established behaviour is essential. The Code of Behaviour provides guidelines and boundaries to facilitate this commitment. Specifically the Code will strive to:

·         Guarantee justice and fairness to all.

·         Set high standards of behaviour.

·         Allow each student to benefit fully from school.

·         Develop self-discipline.

·         Affirm and reward good behaviour.

·         Protect student, staff and school property.

·         Organise a large group of people so that the life of the school can operate smoothly to the benefit of all.

It is intended that the Code will allow all staff and students to work to their full potential secure in the knowledge that each member of the school community is valued and treated with respect. If procedures, rewards and sanctions are clear then standards are more attainable.

The key to successful understanding of the Code is respect:

Respect Yourself        Respect Other People        Respect Property    

Respect the Environment.        Respect God

The Code covers the following areas:

1. System of Rewards

Rationale

A code of behaviour is not and should not be merely a list of rules and sanctions. It should encourage a commitment to follow and contribute creatively to group enterprise, teamwork, respect and caring.  It is the policy of Our Lady’s Secondary School to reward positive contributions made to school life, to recognize and reinforce good standards of behaviour and effort.

Rewards

• Teachers praise effort and behaviour as part of teaching strategy.
• Positive comments in Student Journal.
• Telephone calls to parents to mark achievements.
• Recognition and praise for individual and group achievements by staff during interaction with students.
• Acknowledgement and praise for individual and group achievements via PA announcements.
• Highlighting the positive at Year Group Assemblies.
• Display of students’ work in public areas around the school.
• Highlighting the positive at Parents’ meetings.
• Certificates of Good Attendance.
• Certificates of Merit awarded to students for outstanding efforts either in or out of class. Also awarded for improvements in class work, participation or behaviour.
• Election\Appointment to leadership roles – Prefects, Peer Support, Student Representative Council, Careers Committee etc.
• Leadership Certificates awarded to students who show recognizable leadership skills in any area of school life or a special contribution to the community at large.
• Recognition of individual or group achievements in ‘Our Lady’s Bulletin’, Compass , Venture ,the school website and local media.
• Student of the Year – those final year students who are deemed to have  contributed most to school life during their time in Our Lady’s receive nominations for this prestigious award. One of the nominees receives the  Student of the Year Award based on his\her overall commitment to school life.
• Transition Year Awards Night recognizes the commitment of students to the spirit and purpose of Transition Year.
• Awards Night is designed to recognize and reward both achievement and effort in all areas of school life.

2. Attendance / Punctuality

Rationale

Daily attendance is essential to meet the school’s academic standards. The school is bound by law to record a student’s attendance record and inform the  Education Welfare Board if a pupil has been suspended for more than six days or if a pupil has been absent for 20 days, full-day or half-day.

Rules

ü  The class day lasts from 9.00 a. m – 3.40 p.m. Students should be in the school by 8.55 a.m. for morning class and 1.45 p.m. for afternoon class.

ü  Any student arriving late for morning or afternoon class must first sign in at the office and get their journal stamped.

ü  A parent/guardian must complete a note from your journal and it must be handed in at the office if    

1.    you are late for school(more than 38 mins) and have a valid reason

2.    you must leave school during the day for a legitimate reason.

3.   you have been absent from school the previous day or number of days.

ü  Parents will be informed if a student is persistently late without a valid reason. Sanctions may be imposed for persistent late coming.

ü  The student may also be returned to the care of their parents/guardians if a student is   persistently late without a valid reason.

ü  Pupils must arrive for class in time during the day.

ü  All students participating in extra-curricular activities must report for roll call at 9.00 a.m and at 1.50 p.m.

ü  You must never leave the school premises without first reporting to the Principal or Deputy Principal or to relevant year head when neither Principal nor Deputy Principal is available. Having been granted permission to leave you must sign out in the office. Any breach of this rule is a very serious matter. Parents/Guardians are required not to make routine dental, optical or medical appointments during normal school hours.

ü  Family holidays, that would necessitate a student’s absence from school, must not be arranged outside official holiday periods.

3. Uniform/Appearence

Rationale

  This rule is necessary in the interest of hygiene and health. Uniform is a definite mark of identity, is economical and removes undue pressure, distraction and competitiveness in the school community.

  It is the intention, at all times, to maintain the integrity of the school uniform. As fashions are constantly changing and students are always imaginative and forward looking in relation to innovations which may breach the spirit if not the letter of the code it may be necessary to update the code during the course of the school year .In such circumstances the principal, or in his absence the deputy principal will be the final arbiter of what is acceptable.

Our Lady’s Uniform Policy is as follows:

ü  Pupils must be clean and tidy and wear full, correct uniform to school, during school and when returning from school. Full uniform must also be worn on school  related activities unless given permission by the principal/deputy-principal.

ü  Hair must be clean and tidy and tied up, if long.

ü  All items of uniform should be labelled with pupil’s name.

ü  Jackets should be placed in lockers/bags when not in use.

ü  Students who fail to wear full, correct uniform may not be admitted to class, or attend school activities on that day .Students must have an explanatory note, countersigned by the Principal/Deputy Principal prior to admittance to class.

ü  The uniform consists of:

BOYS  

Navy gabardine trousers(belt if worn must be plain black)

Official school v-neck jumper with school crest

Sky blue shirt and school tie

Official school rainproof jacket with name

Plain black or navy shoes ,navy or black socks

Official school scarf and hat

GIRLS

Navy trevira skirt with inverted pleat in front or navy uniform trousers(belt if worn must be plain black)

Official school v-neck jumper with school crest

Sky blue shirt and school tie

Official school rainproof jacket with school crest/name

Plain black or navy shoes, navy or black socks or tights

Official school scarf and hat

P.E.

Pupils must have appropriate sports wear for P.E. class.

School team sports tops may not be worn during the school day.

PRACTICAL CLASSES

Protective clothing and goggles must be worn as instructed.

Runners(of any colour or make) are not permitted – except for P.E./games or on presentation of a Doctor’s cert.

Note:      No other variation of uniform is permitted.

                Pupils must have shirts and ties neatly arranged. 

IN ORDER  TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNIFORM THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT PERMITTED:

Make-up:

Students are not allowed to wear any form of make-up while in school uniform. This includes:

·         Eye shadow ,liner or mascara.

·         Foundation or blusher

·         False tan/ Artificial colouring

·         Lipstick/Gloss

·         Nail Varnish/ Nail Art

Jewellery:

The following are not permitted:

·         All body piercing with the exception of one small stud in each ear.

·         Neck bands/Chains

·         Large rings

Clothing:

The following are not permitted:

·         T-shirts which are visible under the school shirt.

·         T-shirts visible below school jumper.

·         Coloured socks.

·         Decorative belts.

·         Boots, canvas shoes or runners of any description.

·         Hoodies.

·         Slit in trousers, skirts or frayed hems.

·         Non-school jackets, scarves or hats.

Hair:

Drawing up and enforcing rules in relation to acceptable hairstyles in a fair and equitable manner is extremely difficult. The following is an attempt to set out rules in a clear and unambiguous way.

·         In the interests of hygiene, and for health and safety reasons, students may be asked to tie back their hair.

·         Shaven(less than blade 2) part or full head is not permitted.

·         Symbols/designs cut into hair are not allowed e.g. tracking.

·         Students must be clean shaven.

·         Unnatural hair colours ,including bleached hair , are not allowed.

·         Streaks are not allowed.

·         Students are not permitted to constantly change their hair colour.

·         Students are not permitted any other exceptional or extreme hairstyle which is deemed inappropriate.

Other:

·         Tattoos must not be visible.

·         Fashion accessories are not permitted e.g. Hair decorations; wrist decorations, tooth embellishments, etc.

·         Students are not permitted to wear any symbols ;badges or memorabilia other than those sanctioned by the Principal for a specific purpose.

Breaches of the Uniform Code will result in sanctions. A student not wearing full uniform or in breach of any of the above may not be allowed attend class until he/she complies with the Code. Persistent breaches of the Uniform Code may result in suspension.

                                                                          4. In the Classroom

Rationale

§  Good order courtesy and respect for all.

§  Safe and pleasant environment for all.

§  Positive climate conducive to learning.

§  Enables the teacher to proceed positively uninterrupted with lesson.

Rules

Ø  Students are always required to enter the classroom quietly in an orderly manner and on time

Ø  Sit in your allotted seat unless your teacher requests you to change.

Ø  Correct uniform must always be worn in class.

Ø  Outside garments such as coats scarves and hats must not be worn in the classroom.

Ø  Take out your books and materials for class without having to be told.

Ø  Produce homework on time or present a legitimate excuse at the beginning of class.

Ø  Involvement in extra-curricular activities is not an acceptable excuse for not doing homework. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on work missed  in class and /or homework .Failure to do so may result in the student being removed from the relevant activity.

Ø  Participate positively in the work of the class and co-operate fully with the teacher’s instructions.

Ø  Have your school journal in class, well maintained with no graffiti.

Ø  If late produce your journal duly stamped in the office.

Ø  A sick child must notify the class teacher before absenting themselves from class.

Ø  No student may absent themselves from class in the guise of accompanying a sick child without the specific permission of the class teacher.

Ø  Any unauthorised absence from class will be regarded as mitching and will be dealt with accordingly.

Ø  Under no circumstance may you publicly challenge or question a teachers decision or authority in class

Ø  Refrain from interrupting class to question a teacher’s decision. If you feel you have been misunderstood or treated unfairly wait until the end of class and politely request the opportunity to discuss the matter privately.

Ø  Disrespect and defiance to any member of staff, permanent or substitute, will be viewed as a very serious breach of discipline .It warrants immediate withdrawal from class and may include suspension and interview with parent(s) or guardians

Ø  Any attempt to intimidate a teacher physically, verbally or by any other means will be viewed as a most serious breach of discipline and will warrant serious action.

Ø  Never poke fun at or ridicule any student in your class or any student entering your classroom on a message.

Ø  Students may not leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission.

Ø  Do not ask to leave the classroom except for illness or some other emergency.

Ø  Eating and/or chewing gum is prohibited in the class.

Ø  Breaking, damaging or defacing classroom furniture is unacceptable. Students will have to bear the cost of replacement and /or repair in addition to any other sanctions which may be imposed.

Ø  You must obey the specific rules and regulations governing specialist areas such as Science Laboratories, Woodwork, Technical Drawing, Art, Computer rooms, Home Economics rooms as well as the Gym and all-weather  playing pitch.

Ø  Mobile Phones are strictly forbidden in classrooms.

Ø  Obey fire drill code during fire drills and/or fire evacuation as directed by teacher.

5. General

Rationale

Our Lady’s school community consists of almost seven hundred individuals. The rules outlined below are intended to create a healthy, safe, orderly and enjoyable environment for all. It is only with the co-operation of everyone that the resources of the school can be used to maximum benefit.

1)     Students are responsible for their own belongings and must label clearly each item of personal property.  Keep anything you value in your skirt / trousers pocket. Never leave money or valuables in your coat pocket in the cloak-room or in your schoolbag. Never take anything that does not belong to you – this is stealing.  Never hide another person’s bag or belongings .Jackets to be kept in lockers when not
in use. Always lock your bicycle and locker.

2)     Do not run on corridors or on passages around the school and do not push or jostle other students.  Avoid loud and unruly behaviour. Follow one-way system when required. Bags must not be left in doorways, stairwells or within confined areas, especially on connecting corridor between GPA and old building.

3)        Students must show due respect to all adults in, or visiting the school, including teaching and ancillary staff. Always stand back to allow adults priority. When moving around in a group consider others. Walk in small groups of two or three rather than en masse.

4)     Promote your own health and that of others. Smoking is forbidden in the school, school grounds ,in the vicinity of the school and on any school outing or activity. Alcoholic drink and drugs are banned and any breach will be viewed as extremely serious. Chewing gum is forbidden all around the school. Fizzy drinks are not permitted.

5)     Take pride in your school and its environment. Keep it clean and beautiful. Do not litter or damage it in any way. Graffiti will not be tolerated. Pupils found defacing or damaging school property will be required to pay for the costs incurred by the school and their parents/ guardians will be contacted.

6)     If you break or damage any part of the school property, even by accident, own up to it immediately; this is an admirable test of character.

7)     Obey the rules of the road whether you walk, cycle or travel by bus to and from school.If travelling by bus or car always use the seat belt provided. Show patience, courtesy and care to all who use the roads and footpaths. Be particularly careful and well behaved on school buses especially when getting on and off.

8)     Outside school hours continue to show courtesy and respect to your parents and family, to your teachers at all times, to civic and church authorities and to all members of the community. Be aware of others when using footpaths.

9)     Take extra care on all stairways.

1)     From time to time  a teacher other than the usual subject teacher may take a class. This may be due to the absence of a teacher, a visiting teacher passing on particular information or a trainee teacher. Under these circumstances students are expected to behave to the highest standards and all classroom rules continue to apply. Any student abusing such a situation will receive an appropriate sanction.

2)     C.D. players, Walkmans, M.P.3 players, i-pods and other electronic devices are not permitted. All devices capable of recording voice/sound, devices capable of emitting sound and devices capable of emitting light beams or images must not be used during the school day.

3)     All hand held game consoles and other such gaming devices are also banned from school life and all school related activities.

4)     All students must sign the school’s ICT (Information Communication Technology) acceptable usage policy. Students are permitted to use the school’s ICT equipment for educational purposes only. Students must not use ICT equipment to create, convey or generate (i.e. print or any other means) obscene or unsuitable material.

5)     In accordance with the above acceptable usage policy, students may use the internet for educational purposes only. Students are not permitted to use the following websites or other sites which would be deemed inappropriate.

v  Sites containing inappropriate material.

v  Social networking sites (e.g. Bebo or my space or similar site)

v  All personal email sites.

v  Mobile phone sites.

v  Texting or image texting sites.

v  Video sites.

v  All music sites.

v  Gambling sites.

v  Students who are found to be in breach of the ICT acceptable usage policy may face exclusion from use of ICT equipment, regardless of course requirements, or suspension.

15) If a student is being bullied/intimidated or is aware of other students who are being bullied/intimidated he/she should bring the matter immediately to the attention of his/her Tutor,Year Head,Teacher,Peer support, the Principal or the Deputy Principal.                                                                           

16) Students are permitted to go to their lockers at the following times only:

a.     Before class begins in the morning

b.     At break-time

c.     At lunchtime

d.     At the end of the school day

17)  The throwing of flour, eggs, water or any such material is not allowed under any circumstances.

18)  Possession of fireworks, laser guns, stink bombs or any similar goods viewed as a serious breach of school rules.

19)  School management is not in favour of the growing trend of students driving cars or motorbikes to school.  We encourage students to use the transport available. Students are prohibited from parking cars or motorbikes on the school premises due to the limited parking available.

Note: Parents are requested not to enter the school grounds to drop and collect students as this endangers the safety of students walking and also causes congestion.

20)  A student may only use the lift by prior arrangement with the principal or deputy-principal. They may be accompanied by one other student if necessary

21)  Students are prohibited from interfering with teachers’ belongings either in the classroom or outside. Students are not permitted to be in the vicinity of teachers’ or visitors’ cars. Students found interfering with cars or other personal property may face suspension.

22)  Any student who is known to be involved supplying or procuring drugs either on the school premises or otherwise will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s substance abuse policy.

23)  Students are discouraged from eating or congregating in licensed premises, arcades or pool halls during the school day (including lunchtime).

24)  Students are not permitted to use roller skates, skate boards, wheelies (runners with wheels) while on the school grounds.

25)  Deliberately communicating in another language to the exclusion of others or for abusive reasons is unacceptable and will be dealt with by school management. Similarly, non verbal communication using signals or gestures which are intended to be abusive or rude is unacceptable and will incur sanctions.

26) On occasions when snow has fallen students are expected to remain indoors at break-time and lunchtime. The firing of snowballs is prohibited at all times and may incur a sanction.

27)  Inappropriate physical contact is unacceptable during the course of the school day or school related activities, or while in school uniform.

6.  Lunchtime and Break-time

1.     Primary School, Convent and St. Mary’s Hospital grounds, Canon’s Yard and far side of gym are out of bounds for all our students. From 11.00 a.m. – 11.10 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. – 1.40 p.m. the top school (two storey building) and new extension are out of bounds for students except when teachers request otherwise.

2.     The norm at lunch-time is that students bring lunch with them or avail of the shop and  canteen facilities in the school, unless individual parents have personally negotiated another satisfactory arrangement with the principal and these students comply with this arrangement at all times. Lunchtime passes will be issued to senior students at the schools discretion.

3.     Students may not leave the school at break or between classes without the permission of the principal/ deputy-principal.

4.     Queue in an orderly fashion at the shop/canteen.All food should be consumed in G.P.A. or outside. Following the consumption of food all waste and litter should be put in the nearest bin.                                  

5.     School bags should not be left in areas where they are likely to cause an obstruction.

6.     Loud or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated.

7.     Students should return to class when the first bell rings. They should be outside the relevant classroom before the second bell rings.

8.     Students are permitted to leave the school premises at lunchtime only if they are in possession of a valid lunch pass or a note signed by the principal, deputy-principal or year head. This pass must be produced on request to any member of staff. All students must leave via the new entrance.

9.     Students who have a legitimate reason for not returning in the afternoon must bring in a note outlining the reason; get it signed by the principal or deputy-principal and sign out at the office before leaving the school premises.If verification is needed the parent will be contacted by phone.

 7.  Outside School

The Board of Management stresses that any behaviour by a student of Our Lady’s Secondary School which takes place off the school premises,on a trip or tour, or outside the school day but which impacts in a serious and negative way on other members of the school community is covered by the Code of Behaviour and comes within the remit of the Board. Such behaviours include:

·         Verbal attacks on or attempts to intimidate any member of the management or staff of the school.

·         Interference with the property of any member of the management or staff of the school.

·         Intimidation or bullying of another student likely to cause fear of school for this student. This includes the use of mobile phones and network sites for this purpose.

·         Involvement in the use, distribution  or sale of illegal substances.

8.Mobile Phones

 Mobile phones have become a part of everyday life for school students as much as anyone else. While there are great advantages to these phones it is extremely important that young people learn to use them appropriately. The modern phone as well as being used to make calls or send texts can take/send pictures, videos,record,e-mail,download from the internet,access social networking sites and also contain games. These uses are not appropriate to schools and therefore the following school rules apply to mobile phones:

• Phones must be switched off before entering the school grounds.
• The phone should remain switched off until the student leaves the school grounds.
• Only the Principal may give a student permission to have his/her phone switched on while on the school premises.
• Students who need to contact a parent/guardian are welcome to use the phone in the school office on request.
• Parents should not call or text their children during the school day. Contact at any time can be made through the school office.
• Any student who has his/her phone switched on will have it confiscated for one week.
• Should there be a second similar  incident parents will be instructed to ensure that the student no longer takes a phone onto the school premises.
• Videoing or recording another person(staff or student) without their knowledge is an invasion of privacy and any student caught doing so may face suspension.

9.Sanctions

 Rationale

The school may apply a range of sanctions appropriate to the circumstances and seriousness of each individual case. These are tiered in nature to ensure a just and equitable approach that respects the dignity of all involved and depending on the seriousness of the breach of discipline in question These include:

·         A verbal warning

·         A note home to parents in school journal

·         A phone call to parents

·         Additional appropriate written work as per written  guidelines

·         Rescinding of lunchtime pass

·         Lunchtime detention

·         Evening detention

·         Saturday morning detention

·         Detention on. staff days.

·         The student may be put on report

·         School Community Service.

·         Internal suspension

·         Removal from school trip or extra-curricular activity

·         Immediate removal from class.

·         Suspension

·         Expulsion

 10.  Procedure for Suspension

The Principal may impose a suspension of up to 5 days or alternately refer the matter to the Board of Management who would meet within a reasonable period of time. In such an event the student will remain at home until the board reaches a decision. The board’s decision will be communicated to the parents\guardians by registered post.

A suspension imposed by the Principal may be appealed to the Board of Management. In this event the suspension stands until the Board makes a decision to revoke it.

Any suspension in excess of 6 days will be notified to the Education Welfare Officer.

If a student is suspended for 20 days in the school year his\her parents\guardians may appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

While suspended a student is not permitted to take part in any school related activity.

                                   11. Procedure for Expulsion

The Board of Management may consider the permanent exclusion of a student:

·         If the behaviour of the student is preventing teaching and learning from taking place on an ongoing basis.

·         If the behaviour of the student is such that other members of the school community are intimidated or threatened by the student’s continued presence in the school.

·         If the student is involved in a serious one off offence which breaches the school’s Code of Behaviour.

When an expulsion is being considered:

• The Principal will refer the matter to the Board of Management who will consider sanctions up to and including expulsion.
• Parents\Guardians will be notified by registered post that the matter has been referred to the Board and of the sanctions the Board will consider.
• Parents\Guardians will be invited to attend Board meeting. Student may also attend. Principal to arrange time.
• If parents\guardians decline to attend meeting they will be invited to make a written submission.
• Principal will meet with parents\guardians prior to Board meeting and explain procedure.
• Principal will inform parents\guardians of his\her intended statement.
• Written version of Principal’s statement will be made available to parents\guardians prior to Board meeting.
  • EWO will be notified of situation.
  • A decision by the Board of Management to permanently exclude will be communicated in writing by registered letter to the parents\guardians. Parents\Guardians will be informed of their right to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
  • The Education Welfare Board will be notified of the Board’s decision to expel.
  • The expulsion does not become effective for twenty school days after the EWB have been notified. The student remains suspended during this time.
  • The Principal should, with the agreement of the parents\guardians assist in sourcing another school for the student.