Code of Behaviour and Discipline - Shanbally N.S.
- Section A: Relevant Guidelines from the Dept. of Education.
- Section B : Behaviour and Discipline in our School.
- Section C : School Rules.
Section A: Relevant Guidelines from the Dept. of Education
"The schools Ethos or climate is a major factor in establishing and maintaining high standards of Behaviour and Discipline. This will involve a high level of co-operation among Staff and between Staff, Pupils and Parents"
"It is the Principal's responsibility to ensure that the school's Code of Behaviour and Discipline is administered in a manner which is consistent and fair to all pupils"
"The Policy aims to create a positive school ethos, where learning and development can take place, and to promote the highest possible consensus about standards of behaviour among Staff, Pupils and Parents"
"Parents can co-operate with schools by encouraging their children to abide by the school rules, by meeting the principal and the Class Teacher and by ensuring Homework is allocated due time and effort by the children"
"The school Behaviour Policy should underwrite the Non-Bullying Ethos. The Policy should stress the need to prevent and not just control bullying"
Section B: Behaviour and Discipline in our school.
- There has been no history of any serious Discipline problems in this school. Because of the nature of the school, i.e. a small rural school with very close links between teacher, parents and children. the general atmosphere has always been positive and caring. Furthermore, a key element has been, and still is, the close supervision of the pupils by the teachers and a fair application of any necessary sanctions for minor or persistent misdemeanours.
- It will be the policy of the school to engender in each child a strong sense of self-discipline which will be allied closely to a responsibility towards oneself and others.
This we hope to encourage through:
(a) The application of our religious education to practical examples of
children's behaviour.
(b) Discussing the rights and wrongs of certain types of behaviour within
the Classroom, the school grounds and the community.
(c) Engendering the realisation that misbehaviour which affects the other
children and the work of the class or school must be discouraged by certain sanctions.
(d) Implementation of the relevant sections of the "Stay Safe" programme
(e) Delegation of responsibility to pupils in senior classes for certain areas in the general running of the school e.g. litter bins, tidying in the classroom, keeping the computers clean, Library Committee etc.
- Each class teacher will be responsible for the discipline of the pupils within their own classroom situation.
- For any serious incident which would have a negative effect in school, the principal will contact the parents and meet them to discuss the resolution of the problem.(c.f. list of sanctions)
- This policy also includes the awareness among Pupils and Staff that Bullying behaviour within the school will not be tolerated. All cases which come to our notice will be fully investigated and dealt with using the Department of Education's comprehensive guidelines.
- The General organisation of the school, both within the Classroom, as regards well prepared work and procedures, and outside the Classroom as regards Assembly, behaviour in corridors and toilets etc. is so structured as to ensure a good stable atmosphere, encouraging good behaviour among all pupils.
The following Strategies will be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour.
1) Reasoning with Pupil.
2) Reprimand (including advice on how to improve).
3) Temporary separation from peer' friends or others, within classroom or at lunch breaks.
4) Detention during breaks.
5) Prescribing additional work, to be done at home and signed by parents.
6) Referral to the Principal (who will decide on further course of action).
7) Communication with Parents, by note.
8) Request to meet teacher or principal.
9) Suspension (Temporary).
10) In the case of gross Misbehaviour the chairperson or principal will sanction an immediate suspension, pending a discussion of the matter with the Parents.
11) Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with Rule 130 (c) Dept. of Education
Section C: School Rules
- Respect: Children are expected to be respectful to teachers and other school staff and to each other at all times. Respect must also be shown for school property and equipment and the property of others. Litter awareness is encouraged in our school.
- Behaviour: Children are required to work attentively in class and not to interrupt the orderly conduct of any class. Students are expected to refrain from any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination. Foul language will not be tolerated in school.
- Time: Children are expected to be on time for Assembly each morning - 8.50am. (School is open from 8.35 each morning). Infants finish at 1.30pm and all other classes finish at 2.30pm.
- Lunches: Parents are expected to provide a nutritious lunch for their children. (No child should arrive without having a good breakfast). Glass bottles and cans are not allowed. All sweet lunches and packets of savouries, e.g. Taytos, etc. are not acceptable; neither is chewing gum as per H.P.S. Nutrition Policy.
- Absence From School: If a child is absent for any reason a note of explanation is required. A telephone call will not suffice as written record must be kept of all absences. Dental or Doctor appointments should be made outside of school time, as much as possible. If school absences exceed 20 days the school is obliged to inform the N.E.W.B. (National Education Welfare Board). Parents who remove their child from school before the official closing time are required to sign the child out on a special form which is kept in the school office.
- Homework: All homework should be completed fully and checked by parents for effort and neatness. Incomplete work should be accompanied by a note. Homework journals are used from 1st - 6th Classes and these should be signed each night by parents/guardians. ( c.f. Homework Policy)
- Uniform: School Uniform must be worn by each child every school day unless told otherwise. All items of school uniform must be labelled.
- School Books and Copies: These should be kept neat and tidy during the year. Check them at regular intervals. Books and equipment should be given extra care by both children and parents.
- School Premises: Children are not allowed leave the school premises without permission, once they enter the school grounds. If children attend after-school activities, such as G.A.A. Training, Tennis or Art, they are not allowed go to the shop before these activities.
- School Telephone: Parents should telephone the school only to make an appointment with teachers or with some urgent information. Absences should be explained with a note only. Pupils' progress will not be discussed over the telephone. The school phone is available to students should any emergency arise during the day. Mobile phones may not be turned on during school hours by students.
By enrolment in the school, Parent(s) / Guardian(s) and their children agree to accept and abide by all sections of the Code of Behaviour and Discipline.