St. Canice’s Co-Educational National School,
Granges Road,
Kilkenny

Telephone : 056-7762150
Fax : 056-7762895
E-Mail : stcanice.ias@eircom.net

Chairperson: Fr. James Murphy
Principal : Mrs Maria Comerford

Every effort is made to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school and greater emphasis is placed on rewards and recognition of good behaviour than on sanctions. We recognise the variety of differences that exist between children and try to accommodate these differences.

Our school rules aim to ensure that each child respects and care for himself and have respect, care, consideration and courtesy for others.

In order that these rules are understood and adhered to by all the students of the school, time will be spent in each class at the beginning of each term carrying out the following BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE programme.

PROGRAMME FOR BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE:

a) The children of each class will be introduced to the code of discipline and
behaviour for the school. They will be taken through each of the rules and exercises will be carried out to ensure they understand the need for these rules and benefits for themselves.

b) Pupils from each class will prepare projects on the subjects of good/bad behaviour, discipline, bullying, etc., and incentives will be introduced to encourage good behaviour.

c) The school will investigate the possibility of talks for both the pupils and parents on the subject of bullying.

d) This programme will be carried out at the beginning of each term.

The following are the School Rules, which will be covered in this programme for the children.

SCHOOL RULES

CONDUCT

1. Children are expected to be caring and courteous in their attitude to others
teachers, staff, parents, friends and other children.

2. All pupils are expected to be in school no later than 9.20 a.m. on each school day. If for any reason a child is unable to attend on time, a written note to the class teacher is expected. A note should also be furnished when children are returning after any absence from school.

3. Children are expected to move about the school in a quiet and orderly manner, showing respect for classes in session nearby. In the interests of safety and hygiene children do not run or eat in the corridors of the school.

4. All children must go to the playground at break times, weather permitting. In the playground it is expected that they play and move about in a manner that will allow all to play in safety. Certain areas adjacent to the playground are out of bounds in the interest of safety. Certain games are also disallowed because of the danger element in a concrete playground.

5. Bullying in any of its forms will not be tolerated.

6. When school finishes each day, all children must leave the school grounds in a quiet and orderly manner.

7. Bad language will not be tolerated in the school or the immediate area surrounding the school

8. Homework should be done neatly and in full. A written note from parent/guardian is required if homework is not done.

9. The school uniform must be work each day except on P.E. days when the school tracksuit must be worn.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CHALLENGING ATTITUDES

The school wishes to stress the positive attitudes to challenging behaviour. The school encourages and re-enforces exemplary behaviour with minimum attention to those who wish to choose inappropriate attitudes:

• Praise and commendation for work well done.
• Recognition for effort.
• Rewards for success and achievement.
• Merit awards.
• Promotion of games, craft and pleasant opportunities to enjoy.
• Certificates.

SANCTIONS

1. 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 common responsibility for good order within the school premises. A child will be referred to the principal for serious breaches of discipline and for repeated incidents of minor incidents.

2. The following strategies may be used to show disapproval or unacceptable behaviour.

a) Reasoning with the child.
b) Reprimand (including advice on how to improve).
c) Temporary separation from peers, friends and others.
d) Loss of privileges.
e) Prescribing additional work.
f) Referral to principal.
g) Communication with parents.
h) Withdrawal for a day.
i) Suspension (temporary)

3. In the case of serious misbehaviour or persistent disruption the following steps
may be taken.

a) Class teacher will keep a written record of all incidents of serious misbehaviour as well as a record of improvements in the behaviour of disruptive pupils and will inform the principal of the problem.
b) Parents will be notified by letter (of which a copy will be kept in the school) requesting one or both of them to meet with class teacher. The Principal may be in attendance.
c) If the difficulty is not resolved the principal will seek a meeting with parents who will be notified by hand or registered mail. A copy of all correspondence shall be kept in the school files. Class teacher may be in attendance at meeting.
d) If, after the above steps have been taken, there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour (which include aggressive, threatening or violent misbehaviour towards a teacher, staff member or other children) 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 principal. Notification once again shall be delivered by hand or by registered mail. Copies of all correspondence shall be kept in the school files. 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.

The co-operation of parents and guardians in dealing with discipline and other problems is deeply appreciated. Therefore we would ask you to ensure your child has a good understanding of the Code of Conduct for the school and understands the need to abide by these rules.

In order to make this work, it is necessary for the school to ensure each chld and parent/guardian has received and understands the Code of Discipline for the school. Please sign the attached slip to confirm this.

The objective of this code is to ensure a safe and happy learning environment for the children of St. Canice’s Co-Educational National School.