Code of Behaviour for Court N.S.
AIMS
In devising the code, consideration has to be given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development.
Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school.
PRINCIPLES
The school recognises the variety of differences that exist between children and the need to tolerate these differences.
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, parents \ guardians and pupils.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the code of discipline is implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner.
SCHOOL RULES
Children must:-
..show respect for fellow pupils, teachers, staff, visitors and school property.
..walk only in the school building and enter \ exit school premises \ building with care.
..remain seated before and during class, and while eating at appointed times.
..not leave school grounds without permission.
..supply a written explanation for all absences from school or a written request to leave school early.
Children are:-
..responsible for the appearance of, condition and safe keeping of school books, possessions, furniture, equipment and classrooms.
..encouraged to keep good time, work hard, be honest and truthful.
For the safety of all in Court NS:-
..swinging on chairs is forbidden
..stud earrings only are allowed
..helmets with visors must be worn during games.
..entering or playing in the trees or on the walls surrounding the school is strictly forbidden.
BULLYING
Bullying is always unacceptable and is dealt with separately under the Anti Bullying Policy.
STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
Praise may be given by some or all of the following means.
A quiet word or gesture to show approval
A comment in a pupil’s exercise book
A visit to another member of Staff or to the Principal for commendation.
A word of praise in front of a group or class.
A system of merit marks.
Delegating some special responsibility or privilege.
A mention to parent, written or verbal communication.
Presentation of certificate \ medal for Exemplary Behaviour.
Presentation of certificate \ medal for Exemplary Attendance.
DEALING WITH UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
The nature of the behaviour will determine the strategy.
Reasoning with pupils
Reprimand (including advice on how to improve).
Prescribing extra work.
Communication with Parents \ Guardians.
Temporary separation from peers and/or loss of privileges.
Referral to Principal.
Note to Parents \ Guardians
Take note of unacceptable behaviour in Incident Book \ Yard Book \ Pupil’s Journal.
Write out lines.
Exclusion from representing School Teams or going on School Tours.
Suspension \ Expulsion (in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular 7/88).
DEALING WITH MISDEMEANOURS
Procedures
The degree of misdemeanours will be judged by the teachers and \ or Principal, based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours as outlined below.
Examples of minor misdemeanours
| Interrupting class work | Arriving late for school | Running in school building | |
| Talking in class | Leaving seat without permission | Leaving litter around school | |
| Not wearing correct uniform | Being discourteous/unmannerly | Not having homework signed | |
| Endangering self/fellow pupils in the school, yard or field | Not completing homework without good reason | ||
Examples of steps to be taken by teachers when dealing with misdemeanours.
Verbal reprimand \ reasoning with pupil.
Noting instance of yard misbehaviour in yard book.
Write….story of what happened \ one copy of school rules \ relevant rule to upper limit of 20 times—all to be signed by parent \ guardian.
Note in homework journal to be signed by parent \ guardian..
Temporary separation from peers.
Sending to another teacher.
Warning to pupils whose name appears in Yard Book more than three times.
Note to parents \ guardians concerning further misbehaviour in yard, which in Court NS consists of any action that puts the safety of self \ other pupil at risk.
Send to Principal
Class teacher meets one \ both parents \ guardians
Principal meets one\ both parents \ guardians concerning behaviour.
DEALING WITH SERIOUS MISDEMEANOURS
Procedures
The degree of misdemeanours will be judged by the teachers and \ or Principal, based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours as outlined overleaf.
Examples of serious misdemeanours
| Constantly disruptive in class | Telling lies | Stealing |
| Damaging other pupil’s property | Bullying | Bringing weapons to school |
| Not working to full potential | Back answering a teacher | Deliberately injuring a fellow pupil. |
| Using unacceptable language | Bringing inappropriate literature to school | Bringing inappropriate music to school |
| Leaving school premises during school day without appropriate permission. | ||
Examples of steps to be taken when dealing with serious misdemeanours.
Send to Principal.
Principal sends note in Journal to be signed by parent.
Principal meets with one \ both parents \ guardians.
Chairperson of Board Of Management informed and parents \ guardians requested to meet with Chairperson and Principal.
Chairperson \ Principal to sanction immediate suspension pending discussion with parents \ guardians.
Expulsion will be considered in an extreme case in accordance with Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act (2000) outlined below:-
24.-(1) Where the Board of Management of Court NS or a person acting on its behalf is of the opinion that a student should be expelled from that school it shall, before so expelling the student, notify the Educational Welfare Officer to whom functions under this Act have been assigned, in writing, of its opinion and the reasons therefore.
(2) The Educational Welfare Officer concerned shall, as soon as may be after receiving a notification under subsection (1), make all reasonable efforts to ensure that provision is made for the continued education of the student to whom the notification relates.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Educational Welfare Officer concerned shall, as soon as may be after receiving the said notification-
(a) make all reasonable efforts to consult with the principal of the school concerned or a person nominated by him or her, the student concerned and his or her parents, and such other persons as the Educational Welfare Officer considers appropriate, and
(b) convene a meeting attended by him or her of such of those persons as agree to attend such meeting.
(4) A student shall not be expelled from a school before the passing of 20 school days following the receipt of a notification under this section by an Educational Welfare Officer.
(5) Subsection (4) is without prejudice to the right of a board of management to take such other reasonable measures as it considers appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school concerned and that the safety of students is secured."
It should be noted that these lists consist of examples only and is not meant to be a totally comprehensive list of misdemeanours and procedural steps.