Code
of Behaviour
The
aims of the Code of Behaviour are:
To
promote the safety and happiness of all children and staff in the school.
To
promote good behaviour and self-discipline among the children.
To
enhance the learning environment of the school by promoting a sense of
mutual respect among all members of the school community.
Rather than listing the all the possible behaviours that
might be unacceptable there are instead clear definitions of the differing roles
and expectations of the people involved in the everyday life of the school.
·
Attend school regularly and not miss days without
good reason
·
Arrive on time.
·
Not leave during the day without permission
·
Respect all school property
·
Wear the school uniform
·
Show respect for yourself and others
·
Avoid swearing, fighting or name calling.
·
Listen to messages given and do as requested.
·
Participate in school activities
·
Move quietly around the school and avoid causing
disturbance.
·
Keep the school tidy and litter-free.
·
Show him/her courtesy and respect
·
Accept his/her authority and responsibility and
his/her right to teach and impose sanctions on those who behave badly.
·
Come to school on time and have all the necessary
materials.
·
Do your homework carefully and completely.
·
Listen when others are talking.
·
Avoid distracting behaviour.
·
Participate in all class activities.
·
Follow the rules drawn up by your class.
·
Not bully them
·
Show acceptance and respect their differing
personalities
·
Never insult or belittle them because of differences.
·
Respect their property
·
Listen to them and acknowledge them
·
Share equipment and resources with them
·
Allow them to be part of the group
·
Speak to them with courtesy and respect
·
Safe
·
Happy
·
Suited to their learning style
·
Encouraging and supportive.
·
Affirming of children of all abilities
· Able to deal with bullying and supportive of victims
Parents
expect that there will be:
·
A safe and happy environment for their child.
·
Recognition and provision for the individual
differences of pupils
·
Support for children who need it.
·
Fairness and consistency in the way children are
dealt with.
·
No labeling of their child.
·
An atmosphere of support and inclusion rather than
criticism.
·
Contact at an early stage to inform them of any
problems
·
A willingness to listen to their viewpoint.
·
Suggestions and support about problems in school.
·
Mutual support and encouragement.
·
Co-operation to achieve the schools aims and
objectives.
·
A fair and consistent implementation of the school
discipline policy
·
A consistent approach to handling troubled children.
·
An atmosphere that encourages professional
development and a willingness to learn and change.
·
Be familiar with the various policies and codes of
the school and the expectation of pupils.
·
Show support for teachers in their implementation of
the schools behaviour policy.
·
Support your child in his school work.
·
Ensure the punctuality and regular attendance of your
child.
·
Ensure he has the necessary materials
·
Ensure your child has a positive attitude to and
abides by the school and class rules.
·
Never undermine the authority of the school or
teachers.
·
Promote respect for teachers and other school
personnel.
·
Give a contact number where you can be reached in an
emergency.
·
Be available to discuss a problem.
·
Look after his basic needs
·
Be interested in, support, praise and encourage his
work in school.
·
Show fairness.
·
Support the school in implementing its code of
behaviour.
·
Exert firm discipline in cases where your child’s
behaviour is having a negative impact on the behaviour of others.
ü
Quiet word
ü
Special mention
ü
Reminder of school or class rules
ü
Short instruction
Seek an explanation
ü
Ask child why he is doing it.
ü
Change position in class. / Temporary isolation from
group
ü
Longer interview away from class group.
ü
Loss of minor privileges
ü
Note in homework journal./ Chat with parents
ü
Lines (Signed / Small number)
ü
Send to another class (Safety valve!)
ü
Referral to principal
ü
Yellow Card (Parents are informed by post of problem
behaviour in the school)
ü
2nd Yellow Card
ü
Following two yellow cards in a term a Red Card
will be sent home. Parents come to school to discuss problem with teacher and
principal,if appropriate)
ü
2nd interview between parents and School
Disciplinary Committee (Chairperson, Principal and Deputy-Principal)
ü
Referral for assessment (if appropriate.)
ü
If behaviour continues suspension is agreed by BOM.
·
Parents are notified of date and duration of
suspension.
·
Parents should take responsibility to obtain and
ensure the completion of all homework during the period of suspension.
·
Child returns with parent following suspension and a
behavioural contract is agreed.
ü
If behaviour continues then a 2nd (and
longer) suspension is imposed.(Circular 20/90, Rule 130.)
ü
If behaviour continues then the school should seek an
alternative placement for the child or a further referral is made as
appropriate.
ü
For serious confrontational behaviour the Principal
may choose to contact parents immediately, or to leave a child home.
ü
The child will return with a parent the following day
and a behavioural contract will be agreed.
The
School Yard
·
The
school yard is always supervised during breaks. The teacher in charge deals
with problems that arise during play.
·
If
a child misbehaves in the yard he is sent to the ‘Box’ for 5 or 10
minutes. The “Box” is a corner of the yard where a child can stand away
from the play area. This can happen for interfering in others games, rough
play, going outside the play area etc.
·
For
more serious misbehaviour such as name-calling or fighting, a child's name
is entered into the Yard Book and a punishment is given which should be done
at home. It will not exceed 20 lines. This will explain the nature of the
misbehaviour and must be signed by a parent.
·
In
future, if a child's name is entered in the Yard Book more than once in a
week, or if he fails to complete a punishment, a letter will be sent home to
his parents asking them to address the problem. This is referred to as a
‘Yellow Card’.
·
Following
two yellow cards in a term a ‘Red
Card’ is sent home asking a parent to visit the school to discuss the matter
with the principal. This can also happen for serious breaches of the
rules.
·
For
very serious misbehaviour parents will be asked to meet with either a
disciplinary committee or with the Board of Management.
·
The emphasis in the school is on promoting good
behaviour rather than on punishing bad.
For the most part it is trouble free. At the same time it is no harm
that parents are aware of the procedures used in the school and work with
the school in ensuring that all children are happy at school.