Code of Behaviour
ST. LAURENCE O’TOOLE’S N.S, ROUNDWOOD
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE POLICY
INTRODUCTION
Good behaviour/discipline in a school is essential to the well-being of the pupils in its care. This depends on a consistent supportive atmosphere between home and school with a strong focus on praising the positive and hopefully eliminating the negative. This approach will yield better results and will pave the way to self-discipline. The Board of Management provides a comfortable, safe environment and ensures that the Code is adhered to and reviewed/ratified regularly. The Principal ensures adherence to the code on a day to day basis and advises on appropriate interventions where necessary.
VISION AND ETHOS
Our vision is that of a caring school where all children are cherished equally. The ethos of the school recognises the importance of a sense of community with the school and the existence of a high-level of co-operation among teachers, ancillary staff, pupils, parents, Board of Management and Parents Association Committee. We strive to give the pupils what they need to grow and develop recognising that these needs may differ considerably from pupil to pupil. We are very sensitive to our pupils with Special Educational Needs and provide extra support and understanding when required.
AIMS
Our main aim is to create a happy, secure environment for all our pupils, within which there is a good sense of order, effective teaching and an agreed approach to behaviour.
We also aim to:
- Develop pupil self-esteem by promoting positive behaviour
- Foster the development of a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in pupils based on respect, consideration and tolerance of others
- Foster caring attitudes to one another and to the environment
IMPLEMENTATION
Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour and Discipline. Rules will be kept to a minimum, positive behaviour will be emphasised and the Code will be applied in a fair and consistent manner. Due regard will be given to the age of the pupils and to individual difference. Good behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted as soon as is necessary.
Expectations
Teachers
Expect that in school there will be:
- Mutual support and encouragement.
- Co-operation to achieve the school’s aims and objectives.
- A fair and consistent implementation of the school’s code by all parties.
- A consistent approach to handling troubled children.
- An atmosphere that encourages professional development and a willingness to learn and change.
The school expects teachers will:
- Support and implement the school’s code of behaviour.
- Create a safe working environment for each pupil.
- Recognise and affirm good work.
- Prepare school work and correct work done by pupils.
- Recognise and provide for individual talents and differences among pupils.
- Be courteous, consistent and fair.
- Keep opportunities for disruptive behaviour to a minimum.
- Deal appropriately with misbehaviour.
- Keep a record of instance of serious misbehaviour or repeated instances of misbehaviour.
- Provide support for colleagues.
- Communicate with parents when necessary and provide reports on matters of mutual concern.
Teachers are obliged to follow the codes of professional conduct as outlined by “The Teaching Council”. All members of staff are obliged to adhere to our “Child Protection” and “Anti-Bullying” policies.
Pupils
Pupils expect that:
- School will be safe and happy
- Their learning styles will be taken into account
- When they do their best, they will be affirmed
- The school will deal with behaviour which affects their learning, safety or happiness (including bullying)
School
GENERAL
The school expects that pupils will:
- Attend school regularly and not miss days without good reason.
- Arrive on time with all requisites.
- Not leave during the day without a written note from home and school permission.
- Respect all school property.
- Wear the school uniform.
- Show respect for yourself and others.
- Avoid swearing, fighting or name-calling.
- Listen to messages and deliver letters safely home when required.
- Participate in school activities.
- Move gently in the school building.
- Behave appropriately when representing school at events or on school tours.
In Class
The school expects that pupils will:
- Show respect/courtesy to teachers/SNA’s.
- Accept the authority of the teachers to impose sanctions on those who behave badly.
- Complete homework carefully.
- Listen when others are talking.
- Avoid distracting behaviour.
- Participate in class activities.
Towards fellow pupils
The school expects that pupils will:
- Not bully others.
- Never insult or belittle others because of difference.
- Respect their property.
- Share equipment and resources with them.
- Allow them to be part of the group.
- Speak to them with courtesy and respect.
Parents
The school expects that you will:
- Be familiar with this code and with the school’s expectations of pupils.
- Show support for teachers in the implementation of the school’s behaviour policy.
- Support your child in school and homework.
- Ensure the punctuality and regular attendance of your child.
- Ensure he/she has the necessary materials.
- Ensure that your child has a positive attitude and abides by the school 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.
- Inform the teacher in writing when you intend to collect your child early for appointments.
- Provide written information for school attendance file when your child is absent from school.
- Be available to discuss a problem.
- Make an appointment when you wish to discuss something.
- Expect firm discipline where your child’s behaviour is having a negative impact on others and vice versa.
- Be very careful of the reputations of all children.
**** NOTE:
Complaints Procedure:
Our school “Complaints Procedure” is set out in a separate document. The appropriate steps outlined therein must be followed.
Complaints should not be vocalised to any member of the School Staff in the school yard, at the gates or in the corridors. (This includes the Principal, SNA’s and the school secretary)
Obviously, there will always be some discourse between staff and parents that happens naturally and is appropriate i.e. the child’s daily minor issues of a non-confidential nature.
STRATEGIES FOR AFFIRMING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
- A quiet word or gesture to show approval.
- A comment on a child’s exercise book.
- A visit to another class or Principal for commendation.
- Praise in front of class group.
- Individual class merit awards, points awards or award stamps.
- Delegating some special responsibility or privilege.
- Written or verbal communication with parent.
- Class treat/Golden Time
Each class has different methods of rewarding the various types of good behaviour. These methods are age- appropriate and at the teachers’ discretion in line with the ethos of the policy.
STRATEGIES FOR DISCOURAGING MISBEHAVIOUR
The purpose of sanctions and other strategies is to promote positive behaviour and discourage misbehaviour. Sanctions will be applied according to the gravity of the misbehaviour, with due regard to age and emotional development. These may include
- Reasoning with pupil.
- Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve.
- Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class. (“Time Out”)
- Prescribing extra work.
- Loss of privileges.
- Detention during break.
- Tracking of misbehaviour. (by way of teacher documenting nature and frequency of same)
COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS.
- Class Teacher communicates with parents/guardians if internal strategies do not result in positive behaviour changes.
- Principal communicates with parents/guardians if negative behaviour continues. A follow up letter from the Principal to the parents/guardians will be issued clarifying agreed strategies and expected outcomes.
SUSPENSION & EXPULSION
If the procedures above have been exhausted without improvement (i.e. misbehaviour on a continuous basis or a serious incident of misbehaviour) it may be necessary to suspend a pupil. The Board of Management becomes involved at this stage. Procedures for the suspension of a pupil are laid down in the “Developing a Code of Behaviour, Guidelines for School” – chapters 10-12 published by the National Educational Welfare Board (now under the auspices of TUSLA) This
This includes provision for providing information to the parents/guardians re: the mechanism for appealing decisions involving suspension/expulsion (Section 29 of the Education Act 1998).
Expulsion should only be implemented in extreme cases of unacceptable behaviour – significant steps to address the misbehaviour should be exhausted prior to consideration of same at Primary School. Where there are repeated or serious infringement of the rules, one or both of the following should be implemented
- A targeted individual behaviour plan
- A restricted timetable
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Parents/guardians are reminded that the staff of the school does not accept responsibility for pupils before official supervision time in the morning (9.10am) or after the official closing time (3.00pm), except where pupils are engaged in an extra-curricular activity organised by the school and approved by the Board of Management. Pupils involved in such activities are expected to behave in accordance within the school’s ‘Code of Behaviour and Discipline’ during these times. (Please see Supervision Policy)
BEHAVIOUR ON YARD
Misbehaviour at break-time is dealt with by staff members on the roster c.f. Supervision Policy. Issues requiring further attention are referred to the Class Teacher and/or Principal.
Homework
Pupils who have not completed homework or parts thereof will remain inside at break time to remedy the situation.
NOTE RE: BULLYING
Definition
Bullying is repeated verbal, psychological or physical aggression by an individual or group against others. The most common forms of bullying are aggressive physical contact, name-calling, intimidation, extortion, isolation and taunting. Bullying will not be tolerated and parents will be expected to co-operate with the school at all times in dealing with instances of bullying in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
Appendices
Misbehaviour is made up of:
- Minor misdemeanours
- Serious misdemeanours
Examples of Minor Misdemeanours
- Continuous talking
- Fidgeting
- Inattention
- Interrupting class work
- Chewing Gum
- Distracting others
- Pushing in the line
- Spitting
- Refusal to do work/follow instructions
- Writing and passing notes*
- Name calling *
*can also be a serious misdemeanour, see list.
Examples of Serious Misdemeanours
All minor misdemeanours when on a continuous basis.
- Rough play causing injury
- Serious fighting
- Stealing
- Lying/dishonesty on an on-going basis
- Bringing inappropriate material in to school
- Damage to property
- Disrespect
- Unprovoked hitting/aggressive behaviour
- Inappropriate language directed at somebody
- Racist remarks
- Biting
- Uncontrolled behaviour
- Writing and passing notes (defamatory/lewd)
- Any other behaviour deemed by the staff, Principal and Board of Management to be a serious misdemeanour.
*** All of the above will be considered in an age-appropriate manner. The behaviour is the issue, not the child,
SCHOOL RULES
Corridor Rules
- I will always walk quietly, never run.
- I will let adults pass.
- I will not push or shove in the line
- I will walk on the right-hand side of the corridor/stairs
Classroom Rules
- I will sit on my chair and do my work.
- I will listen, I will let others speak.
- I will always walk and never run.
- I will help to keep a tidy classroom.
- I will use the toilet properly and wash my hands
- I will be kind and helpful and not hurt other people’s feelings.
Yard Rules
Children are reminded of these rules on an on-going basis. SNA’s act in a supervisory role also and will intervene in the event of any misbehaviour and refer the matter to the teachers on duty.
Pupils who are given ‘time-out’ for misbehaviour – this is recorded in our yard duty reports.
- I will walk quietly in my line to and from the yard.
- I will let others join in my games.
- I will be gentle. I will not push, kick, punch or injure any child/teacher/supervisor.
- I will not re-enter the school during break time without the express permission of the teacher/supervisor.
- I will do what I am told when I am told.
- I will not use bad language or call names.
- I will be fair.
- I will freeze and be silent when I hear the bell
- I will walk to my line when I hear the second bell or when the teacher/supervisor calls my class.
- I understand that I am not allowed in my classroom at break times unsupervised.
- I will not climb railings.
- I understand ‘mess-fighting’ is not allowed.
Out of School Trips/Tours, Swimming etc.
It must be noted that when taking children on trips the same standards of behaviour that apply in school also apply when out of school.
- The teacher/supervisor/guide/bus driver must be obeyed at all times.
- When travelling on buses or in cars children must be seated and belted at all times.
- Rules of swimming pools and safety points are to be followed.
Pupils who misbehave frequently may not be allowed to participate in school outings for their own safety and that of other pupils.
Refer to:
Anti – Bullying Policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Supervision Policy
Complaints Procedures
School Trips/Tours Policy
Passed by the Board of Management: Date: 20/9/16
Chairperson: _________________________ Principal: _____________________________