Code of Behaviour

Introduction

This policy applies to students of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda and relates to all school activities both during and outside of normal school hours. This policy was drawn up in consultation with all the school partners, including Board of Management, Staff, Parents and Students.

This policy has been developed in line with the mission of our Trustees, the Mercy Order/CEIST, whose ethos and philosophy has at its core, care of the student. The school strives to provide a safe secure learning environment for the development of our students.

Our school code of discipline is based on respect for oneself, for others and for our environment, so that a positive and cooperative school atmosphere prevails.

Many people work together in our school each day and therefore a high level of courtesy and consideration for others is necessary. Behaviour which is ill mannered, disrespectful dangerous or disruptive cannot be allowed. Our code is one that is based on the recognition of a student as an individual and also creates a safe environment for the whole school community an environment that supports quality learning is our goal.

Discipline Code

The discipline code of our school is founded on our Catholic ethos and gospel values of respect, care and trust.  Discipline is essentially a training and the school endeavours to build in each pupil an awareness of other people’s needs, a respect for themselves, other people, their property and ultimately to foster self-control and self-discipline.

The aims of our code of behaviour are to create a safe, secure learning environment for all students by promoting a sense of mutual respect among all members of the school community.

Aims

To have effective procedures in place which will allow for the day to day running of the school and which meet the demands of current legislation.

To promote good behaviour and self discipline.

To ensure understanding by the parents, students, staff and management of the code of behaviour and the reasons for it.

To emphasise the promotion and acknowledgement of good behaviour.

To outline the strategies to be used to prevent poor behaviour and the ways in which positive behaviour is acknowledged.

To outline the structure of fair, consistent and agreed sanctions that will be used in response to unacceptable behaviour.

To outline the interventions to be used when a student repeatedly misbehaves.

Roles and Responsibilities

Our school acknowledges the contribution of all members of the school community.

Each member has responsibility for the promotion of good behaviour and a role in dealing with unacceptable behaviour.

Students:

The school expects that students will at all times uphold the code of behaviour of our school.

Parents:

The school acknowledges the role of parents in the development and operation of the code of behaviour and expects them to support the code and encourage their daughters to uphold it.

Teaching Staff and Management:

The school acknowledges the role of teachers and management in the development and implementation of the code of behaviour. The school recognises that a teacher’s main focus is in the area of teaching and learning and they also have a pivotal role to play in behaviour management.

Other Staff

The school acknowledges the contribution of ancillary staff in the day to day running of the school. They too have a part to play in the successful delivery of our code of behaviour. In particular they have a responsibility to report incidents of misbehaviour and examples of positive behaviour they witness. 

Board of Management

The BOM is the decision making body of the school. The school acknowledges the role of the BOM in the development and operation of our code of behaviour. All policies are developed with the authority of the BOM and must be approved by it before becoming official school policy. While it is not involved in the day-to-day procedures, it is the body to whom parents and students over 18 can appeal in cases of suspension or expulsion.

Expected Standards of Behaviour

The school expects that students will:

Attend school daily and remain for the full day.

This is a rule of our school because missing class adversely affects progress.

Students must not leave the school premises without a PRIOR written note from parent to form teacher requesting permission. Pupils leaving the school must sign out in the office.  When a student has been absent, a written explanation to the form teacher is essential.

The safety of the student is of paramount importance.

Attendance at assembly is compulsory.  Latecomers must report to school management immediately on arrival.

The school is a Catholic community and each day begins with a coming together for prayers, notices and celebration of achievements when appropriate.

Be on time for every class and have all the appropriate materials and equipment. Homework is to be done as instructed by the teacher. Copying of homework and tests is forbidden.

This is a rule of our school because not being on time causes disruption for the teacherand the class. Also, as our school is concerned with the development of the whole child we see the importance of encouraging students to develop punctuality, responsibility and integrity which will be expected of them in the workplace.

Show respect for yourself and others by not engaging in intimidation or bullying, abusive, obscene or foul language, horseplay or assault.  Blatant or continuous defiance is not acceptable.

This is a rule of our school because having respect for oneself and for others, promotes a respectful, caring atmosphere where the rights of all, students and teachers, are upheld.

Show respect for the process of learning in school.  Disruption of class is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  Disruption involves any act by a student, which distracts the teacher and or other students and interrupts the flow of the class.  For example disruption for it’s own sake, inattentiveness, talking to or distracting fellow pupils while class is in progress or arriving late without valid reason or adequate explanation.

This is the rule of our school because every teacher has the right teach and every student has the right to learn.

Show respect for property both school and personal.  Theft, vandalism and deliberate damage to property are not acceptable.  Eating is confined to the Cafeteria.  Chewing gum is strictly forbidden.  Belongings are to be stored in the places provided.

This is a rule of our school because theft, defacing / damaging property is destructive and shows a lack of respect for the school community of which the student is a member.  Health and Safety are priorities.

Smoking, the use or distribution of alcohol and/or prohibited substances is not allowed. (See related policies).

This is a rule of our school because it supports Government legislation and in the best interest of the student.

The use mobile phones and other electrical/electronic equipment are not permitted during school hours including evening study.

This a rule of our school for health and safety reasons, for the privacy of others and to prevent disruption.

Full and complete uniform must be worn at all times.  All items of school uniform should be clearly labeled.  Excess jewellery, body piercing, make up and inappropriate hair-styles including colour are not permitted.

This is a rule of the school because the uniform represents the public image of the school.  Pupils should be conscious that while wearing the school uniform they represent the entire school community and as such, their behaviour should reflect our ethos and discipline code.

Move quietly around the school in an orderly manner.

This is a rule of our school for the health and safety of students and staff and so that the business of teaching and learning can take place without unnecessary disturbances.

Listen to instructions and announcements made and do as required.

This is a rule of our school so that instructions given to assist the smooth running of our school are carried out in the interests of all.

Plan for Promoting Positive Behaviour

Students will be encouraged in their endeavours to uphold the code of bahaviour by use of the following measures:

(a) The Code of Behaviour is circulated to the parents of all new entrants into the school and they are asked to read it and sign their agreement with the content.

This is to ensure that parents and students understand what our rules are, why they must be adhered to and what procedures will be followed if the rules are not upheld

(b) At the start of each academic year as part of our induction process, each class is brought through the code of behaviour and any amendments to it are highlighted.

This is done so as to remind students of the content and to take account of the fact that they have been out of our school environment for three months.

(c) School rules and the reason for them are discussed as part of the schools pastoral care programme and as part of RE, CSPE and SPHE programmes. The notion of tolerance for others, self – control, a sense of fairness and the principles of natural justice are discussed.  Issues such as bullying, racism, sexism, harassment, violence, substance misuse etc are discussed with the students during their time in our school, using current legislation, current affairs and / or outside speakers.

This is done to help the students understand these issues so that they can base their thinking, understanding and action on factual information and in the light of the Catholic values espoused in our school.

Acknowledging Positive Behaviour

In our school teachers use the following methods to acknowledge students for positive behavior:

• Verbal praise to student either in class or privately.
• Positive comment to class tutor/management.
• Positive note home to parents in homework journal.
• Awarding of a Student Merit Report.
• End of school year awards given to students in the following categories: attendance, diligence, academic, junior cycle student of the year, senior cycle student of the year and sports awards.
• Display of students work.
• Leadership role given to student, e.g. class prefect or team leader for specific project.

Ways the school responds to unacceptable behaviour

 ‘LADDER OF REFFERAL’.

1.         A firm reprimand from a member of staff is expected to be sufficient to correct inappropriate behaviour.

2.         A verbal disciplining from a member of senior management  e.g. Principal  or  Deputy Principal.

3.         A note home to parents in the homework journal.

4.         Issuing of a discipline report sheet for either a major or minor offence 

5.         A referral of the incident to the Form Teacher.

6.         Three discipline report sheets lead to a letter home to a parent(s)/guardian(s) explaining that their daughter will have one after school detention. Detention is supervised by a teacher.

7.         Six discipline report sheets for minor offences or one for a major offence leads to a referral to the Principal.  The Principal in consultation with the parents will decide on one of the following sanctions: After school detention(s) and/or placing the student on report.  (When a student is on report each teacher writes a comment on that student’s behaviour during class.  At the end of each week the Principal reviews it, signs it, photocopies it and sends the photocopy home for parent’s signature.  The length of time a student is on report is determined by the improvement in their behaviour).

8.         Internal supervision i.e. a student spends some or all of the following times under the supervision of the Principal or a teacher, before school, morning break, lunch-time and between classes.

 9.         Exclusion from a favoured activity.

 10.       Suspension from school (in accordance with the schools policy on Suspension and Expulsion).

 11.       Exclusion from school (in accordance with the schools policy on Suspensions and Expulsion).

Behaviour Supports for Students

Interview between the student and a member of staff, usually the class tutor initially.

The purpose of this interview is to establish an understanding in the student of the rule/rules she has broken. To bring the student to an understanding of the effects of the breach on/herself as well as on other members of the school community.

To bring the student to an understanding of how to act/react differently so as not to be in breach of the rule/rules.

To administer a sanction, if one is required and to get the student to see the need for one.(Often this process is sanction enough, especially in the case of a new/younger student or a student who has genuine behavioural difficulties.)

Referral to the Guidance Counsellor.

Referral by the school to an external centre for assistance in behavior modification.

Referral to NEPS for assessment and / or help in behaviour modification.

Procedures and Record Keeping

The procedures for dealing with incidents of unacceptable behaviour/breach of Code of behaviour are referred to as our ‘ladder of referral’.

The basic principle of this ladder of referral system is that the higher up the ladder an incident is dealt with, the more seriously it is viewed.

Step 1: The Subject Teacher

Each teacher has responsibility for implementing discipline in his/her own classroom.

Subject teachers may use some of the schools agreed sanctions for minor offences. More serious offences should be dealt with under Step 2 of the ladder of referral.

 Step 2: The Form Teacher

Each class is assigned a teacher with special responsibility for them. He/she has a pastoral and disciplinary role to play with this class group.

 Step 3: The Principal / Deputy Principal

Students whose behaviour has not improved will be referred to the Principal / Deputy Principal.

If the Principal/Deputy Principal decides that a suspension is warranted (the procedures of our policy on suspension and expulsion will be implemented) the parents must be notified orally and in writing of the reason for and the length of time of the suspension.

The Principal will inform the Board of Management of all suspensions.

The Principal recommends expulsion to the Board of Management if warranted.

The Board of Management considers the recommendation and having given an opportunity to the parents/student if over 18 years, to make their case, makes its decision whether to expel or not.

Success Criteria/Monitoring

This Code of Behaviour was drawn up in consultation with the parents, students, staff and management of our school, was ratified by the Board of Management and will be reviewed one year after its implementation initially.

 Any amendments which need to be made will be in keeping with the general philosophy of our Code of Behaviour and will be communicated to the members of our school community in writing.

 A major review will be carried out no later than five years after the date of implementation and will involve consultation with the parents, staff, management and Board of Management of our school.

 Implementation

As the official Code of Behaviour of our school, all registered students of our school will receive a copy of it by hand and parents/guardians, or students over 18 years will be required to sign an acknowledgement of receipt of it. The Code of Behaviour is also available from the school upon request. Amendments to the Code of Behaviour will be communicated to the stakeholders in writing.

When the major review is carried out, the resulting amended Code of Behaviour will be circulated to all the stakeholders in writing.

Policies Related to the Code Of Behaviour

• Admissions Policy
• Suspensions Policy
• Expulsions Policy
• Attendance Policy
• Pastoral Care
• Anti Bullying Policy
• SPHE Policy
• Substance Misuse Policy