Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Code of Good Behaviour

Rationale

Our school is a community of management, teachers, S.N.A.s, pupils, parents and other adults. A community functions best if there is a mutual respect between all members and an agreed code of conduct which provides the background against which all activities take place. We aim to provide a happy safe environment in which our children will thrive and make good progress academically, creatively, physically, socially and morally. We have a duty therefore to promote good behaviour and discipline in our school.

This document will present our aims, simple school rules and their implementation. It will also put forward guidelines that management, teachers, pupils and parents need to adopt to ensure a consistent approach to the code of behaviour in our school. It also outlines the procedures to be put in place if a child is to be suspended or expelled from the school. Regulations about uniform, mobile phones and pupil absence are also included.

Aims

The aim of this policy is to create an environment conducive to achievement.

We hope:

To ensure that every member of the school community feels valued and respected.

To create an environment which is happy, safe and secure and where effective teaching and learning can take place.

To reward good behaviour and provide encouragement and stimulation for all pupils.

To treat all children fairly and apply this policy in a consistent way.

To ensure that children are aware of the school rules and code of good behaviour.

To teach through the school curriculum values and attitudes as well as knowledge and skills in order to promote responsible behaviour, self discipline and respect for self and others.

A Positive Approach

An effective Code of Good Behaviour is one that seeks to lead children towards high self esteem and self discipline. Consequently good behaviour arises from positive relationships and from setting high expectations of good conduct. It is important that children are familiar with the school ethos and code of good behaviour. In this context children will be rewarded for good behaviour in the following way:

Verbal praise

Positive comments in copybooks

Special mention in class or Assembly

Using stars, smiley faces on charts, books, etc.

Award certificates at Assembly

School Rules

School rules are kept to a minimum and devised with regard for the health and safety of all members of the school community.

Pupils must:

Be on time for school

Line up promptly, in an orderly fashion, on hearing the bell

Walk quietly within the school when entering or exiting same

Show respect for teachers, other pupils and all visitors to the school

Show respect for school property and other children’s property

Be aware that foul language will not be tolerated

Behave appropriately at all times to facilitate an orderly learning environment

Refrain from walking on the walls and gates

Be aware that bullying will not be tolerated (see Bullying Policy)

Work diligently to the best of their ability at all times

Participate and co-operate with their teachers in all school activities

Comply with Covid-19 measures

Implementation

Our code of good behaviour is deliberately positive and places emphasis on rewards as well as sanctions. Should misbehaviour occur, the following procedures and sanctions will ensue:

Teacher/adult request behaviour is changed

Reprimand and give advice on how to improve

Temporary separation from peers or others

Loss of privileges or prescribing of additional work

Referral to Principal, who will apply sanctions

Communication with parents, who may be requested to temporarily remove their child from the school.

Referral to the Board who may consider suspension or expulsion, if the Board deems that the behaviour warrants such sanctions.

In addition to the above:

Records may be kept if a pupil is consistently going against the code of good behaviour

These records may be referred to the school psychological service if further help is required

If serious, cases may be referred to the NEPS Service or The Dept. of Child Psychiatry

Time Out – Loss of Privileges and Sanctions

Playtime:

A pupil may be asked to stay close to a supervisor on yard duty

A pupil may be asked to sit on a bench for 5-10 minutes to cool down. Return to play should only be with the permission of the supervisor

A pupil may be asked to report to the Principal after playtime

A pupil may be removed from the yard for a set period during playtime. During this time they will be asked to perform extra work

Class Time:

A pupil may be sent to another class for a specified period of time

Children may be asked to miss a playtime as sanction for misbehaviour in class or unfinished work

Children may be assigned extra homework.

School Outings and Sports Activities

All pupils are expected to follow the same expectations as set at school.

Inappropriate action while on tours, sports trips, swimming etc. will be dealt with on return to school

Consequences may include extra work being allocated or banning from future trips

Uniform

Students are expected to wear the school uniform. The Principal and teachers will be active in reminding the children of these expectations. The school tracksuit is to be worn on P.E. days.

Failure to wear appropriate uniform and tracksuit may result in detention on that particular day.

Homework

Students are expected to complete homework assigned by their teachers. If homework is not completed a note with a valid reason must be supplied by parents. Failing this the homework will be completed on the same day during break time.

Absences from School

Parents / Guardians should adhere to the following procedures when notifying the school of a pupil’s absence.

1. The school should be notified of the absence on the first day the pupil returns to school.

2. The reason for the absence should be notified to the class teacher.

3. The absence can be notified to the class teacher in writing by electronic means, a letter, a telephone call to the school or using the child’s journal.

The school will inform the Educational Welfare Officer in writing where a child has twenty cumulative absences in the year. A warning letter will be sent to parents / guardians when 15 day absence has been reached by their child.

Mobile Phones

Children are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school except in special circumstances where they must receive permission from their principal or their teacher.

Procedures for Suspension and Expulsion

Definition of Suspension

“Requiring the student to absent himself/herself from the school for a specified limited period of school days.”

The BOM has formally delegated the authority to impose an “Immediate Suspension” to the principal. An immediate suspension may be for a period of one to three school days depending on the severity of the behaviour. In exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the chairperson, the suspension may be for a longer period but it will not exceed five school days.

An automatic suspension will be imposed for the following named behaviours. This list is not exhaustive:

Serious assault on a teacher, pupil, SNA or member of staff.

Serious theft.

Possession of drugs or alcohol.

Serious bullying.

Any other behaviour that the principal BOM consider to be serious misconduct.

Procedure for Suspension

Parents / Guardians will be informed of an automatic or immediate suspension by telephone.

Arrangements will be made for them to have the pupil collected

Formal written notification of the suspension will issue in due course no less than two days after the issue of the suspension. Such a notification will detail

The duration of the suspension and the days it will begin and end

The reason(s) for the suspension

Any study programme to be followed.

The arrangements for returning to school, including any commitments to be entered into by the pupil and parents.

The BOM recognises that the decision to impose suspension does not remove the duty to follow due process and fair procedures. In this regard and following a formal investigation to be completed no later than two days after the incident the Board will invite the pupil and parents or guardians to a meeting to discuss

The circumstances surrounding the suspension

Interventions to prevent a re occurrence of the misconduct.

The BOM acknowledges the fundamental importance of impartiality in the investigation process and in this regard the following undertaking is given. – No person with a vested interest or personal involvement in the matter will be involved in the organisation or implementation of the investigation procedure.

Expulsion

Definition of Expulsion – a student is expelled from a school when the BOM makes a decision to permanently exclude him / her from the school having complied with the provisions of Section 24 of the Education Act 2000.

Authority to Expel

The authority to expel a student is reserved by the BOM.

Procedures in Respect of Expulsion

Where a preliminary assessment of the facts confirms serious misconduct (previously defined) that could warrant expulsion the following procedures will apply:

1. A detailed investigation will be carried out under the direction of the Principal. As part of the investigation a letter containing the following information will issue to the parents.

Details of the alleged misbehaviour and the impending investigation process. Notification will also issue that the alleged behaviour could result in expulsion.

An invitation to a meeting to be scheduled no later than five days from the date of the letter where parents / guardians are provided with an opportunity to respond.

2. Where the Principal forms a view, based on the investigation of the alleged behaviour that expulsion may be warranted he will make a recommendation to the BOM to consider expulsion. In this event the Principal will:

(a) Inform the parents / guardians that the BOM is being asked to consider

expulsion.

(b ) Ensure that the parents/ guardians have records of (1) Allegations against the student. (2) The Investigation (3) Written notice of the grounds on which the BOM is being asked to consider expulsion.

(c) Provide the BOM with the same records as are given to the parents / guardians.

If, having considered the Principal’s report, the BOM decides to consider expelling the student a hearing will be scheduled. The parents/ guardians will be notified in writing.

As to the date, location and time of the hearing

Of their right to make a written and oral submission to the BOM.

That they may, if the choose, be accompanied at the hearing

The BOM undertakes that the timing of such written notification will ensure that the parents/ guardians have sufficient notice to allow them to prepare for the hearing.

In respect of the expulsion hearing the BOM gives an undertaking that

The meeting will be properly conducted in accordance with Board procedures.

The principal and parents/ guardians will present their case to the Board in each other’s presence

Each party will be given the opportunity to directly question the evidence of the other party.

The parents / guardians may make a case for a lesser sanction if they choose.

BOM Deliberations and Actions Following the Hearing

Where the BOM, having considered all the facts of the case, is of the opinion that the pupil should be expelled the Board will:

Notify the Educational Welfare Officer in writing by registered post of its decision to expel and the reason for this decision

Will not expel the student before the passing of 20 school days from the date on which the Educational Officer receives the written notification.

Notify the parents / guardians in writing of their decision to expel and inform them that the Educational Welfare Officer is being contacted.

Be represented at the consultation to be organised by the Educational Officer.

Suspend the student if it is deemed likely that his /her continued presence will seriously disrupt the learning of others or represent a threat to the safety to pupils or staff.

Confirmation of the Decision to Expel

When the twenty day period following notification of the Educational Welfare Officer has elapsed and where the BOM remains of the view that the student should be expelled the BOM will formally confirm the decision to expel.

Parents / guardians will be notified in writing that the expulsion will now proceed. They will also be informed of their right to appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

The BOM of Scoil An Spioraid, Roxborough, acknowledges the fundamental importance of impartiality in the investigation and decision making process. In this regard the following undertaking is given.

No person, with a vested interest or personal involvement in the matter will be involved in the organisation or implementation of the investigation procedure nor will such a person be involved in the decision making process.

Responsibilities

School Principal and Management will assist teachers by:

Providing advice, support and professional development opportunities in matters concerning student management

By helping in the resolution of more serious problems in student issues

Adopting a whole school approach to student management and behaviour so that staff, students and parents understand and accept the parameters for appropriate behaviour

Liaising in the formation of relevant policies and their communication to parents

Teaching Staff:

Will endeavour to provide classroom practice that encompasses curriculum relevance and enhances good behaviour

Will try to anticipate problem behaviours before they reach the acute stage and manage them in the context of behaviour modification assistance and support rather than penalties and retribution

Will take all reasonable steps to emphasise positive student management

Will have a professional and respectful collaborative working relationship with students and parents

Parents:

The school expects parents to accept and support the shared responsibility for the discipline and education of the students

Parents are asked to sign a copy of the code of good behaviour for their child when entering the school in Junior Infants – (see final page)

Parents are asked to notify the school of any change in routine that may have an effect on the behaviour of their children

Our children were consulted and they considered that the following were their responsibilities.

Children:

The school expects students to

Do their best in class and take responsibility for their work.

Respect staff

Do their best to keep the rules.

Attend school regularly and punctually.

Respect other students and their right to learn and be taught.

Participate in school activities.

*This policy has been drawn up in collaboration with the staff, management, parents and children of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh. It was reviewed by staff, management and parents in the first term of 2013. The revised code is structured according to Draft Guidelines in Developing a Code of Behaviour and in compliance with Section 23 of the Education Act 2000.

* The reference to the need to comply with Covid-19 measures was added in December 2021 on the advice of the CPSMA. This was reviewed and ratified by the Board on December 2nd, 2021.

Please return this page to the school when requested to do so.

We the undersigned have read the Code of Behaviour of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh and agree to comply with all of its terms and conditions

Parents/ Guardians

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Child’s Name

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Date:

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