Code of Behaviour

School Culture and Ethos

St. David’s is a Holy Faith Secondary Co-Educational school, which aims to maintain a Christian environment where teachers and students can learn and work together in an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual respect. More specifically, it aims to guarantee justice and fairness for all, to protect every student’s right to benefit fully from their education in St. David’s and to enable all students to work to the best of their ability in the classroom and so to achieve their full potential.

Every reasonable effort is made to accommodate the individuality of each student while at the same time acknowledging the right of each student to receive his/ her education in a safe and disruption – free environment.

The ethos of a school is a major factor in establishing and maintaining high standards of behaviour and discipline. This is characterised by a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation between staff, students and parents/guardians, achieved through good relationships. Management and staff promote to the best of their ability the educational welfare of all students.

Our Code of Behaviour has been drawn up in the context of our school as a community in which mutual respect, co-operation and natural justice are integral features. It has been compiled with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of all of the parties involved in the school- management, staff, students and their parents/guardians. It is one of a series of policies designed to ensure good management of school life and fairness for all.

A positive school ethos will permeate all of the activities of the school.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit the school, to familiarise themselves with it and to become actively involved in all of the diverse activities of the school community.

For their part, the Principal and the teachers welcome the active involvement of parents/guardians and will keep them fully informed on the progress of their children. Where called for, this will include discussing with them, in a spirit of mutual co-operation, the behaviour of their children.

St. David’s needs the support of parents/guardians especially in regard to:

Co-operating with the school by encouraging their children to abide by the school code,
Actively supporting the teaching staff in the application of the code.

The Admission of students to St. David’s is based on acceptance by parents/guardians and students of its rules and regulations.

In carrying out school procedures, St. David’s will have due regard to the Education Act (1998), the Education Welfare Act (2000) and to all other relevant legislation.

Code of Behaviour

The Code of Behaviour of St. David’s has been formulated after consultation with management, teachers, parents/guardians and students and with due regard to relevant current legislation and to guidelines issued by the Department of Education and Science. It was approved by the Board of Management at their meeting held on the 6^th May 2004 and has been communicated to parents, staff and students.

It is set in the context of the School Culture and Ethos, a copy of which is circulated with the Code.

The school encourages improvement, good behaviour and good order, and accepts there is a need for sanctions where unacceptable behaviour is detrimental to that good order. Accordingly, failure to comply with the school rules will result in disciplinary action.

Discipline is a positive concept. It is not achieved by fear or by reliance on punishment. Rather it flows from an attitude of respect and responsible action on the part of all members of the school community. Our Code of Behaviour is designed to maintain a Christian environment in which the student learns self- discipline, personal responsibility and an acute awareness of the rights of others. Our aim is to administer it with fairness, understanding and compassion at all times and to ensure that the principles of natural justice are applied at all times.

Of first concern is the Christian moral order. Sanctions are imposed for those who bully, lie, steal, harass, cheat, fight, disobey, endanger others, verbally abuse or in other ways show disrespect for any member of the school community, damage school property or engage in other serious misconduct. School rules and sanctions are set out on separate sheets, and students and parents/guardians should read these carefully before signing below. Depending on the gravity or persistence of breaches of the Code of Behaviour, the sanction may entail the dismissal of the student from the school.

Since discipline is needed if students are to achieve academic success, breaches of rules which impinge on diligent and consistent application to study or the learning or teaching process are subject to sanctions. Consistent minor breaches of discipline will be treated as a major breach of rules. Disruption of class will not be tolerated and will be subject to serious sanctions.

Although of necessity this Code of Behaviour includes rules and sanctions, the primary goal of discipline in St. David’s remains and focuses on principles for living. Discipline is basically instruction, through it St. David’s students should learn to make those good choices which will gradually move them from externally imposed discipline to self- discipline and to Christian character formation.

Code of Behaviour

Attendance:

Progress at school requires optimum attendance and punctuality, therefore

Students must attend school regularly and punctually. A signed and dated note from a parent/ guardian to the tutor is required to explain absences.

Students must obtain permission from the Principal or Deputy – Principal if they need to leave school during school hours. A note from a parent / guardian must be presented at the school office to leave for medical/ dental appointments. Please make such appointments outside school hours where possible.

Students should be in designated areas of the school at all times of the school day, including break and lunch time.

Respect for one another:

Each member of the school community must remain conscious of the rights and responsibilities of all to enjoy and to contribute to a safe and efficient learning environment.

As St. David’s is a co- educational school, boys and girls must show mutual respect at all times.

Students must not bully or intimidate fellow students. Cheating, bad language, dishonesty or unruly behaviour will not be accepted.

Aggression, verbal or physical, is absolutely forbidden.

Any form of harassment, verbal, non- verbal, physical or sexual, will be severely sanctioned.

Sexual interference with, or abuse by word or deed, of another student is completely unacceptable and could result in expulsion, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the school.

Interaction with staff:

Recognising the responsibility and authority of staff, who in the interest of all, must implement the Codes and Practices of the School in an atmosphere of mutual co-operation:

Students are required to show respect for and obey staff members at all times in class, on the school premises, on outings and at functions.

Students must have all books and equipment necessary for class.

Students are required to be punctual for all classes and to move quickly from one class to the next.

Homework must be completed and submitted as directed.

Disruptive behaviour in class will not be tolerated. Teachers must be allowed to teach, and students to learn, in a calm and orderly environment.

Sexual interference with, or abuse by word or deed, of a member of staff or visitors to the school is completely unacceptable and could result in expulsion.

Incidents of violence towards staff will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the guidelines set out in Circular M18/99 issued by the Department of Education and Science.

Safety and Health:

The school promotes a safe and healthy environment and so sees the safety of all staff and students as paramount. Therefore:

Students must avoid any action which could cause physical injury to any other person in the school.

Students must not smoke or have cigarettes, lighters or matches in the school or on the school grounds or when participating in any extra-curricular activity or at any time while wearing the school uniform.

Aerosols (especially spray deodorants) laser pens, Tippex and other such items can be dangerous and therefore students must not use or have these in school

Drinking or being in unlawful possession of alcohol in school or on the school grounds or when participating in any extra-curricular activity is forbidden and is liable to serious disciplinary action, including expulsion.

The possession, use, promotion for sale, or sale of solvents or controlled drugs is forbidden and liable to serious disciplinary action, including expulsion. With regard to alcohol or controlled drugs any such breach of discipline will also be reported to the Gardai. A student may be notified at the direction of the Principal to undergo an examination by the school’s appointed medical doctor or to furnish a medical certificate by his/ her medical doctor to verify drug or alcohol compliance before resumption of class attendance.

Being in possession of a weapon, or using any potentially dangerous object as a weapon will be treated with the utmost severity and will be reported to the Gardai.

If there is a suspicion that a student is in possession of any dangerous or forbidden substance or object in school, the Principal may ask that student to empty pockets, school bag and or locker. As far as is practicable any such search will be conducted in private.

Interference with any safety equipment such as fire extinguishers or alarms is a very serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly.

Property

Conscious of our responsibility as citizens and of the need to respect our environment and all property:

Students must not damage or interfere with property belonging to the school, the staff other students or visitors to the school.

It is expected that all students will contribute to the maintenance of a clean environment by placing litter in the bins provided.

Chewing gum is not allowed in school.

In the interests of a graffiti free environment permanent markers and aerosol spray paints are strictly forbidden.

Mobile phones, music players and electronic games systems may only be used prior to the commencement of tutorial, at the eleven o’ clock break and during lunch time and must be switched off at all other times.

Camera phones are strictly forbidden in school.

The taking of photographs or photographic images by students of staff member(s), student(s), visitor(s) to the school, school events by any media e.g. camera phones ( which are not allowed in school under the Code of Behaviour anyway), cameras, camcorders etc is prohibited, unless permission is obtained from the teacher(s), student(s), event organiser(s), school authorities. This refers to both on the school premises and extra- curricular activities/events off the school premises. Any breach of this regulation would be considered a serious breach of school discipline and may be subject to severe sanction.

The posting of any images or information (real or alleged) by students(s), of any teacher(s), student(s), school event(s), visitors to the school, whether on the school premises or in an extra- curricular setting off the school premises, in any medium be it print, T.V. internet sites, camera phones or any other medium is strictly forbidden, without permission of the teacher(s), student(s), visitor(s) to the school, event organiser(s) school authorities. Such posting of unauthorised image(s)/ information would be a serious breach of school discipline and could lead to the most serious of disciplinary action.

Students may use school facilities only under supervision authorised by the Principal/ Deputy-Principal.

Uniform:

Knowing that uniform is a badge of belonging:

Students must respect the school’s dress code.

The school expects to take pride in the neat appearance of its students and that they will promote the good image of the school by how they wear their uniform and present themselves in public.

Only badges/ insignia approved by the school authorities are permitted on uniform both indoor and outdoor.

Students must wear full school uniform as indicated on the uniform list. This list conforms to the requirements of the Equal Status Act 2000. All items of school uniform should be clearly marked with the student’s name in full.

While wearing school uniform, students’ conduct on buses, trains and elsewhere in public should be in accordance with school rules.

Body piercing is not permitted under any circumstances, except students may wear a discreet pair of stud earrings worn in the lobe of the ear only.

Supports and Sanctions

The school values parental support and sees this as the most effective means of ensuring academic progress and good discipline. If a student is having difficulty in school, parents/ guardians are informed. In order to facilitate good communication between home and school each student must have his/her homework journal in school at all times.

The Principal, Deputy- Principal, Year-Heads, Deans of Study and all teachers are there to support and encourage students. Every effort is made to adopt a positive approach to behaviour in school.

The school has one counsellor who is available to support students. The counsellor will involve other support agencies as required or appropriate.

Overall responsibility for discipline in the school is vested in the Principal, who is charged with ensuring that the school’s Code of Behaviour is administered in a manner which is consistent and fair to all students.

Each teacher has responsibility for maintenance of discipline within his/ her class while sharing a common responsibility for good order within the school premises.

A written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour is maintained. The normal channels of communication between school and parents/ guardians are utilised and the active co-operation of parents/ guardians is sought in helping as student who has disciplinary problems.

Refusal to comply with school rules must, however, result in disciplinary action.

Strategies and Sanctions

The following are some of the strategies which may be used to deal with unacceptable behaviour:

Talk to student, explain why behaviour was unacceptable and how to improve, obtain apology.

Loss of privileges.

Letter of apology and / or prescribing additional work.

Payment for the repair or replacement of damaged property.

Confiscation of inappropriate or distracting items or materials. iPods, games systems, mobile phones etc are confiscated for one week in first instance and for a calendar month for second and further breaches. Camera phones are confiscated for one calendar month in the first instance and for a term thereafter for second or further instances.

Detention by subject teacher, with parents/ guardians notified via the official homework journal/letter/phone call.

Detention by Year – Head, parents / guardians notified by letter.

Student put on daily/ weekly report to Year-Head or Dean of Study.

Referral to Principal/ Deputy- Principal

Suspension from school, all suspensions are imposed by the Principal and notified to the Board of Management. Automatic suspension ensues for smoking or the use of drugs or alcohol. This may be followed by further sanctions in the case of drugs or alcohol. Where a suspension is for longer than three days, the Principal will decide:

To allow the student back on probation, or

To continue the suspension for another period if agreed by the Board of Management or

To request the Board of Management to impose conditions for the student’s return or

Subject to the approval of the Board of Management, to request the parents/guardians to withdraw the student from the school or

To ask the Board of Management to consider a refusal of re-registration or

To request the Board of Management to expel the student.

If a student’s behaviour involves repeated suspension, such a student, with their parent(s)/ guardian(s) may be interviewed at a disciplinary meeting consisting of his/ her Year-Head and the Principal or Deputy- Principal. At this interview the student and parent/ guardian will be clearly and formally warned by the Principal or Deputy- Principal that, should the student’s behaviour not improve, the Board of Management will be asked to review their continued presence in the school.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 gives parents/guardians and students who have reached the age of 18 the right to appeal suspension for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days in any one school year to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science.

Expulsion the most serious disciplinary sanction, will be resorted to for gross misconduct, the use and sale of forbidden substances, including drugs and alcohol, sexual harassment and other serious breaches of the school code.

If it is proposed to expel the student, St. David’s will notify the education welfare officer, in accordance with the requirements of the Education Welfare Act (2000).

The parents/guardians will be given the opportunity to meet with the Board of Management, to hear the complaints against their child and to give their response to the Board.

The parents/guardians, if they wish, may bring a representative with them to this meeting.

In the event of a student being expelled, the student (if over the age of 18 years), his/her parents/guardians shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Trustees and under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, to the Department of Education and Science.

Furthermore, a student shall not be expelled from the school before the passing of 20 school days following the receipt of notification by the Education Welfare Board, as stated above.

The Board of Management reserves the right to take such other reasonable measures as it considers appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school and that the safety of students is secured.

Any of the above sanctions, or a combination of them, may be implemented depending on the gravity of the offence.