This Code of
Behaviour policy document has been prepared in accordance with Guidelines
issued by the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) in 2008 and as a
requirement under section 23 of the Education Act 2000.
The following
aims and principles are based firmly on an environment that encourages and
reinforces good behaviour, with the overall aim of this policy being that the
children in our school will take personal responsibility for their own learning
and behaviour.
Aims:
·
In devising this code, consideration
has to be given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The
aim is to create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can,
through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all
aspects of their development.
·
Every effort will be made by all
members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in
the school.
Principles:
·
The school recognises the variety of
differences that exist between children and the need to tolerate these
differences.
·
It is agreed that a high standard of
behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high
level of co-operation among staff and between staff, parents and pupils.
·
Every effort will be made to ensure
that the code of discipline is implemented fairly and consistently.
School Rules
Safety:
For my own safety and that of others-
·
I should be careful coming to and
going from school
·
I should always walk while in the
school building.
·
I should line up when the bell goes
and walk into class without pushing
·
I should remain seated at all times in
class and while eating lunch
·
Bring a note of explanation following
absences
·
I should never leave the school
grounds without the permission of the Principal.
Caring for
Myself:
·
I should respect myself and my
property, always keeping my school bag, books and copies in good order.
·
I should be in my line for ‘line-up
time’ at 9.20a.m
·
I should show respect for my school
and be proud to wear the complete school uniform every day.
·
I should always be aware of my
personal cleanliness.
·
I should always bring a sensible,
nutritional lunch to school. Crisps, minerals, sweets or chewing gum are not
permitted.
·
I should always do my best in school
by listening carefully, working as hard as I can and by completing my homework.
Caring for
others:
- I
should be kind and respectful to teachers and fellow pupils by being mannerly
and polite, by taking turns and by remaining orderly in my class line.
- I
should behave well in class so that my fellow pupils and I can learn.
- I
should show respect for the property of my fellow pupils, the school
building and grounds.
- Be
truthful and honest at all times
How we as
teachers in St. Patrick’s will praise our pupils:
The
emphasis in our school is on rewarding good behaviour. The teacher’s emphasis
will be on encouraging and recognising good behaviour.
Children
will be ‘caught’ behaving well and be commended for this as an example to the
other children in the class.
Praise
may be given by means of any one of the following:
·
A quiet word or gesture to show
approval
·
A comment in a pupil’s exercise book
·
A word of praise in front of a group
or class.
·
A system of merit marks.
·
Delegating some special responsibility
or privilege.
·
A mention to parent, written or verbal
communication.
Disapproval of
unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with as follows:-
(The
nature of the behaviour will determine the strategy)
·
Reasoning with pupils
·
Reprimand (including advice on how to
improve).
·
Prescribing extra work.
·
Communication with Parents.
·
Temporary separation from peers and/or
loss of privileges.
·
Referral to Principal (if not in
Principal’s class)
·
Note to parents
·
Take note of
·
Write out
·
Suspension/expulsion (in accordance
with the provisions of section 24 of the Education Act 2000 and the
recommendations of Developing a Code of Behaviour :Guidelines for schools 2008)
Procedures:
The
degree of misdemeanours i.e. minor, serious or gross, will be judged by the
teachers and/or Principal based on a common sense approach with regard to the
gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours, as follows:
Examples
of minor misdemeanours:
- Interrupting
class work
- Arriving late for school
- Running in school building
- Pushing in class line at line-up
time
- Leaving seat without permission
- Leaving litter around school
- Not wearing correct uniform
- Being discourteous/unmannerly
- Not completing homework without
good reason
- Endangering self/fellow pupils in
the school yard at break time.
Examples
of steps to be taken by teachers when dealing with minor misdemeanours:
- Verbal
reprimand
- Reasoning
with pupil
Examples of
steps to be taken when dealing with regular occurrences of minor misdemeanours
- Temporary
separation from peers
- Note
in homework journal to be signed by parent
- Send
to Principal
- Class
teacher meets one/both parents
- Principal
meets one/both parents concerning behaviour.
Examples
of serious misdemeanours
- Constantly
disruptive in class
- Telling
lies
- Stealing
- Damaging
other pupil’s property
- Bullying
- Back
answering a teacher
- Leaving
school premises during school day without appropriate permission.
- Using
unacceptable language
- Bringing
weapons to school
- Deliberately
injuring a fellow pupil
Examples of
steps to be taken when dealing with serious misdemeanours:
It is school
policy that parents will be asked to come to the school immediately to
collect their child if he/she has been involved in fights of a physical nature.
This intervention has proved very successful in the past in underlining to the
child and parent the seriousness of the misbehaviour.
- Send
to Principal
- Principal
sends note in Journal to be signed by parent
- Principal
meets with one/both parents
Chairperson
of Board of Management informed and parents requested to meet with Chairperson
and Principal
Examples of Gross Misdemeanours
- Aggressive,
threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher/pupils
Examples of
steps to be taken when dealing with gross misdemeanours
- Chairperson/Principal
to sanction immediate suspension pending discussion with parents
- Expulsion
will be considered in an extreme case in accordance with the guidelines as
outlined in the NEWB Guidelines for schools 2008
It should be
noted that these lists consist of examples only: It is not meant to be a
totally comprehensive list of misdemeanours and procedural steps
