Code of Behaviour
Adopted by the School Board of Management
Scoil San Nioclás Windgap Co. Kilkenny
Tel. 051-648321
e-mail windgapns@eircom.net
Principal: Margaret Lowry
Deputy Principal: Deirdre O’Shea
Code of Behaviour
Mission Statement
The Board of Management of Scoil Shan Nioclás is committed to providing quality learning opportunities that enable all pupils to reach their full potential within safe, supportive and disciplined learning environments.
Ethos Our school community is built on respect for ourselves, each other and for all that we use. This permeates all aspects of school life.
Rationale This policy outlines the underlying philosophy, purpose, nature, organisation and management of pupil behaviour at Scoil Shan Nioclás. It is a working document, designed to enhance the development of positive relationships between pupils, adults working in the school, parents and other members of the wider school community.
Implementation
The policy is the result of consultation with pupils, parents/guardians, management and staff. It reflects current practice within the school. Its fair and consistent implementation is the responsibility of all staff. Pupils have contributed to the behaviour policy through their involvement in the development of the whole school rules and will be asked to be involved in reviewing the policy again in two years time.
Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour. Rules will be kept to a minimum, will emphasise positive behaviour and will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference. Good behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage and procedures will be followed, as outlined in this document.
Principles
The Board of Management, after consultation with staff, parents/guardians and pupils, wish the following principles to be promoted within the school:
· The school community promotes values of honesty, fairness and respect for truth and justice, within a caring and nurturing environment.
· All members of the school community have a right to feel safe.
· All members of the school community have a right to respect.
· All members of the school community have a right to learn.
Positive Behaviour
Pupils and staff are expected to behave in a manner that reflects the principles of this policy, in ways that support everyone’s right to learn, be safe and be treated with respect in school. The school expects pupils to do their best at all times and not to disrupt the learning of others, to speak to others in appropriate ways, to treat all adults and children in school with respect and to care for members of the community. Pupils are expected to keep the school rules, which have been developed in consultation with them, and contribute to the positive ethos of the school. It is the responsibility of everyone in school to promote our nurturing ethos and to make positive choices about their behaviour, to take responsibility for their own actions, and to promote the development of positive self esteem and well being. The school expects pupils to behave in this way both on and off the school premises.
School Rules
These rules have been devised to ensure that the children in our care are, to the best of our ability, safe at all times. To this end, the staff has, with involvement of the pupils, established specific rules that reflect our ethos. These rules are set out below:
· We are friendly, polite and helpful
· We are honest
· We try hard and always work to the best of our ability
· We listen to all and try to cooperate
· We take care of school property and of our own and others’ belongings
· We move around the school and its environs in a safe, quiet way
· We wear the correct school uniform.
The rules are displayed, age appropriately, in pictures and text in the school. Assemblies and the SPHE curriculum are used to frequently revisit and teach the rules. Every effort will be made to communicate the rules to children with SEN.
School systems for promoting positive behaviour
Positive behaviour is reinforced and the staff model appropriate behaviour in their interactions with each other and with the children. Children are provided with consistent positive encouragement and specific recognition when they demonstrate positive behaviour.
Rewards
Verbal praise is the most frequent reward given. Assemblies are used to award certificates for achievement and positive behaviour. Children who receive a certificate are entitled to take one night off written homework. Children’s behaviour is communicated to parents/guardians informally and formally at parent-teacher meetings.
Class teachers may implement their own reward system, within their own classroom, in keeping with this policy.
Responding to inappropriate behaviour
The best discipline is based on rewards, encouragement, raising self-esteem, setting an example and catching children doing the right thing, but at times, appropriate sanctions are necessary.
The purpose of sanctions
· To help the pupil to realise that certain behaviour is inappropriate
· To recognise the effect the behaviour has on others
· To understand that choices have consequences
· To help the pupil take responsibility for own behaviour.
Sanctions
When choosing a sanction certain considerations should be made:
· It should be made clear why the sanction is being imposed
· It should try to diffuse the situation
· It should be appropriate to the nature and seriousness of the offence
· It should be appropriate to the age and understanding of those involved
· It must be applied in a fair and consistent way
· Group punishment should be avoided as it breeds resentment
· It should preserve the dignity of all involved
· The focus should be on the behaviour rather than the individual
To those who constantly and consistently show lack of respect the following procedures apply:
· Reasoning with pupil
· Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve
· Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class
· Loss of privileges
· Detention during break-time
· Referral to Principal
· Prescribing extra work
· Communication with parents/guardians
· Suspension
· Expulsion
· Recording of serious misdemeanour
Suspension and Expulsion
The Board of Management has the authority to suspend or expel in cases of serious misbehaviour.
Suspension
An investigation of the facts to confirm that serious misbehaviour has occurred will take place in the first instance.
Before sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents/guardians will be utilised.
Parents/guardians will be contacted by telephone or in writing to arrange a meeting about the incident/incidents.
A meeting will be held with the parents/guardians, child, teacher and Principal to discuss the incident
Every effort will be made to put the parents/guardians at their ease.
Parents/guardians will be given the opportunity to respond.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the response of the parties involved, a decision regarding suspension will be made.
If suspension is decided upon the Principal will notify the parents/guardians in writing of the decision to suspend. The letter should confirm:
· The period of the suspension, including the date on which it will begin and end
· The reason for the suspension
· Any study programme to be followed
· Arrangements for returning to school, including any commitments entered into by the pupil and parent/guardian
· The provision for appeal to the Board of Management or Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
· Suspension days totalling six must be reported to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB).
Appeals
· If a suspension of twenty days or less is imposed appeals can be made directly to the Board of Management.
· For a suspension of more than twenty days appeals can be made to the Board of Management and /or the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
Recording
Formal written records of the following will be kept:
· The investigation, including notes of all interviews held
· The decision making process
· The decision and rationale for the decision
· The duration of the suspension and any condition attached to the suspension
· The records will be signed by all parties.
Expulsion
· A detailed investigation is carried out under the direction of the Principal.
· Parents/guardians are informed in writing about alleged misbehaviour, how it will be investigated and that it could result in expulsion
· Parents/guardians and pupil are given the opportunity to respond before a decision is made
· Recommendations are made to the Board of Management by the Principal (NEWB Guidelines p. 84)
· Board of Management considers Principal’s recommendations and holds a hearing (NEWB Guidelines p.85)
· If the Board of Management is of the opinion that the pupil should be expelled, it notifies the Education Welfare Officer (NEWB) in writing of its opinion and the reasons for it. The intention to expel the pupil does not take effect until twenty school days have elapsed after the NEWB have received written notification.
Special Needs
All children are expected to comply with the Code of Behaviour. However, the school recognises that children with special needs may require assistance in understanding certain rules. Specialised behaviour plans will be put in place in consultation with class teacher, parents/guardians and Principal. Professional advice may be sought from psychologists, etc if needed.
Absence from school
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000 (Section 23 & section 18), parents/guardians must send a written note on the day the child returns following the absence, explaining why the child was absent. If a note is not received, the school will record this as an unexplained absence on the NEWB return.
Procedures for raising concerns or bringing a complaint about a behavioural issue
Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk in confidence to teachers about any significant development in a child’s life, which may affect the child’s behaviour. Parents/guardians should make an appointment to meet the class teacher or Principal at a convenient time.
This Policy compliments other school policies:
· Health and Safety Policy
· Child Protection Policy
· Enrolment Policy
· Anti-Bullying Policy
Roles and Responsibilities
The Principal will coordinate and monitor the implementation of this policy. While each class teacher will be responsible for his/her own class, all teachers and ancillary staff are responsible for the implementation of the Code of Behaviour during school hours and on all school property. All support teachers and ancillary staff will take an active role.
Pupils will be responsible for their own self-discipline. Parents/guardians are expected to actively cooperate with the school in the implementation of this policy.
Implementation Date
This revised Code of Behaviour will be implemented in September 2011.
Review of Code of Behaviour
The Code of Behaviour will be reviewed in 2013.
Ratification of Policy
After consultation with all concerned the policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 18th May, 2011.
Signed: _______________________________ (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: ________________
Adopted by the School Board of Management
Scoil San Nioclás Windgap Co. Kilkenny
Tel. 051-648321
e-mail windgapns@eircom.net
Principal: Margaret Lowry
Deputy Principal: Deirdre O’Shea
Code of Behaviour
Mission Statement
The Board of Management of Scoil Shan Nioclás is committed to providing quality learning opportunities that enable all pupils to reach their full potential within safe, supportive and disciplined learning environments.
Ethos Our school community is built on respect for ourselves, each other and for all that we use. This permeates all aspects of school life.
Rationale This policy outlines the underlying philosophy, purpose, nature, organisation and management of pupil behaviour at Scoil Shan Nioclás. It is a working document, designed to enhance the development of positive relationships between pupils, adults working in the school, parents and other members of the wider school community.
Implementation
The policy is the result of consultation with pupils, parents/guardians, management and staff. It reflects current practice within the school. Its fair and consistent implementation is the responsibility of all staff. Pupils have contributed to the behaviour policy through their involvement in the development of the whole school rules and will be asked to be involved in reviewing the policy again in two years time.
Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour. Rules will be kept to a minimum, will emphasise positive behaviour and will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference. Good behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage and procedures will be followed, as outlined in this document.
Principles
The Board of Management, after consultation with staff, parents/guardians and pupils, wish the following principles to be promoted within the school:
· The school community promotes values of honesty, fairness and respect for truth and justice, within a caring and nurturing environment.
· All members of the school community have a right to feel safe.
· All members of the school community have a right to respect.
· All members of the school community have a right to learn.
Positive Behaviour
Pupils and staff are expected to behave in a manner that reflects the principles of this policy, in ways that support everyone’s right to learn, be safe and be treated with respect in school. The school expects pupils to do their best at all times and not to disrupt the learning of others, to speak to others in appropriate ways, to treat all adults and children in school with respect and to care for members of the community. Pupils are expected to keep the school rules, which have been developed in consultation with them, and contribute to the positive ethos of the school. It is the responsibility of everyone in school to promote our nurturing ethos and to make positive choices about their behaviour, to take responsibility for their own actions, and to promote the development of positive self esteem and well being. The school expects pupils to behave in this way both on and off the school premises.
School Rules
These rules have been devised to ensure that the children in our care are, to the best of our ability, safe at all times. To this end, the staff has, with involvement of the pupils, established specific rules that reflect our ethos. These rules are set out below:
· We are friendly, polite and helpful
· We are honest
· We try hard and always work to the best of our ability
· We listen to all and try to cooperate
· We take care of school property and of our own and others’ belongings
· We move around the school and its environs in a safe, quiet way
· We wear the correct school uniform.
The rules are displayed, age appropriately, in pictures and text in the school. Assemblies and the SPHE curriculum are used to frequently revisit and teach the rules. Every effort will be made to communicate the rules to children with SEN.
School systems for promoting positive behaviour
Positive behaviour is reinforced and the staff model appropriate behaviour in their interactions with each other and with the children. Children are provided with consistent positive encouragement and specific recognition when they demonstrate positive behaviour.
Rewards
Verbal praise is the most frequent reward given. Assemblies are used to award certificates for achievement and positive behaviour. Children who receive a certificate are entitled to take one night off written homework. Children’s behaviour is communicated to parents/guardians informally and formally at parent-teacher meetings.
Class teachers may implement their own reward system, within their own classroom, in keeping with this policy.
Responding to inappropriate behaviour
The best discipline is based on rewards, encouragement, raising self-esteem, setting an example and catching children doing the right thing, but at times, appropriate sanctions are necessary.
The purpose of sanctions
· To help the pupil to realise that certain behaviour is inappropriate
· To recognise the effect the behaviour has on others
· To understand that choices have consequences
· To help the pupil take responsibility for own behaviour.
Sanctions
When choosing a sanction certain considerations should be made:
· It should be made clear why the sanction is being imposed
· It should try to diffuse the situation
· It should be appropriate to the nature and seriousness of the offence
· It should be appropriate to the age and understanding of those involved
· It must be applied in a fair and consistent way
· Group punishment should be avoided as it breeds resentment
· It should preserve the dignity of all involved
· The focus should be on the behaviour rather than the individual
To those who constantly and consistently show lack of respect the following procedures apply:
· Reasoning with pupil
· Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve
· Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class
· Loss of privileges
· Detention during break-time
· Referral to Principal
· Prescribing extra work
· Communication with parents/guardians
· Suspension
· Expulsion
· Recording of serious misdemeanour
Suspension and Expulsion
The Board of Management has the authority to suspend or expel in cases of serious misbehaviour.
Suspension
An investigation of the facts to confirm that serious misbehaviour has occurred will take place in the first instance.
Before sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents/guardians will be utilised.
Parents/guardians will be contacted by telephone or in writing to arrange a meeting about the incident/incidents.
A meeting will be held with the parents/guardians, child, teacher and Principal to discuss the incident
Every effort will be made to put the parents/guardians at their ease.
Parents/guardians will be given the opportunity to respond.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the response of the parties involved, a decision regarding suspension will be made.
If suspension is decided upon the Principal will notify the parents/guardians in writing of the decision to suspend. The letter should confirm:
· The period of the suspension, including the date on which it will begin and end
· The reason for the suspension
· Any study programme to be followed
· Arrangements for returning to school, including any commitments entered into by the pupil and parent/guardian
· The provision for appeal to the Board of Management or Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
· Suspension days totalling six must be reported to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB).
Appeals
· If a suspension of twenty days or less is imposed appeals can be made directly to the Board of Management.
· For a suspension of more than twenty days appeals can be made to the Board of Management and /or the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
Recording
Formal written records of the following will be kept:
· The investigation, including notes of all interviews held
· The decision making process
· The decision and rationale for the decision
· The duration of the suspension and any condition attached to the suspension
· The records will be signed by all parties.
Expulsion
· A detailed investigation is carried out under the direction of the Principal.
· Parents/guardians are informed in writing about alleged misbehaviour, how it will be investigated and that it could result in expulsion
· Parents/guardians and pupil are given the opportunity to respond before a decision is made
· Recommendations are made to the Board of Management by the Principal (NEWB Guidelines p. 84)
· Board of Management considers Principal’s recommendations and holds a hearing (NEWB Guidelines p.85)
· If the Board of Management is of the opinion that the pupil should be expelled, it notifies the Education Welfare Officer (NEWB) in writing of its opinion and the reasons for it. The intention to expel the pupil does not take effect until twenty school days have elapsed after the NEWB have received written notification.
Special Needs
All children are expected to comply with the Code of Behaviour. However, the school recognises that children with special needs may require assistance in understanding certain rules. Specialised behaviour plans will be put in place in consultation with class teacher, parents/guardians and Principal. Professional advice may be sought from psychologists, etc if needed.
Absence from school
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000 (Section 23 & section 18), parents/guardians must send a written note on the day the child returns following the absence, explaining why the child was absent. If a note is not received, the school will record this as an unexplained absence on the NEWB return.
Procedures for raising concerns or bringing a complaint about a behavioural issue
Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk in confidence to teachers about any significant development in a child’s life, which may affect the child’s behaviour. Parents/guardians should make an appointment to meet the class teacher or Principal at a convenient time.
This Policy compliments other school policies:
· Health and Safety Policy
· Child Protection Policy
· Enrolment Policy
· Anti-Bullying Policy
Roles and Responsibilities
The Principal will coordinate and monitor the implementation of this policy. While each class teacher will be responsible for his/her own class, all teachers and ancillary staff are responsible for the implementation of the Code of Behaviour during school hours and on all school property. All support teachers and ancillary staff will take an active role.
Pupils will be responsible for their own self-discipline. Parents/guardians are expected to actively cooperate with the school in the implementation of this policy.
Implementation Date
This revised Code of Behaviour will be implemented in September 2011.
Review of Code of Behaviour
The Code of Behaviour will be reviewed in 2013.
Ratification of Policy
After consultation with all concerned the policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 18th May, 2011.
Signed: _______________________________ (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: ________________