Within our school we see the role of discipline as threefold:
-
(a) As an important element in
the process of socialisation and in the formation of character.
(b) As a system of controls, which
enable teaching to take place.
(c) As conceptually related to
the process of education itself.
Against this background these school rules are devised
with regard to the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school
community. Within the context of this community, it is important to realise
that some rules pertain particularly to an environment where over two hundred
young people and adults work daily, and as such it requires certain rules
which on a one to one or family basis would seem unreasonable.
In order to facilitate the efficient operation of the school
and to maintain desirable standards of behaviour in a school, it is necessary
that rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently.
We would ask that this Code of Discipline be kept at home
and referred to, when appropriate, throughout the school life of your child.
This Code of Discipline should be considered in the context
of the school as a community in which mutual respect, co-operation and natural
justice are integral features.
It acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of all
parties concerned within the school: -
management, teachers, pupils and their parents.
It emphasises the need for the highest possible level of
consensus about behaviour and of co-operation between these parties.
The code aims to ensure that the individuality of each
child is accommodated while at the same time acknowledging the right of
each child to education in a relatively disruption free environment.
The school places a great emphasis on the need to give
children every possible opportunity to develop patterns of good behaviour.
It recognises the value of positive techniques of motivation
and encouragement and the importance of reward structures for good behaviour.
This code of discipline aims to achieve the following:
- the development of self discipline
in pupils based on consideration, respect and tolerance for others.
- that pupils be trained to accept
responsibility for their actions.
- that pupils learn to accept that they are wrong when that
is the case and to make suitable amends.
- that sanctions when they occur
should follow the ‘Discipline of Natural Consequences’ i.e.
the sanction would be linked to the misbehaviour.
As this is a Gaelscoil, it is the wish of all parents that
their children become fluent in spoken Irish from an early age. Such fluency
is also essential if the education of children through Irish is to be successful.
To this end, teachers are committed both to furthering
the all Irish ethos of the school and to supporting the realisation of the
parental wish regarding fluency in Irish. The teaching staff achieve this
both by instructing through the medium of Irish within the classroom, by
devising and instructing specific lessons in “cruinneas na Gaeilge”,
and by enforcing certain rules regarding the speaking of Irish within the
school environment, and on all school based activities.
These rules may be summarised as follows:-
Children are expected to speak
“as Gaeilge” to the best of their ability at all times expect
during English lessons.
Should a teacher judge a child not to be making sufficient
effort to use the Irish that they have, then the following sanctions will
be implemented:
1. Reasoning.
2. Verbal warning.
3. Extra written
exercises for homework based on writing out a section “as Gaeilge.”
4. Referral to Principal.
5. Detention during break.
6. Meeting between parents, teacher and principal.
Children will also be praised and encouraged when they
speak “as Gaeilge” around the school, and teachers may award
specific prizes for children deemed to be making a special effort to use
their spoken Irish.
The staff would also expect, and hope, that children attending
the school would speak to them “as Gaeilge” when they meet outside
of the immediate school environment.
The official school opening time is 9.20 a.m.
Children are expected to be at
school on time.
If a pupil arrives at school after the classes have been
taken in from the playground he/she should have a note explaining why he
/she is late.
-if not he/she should go to the Principal to explain why
he/she is late.
-should this occur twice in any one week the pupil will
be asked to wait inside to work at lunchtime.
Children will only be allowed to
leave school for lunch in the company of their parents or with a written
note from their parents. They must be back on time.
Classes for Junior and Senior Infants end at 2.00 p.m.
Classes for other pupils end at 3.00 p.m.
Extra curricular activities in the school take place between
3.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
The school accepts responsibility for children between
9.20 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. (infants) or 3.00 p.m. (all other classes), and
for those children actually attending extra curricular activities until
4.00 p.m. No responsibility can be accepted for pupils outside of these
times.
Children must be collected promptly
at the correct time unless other arrangements have been made with the school
Principal.
Every absence of a child from school must be accounted
for by giving the child a note to explain his / her absence on his / her
return to school.
If a child wishes to leave school during the school day
he / she must be collected at the classroom door by his / her parent. Should
the parents wish another adult to collect the child, they must send a written
note to this effect to the child’s teacher.
Any infectious illness should be notified to the school
immediately.
Pupils should come to school well
equipped with all items mentioned on their book list, specifically pens,
pencils, rulers and erasers, thus eliminating the need to borrow, which
can cause disruption.
Pupils must have all books, workbooks
and any other required materials (e.g. musical instruments) with them.
If a pupil comes without books for more than 3 days a note
will be sent to his / her parents.
If the problem continues to occur the Principal will contact
the parents to arrange an appointment.
Tippex is not allowed and should a child take it to school
it will be confiscated by the teacher and returned to the child at 3.00
p.m.
Pupils are expected to work to
the best of their ability and to present written exercises neatly.
Written work must be finished in class. If a pupil who
is capable of working well or
finishing work, frequently does not do this, he will be
asked to re-do or to finish the work at lunch time or as homework that night.
Any behaviour that interferes with the rights of others
to education free of disruption is unacceptable.
To this end, pupils are expected
to follow their teachers instructions. and avoid any behaviour which would
disrupt lessons e.g. passing notes, whispering, walking around, speaking
when the teacher is teaching or when someone else is answering, etc.
Pupils are to show respect for
their teacher, to any visitors to the class and to their classmates.
In the case of misbehaviour in class some of the following
sanctions may be applied
according to the seriousness of the offence:
- Reasoning
- Reprimand
(including advice on how to improve)
- Setting
of extra work.
- Temporary
separation from peers, friends or removal to another class for a short
period.
- Loss of
privileges.
- Detention
during break.
- Referral
to Principal.
- Communication
with parents.
The following conduct is unacceptable
and should it occur the child will be immediately referred to the Principal:
teasing, name calling, using sarcasm, making hurtful or negative comments
about a pupil’s appearance or background.
It is the policy of the school to assign homework every
day except Friday. From time to time however some classes or pupils may
be given a night free from homework.
Teachers will make every effort to match the curriculum
to the aptitude of the pupils.
Parents are strongly encouraged to take an active interest
in their child’s homework, and to ensure that oral work (spellings,
poetry etc.) is treated with the same importance as written work.
Parents should look at their child’s homework and
sign the actual homework in the child’s copy every night to show that:
-all the work is has been done.
-they are happy with the quality of the work.
If for some reason a child cannot do his/her homework he
/ she must have a note to explain this. If the child comes to school without
a note he/she will be asked to stay inside to do the homework during lunchtime.
Children are asked to walk on the
left hand side of the corridor at all times.
They should never run in the school.
They must walk quietly when other
classes are in progress.
They must not bounce balls in the
building.
Pupils should always stand back
to let adults or very young children pass.
Children must be careful not to
push or shove other children.
All climbing is forbidden.
Children must never open windows.
Children from classes not requiring
Geometry Sets must not bring compasses to school.
Children must never throw any object
within the school building.
Children should not go into storerooms
unless accompanied by teachers.
Children who are waiting to be
collected by parents at 3.00 p.m. or 4.00 p.m. must wait on the school steps
and keep away from the car parking area.
In the interest of safety children who do not comply with
the above rules will be detained at lunchtime and given set work to complete.
Children should walk to and from
the playground in an orderly line.
Once in the playground children
must never leave it without first asking the teacher in charge / playground
supervisor
Should they need to use the toilet
they must first ask permission, and then use the toilets immediately inside
the school building.
Children are asked not to open
or close the playground gate.
Pupils must never:
-go over the white line
-jump over low walls, fences etc.
-play on or under the stairs
-play in the alley without permission from the teacher on duty
-climb
-step on the fire escape except during a fire evacuation or drill
-throw stones
Pupils who break the above rules will be detained during
the next break.
Any pupil who fights will be asked to stand by the door
until break is over. Their teacher will then investigate the incident and
determine appropriate punishment.
Children should not take their own footballs to school.
If they do they will not be allowed to play with them in the playground.
Children are not allowed to play with school footballs in the playground
in the mornings prior to 9.20 a.m.
Children are asked to keep the
playground litter free.
When the bell rings children should
stop playing immediately and walk quietly to their lines.
All children, particularly those
in older classes, must speak Irish in the playground.
Parents who wish children to stay in at lunchtime due to
illness, must send in a note to this effect.
Children will be encouraged at all times to maintain the
highest standards of cleanliness.
Pupils are expected to keep all their copies and books
clean and presentable. They will be asked to replace any copy or book that
they have defaced.
Should a pupil write on any item of school property he
/ she will be asked to clean or replace it.
The school environment should be kept clean and litter
free.
Pupils may be asked to pick up papers inside and outside
on a rota basis.
Children must leave classrooms
free of papers, etc. at home time and use litter bins provided at all times.
Football boots must not be worn
indoors.
Any child seen dropping litter will be asked to pick up
papers the following day in a specific area.
Care must be taken with personal hygiene. Children will
be asked to wash dirty hands when appropriate.
From time to time children will leave the school for school
based activities e.g.
tours, football matches, swimming, concerts etc. Prior
to these activities parents are asked to remind their children of the personal
safety codes regarding speaking with strangers, etc.
On these occasions pupils are expected to exhibit the highest
possible standards of behaviour.
They must:
-obey any instructions or directions
given by the supervising teacher or other adults in charge of the group.
-walk in pairs, standing back to let others pass when appropriate.
-dress in the type of clothes they have been asked to e.g. full school uniform,
tracksuit etc.
-speak to each other and to teachers in Irish.
-behave in a way which does not endanger themselves or others.
-show respect to and consideration for those they encounter e.g. bus drivers,
restaurant staff.
-never use bad language or be bad mannered.
-show respect for the property of others.
-leave the places they have been in clean and as they found them.
-remain with their group at all times.
When participating in or attending
various events, (sports fixtures, musical competitions etc.), children are
expected to behave in a sports - man like manner at all times. No disrespect
towards opposing teams or players will be accepted.
For minor breaches of this code children will have their
misbehaviour recorded and be given a warning.
For more serious misbehaviour children will not be allowed
to travel on future occasions.
The following specific rules apply to the weekly swimming
lessons:
1. Children must adhere to the
rules of the swimming pool. If they breach them they will not be allowed
to swim the following week.
2. Children are not allowed to buy sweets or drinks at the swimming pool.
If they do these items will be confiscated.
3. For insurance reasons children are not allowed
to accept lifts back to the school with adults other than their parents.
If a parent takes his / her own child back to school the parent should
first inform the teacher in charge at the pool and then the parent is
expected to wait with the child at the school until the teacher returns.
Children must wear full school uniform at all times except
on PE / Swimming days when they may wear a tracksuit. These days are outlined
in the yearly information brochure given to parents and parents will be
informed of any changes via a note from the class teacher.
The full school uniform is as follows:
Boys: Red Jumper, School Crest, White Shirt, Navy Tie, Navy
Trousers.
Girls: Red Jumper, School Crest, White Shirt, Navy Tie, Morgan Tartan
Kilt.
During hot weather children may
wear a white tee shirt, navy tie and navy shorts.
All items of school uniform and
swimming togs should have child’s name on them.
If a child is not going swimming or participating in P.E.
then he / she should come to school in their school uniform. They must also
take in a note from their parents explaining the reason why they are not
participating in the swimming / P.E. lesson.
When children have after school sports activities they
must come to school in their school uniform and they will be allowed time
to change at 3.00 p.m.
Children who come to school without
a uniform should have a note to explain this. If not they will be asked to wear uniform on
the next PE day.
Children must not wear any jewellery, with the exception
of watches. They will be asked
to remove other items of jewellery.
Earrings are not permitted, however girls will be permitted
to wear studs only. Children
who break this regulation will be asked to have the earring removed by the
following day.
Children must not wear outdoor clothes, caps etc. in the
classroom.
Children are expected to show respect for their own, the
property of other children and that of the school.
Should any child intentionally damage the property of others
or of the school their parents will be expected to replace the item within
a period of one week.
Should a child steal property a meeting between the class
teacher, Principal and the child’s parents will ensue. Appropriate
punishment will be agreed at this meeting.
Children should not take toys or any personal property
not required in school to school. If they do the school cannot be responsible
for its safe return.
Items found in school will be placed in the lost property
press. These items are sent to charity every two months. Parents are asked
to check their children’s belongings frequently and also to check
the lost property press on their visits to school.
Bullying
In this Code of Discipline it is impossible to deal with
bullying in the depth it deserves.
However the school recognises the seriousness of the issue
and has developed a detailed policy on bullying, which is constantly reviewed.
This document which is available to parents explains the
procedures to be implemented should bullying occur.
The following definitions may be of help in deciding whether
your child is being bullied.
A bully has been described as a child who fairly often
oppresses or harasses somebody else in a physical or mental way.
A victim is a child who for a fairly long time has been
exposed to aggression from others.
It is important for parents to report any sign of school
related distress to the child’s teacher.
Crisps, fizzy drinks, peanuts,
peanut butter, and chewing gum are not allowed.
Children in Infants, First and
Second Class are not allowed take yogurt to school.
Glass bottles are never allowed.
If children continue to take these, having been reminded,
the teacher will confiscate them and they will be returned at 3.00 p.m.
Each child should have at least one sandwich or piece of
fruit each day.
Chocolate should be limited to one bar per day.
Children are asked not to share
lunches or to take a lunch from any other pupil.
Children must remain in their seats
while indoors at lunch time.
Children who fail to remain seated will be taken to the
Principal’s classroom and will be detained for extra work at lunch
time.
In the case of a pupil repeatedly breaking a rule detention
will be considered.
Prior to the implementation of the detention parents will
be invited to meet with the
Principal or class teacher to discuss avenues of co-operation.
If after this meeting the behaviour did not improve detention
will be imposed and the child will be asked to remain after school under
supervision to complete specified work.
Adequate notice will be given to parents to allow them
to arrange for collection etc.
The Board of Management reserve the right to suspend a
child for:
(a) any incident in serious breach of the school’s
Code of Discipline or general ethos
or
(b) in the case of gross misbehaviour.
This step will not be taken lightly and the totality of
the situation will be considered.
In the case of serious breaches of the Code of Discipline
teachers will keep a written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour,
as well as a record of improvements in the behaviour of disruptive pupils.
These will include the warnings or advice given to the pupil. Parents will
be involved in this process at an early stage.
In cases of gross misbehaviour the principal will determine
whether or not a specific situation constitutes an incident of gross misbehaviour,
taking into consideration the actual incident involved and its implications
for the health, safety and overall welfare of the members of the school
community.
Valid grounds for suspension include:
-stealing
-damaging property
-disrespect to teachers or other school staff
-leaving school / school based activities without permission
-causing injury to another pupil through misbehaviour
-repeated case of bullying
The staff will be conscious at all times of the necessity
to encourage and reward good behaviour. Specifically the following strategies
will be used: -
1. Small prizes, stickers, stars.
2. Oral and written praise, yearly
reports.
3. Extra privileges such as a video
at the end of term etc.
4. A ‘Maith Thú’ trophy
in each class to be awarded weekly for good effort/behaviour.
5. A system of ‘dea-mharcanna’
(good marks) for classes lining quietly in the playground.
6. Good behaviour will be seen
to be rewarded.
The support and co-operation of parents are essential to
the effective operation of the Code of Discipline.
If teachers and parents are not working in harmony, inevitably
the pupils will suffer.
Parents can co-operate by:
-encouraging their children to
abide by the school rules.
-by visiting the school when requested
to by the Principal teacher or other member of staff.
- by contacting the school should
they be concerned about a school related matter.
-by ensuring that homework is allocated
due time and effort.
Parents are invited to keep in close contact with the school
with regard to all aspects of the child’s progress.
Parents will be informed at an early stage of incidents
of serious misbehaviour on the part of their children.
When detention or suspension is contemplated parents are
encouraged to come to the school to discuss this with the principal, which
is their right.
Every effort will be made by the principal and staff to
ensure that parents are kept well informed:
-that the school provides a welcoming
atmosphere towards them.
-that they are not only told when
their children are in trouble but when they have behaved well.
This code has been drawn up after a process, which involved
consultation with every teacher in the school, pupils, parents, the Parents’
Association and the Board of Management.
It will be reviewed at regular intervals.
A copy of this code has been made available to parents.
Parents have studied the code and signed and returned the
form attached to the code indicating their agreement with its terms.
It is a condition of attendance at this school that pupils abide by the rules and regulations in this Code of Discipline.