We acknowledge that children bring to school a wide variety of behaviour.  As a school community we must work towards standards of behaviour based on the principles of respect, consideration & responsibility.  We acknowledge the importance of setting limits for children, within which they can grow up to be morally responsible individuals.  We acknowledge that class and school rules need to be consistently enforced and consequences clearly outlined.

This policy was reviewed in September 2023 at a staff meeting.

Aims:

(a)     In devising the code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to create an orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development.

(b)     Every effort will be made by all members of staff to develop a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school.

(c)     Teachers / Parents have a responsibility to model the school’s standards of behaviour in their dealings both with students and with each other.          

School Rules:

1. Children should enter the school grounds in an orderly fashion each morning. Children entering by foot or bicycle should do so via the pedestrian gate. Children must NEVER walk or cycle through the staff car park.
2. All children must go directly to their designated area and form an orderly line with their class until the bell rings On wet days children proceed directly to their classroom from 9pm onwards.
3. Children must walk up/down stairs on left side only in single file.
4. Children play with their class year in their designated play areas. They must obey the playground rules which will be explained clearly by each class teacher.
5. Children are not allowed leave the school grounds at any time unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.
6. Classrooms should be vacated during breaktimes. Children may use designated toilets following permission from teacher on yard duty.
7. At dismissal time all children should form an orderly line and wait for their parent to indicate their presence. Senior pupils may have alternative arrangements made with their parents.
8. An explanation is required for absences from school and also for early departures through Aladdin Connect.
9. Children should bring a healthy, nutritious lunch to school. CHEWING GUM IS NOT ALLOWED.
10. Mobile phones are not permitted in school. Urgent messages will be conveyed to the pupils. In some circumstances pupils who need to bring a mobile phone to school must hand up the phone to the class teacher for duration of school day.
11. School uniform should be worn on all days except P.E. days when the P.E. tracksuit must be worn. This consists of school P.E. top and navy tracksuit bottoms.
12. Pupils are not allowed wear earrings, studs and jewelry on P.E. days or when playing physical games. Runners/indoor shoes must be worn when using P.E. hall.
13. The school yard and classrooms must be kept litter free. This is in keeping with our Green Schools Policy.
14. Dangerous games are forbidden at all times.
15. Children should do their best in school by listening carefully, working as hard as they can and completing their homework as best they can.
16. Children are expected to show courtesy and good manners to each other, to all school staff and visitors to the school.
17. Any form of bullying is NOT ALLOWED and will be dealt with in accordance with our Anti Bullying Policy.
18. Children are not allowed distribute birthday invitations in school.

Class Rules

At the beginning of each academic year, the class teacher will draft a class charter with the children which will be displayed in the classroom.  These charters will reflect and support the school rules but are presented in a way that is accessible to the children.  All teachers must ensure that school and class rules are consistently revised and enforced. Children should understand that these rules are in place for their safety and wellbeing.

Incredible Years Programme

Aspects of the Incredible Programme have been adapted and are in use throughout the school e.g.

• Focusing on good behavior
• Positive language
• Show 5
• Time-out
• Taking responsibility for behavior
• Positive tone & atmosphere within classroom
• Think sheet which is kept in an Incident Folder in each class.  Serious incidents (particularly in the school yard) are recorded by the children either pictorially or written (or both). These folders are used for the duration of the school year only and do not transfer with a pupil into the next class.

Caring for Others:

1. I should be kind and respectful to teachers and fellow pupils by being mannerly and polite and by taking turns.
2. I should behave well in class so that my fellow pupils and I can learn.
3. I should show respect for the property of my fellow pupils, the school building and grounds.
4. I should be truthful and honest at all times.

Incentives

We recognise the importance of rewarding good behaviour.  The following are some examples of how praise will be given:

• A comment in a pupil’s copy
• A visit to the Principal or another staff member for commendations
• Golden Time
• Homework Passes
• Student of the week/ Listener of the day medal
• Happy Grams
• A system of merit stars or stickers (group / individual prizes)
• A written note/email/phone call to a parent
• Delegating some special responsibility

Procedures For Dealing With Unacceptable Behaviour:

• Detention during break
• Reasoning with pupils
• Reprimand (includes advice on how to improve)
• Prescribed extra work / Think sheet in Incident Folder
• Loss of privileges
• Development of behaviour plan for pupils with consistent behavioural problems or for those who engage in bullying behaviour
• Temporary separation from peers and/or loss of privileges
• Referral to Principal
• Note to parents
• Write out
• Suspension/expulsion (in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular 7/88)

It must be clear why sanctions are being applied and the consequence must relate as closely as possible to the behaviour.

The degree of misdemeanours will be judged by the teachers and/or Principal based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours.

Suspension and Expulsion

Before serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised.  For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour suspension may be considered.  Parents concerned will be invited to come into the school to discuss their child’s case.  Examples of gross / serious misbehaviour include assault, possession of illegal drugs, supplying illegal drugs to other pupils, serious threat of violence against another pupil or staff member or serious damage to property.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the Principal.  If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a period.  Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.  In the case of gross misbehaviour, where it is necessary to ensure that order and discipline are maintained and so secure the safety of the pupils, the Board may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.

Removal of Suspension

Following of during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to have the pupil reinstated to the school.  The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school Policy and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute  a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of other pupils or staff.

Review

This policy was reviewed in September 2023 and presented to the BOM for ratification. The reviewed policy will be posted on the school website. 

Signed:         _________                Date:18^th September 2023

                        Chairman of Board of Management, Cloonakilla N.S.