School Policies

Code of Behaviour

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Code of Behaviour

Dublin 7 Educate Together National School

June 2005 - updated 2008

Introductory Statement
This code of behaviour was formulated in the Spring term 2005 by the Policy Sub-Committee of the Board of Management, which comprised of parents and teachers.

This code should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies (Health and Safety, Anti-Bullying and Homework policies) and with the school information booklet.

It was implemented in September 2005 and reviewed in October 2008.  Copies of this will be given to each member of staff, each member of the Board of Management, those responsible for running after-school activities and to all parents.

Rationale
According to DES Circular 20/90, schools are required to have a code of behaviour.  This code has been drawn up in accordance with DES and INTO guidelines.  The existing code of behaviour is due for review as it is three years old.  During the past three years the school has grown considerably in size, to over 300 pupils. The school has also changed location, in September 2009, to purpose-built temporary premises on the Grangegorman site. The code of behaviour needs to reflect these developments.

Aims
This code of behaviour aims:

  • To ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school community.
  • To assist parents, pupils and teachers in understanding the system of procedures that form part of the code of behaviour and seek their co-operation.
  • To ensure that the system of rules, rewards and sanctions are implemented in a fair way.

Content
The School Community
Every effort will be made by all members of our school community (the staff, the parents, the children and those responsible for after-school activities) to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in our school.  We expect everyone to show kindness and courtesy in all their dealings with others.

The Staff
The overall responsibility for discipline within the school rests with the principal teacher.
Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline with his/her classroom, while sharing a common responsibility for good order in the school environment.

The Parents
As important members of the school community, parents are encouraged to support the school and their children:

  • By making their children aware of the behaviour expected by the code and encouraging their children to abide by it.
  • By consulting the information booklet for school policy on mobile phones, jewellery, etc. (This booklet is available on the school website, www.d7educatetogether.com)
  • By ensuring that their child gives due time and effort to homework and by providing a suitable environment, free of distraction to enable the children to give their best effort to their work.
  • By actively engaging in discussions with members of staff on behavioural issues as necessary.
  • By visiting the school when requested to do so by the Principal or by another member of staff.


The Children
In our school we believe that no child is an outsider. Children are actively encouraged to help each other keep the school a pleasant and safe place to be, to learn and to grow:

  • by being kind and thoughtful.by listening and giving others an opportunity to talk.
  • by including others in what they do.
  • by making new pupils feel welcome
  • by avoiding acting in ways that are hurtful to others e.g. fighting, teasing, bullying, swearing or hurting other people’s feelings.
  • by showing courtesy to all members of staff
  • by listening to teachers in the school environment and when outside the school on school trips.
  • by being quiet when asked to by teachers or by supervising adults.
  • by not interrupting.
  • by asking permission to leave the room.


Children can help themselves

  • by being on time for school.
  • by paying attention in class.
  • by doing their work to the best of their ability at school and at home.
  • by being careful in class activities especially in PE, Art and Science.
  • by doing their homework well.
  • by making sure they bring all necessary materials to/from school so that they may complete and return their homework.


Children can keep themselves safe

  • by obeying classroom rules during first break.
  • by obeying yard rules (see appendix).
  • by playing without fighting and taking care not to cause injury.
  • by never leaving the school without the teacher’s/Principal’s permission.
  • by walking in hallways and on the stairs
  • by walking in an orderly way to the allocated collection point.  When leaving the school as a class with the teacher, children at the front should stop at the points instructed by their teacher until told to continue.


Children are encouraged to make out-of-school trips and activities a success

  • by following instructions given by teachers or supervising adults.
  • by behaving well on public transport.
  • by keeping noise levels to a minimum on buses, in museums, in libraries and in other public places.
  • by staying with the group at all times.


Children can help take care of their own property, that of the school and that of others

  • by keeping the playground, classrooms and school buildings clean and tidy.
  • By tidying up after themselves and bringing home leftovers and wrappings from their lunch.
  • By looking after the school furniture, equipment and toilets.
  • By doing what they can to keep the property of the school, their own property and the property of others in the condition they would like to find it themselves – in particular the books which are rented and the school library books.(Children can look after own belongings by ensuring their names are on coats etc.)


Sanctions
The following sanctions may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:

  • Reasoning with pupils
  • Verbal warning from a teacher or supervising adult
  • Temporary separation from peers and friends to another teacher or principal
  • Loss of privileges
  • Exclusion of children from any activities in or outside the school if their behaviour during this activity poses a risk to themselves or others.


For a more serious incident or for repeated incidents of poor behaviour, the following may occur at the discretion of the teacher:

  • A written account of the incident that happened may be sought from the pupil and/or an apology written by the pupil and signed by the parent.
  • An informal meeting between the teacher and the parents/guardians which may include the Principal.


For a most serious incident or when a pattern of poor behaviour persists, the following may occur at the discretion of the teacher:

  • A formal meeting between the teacher and the parents/guardians which may include the Principal
  • Reporting incidents of a serious nature to the BoM
  • Suspension/expulsion* from school for a period, agreed by the BoM.


Ratification
This policy was circulated for discussion and comment to all members of the school community.  It was ratified by the Board of Management for implementation from September 2005.  It was reviewed in October 2008.


*This is in accordance with the National Education Welfare Board guidelines and fulfils the school’s obligations under Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act, 2000.  If a BoM decides to expel a pupil, parents/guardians have a right of appeal to the Secretary general of the DES under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
Appendix

Yard Rules

Talk to the teachers on duty in the yard if there is a problem that needs attention, do not wait and take the problem to your class teacher.

Walk quietly on the stairs and hold the handrail on the way.  Do no hold hands.  Do not jump or skip other children.

Play safely and fairly in the yard.  Fighting, name-calling or using bad language is not allowed.

Treat others with kindness and include them in your games.  Do not spoil other children’s games.

Do not leave the yard without permission.

Play ball only in the areas set aside for football.  Balls that come off the pitch are to be carried back to the pitch, not kicked back.

Teachers supervising on the yard cannot act as referees.  However, if they observe rough play during football, they may exclude those responsible for a period of time.

Only those playing football are allowed in the areas set aside for football.

Balls and skipping ropes must be carried to and from the yard in bags.

Children should remember to bring their own clothing from the yard.  Children should not bring in other children’s belongings from the yard and this encourages children not to take responsibility for their own belongings and causes problems for children who go back to look for their clothes.

When yard-time finishes and the signal is given, walk to the line-up area and line up quietly and in single file.  Remain in single file en route to your classroom.

When you return to your class after yard-time, remain seated while waiting to begin work.