Code of Behaviour

PURPOSE
The purpose of this code is, among other things, to do the following: -

1. Preserve order and discipline in and around the school;
2. Create an atmosphere in which pupils attending the school can progress with their studies, grow and develop in an individual way, in harmony with the Christian values, standards and principles that the school seeks to uphold.

DEFINITIONS:
1. "Parent" means parent, parents, guardian or guardians:
2. "Pupils" means students in the school - masculine, feminine, singular and plural:
3. "School staff" means teachers and all other members of the staff of the school.
4. "the school" means St. Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford, Co. Mayo.

GENERAL:
All pupils attending the school have the right to education in a disciplined and orderly environment. The staff have a right to conduct classes and work in such an environment. Any behaviour, which infringes on these rights, may cause grave injustice to others.

Every effort is made by the board of management and staff to develop and improve a good working environment in the school. Inappropriate behaviour by a pupil whether in breach of the guidelines set out below or bad behaviour generally will be dealt with in a fair, just, reasonable, and caring way.

The pastoral care of all pupils particularly those in need of rehabilitation, shall in so far as it is possible, receive priority from the staff.

PARENTS:
The parents of a pupil are expected to cooperate with the board of management and staff to ensure that his / her child observes and obeys the code of behaviour of the school and to seek to ensure that order and discipline is maintained. A constant and continuing interest in the education of a pupil in the subjects studied, the homework to be done, the friends that are associated with the pupil's social activities is expected from a parent.

The school seeks to maintain, establish and develop an effective partnership between it the school and parents.

The cooperation of all parents is requested in bringing to the attention of the principal or any staff member any incidents of bullying or otherwise which may cause suffering to any pupil.

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
1.

a)A pupil is expected to attend school punctually and regularly during the school year. A pupil must be present for assembly at 8.55 a.m. each morning. If a pupil is absent from, or late for school a parent shall write and sign a note of explanation in that pupil's homework journal for that day.

b) In the event of a pupil requiring time to be absent from school the prior written permission of a parent shall be given to the principal.

c) A pupil shall wear the prescribed school uniform at all times during school hours or on school related activities. A pupil must dress neatly and be tidy at all times. Small stud earrings are the only jewellery permitted to be worn.

2. A pupil may not leave the school premises at any time during the school day. If a pupil wishes to leave the school at lunchtime (12.30 p.m. to 1.15 p.m.) he / she may do so provided that the prior written permission of a parent is given in advance to the principal. Neither the board of management nor the staff accept any responsibility for a pupil once he / she leaves the school property.

3. A pupil must respect the property of others. Any damage or breakage caused by a pupil shall be repaired at that pupil's expense.

4. The following are prohibited: -

(a) Use of licensed premises and pool halls during the school day (including lunchtime);
(b) Bad language;
(c) Use of the following substances whether in the school or on any part of school property: -
(i) tobacco (cigarettes or otherwise);
(ii) alcohol;
(iii) drugs and other illegal substances;
(iv) tippex or other eraser substances;
(v) chewing gum.

5. The following shall be deemed to be inappropriate behaviour: -

(a) Defiance of or disrespect to any staff member whether inside or outside the school;
(b) Persistent disruptive behaviour in class;
(c) Repeated failure to produce homework;
(d) Refusal to co-operate with staff;
(e) Engaging in any activity likely to disrupt the good order of the school;
(f) Truancy and unauthorised absence from school;
(g) Possession, or under the influence, of alcohol, drugs or other illegal and unlawful substances.

6. Bullying is unacceptable and inappropriate behaviour. Intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, or aggression are the more obvious types of bullying. There are more subtle forms such as name-calling, sarcasm, cutting remarks, exclusion from 'the group', damage to personal property and other physical and psychological intimidation behaviour.

POLICY ON MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones may not be used by students on school property during the school day. A phone will be confiscated, if found. It will be returned to the student after twenty school days.

SANCTIONS
These are the guidelines of the form of sanction that may be imposed on a pupil found to be in breach of this code of behaviour.

POINTS

I) Disrespect or defiance shown to staff in or out of school; 20 - 60 points
II) Persistent disruptive and uncooperative behaviour during school hours; 20 - 60 points
III) Possession of objects or behaviour designed to disrupt the school, other students, or staff;
20 - 60 points
IV) Truancy and unauthorised absence from school; 20 - 60 points
V) Possession of or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any illegal substance: 20 - 60 points
VI) Bullying; 20 - 60 points
VII) Deliberate damage to property (of the school, teachers or other pupils); 20 - 60 points
VIII The use or possession of the following:
(1) Tobacco (cigarettes or otherwise);
(2) Chewing gum;
(3) Tippex or other eraser substance; 20 points

IX) Non wearing of uniform, or untidy appearance; 10 points
X) Late for school / class; 5 points
XI) A journal not being available when requested or a note absent from a journal, when required:
5 points

SUSPENSION / DETENTION

In the event of a pupil accumulating the following number of points he / she may be obtained or suspended.

20 points detention during lunchtime
40 points detention following school classes
60 points suspension

A pupil may be put on Report for a period in order to monitor punctuality and behaviour. Failure to cooperate may result in the imposition of a further sanction.

A pupil, who accumulates a sufficient number of points for two suspensions, may be disallowed from partaking in school activities and outings are contingent on a satisfactory record of attendance and behaviour.

A pupil, who is in continuous breach of the Code of Behavior, may be put on a Contract of Good Behaviour, which must be signed by the pupil and his Parent/s or Guardian/s. A pupil who continuously fails to observe the provisions of the Code may be asked to re-enrol as per the terms of the school's Admission Policy.

A student, who has accumulated a sufficient number of points for two suspensions may be referred to the Board of Management, which may decide to impose a more serious sanction up to exclusion from the school.

Failure of a pupil to attend evening detention may result in he / she being suspended. Failure of a pupil to attend lunchtime detention may result in the pupil receiving after school hour detention.

A parent will be informed in writing if a pupil has been given detention. The written notice of detention shall be signed by a parent and returned to the principal. It is the obligation of a parent to ensure that a pupil is present for detention and is collected from the school when evening detention has been imposed.

POLICY ON SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS

General Principles

All pupils, teachers and other staff have the right to education and work in a disciplined and orderly environment. Any behaviour, which infringes on this right will be dealt with under to provisions of the Code of Behaviour.

There will be cases of unacceptable behaviour, where it will be necessary to remove a student from school for a period of time or for the Board of Management to expel a student permanently from the school.

Suspension and expulsion are the options available to the Principal and/or the Board of Management in these cases.

Suspension allows students time to reflect on and accept responsibility for their behaviour. It affords an opportunity also to Parents and the school to plan strategies for the improvement and/or reform of such behaviour.

Counselling may also be arranged to assist the pupil and Parents.

Responsibilities

Responsibility for suspending a student lies with the Principal, who derives this authority from the Articles of Management for Secondary Schools. The Principal may normally suspend a student for up to 3 days unless authorised to suspend for longer by the Board of Management. The Principal reports all suspensions to the Board of Management at its next meeting. If, in the judgement of the Principal, a pupil should be expelled, the Principal shall refer the matter to the Board of Management for its decision.

Procedure for Suspending a Pupil

The reasons a student may be suspended are given in the Code of Behaviour, which is based on a points system.

While every effort is made to develop and improve a good working environment in the school, there will be cases where misconduct can only be sanctioned by a suspension from school.

In the event of a pupil accumulating over 60 points he/she may be suspended after the following procedures have been put in place.

• The pupil has been spoken to/advised by support personnel in the school. (Principal, Deputy Principal/Year Head/Class Tutor/Counsellor).
• The pupil has shown no willingness to change his/her behaviour.
• A discussion has taken place with the student and parent/guardian regarding the pupil's record of misbehaviour which the school considers unacceptable.
• The record of misbehaviour has been supplied to the student and parent/guardian.A letter of notification is sent to parent/guardian which includes inter alia;
  • Notice of suspension
  • Date of suspension
  • Duration of suspension
  • Reasons for suspension
  • Expectation that the pupil's behaviour will improve on his/her return to school
  • Right of Appeal to the Board of Management
  • Conditions, if any for the return of the pupil to school
  • Agreement to attend counselling, if relevant.

In cases of serious misconduct, the Principal may suspend a pupil pending an immediate meeting with parents. Arrangements for the safety of the pupil will be made.

The Principal or the Board of Management may agree to the removal of a suspension on the following grounds:

• Successful Appeal to the Board of Management.
• Successful appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act.
• The period of suspension has been completed.
• New circumstances affecting the decision to suspend have come to light.

Appeals

A parent/guardian or a student over 18 years of age may appeal a suspension by the Principal to the Board of Management. A letter of appeal should be written to the Secretary of the Board of Management setting out the grounds for the appeal.

The student will remain at home while any such appeal is in process. It is possible that t suspension may be served before the hearing by the Board of Management of the appeal. In this case, if the appeal is successful the record of suspension will be removed from the student's record.

Appeals will be heard as soon as is practically possible.

EXPULSION

General Principles

Only the Board of Management may finally decide to expel a pupil. It is a last resort and an admission that the school can do absolutely nothing more to help the pupil.

The circumstances which would justify the expulsion of a pupil may include the following:

1. The pupil is so disruptive the he/she is seriously preventing other pupils from learning.
2. The pupil is uncontrollable as is not amenable to any form of school authority.
3. The parents refuse to exercise their responsibility for the pupil.
4. The pupil's conduct is a source of serious bad example and is having an adverse influence on other pupils in the school.

Expulsion will generally be considered by the Board of Management, when all other sanctions in the Code of Behaviour have been exhausted.

Procedures for Expulsion

1. All documentation relating to the record of behaviour of the pupil will be supplied by the Principal to all parties prior to the Board of Management meeting, at which the case will be heard.
2. The Parents/student will be invited to the Board of Management meeting by letter.
3. The Board of Management will hear the Principal's Report in the presence of the Parents.
4. The Parents/student will be invited to respond to the Principal's Report.
5. The Board will then request that the Principal and the Parents/student leave the meeting while a decision is being made.
6. The Board will discuss all matters in detail and may request further information from the Principal and/or Parents/student.
7. The General Principles above will be consulted to help the Board of Management reach its decision.
8. The Board will make a final decision to expel/not to expel the pupil.
9. The decision will be communicated to the parents formally by the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
   
10. The Educational Welfare Board will be informed of the Board's intention to expel a pupil.
    
11. The decision to expel will not take effect for 20 days following the receipt of the notice of expulsion by the National Educational Welfare Board. (see Education (Welfare) Act 2000, Section 24)

Appeals

The Parent/student will be informed of their right to appeal a decision to expel a student under Section 29 of the Education Act.

Documentation will be supplied in relation to an Appeal under Section 29 with the letter, giving notice of intention to expel.

Appeals must generally be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the Parent/student.

Principles of Natural Justice

In all of the above procedures relating to suspension and expulsion the principles of natural justice will be followed.

Return to School Policies page>