St. Kevin's National School, Greystones

St. Kevin's National School, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Code of Behaviour and Discipline

Introductory Statement:

The existing Code of Discipline was reviewed in 1999 to evaluate its effectiveness. This review was necessary as St. Kevin's began its transition from Boys' Senior School to Vertical co-educational school in September 1998.
The Discipline Committee members were Damien O'Sullivan (Principal 1997-2000), Mary Cotter, Sorcha Donnelly, Noreen Lawlor, Breda Kinnane, Mary Begg and Claire Davoren. Meetings were held throughout the 1998-99 school year, and the conclusions drawn, and recommendations made, were taken into consideration in drafting this updated policy.

Aims and Objectives:

To create a school ethos which:

• encourages pupils to respect themselves, others and our school;
• fosters pride in our school and its community;
• creates an environment which is safe, supportive and conducive to learning.

Content:

The approach to School Discipline focuses on promoting good behaviour, which is built on respect - for ourselves, for each other and for our school. There are a number of specific rules regarding punctuality etc. which are included in this policy, but in general our rules can be expressed very simply as:

• Have respect for yourself
• Have respect for others
• Have respect for your school

Behaviour that does not conform to one or more of these rules can be considered unacceptable. Within each rule we have certain expectations:

• Have respect for yourself

Have confidence in your own abilities
Take pride in your appearance
Value your own safety
Work cheerfully and willingly
Take pride in your work

• Have respect for others

Care for all members of our community
Value and respect our differences?
Value and respect the right of all children to an education
Value the staff who teach you, who look after you, who clean your school, who maintain the school environment, who take care of the office work etc.
Share with others
Listen to others without interrupting
Be polite and pleasant to everyone
Accept decisions
Work and move around the school mindful of others
Value the work and opinions of others
Take care that you do not harm one another -either accidentally or intentionally

• Have respect for Our School

Put all litter in a bin
Always return property
Look after displays
Use equipment properly
Help tidy up
Walk quietly around the school
Take pride in our school by being polite and pleasant to each other and to visitors
Take pride in our school by remembering that people judge our school by our behaviour outside school

General School Rules

• Pupils assemble in their classrooms between 8:50and 9:10 a.m. Lateness and absences are to be explained by parent/guardian either verbally or in writing.
• Pupils may not leave the school premises until dismissal time, unless they have the written consent of their parent/guardian.
• Pupils should not run inside the school building. They should walk quietly, and show consideration for others. Play in the schoolyard is confined to the areas allowed (these areas are clearly marked). Under no circumstances should a pupil leave the schoolyard without the permission of the teacher on duty.
• Pupils are expected to play gently - rough play of any description is not allowed.
• Chewing Gum is not allowed on the school premises or on any school -related activity.
• Glass bottles/containers are not allowed and pupils are encouraged to use recyclable containers.
• Skate-boards, Roller-blades and Scooters are not allowed on the School premises.
• Mobile Phones should be switched off during school hours. Camera Phones are not allowed.
• No cycling is allowed in the school grounds.
• Pupils should wear school uniform while attending school and school tracksuit on P.E. days.
• Long or hooped earrings are not allowed for safety reasons.

Dealing with Misbehaviour

At St. Kevin's we strive to promote positive behaviour by rewarding pupils with merits. To encourage improvement, a pupil's behaviour may be monitored and noted, so that parents can be involved in this positive reinforcement. The Homework Journal is an important means of communication between parents/guardians and teacher in this regard.While continually promoting positive behaviour we do have to respond to unacceptable behaviour. One or more of the following strategies may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour. This list of sanctions suggests a number of strategies. Ultimately, the Teacher or Principal will choose a sanction, which they consider reasonable and appropriate to the seriousness of the incident.

• Reasoning with the pupil
• Reprimand (including advice on how to improve)
• Temporary separation from peers, friends or others
• Loss of privileges
• Extra work during break times
• Prescribing additional written work
• Prescribing weekend homework
• Note to parents
• Referral to Principal
• Detention after school
• Report to the Board of Management
• Suspension

Responsibility

The responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with the partners in education i.e. the Board of Management, Principal and teaching staff and the parents and guardians of the pupils in St. Kevin's. It will be reviewed in consultation with the Staff, Board of Management and Parents' Association. It is only through observation and feedback from all the partners in St. Kevin's School Community that the effectiveness of the policy can be evaluated.