Code of Behaviour

Aims:

Our aim is to create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development.
Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school.

Principles:

It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation among staff and between staff, parents and pupils.

In applying the code, we, the staff will :

be familiar with the code and apply it in a consistent and fair manner
respect the dignity of the child by intervening sensibly and sensitively
be gracious in manner, yet firm in our expectations
have a plan for classroom management and use it consistently for all students
be constantly aware of good pupil response and behaviour, acknowledge it as a matter of course, at an individual, group and whole class level.

Every child is subject to the Code of Behaviour respecting the need for differentiation as appropriate for the child with Special Needs.

Pupils are subject to the Code of Behaviour for as long as they are on the premises of Scoil Cholmcille or in the care of staff of Scoil Cholmcille outside of the school. If parents choose to send their pupils to school before the start of the official school day (9.20 a.m.) the Code will apply. The Code will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Rewarding the Positive in Scoil Cholmcille

Scoil Cholmcille has a focus on praise and encouraging good behaviour. We recognise that positive influences improve behaviour, motivation, work rate, morale and group dynamics. All praise and incentives are aimed at rewarding and encouraging the behaviour that we are trying to foster in the children. The school also recognises that children need to see what is the outcome of behaving well. As a staff, we have agreed to use a wide and rich menu of daily, weekly and monthly rewards and incentives at both classroom and whole school levels.

Pupils will be instructed on the Code in September of each year.

School Rules: Infants-2^nd Classes: Golden Rules

I do as I am asked.
I keep my hands and my feet to myself.
I will be fair and kind.
I will listen to each person talking.
I will do my best.
I will take care of myself and my environment.

School Rules: 3^rd – 6^th Classes: Golden Rules

Do listen. Don’t interrupt.
Do be gentle. Don’t hurt anyone.
Do work hard. Don’t waste your or other people’s time.
Do be kind and helpful. Don’t hurt people’s feelings.
Do be honest. Don’t cover up the truth.
Do look after property. Don’t waste or damage things.

In addition:

All jewellery e.g. chains, rings etc. not permitted and should not be worn.

Stud earrings only are permitted.

The use of Tippex and Steel rulers is banned in the school.

In light of recent adverse national publicity regarding the abuse of using mobile phones in schools (cyber bullying, YouTube images, videoing others without their consent or knowledge) this school does not permit mobiles to be brought onto the school grounds.

Pupils are requested to address teachers and S.N.A. ‘s by using their title (Mr. Ms./Mrs) and surname. Differentiation and need will prevail as appropriate.

We are very proud of our school uniform. Pupils are expected to wear the full school uniform every day except on P.E. day when tracksuits are allowed.

Strategies

Praise may be given by means of any one of the following;

A quiet word or gesture to show approval
A comment in a pupil’s exercise book
A visit to another member of staff or to the Principal for commendation.
A word of praise in front of a group or class
A system of merit marks
Delegating some special responsibility or privilege
A mention to parent, written or verbal communication
Monthly Gold Stars/ Gold Medals/Outstanding Achiever Trophy

Disapproval of unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with as follows;

(The nature of the behaviour will determine the strategy)

Reasoning with pupils
Reprimand (including advice on how to improve)
Prescribing extra work
Communication with Parents (includes meeting with parents, if necessary).
Time Out/ Cooling Off Period
Referral to Principal/Deputy-Principal/ Senior Management Team
Note to parents
Suspension/expulsion (in accordance with National Education Welfare Board Guidelines, (2008) and Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular 7/88).

Procedures:

The degree of misdemeanours i.e. minor, serious or gross, will be judged by the teachers and/or Principal based on an agreed framework that distinguishes the gravity/repetition of such misdemeanours. Sanctions have also been devised to match the grade of the misbehaviours. In Scoil Cholmcille we have a framework specific for Infants – 2^nd class and a more stage appropriate framework for 3^rd – 6^th classes.

Examples of minor misdemeanours:

Infants – Second Class: Littering classrooms, annoying others, running on corridors.

3^rd-6^th Classes: Distracting others in class, incomplete homework, leaving seat without permission.

1.1. Examples of responses to minor misdemeanours:

Verbal reprimand/reasoning with the pupil
Withdrawal of privilege
Note in homework journal to be signed by parent.
Time Out/ Cooling off period
RED mark for 3^rd– 6^th classes.
Sending to another teacher
Class teacher to meet one/both parents/guardian for regular occurrences of minor misdemeanours.

Examples of serious misdemeanours:

Infants – Second Class: Bad language, constant disruption, leaving the classroom without permission.

3^rd-6^th: Back answering a teacher, bullying behaviours, aggressive behaviours.

2.1 Examples of responses to serious misdemeanours;

Warning
In class sanctions
Black mark for 3^rd-6^th class pupils
Red/black x can be removed for improved desirable behaviour.
Parents contacted via phone
Behaviour plan set up
Persistent offending referred to member of Senior Management Team
Meeting with parent or Principal, if no improvement shown.

3.2 Examples of Gross Misdemeanours

Infants – Second Class: Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher/pupil.

3^rd-6^th Classes: Physical Aggression, violent behaviour towards a teacher/pupil, leaving school grounds without permission.

Responses to gross misdemeanours;

Middle Management/Senior Management and Principal involved.
Chairperson/Principal to sanction immediate suspension pending discussion with parents
Suspension of up to three day period to follow.
Repeated suspension will occur in certain circumstances to a maximum of 20 days. The National Education Welfare Board officer will then become involved.
Expulsion will be considered in an extreme case in accordance with Rule 130 (6).

It should be noted that these lists consist of examples only. Repair work that integrates the child back into classroom and school life will take place on the first day of readmission to the school.

Parental Complaints Procedure:

A parent/guardian who wishes to make a complaint is advised to approach the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint.

Where the parent/guardian is unable to resolve the complaint with the class teacher she/he should approach the principal teacher with a view to resolving it.

If the complaint is still unresolved the parent/ guardian should raise the matter with the chairperson of the board of management with a view to resolving it. The school adopts the CPSMA/INTO parental complaints procedure.

Bullying

School Policy on Bullying:

Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others.

Indications of Bullying / Behaviour:

Anxiety about travelling to/from school
Unwillingness to go to school
Deterioration in educational performance
Pattern of physical illnesses
Unexplained changes in either mood/behaviour
Visible signs of anxiety/distress
Possessions missing
Increased requests for money
Unexplained bruising
Reluctance and/or refusal to say what is troubling her/him

Bullying: I should never bully others. I should never allow others to bully me and if it happens, I should tell my parents and my teacher. Bullying is always unacceptable. Scoil Cholmcille is a ‘bully-free’ zone.

Procedures for noting and reporting incidents:

All reports of bullying should be noted, investigated and dealt with by the class teacher so that pupils will gain confidence in telling.
Class teacher is to liaise with the school’s Care Officer (designated staff member)who will monitor the situation , meet with the pupils involved and teacher, report to Principal on a monthly basis regarding progress.
A special incident file will be kept for this purpose only by the Care Officer.
Serious cases will be referred immediately to the Deputy Principal/ Principal
Parents will be informed by the Deputy Principal/Principal earlier rather than later.
Parents can make their enquiries regarding bullying to the class teacher who after an initial investigation will liaise with the Care Officer.
Pupils must understand that reporting is not ‘telling tales’.
Individual teachers should record and take appropriate measures in accordance with policy.
Non-teaching staff are encouraged to report incidents. Discretion is important

Procedures for investigating and dealing with bullying:

Calm, unemotional problem-solving approach
Incidents best investigated outside the classroom situation
Teacher should speak separately to the pupils involved
Answers should be sought to questions of What, Where, When, Who and Why.
Members of a group should be met individually.
Meet parents of parties involved.

Programme for work with pupils: Ongoing lessons in SPHE Curriculum, Drama,

learning skills are taught in the Stay Safe/RSE programmes, promotion of Friendship Week (annually) focussing on anti-bullying. Pupils are taught strategies to empower them to build self-esteem and to instruct them on how to report incidences.

Clár ama na Scoile:

School begins: 9.20a.m.
School Closes: Junior/Senior Infants 2.00p.m.

Other Classes 3.00 p.m.

Homework

Parents are strongly advised to take an active interest in their child’s homework and to sign their homework journal each night (ensuring that it is done).
It is the policy of the school to assign:
oral and written homework on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for 1st -6^th
oral/wellbeing homework only for all classes on Thursday night.
Parents will be contacted if the incompletion of homework persists into a second week.
If in the event of no improvement a second letter will issue immediately requesting parents to attend a meeting to discuss the issues with the class teacher.

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí! (An Irish Proverb)

Children will thrive if encouraged!