Walshestown National School

Code of Behaviour

CONTENTS

1. Relationship of the Code of Behaviour to the Aims of the School

2. Aims of the Code of Behaviour

3. Content of the Code of Behaviour
A. General Rules
B. In the School
C. In the Yard
D. School Rules for Children
E. Guidelines for Parents

4. Sanctions


1. Relationship to Aims of the School

Aim 2(A) of St. Paul’s National School is:

“To develop in each pupil a manner of behaviour which incorporates an attitude of caring for, and responsibility to other people”.

Objective 1 under this aim is

“To encourage in each child a respect for the rights of others”

Objective 4 under this aim is

“To encourage in each child a respect for property, both personal and communal, in the school and elsewhere”

To comply with these aims, and to promote a safe, happy and productive atmosphere in the school, this policy has been drawn up.


2. Aims of this Code of Behaviour


1. That each child can learn and achieve as much as possible in school in
a relatively disruption-free environment.

2. That each child will realise that they should show respect to others both in their actions and their language.

3. That each child will understand what they are and are not allowed to do while in school.

4. That each child will understand that these rules are devised with the health, welfare and safety of the school community in mind.

5. That there is a clearly understood system by which incidents of misbehaviour are dealt with.


3. Contents of the Code of Behaviour

The GOLDEN RULE of St. Paul’s National School, Walshestown is:

“TREAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WAY
YOU WOULD BE LIKE TO BE TREATED”

The Following rules are based on this principle of respect for others, so that school can be a place where children and adults can work, learn and play in a safe, healthy and happy environment. The rules are kept to a minimum and are at all times devised with the health, safety and welfare of the school community in mind.

A. General Rules

1. Teachers and other staff member are in school to facilitate learning and to ensure good and safe behaviour. Pupils should follow’ instructions from a member of staff at all times.
2. The behaviour of pupils in school should be respectful to the other children and to the teachers and staff.
3. The language used in school should also be respectful to others, and should be positive in tone and manner.
4. School property and equipment should be treated with respect.
5. The school has a uniform, chosen by the Parents Committee.
Children should wear this while in school.
6. The school has a ‘Healthy Lunches” policy. Children should bring food to school which is in keeping with this policy.
7. Children should not bring certain items to school.
These include:
Any item which may be deemed dangerous to other children
Any expensive item or any item, which would be difficult to replace if, mislaid – e.g. jewellery, expensive toys, Gameboys, cameras, mobile phones etc.



B. In School

1. For children to learn properly the classroom environment should be one which facilitates learning. Any behaviour, which undermines this, is unfair to the other pupils and is not allowed.
2. Within the school buildings children must move and behave in an appropriate and safe manner.
3. Children should present themselves at school with the necessary books and equipment for learning.


C. In The Yard

1. Behaviour in the yard should be appropriate and safe at all times.
2. Pupils are not allowed to leave the yard at any time without the express permission of a teacher. Pupils may only enter and leave through the school gates.
3. Running around corners is forbidden in the interests of safety.
4. It is expected that older children will protect and care for other children.
5. Litter must be disposed of in the correct manner.

D. School Rules for Children

The school rules will be presented in the following format to the children, using appropriate language for them

SCHOOL RULES
A1 You should always do as a member of staff asks.
A2 You should behave respectfully to both children and adults.
A3 You should speak respectfully to both children and adults.
A4 You should treat the buildings, furniture and equipment with respect.
A5 You should wear your school uniform.
A6 You should have a healthy lunch.
A7 You should not bring things to school which are either dangerous or
expensive to replace.

B1 You should work well and behave properly in class.
B2 You should always walk while inside the school buildings. You should
behave properly in the corridors, toilets and rooms.
B3 You should always have all the things you need to learn properly.


C1 You should behave properly in the yard and on the yard.
C2 You must never go out of the school without the permission of a teacher.
You must enter and leave through the gates.
C3 Running around corners is not allowed
C4 Older children should protect and care for younger children
C5 You should put litter in its proper place.

E. Guidelines For Parents

1. Co-operation between parents and the school community is important. Consistency between home and school is essential to the proper operation of a code of behaviour. The teachers will ensure that parents are kept informed of their child’s progress in all aspects of school life, including their behaviour.

2. It is important to realise that there is a constant inter-action between teachers and children in regard to behaviour in school. No-one would expect or want to find large groups of children sitting quietly at all times, doing everything they are asked to do without delay. Teachers are constantly asking children to do their work, to stop talking, to sit properly, to pay attention etc. This is not regarded as indiscipline or bad behaviour, but part and parcel of school life. If your child’s ‘discipline problems’ at school lie in these areas there is no need to worry – such children can often be the most enthusiastic and stimulating children in the classroom. Teachers will not generally contact parents about such behaviour – ‘No news is good news’.

3. However if a more serious breach of discipline occurs, or if a child is disruptive, badly-behaved or disrespectful consistently, then parents will be contacted. Initially this may be done informally, just to make parents aware of the situation. A note may be sent home, or comments entered in the child’s Homework Diary. A teacher may speak to a parent collecting a child from school. Usually, most situations can be rectified in this way.

4. If the child’s behaviour continues to give cause for concern, then a formal meeting will be arranged. Parents will be given notice of such a meeting, outlining what will be discussed.(See standard form
attached to this Policy Document)

5. Similarly, if a parent wishes to discuss a matter of importance with a teacher, it is appropriate to make an appointment, giving a notice of what is to be discussed. This is necessary so that classes can be supervised and the teacher can prepare properly to give the parents as much information as possible.

6. The school would appreciate that is parents would follow these recommendations to ensure proper communication and co-operation between home and school.

a) If a parent wishes a child to leave school during school hours, the parents should inform the teacher directly, either verbally or via a note.

b) If a child is absent from school, the parents should contact the teacher directly, either verbally or via a note on the child’s return.

c) If a child is diagnosed with a specific or contagious illness, the school should be informed as soon as the diagnosis is made.

SANCTIONS


The following strategies may be included as appropriate ways to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour.

Reasoning with the pupil
Advice on how to behave
Reprimand
Temporary separation from peers, friends or others
Loss of privileges
Detention during a break
Prescribing additional work for home or school
Referral to Principal
Communication with parents

Communication with parents will be verbal or by letter, depending on the circumstances. The parents concerned may be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case.

Where there are repeated instances of misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management may be informed and the parents shall be invited to meet with the Principal and the Chairperson and the class teacher or any combination of the above as appropriate. If the parents and, where appropriate, the pupil, do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a temporary period. Suspension will be in accordance with the terms of Rule 130 (5) of the Rules for National Schools.

In the case of serious misbehaviour the Board has authorised the Chairperson and/or the Principal to sanction an immediate suspension pending discussing the matter with the parents.

Expulsion will be considered, where appropriate, in accordance with Rule 130(6)