BEHAVIOUR POLICY AND CODE OF CONDUCT

BEHAVIOUR POLICY AND CODE OF CONDUCT

PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR All matters of behaviour management are in the context of the school s pastoral care programme, the approach being positive, constructive and encouraging. It is the policy of the school to create a secure and caring environment, conducive to effective learning and personal development. Pupils are encouraged to adopt responsible attitudes and values to enable them to develop to their full potential with self-respect and respect for others. St Mary s strives at all times to maintain a harmonious and productive atmosphere and so expects: courtesy and good manners; commitment to consistent hard work; a high standard of dress, punctuality and attendance; respect for school property. Parental support and co-operation are actively sought in these matters.

BEHAVIOUR St Mary s expects the highest standard of behaviour from its pupils while in school and travelling to and from school. They must be courteous and cooperative at all times. Thus all pupils will: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) respect the authority of all staff including teaching, office, ancillary and auxiliary staff and address them politely; co-operate with and respect the authority of prefects; respect the dignity of fellow pupils and show understanding and tolerance of their differences; avoid using any form of vulgar or abusive language; refrain from bullying and report any instances of bullying immediately; be punctual for class, registration and assembly; (vii) behave with politeness, holding doors when appropriate and giving way to adults; (viii) walk in an orderly manner on the left hand side on corridors; (ix) (x) (xi) knock politely on the classroom door before entering; say Please, Thank-you, Sorry and Excuse Me as appropriate; keep mobile phones switched off during the school day. TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES Pupils must not use, have in their possession or be under the influence of alcohol or any other prohibited substance. St Mary s operates a strict no smoking policy. The use or possession of any drug or drug paraphernalia within school, on school visits or when wearing school uniform is strictly forbidden.

PROPERTY The school insists that pupils must not tamper with other people s property or mishandle and abuse school property. Such abuse and theft of property will be treated as a major breach of school rules. Parents will be liable for any damage to property caused by a pupil. To show due care and respect for the school grounds and property, pupils will: (i) use the numerous litter bins provided; (ii) eat and drink in the designated areas only at break and lunch-time; (iii) not chew chewing gum; (iv) not deface buildings, furniture and equipment; (v) not use grass pitches/tennis courts without permission; (vi) not participate in any form of vandalism, including abuse of ICT resources; (vii) not interfere with any safety equipment. LEARNING The school endeavours to create the best possible conditions and facilities for learning. All pupils must: (i) bring the necessary textbooks and equipment to class; (ii) be attentive and hardworking to achieve their maximum potential; (iii) carefully record all homework and coursework, including deadlines, in the Student Planner. Parents are asked to check the Student Planner on a regular basis Form Teachers will also carry out a regular check.

ATTENDANCE Good attendance is essential for all pupils. Thus pupils will: (i) attend school regularly from 9.00am to 3.40pm; (ii) make routine appointments (eg dental, medical) for after school or during the school holidays. (Only emergency appointments should be made for during school hours); (iii) bring a written request from parents, in the Student Planner, if they must leave school during the day; (iv) seek permission to leave school for an appointment during school hours from the Form Teacher or Head of Year; (v) sign out at the General Office when leaving during school hours and sign in again if they return on the same day; (vi) have written permission from parent/guardian if they wish to go home for lunch (Magherafelt pupils only); (vii) bring a note in their Student Planner, signed by a parent/guardian to explain any absence from school; (viii) leave class only with the teacher s permission - truancy from class will be treated as a serious breach of school rules; (ix) only use cloakroom areas at the designated times. UNIFORM All pupils who attend St Mary s Grammar School are expected to take a pride in their uniform, to wear the uniform with dignity and to maintain a high standard of personal appearance. On each school day, travelling to and from school, during examinations and when representing the school, pupils will: (i) wear their school uniform correct in every detail; (ii) keep their uniform clean and tidy; (iii) have all items of uniform clearly marked; (iv) wear blazers at all times (at the discretion of the teacher during class); (v) have a tidy appearance and follow the school regulations on hairstyles, (vi) jewellery and dress eg: Shaved hairstyles (less than Grade 3) are not permitted, Flamboyantly coloured hair is not permitted, Girls may wear one pair of small matched earrings, Girls/boys may wear one ring; obey all safety regulations with regard to being correctly dressed for practical classes.

CLASSIFICATION OF BEHAVIOUR INTRODUCTION St Mary s seeks to provide an orderly and secure environment, conducive to learning, which will allow for the spiritual, emotional and intellectual development of each pupil. School rules are designed to develop qualities of self-respect, self-discipline and respect for other people and their property. A high standard of conduct, courtesy and good manners is expected. It is school policy to approach the management of behaviour as positively as possible and to treat all pupils with dignity and respect. School rules may, on occasion, appear restrictive to pupils but are necessary for the common good since ongoing disruptive behaviour on the part of one pupil is an infringement of the rights of other pupils. The purpose of each school rule is explained to pupils by their Form Teacher/Tutor at the start of each term and reinforced on frequent occasions throughout the school year. The Code of Practice on Special Educational Needs (DENI 1998) requires that, as well as applying appropriate sanctions for persistent misbehaviour, schools should also implement strategies aimed at alleviating the behavioural difficulty. When it is considered appropriate the school will access support from external agencies such as Educational Psychology and Education Welfare. The school requires the full support of parents in encouraging children to abide by all school rules and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR Willing to help staff and other pupils Exceptionally good classwork/homework/coursework Significant academic progress Excellent test results Sporting achievements Participation in local/national competitions Assisting at school functions Involvement in fund-raising activities Handing in valuables which have been found Consistently good behaviour To be recognised by Class Teacher/Form Teacher/Head of Year/Key Stage Leader/Vice-Principal or Principal, as appropriate, by use of some of the following rewards: Verbal praise Mark in Conduct Profile/House Points Congratulations/Thank You Card Certificate of Excellence/House Merit Certificate Prizegiving Award Recognition at Assembly Photographic displays Selection as prefect Celebratory event Pupils should keep a record of significant achievements in their Student Planner.

EXAMPLES OF MINOR BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES Creating unnecessary noise on corridors or in classrooms Dropping litter Forgetting to bring books/equipment to class Homework not done or incomplete Incomplete/untidy uniform Misuse of equipment Inattentive in class Lack of good manners/lack of respect/over-familiarity Late for class/registration/assembly To be dealt with by Class Teacher/Form Teacher, as appropriate, by use of some of the following sanctions: Verbal correction Mark in Conduct Profile Note in Student Planner for parent/guardian to sign Lunchtime detention Form Teacher to be kept informed.

EXAMPLES OF SERIOUS BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES Repeated incidences of Minor Breaches of School Rules Disruption to class or refusal to obey instructions Water-bombing Fighting (not amounting to assault) Gross indifference/apathy or refusal to work Insolence/cheek to teachers Bullying behaviour eg name-calling, hitting, exclusion or extortion Non-conformity to previous sanctions Smoking Truancy from class Leaving school during the day without teacher permission Use of foul language Vandalism Abuse of ICT facilities Use of mobile phones during the school day To be dealt with by Class Teacher/Form Teacher/Head of Department or Head of Year, as appropriate, by use of some of the following sanctions: Movement of pupil to another part of the classroom Withdrawal of pupil to another room Referral to Head of Department Loss of access to facilities eg Internet Withdrawal of privileges Note in Student Planner for parent/guardian to sign Referral to Form Teacher/Head of Year/Key Stage Leader Detention (approved by Vice-Principal) Telephone call or letter to parent/guardian Internal Suspension (pupil withdrawn from classes for half day of full day and required to complete set work under supervision) On Daily Report Mobile phones confiscated until collected by parents/guardians Temporary withdrawal of pupil from school Form Teacher/Head of Year to be kept informed.

EXAMPLES OF MAJOR BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES Repeated incidences of Serious Breaches of School Rules Cyberbullying Possession or use or being under the influence of drugs including alcohol Physical violence (amounting to an assault on a fellow pupil) Physical violence to a member of staff Verbal abuse or threat to a member of staff Behaviour which threatens the safety of pupils and/or staff Theft or serious vandalism of property, including intentional damage to computer systems Misuse of mobile phones Bringing the school into disrepute Major Breaches of School Rules will be referred immediately to the Head of Year. Form Teachers will be kept informed. Each incident will be investigated and, if necessary, referred to the Key Stage Leader/Vice- Principal. The Principal, if appropriate, will refer the matter to the Board of Governors. Parents/guardians may be required to meet with the Vice- Principal or Principal. Note When deciding on a sanction, the pupil s previous behaviour record will be taken into account. A suspension/exclusion from school may be considered in accordance with the School Policy. If a pupil engages in an act of violence against the person or property of a member of the school staff, or to an immediate member of the member of staff s family, at any time whether inside or outside school, disciplinary action will be taken against the pupil which may include consideration of the option to expel (NEELB 11 March 2002).

SCHOOL PROCEDURES ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY Parents are requested to contact the school before 9:30am if their son/daughter is unable to attend. Pupils who arrive after 9:15am should sign in at the General Office before going to class. BUSES Pupils should familiarise themselves with the procedure for travelling home by bus and observe teachers and prefects instructions. Pupils must board buses at the school and remain in the school grounds while they are waiting for their bus. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS REPORT Teachers or parents can seek a Summary of Progress Report if it is judged to be necessary. Where there is concern, an individual pupil may be put on Report so that conduct and application can be closely monitored each period for a fortnight. DETENTION Detention is held on Mondays from 3:45pm to 4:45pm. Pupils in detention should await the supervising teacher at the door of D1. MEDICAL ROOM/MEDICINE Pupils who feel ill should obtain permission from their Class Teacher or Form Teacher and should, accompanied by another pupil, report to the School Nurse at the medical room. If parents want pupils to take prescription medicine during school hours or on school trips, the instructions should be clearly written and given to the School Nurse/Trip Leader. FIRE DRILLS In the interests of safety, pupils must be aware of the fire drill. On hearing the alarm bell, pupils must leave the building immediately by the route indicated in each classroom and proceed promptly to the assembly point. If the fire bell sounds during lunch or break, pupils should leave the buildings by the nearest exit and proceed to the assembly point.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS OF PUPILS Pupils have a responsibility to: APPENDIX 1 come to school on time, with homework done, and suitably equipped for the lessons in the day ahead; respect the views, rights and property of the school and others, and behave safely in and out of class; co-operate in class with the teacher; work as hard as they can in class; conform to the conventions of good behaviour and abide by school rules; seek help if they do not understand or are in difficulties; accept ownership for their own behaviour and learning and develop the skill of working independently. Pupils have a right to: be valued as members of the school community; receive help when they seek it, whether with their work or with bullying behaviour or other personal worries; make mistakes and learn from them; be treated fairly, consistently and with respect; be taught in a pleasant, well-managed and safe environment; work and play within clearly defined and fairly administered codes of conduct; experience a broad, balanced and suitably differentiated curriculum, and to have special learning needs identified and met; opportunities to develop and extend their interests, talents and abilities.