“Kind Hands, Kind Words, Kind Feet”

Our school has a central role in the children’s social and moral development just as it does in their academic development. In seeking to define acceptable standards of behaviour it is acknowledged that these are goals to be worked towards rather than expectations that are either fulfilled or not.

The children bring to school a wide variety of behaviour. As a community environment, in school we must work towards standards of behaviour based on the basic principles of honesty, respect, consideration and responsibility. It follows that acceptable standards of behaviour are those that reflect these principles.

Children need limits set for them in order to feel secure and develop the skills for co-operation. Therefore any rules will be age appropriate, with clear agreed consequences.

Parents can co-operate with the school by encouraging their children to understand the need for school rules, by visiting the school and by talking to the members of staff.

A code of behaviour is established to ensure that the individuality of each child is accommodated while at the same time acknowledging the right of each child to education in a relatively disruption free environment.

Aims of the Code

• To create a positive learning environment that encourages and reinforces good behaviour
• To promote self-esteem and positive relationships
• To encourage consistency of response to both positive and negative behaviour
• To foster a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in pupils and to support good behaviourpatterns based on consideration and respect for the rights of others
• To facilitate the education and development of every child
• To foster caring attitudes to one another and to the environment
• To enable teachers to teach without disruption
• To ensure that the school’s expectations and strategies are widely known and understood through the parent’s handbook, availability of policies and an ethos of open communication
• To encourage the involvement of both home and school in the implementation of this policy

 

Responsibility of Adults

The adults encountered by the children at school have an important responsibility to model high standards of behaviour, both in their dealings with the children and with each other, as their example has an important influence on the children.

As adults we should aim to:

• Create a positive climate with realistic expectations
• Promote, through example, honesty and courtesy
• Provide a caring and effective learning environment
• Encourage relationships based on kindness, respect and understanding of the needs of others
• Ensure fair treatment for all regardless of age, gender, race, ability and disability
• Show appreciation of the efforts and contribution of all
• To discourage physical aggression and encourage ‘KindHands, Kind Words, Kind Feet’. A Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers ensures that the rights of the children are upheld.

 

School Rules

• Respect for self and others
• Respect for other’s property
• Respect other students and their learning
• Aggressive behavior and vulgar language must never be used. Bullying will not be tolerated.
• Kindness and willingness to help others
• Follow instructions from staff immediately
• Walk quietly in the school building
• Courtesy and good manners
• Readiness to use respectful ways of resolving difficulties and conflict
• Ask permission to leave the classroom
• Do your best in class
• Take responsibility for your own work
• Pupils should arrive punctually at 9.00a.m and be collected at 1.45p.m
• In classrooms, children are expected to stay in their places unless otherwise instructed.
• When playing outside, children must use their designated play areas. They are not allowed to play at the front of the school.
• When called from the playground at break times, pupils should walk to their designated class assembly area.
• Pupils may not leave the school grounds at any time during the school day unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.
• Parents/guardians must obtain permission from the principal or class teacher before removing a child from the school grounds
• Children must enter/exit school premises using the gate. They must not climb on or over the wall.
• The correct school uniform must be worn at all times.
• Chains, bracelets, rings, loop or long ear-rings, must not be worn on the grounds of Health and Safety.
• Healthy lunches are encouraged at all times. Chewing gum, fizzy drinks and glass bottles are not allowed.
• All clothing, books, lunch boxes and bottles should be marked with the pupil’s name.
• Parents should lead by example for their children. They should respect school property by not smoking on the premises and come to school in suitable attire.
• In the interest of safety parents should ensure that they cross the road with their child at the lollipop person and ensure they have safely reached the school premises.
• Absence of a pupil from school must be explained in writing by the parents/guardians as records are kept to comply with legislation under the National Educational Welfare Board.

 

These School Rules can be summed up as follows;

• Respect/ Be nice
• Do your best
• Be tidy
• Be Safe
• Walk
• Listen

 

Class Rules

At the beginning of each academic year, the class teacher will draft a list of class rules with the children.  These reflect and support the school rules, but are presented in a way that is accessible to the children.  Class rules should be kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community.  They should where possible emphasisepositive behaviour(e.g. ‘Walk’ and not ‘Don’t run’).  Rules will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage.

 

Incentives

Part of the vision of St.Joseph’s National School Charleville, is to help children achieve their personal best – academically, intellectually and socially. We recognisethat there are many different forms of intelligence and that similarly, children use a variety of approaches to solve problems.  Reward systems which are based on academic merit or particular extrinsic goals continuously apply to only a limited number of children and undermine the individuality of children.  All children deserve encouragement to attain their own best.  Children will be encouraged, praised and listened to at all times by adults in the school. Praise is earned by the maintenance of good standards as well as by particularly noteworthy personal achievements. Rates of praise for behaviourshould be as high as for work.

The following are some samples of how praise might be given;

• 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 or stickers
• Delegating some special responsibility or privilege
• A mention to parent, written or verbal communication.

 

UnacceptableBehaviour

Three levels of misbehaviourare recognised: Minor, Serious and Gross. All everyday instances of a minor nature are dealt with by the class teacher.  In cases of repeated serious misbehaviouror single instances of gross misbehaviour,parents will be involved at an early stage and invited to meet the teacher and/or the Principal to discuss their child’s behaviour.

 

Examples of serious misbehaviour:

• Behaviourthat is hurtful (including bullying, harassment, discrimination andvictimisation)
• Behaviourthat interferes with teaching and learning
• Threats or physical hurt to another person
• Damage to property
• Theft

 

Examples of gross misbehaviour:

• Assault on a teacher or pupil
• Serious theft
• Serious damage to property

 

Sanctions

The use of sanctions or consequences should be characterisedby certain features;

• It must be clear why the sanction is being applied
• The consequence must relate as closely as possible to the behaviour
• It must be made clear what changes in behaviourare required to avoid future sanctions
• Group punishment should be avoided as it breeds resentment
• There should be a clear distinction between minor and major offences
• It should be the behaviourrather than the person that is the focus

 

The following steps will be taken when the children behave inappropriately.  They are listed in order of severity with one being for a minor misbehaviour and ten being for serious or gross misbehaviour. The list is by no means exhaustive. Teachers may put in place alternative measures bearing in mind the features by which sanctions should be characterised.  The aim of any sanction is to prevent the behaviour occurring again and if necessary to help the pupils devise strategies for this;

 

1. Reasoning with pupil
2. Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve
3. Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class
4. Loss of privileges
5. Detention during break
6. Communication with parents
7. Referral to Principal
8. Principal communicating with parents
9. Exclusion (Suspension or Expulsion) from school (in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular and Education Welfare Act 2000)

 

However sanctions should relate as closely as possible to the behaviour. Therefore a child, who does not do his work in class or has not completed his homework, may be detained at break time to finish the work.

Pupils will not be deprived of engagement in a Curricular Area, except on the grounds of   health & safety.

 

It was agreed at a meeting with Parents that detention at break time does not require prior notice to parents, but that detention at break time, where it is a natural consequence, is an acceptable method of sanction.

 

Suspension and Expulsion

Before serious sanctions such as detention, suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Where it is proposed to detain a pupil after school hours, the parents or guardians will be notified. Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances.

For gross misbehaviouror repeated instances of serious misbehavioursuspension may be considered. Parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case.  Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviourtowards a teacher or pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the principal.  If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a period.  Prior to suspension, where possible, the Principal may review the case in consultation with teachers and other members of the school community involved, with due regard to records of previous misbehaviours, their pattern and context, sanctions and other interventions used and their outcomes and any relevant medical information. Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.

In the case of gross misbehaviour, where it is necessary to ensure that order and discipline are maintained and to secure the safety of the pupils, the Board may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.

Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with the Rule for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.  Before suspending or expelling a pupil, the Board shall notify the Local Welfare Education Officer in writing in accordance with Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act.

Removal of Suspension (Reinstatement)

Following or during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to have the pupil reinstated to the school. The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school code and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the other pupils or staff. The Principal will facilitate the preparation of a behaviourplan for the pupil if required and will re-admit the pupil formally to the class.

 

Children with Special Needs

All children are required to comply with the code of behaviour.  However the school recognisesthat children with special needs may require assistance in understanding certain rules.  Specialisedbehaviourplans will be put in place in consultation with parents and the class teacher, learning support/ resource teacher, and or Principal will work closely with home to ensure that optimal support is given.  Cognitive development will be taken into account at all times.  Professional advice from psychological assessments will be invaluable.

 

The children in the class or school may be taught strategies to assist a pupil with special needs adhere to the rules and thus provide peer support.  This will be done in a supportive and safe way, acknowledging and respecting the difference in all individuals.

 

Methods of Communicating with Parents

Communicating with parents is central to maintaining a positive approach to dealing with children. Parents and teachers should develop a joint strategy to address specific difficulties, in addition to sharing a broader philosophy which can be implemented at home and in school. A high level of co-operation and open communication is seen as an important factor encouraging positive behaviourin the school. Structures and channels designed to maintain a high level of communication among staff and between staff, pupils and parents have been established and are being reviewed regularly.

 

Parents should be encouraged to talk in confidence to teachers about any significant developments in a child’s life, in the past or present, which may affect the child’s behaviour.

 

The following methods are to be used at all levels within the school:

• Informal parent/teacher meetings
• Through children’s homework
• Letters/notes from school to home and from home to school
• School notice board
• Text messages to parents mobile phones
• School Newsletter

 

This policy was reviewed and updated by the Board of Management of St. Joseph’s Convent National School on 13th February 2024 Feb 2024Code of Behaviour