Code of Behaviour
challenge
renew
affirm
by
| SHARING | a common mission/vision |
| WORKING | in collaboration |
| GIVING | inspiration support encouragement |
| SHOWING | respect courtesy care consideration appreciation tolerance friendship loyalty |
ATTENDANCE
Students must attend school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8.55 a.m. and 3.20 p.m and on Tuesday and Thursday between 8.55 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. A note of explanation from the parent/guardian is required for absence from school.
If a student has to leave school early, written permission from a parent/guardian must be brought to the Year Head who will sign it and the student will sign out at Reception.
Only 6th year students and those who have written permission from a parent/guardian (countersigned by a Year Head, the Deputy Principal or Principal) may leave the premises at lunchtime.
No student may absent herself from class at any time. Anyone feeling ill or upset for any reason should report to Reception, having first informed the class teacher if class is on. If a student has to go to Reception between classes a friend/ classmate should inform the teacher. The student's situation will be assessed. The Year Head, Deputy Principal or Principal will authorise contact with the parent/guardian.
Our Chaplain, Guidance Counsellor, Year Heads, Deputy Principal or Principal or any other member of staff is available to listen to students who are having difficulties in school. A record will be kept at Reception of those students who have presented themselves there.
In accordance with section 21 of The Education Welfare Act 2000, the Principal must inform the Education Welfare Officer when the aggregate number of school days on which a student is absent during the school year is 20 days or more.
PUNCTUALITY
Students arriving late at school must sign at Reception. This is necessary even when the student is late because of public transport or private bus hire.
Students are expected to move quickly from class to class.
Students should only go to their lockers before 8.55 a.m., at morning break, at lunchtime and at the end of the day.
RESPECT AND GOOD MANNERS
Students should treat everyone with respect.
Students are expected to take direction and instruction from all members of staff, whether in the classroom or elsewhere on the premises.
COMMUNICATION
Telephone calls to parents/guardians must be made through Reception only, not on personal mobile phones, and telephone calls or messages from parents/guardians must also come through Reception.
Camera phones and recording devices must not be brought to school.
Mobile phones must be turned off during school hours.
Parents/Guardians will be informed by phone call or letter when punctuality / absenteeism / homework / project work / uniform / behaviour are causing concern.
DRESS CODE
Wearing of the uniform is compulsory in school and when representing the school.
All items of uniform must be marked clearly with the owner's name.
Flat black, brown, maroon or navy shoes must be worn. Runners are for P.E. and sports only, unless a doctor's note states that it is necessary for a student to wear them.
Students may wear a watch, a single pair of small earrings and no more than one ring on each hand. No other jewellery is permitted.
Make-up or nail varnish may not be worn while in uniform.
Extreme hairstyles or colours are prohibited.
HOMEWORK AND JOURNAL
A school journal is required by all students to record homework and teachers' comments. Parents/Guardians are asked to sign and respond to these comments.
The school journal is for the above purposes only (it is not a personal diary) and should be available for inspection by the Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Head or Teacher.
Homework must be completed on time. If not, a student must bring a note of explanation from a parent/guardian to the teacher(s) concerned.
It is a student's responsibility to catch up on class work done and homework given in her absence.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Smoking and possession of or consumption of alcohol are strictly forbidden on the school premises, when students are involved in school related activities or while wearing the school uniform.
Use, possession of or dealing in illegal drugs by students on the school premises, while involved in school related activities or while wearing the school uniform are strictly forbidden.
Chewing gum on the school premises is strictly forbidden.
Respect for the school premises and property is expected at all times.
Students should not interfere with safety equipment or notices.
Students are strongly advised not to walk through St. Stephen's Green or Iveagh Gardens at any time.
DISCIPLINE
The following sanctions may be implemented for breaches of the Code of Behaviour:
- extra work
- contact with home
- detention
- student support card
- meeting with a Disciplinary Committee
- Suspension for serious and/or repeated breaches of the Code of Behaviour
Should there be a cause for complaint, in relation to suspension, by Parents/ Guardians of a student or by a student who is 18 years old, an appeal under section 28/29 of the Education Act 1998 may be lodged.
The Board of Management reserves the right to exclude a pupil in extreme circumstances in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, section 24.