Code of Behaviour

PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL WEXFORD

STUDENT CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Good discipline in the school is required to create an atmosphere where each student feels secure and is taught to accept responsibility for her actions.

In co-operation with parents, and in the spirit of Nano Nagle, the school is committed to working to build a sense of pride in the school and to foster respect for the whole school community.

As a student of Presentation Secondary School, Wexford you are required to be:

  • Ø Caring and respectful towards others

  • Ø Committed to your study

  • Ø Respectful of the rights of other students to learn and of teachers to teach

All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to feel safe in their school.  Our school promotes responsibility, respect, good manners and academic excellence in a safe, caring and effective learning environment.

The school, therefore, has the following expectations of all of its students:

EXPECTATIONS

 SANCTIONS
Rule (1) RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS

  • Students are expected to be mannerly and respectful towards teachers, students and all members of the school community at all times. Bad language will not be tolerated.
  • Outside school times and at school events it is expected that pupils will continue to conduct themselves in a dignified manner thus fostering the good name of the school.
  • Loitering in the vicinity of the school is not allowed.
 Sanction
  • Disrespectful/defiant behaviour or abusive language will lead to suspension.
  • Any misconduct that brings the school into disrepute will be dealt with severely.
  • Detention
Rule (2) ABSENCE/PUNCTUALITY

  • Students are expected to be present and on time for all classes morning and afternoon and to attend school regularly.  A “Reason for Absence Slip” must be completed in the school journal by parent/guardian and presented to all teachers on return from absence from school
  • Absence from class requires the permission of the class teacher.
  • Students arriving to school late must sign the register at the General Office.
  • If a student needs to leave the school during school hours:

1)       She must get permission from Tutor, Year Head, Deputy Principal or Principal.

2)       She must have a note of explanation in journal from parent/guardian (except when going home sick).

3)       She must sign out at General Office and sign in on return.

4)       She must be collected by a family member at the office or make suitable prior arrangement with school management.

 Sanction
  • Persistent lateness to school and/or class or failure to produce a note will result in detention and/or suspension.
  • Students who absent themselves from class without permission will incur detention and/or suspension
  • For students who mitch school the following procedure will apply:

1)       First offence: parents contacted and in-school suspension given.

2)       Second and further offences: out-of-school suspension.
Rule (3) LUNCHTIME

  • Students must remain on the school premises throughout the entire school day.
 Sanction
  • Students leaving the school grounds at lunch time without permission will be suspended.
Rule (4) CLASSWORK

Each student is expected to

  • Come prepared for class
  • Work conscientiously
  • Perform the homework assigned to the best of her ability.
 Sanction Failure to comply

1)       First offence:        warning given

2)       Second offence :   punishment exercise

3)       Third offence:   detention, and recorded in discipline book

4)       Further offences:   reported to Year Head
Rule (5) UNIFORM

  • The correct wearing of school uniform during school hours and going to and from school is a strict requirement. Flat school shoes only.
  • As a sign of respect for oneself and for others a neat, tidy and well groomed appearance is essential.  Hair should be neat and tidy,  and suitable for school or work.

JEWELLERY

  • In the interest of safety only one pair of small  earrings and one ring on each hand is allowed. No other visible body piercings are allowed.

MAKE UP

  • No make-up or coloured nail varnish to be worn.
 Sanction
  • Students must report to the Deputy Principal’s office if they arrive to school and are not in full uniform.  Spare items of school uniform are generally available for students should the need arise.
  • Students not wearing the correct school uniform will not be allowed to attend class.
  • Jewellery, other than that allowed will be confiscated.
  • Students will be asked to remove make-up and/or nail varnish. Repeated offences will lead to further consequences.

Rule (6) RESPECT FOR PROPERTY

  • Students must keep their classrooms and school grounds tidy.
  • Because of the damage it causes to valuable property chewing gum is not allowed

·         Students must respect school security and fire alarm systems.

  • Students must respect the school property and the property of other students.
  • Students must take responsibility for the safe keeping of their own property including books and all other valuables.
 Sanction
  • Students found littering or using chewing gum will incur clean up duty and/or detention.

·         Any interference with school security or fire alarm is considered to be a very serious offence and will lead to suspension.

·         Any damage caused to school property will be dealt with severely.

  • Stealing is considered to be a very serious offence and will incur a serious sanction.
Rule (7) SUBSTANCE MISUSE

  • Smoking is illegal at all times in or around school premises and on school outings.  Students are prohibited from smoking anywhere in school uniform.
  • The possession of, or being under the influence of, alcohol or any illegal substances on school premises or at school events or anywhere in school uniform is strictly prohibited.
 Sanction
  • Students smoking while in uniform and in or around school and on school outings will be suspended.
  • Persistent offenders of this regulation will be referred to the Board of Management and may be referred to the Health Board, which could lead to prosecution and fine.
  • Any such student will be referred to the Board of Management who will impose sanctions  up to and including expulsion as per the school’s Suspension and Expulsion Policy.

Rule (8)

MOBILE PHONES

  • Phones must be powered off at all times except at break time and at lunch time.
  • Cameras on phones must never be used in school or on any school  related activities

Sanction

·        If a student is found to have a phone powered on at times other than those specified, then the phone will be confiscated for one week.

  • Use of the camera will incur suspension

Rule(9)

BULLYING

  • Bullying is unacceptable.  The anti-bullying policy must be accepted by all.
  • Any incidents of bullying will be dealt with as per the policy.

Rule(10)

INTERNET

·         The Internet Acceptable Use Policy must be accepted by all
  • Any offences will be dealt with as per the Internet Use policy.

SERIOUS AND/OR PERSISTENT MISBEHAVIOUR

Students who seriously and/or persistently misbehave will be referred to the Board Of Management which has available to it sanctions up to and including expulsion. These sanctions will be imposed as per the school’s Policy on Suspension and Expulsion which is available on request.

ESSENTIALS OF SCHOOL UNIFORM

  • Official bottle green knee length skirt or official school trousers.

  • V-neck bottle green jumper with school crest – two recommended.

  • Two white shirts with collar and revere for seniors / Two Honey Gold Trutex shirts with collar and revere for juniors.  Bottle green socks.

  • A green school jacket or green fleece.

  • A pair of flat black or brown school shoes – no boots and no high or platform shoes allowed.  No canvas or pumps allowed.

  • Red school scarf only.

  • White apron for Home Economics students.

  • Navy track suit bottoms.

  • Red polo shirt.

  • Securely fastened sports runners and sports socks.

  • Sports shorts optional for warmer days – red, navy or white only.

  • Red sweatshirt – optional.

P.E.Classes

All students are expected to come with their gear and participate fully in P.E. class each week.  If, as a result of illness or injury, a student is unable to participate then she must have a relevant signed note in her journal from her parent/guardian.  Persistent or ongoing illness will require a doctor’s certificate.

Students who come unprepared for class:

First offence:                 warning and punishment exercise

Further offences:         detention and punishment exercise.

P.E.  UNIFORM

NOTE: In the interest of safety no jewellery may be worn during P.E. classes.

DETENTION PROCEDURES

In the interest of fairness to all students the following procedures apply.

  • Parents/guardians will  be contacted by post when a student is given detention.

  • The student must attend detention on the date stated on the letter.

  • If a student fails to turn up for her detention then she will get an evening detention.

  • If the student fails to turn up for her evening detention then she will be suspended.

NOTE: If a student is absent on the day of her detention, then her detention will be transferred to another day.

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

The school building and grounds are supervised for 30 minutes before school starts and for 15 minutes after school finishes.

Supervised study is available after school.

EDUCATION (WELFARE) ACT, 2000

The provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 apply to all students.

Copy available from the school on request or from the Department of Education website

www.education.ie

The School Code of Behaviour is subject to review as the need arises.

We know that all students and parents/guardians wish to contribute to a caring learning environment and the Board of Management therefore asks that you show your support for and willingness to abide by the code.

AGREEMENT TO ABIDE BY THE CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

I understand, accept and will abide by the Code of Behaviour of Presentation Secondary School, Wexford. I will support the school staff and management in the development of an orderly learning environment.

Signed: _______________________________ (Pupil)

Signed: _______________________________ (Parent/Guardian)

Signed: _______________________________ (Parent/Guardian)

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