CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

The 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 behaviour patterns 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 ‘Kind Hands, Kind Words, Kind Feet’. A Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers ensures that the rights of the children are upheld.

The basis for our School Rules are:

Respect for self and others
Respect for other’s property
Respect other students and their learning
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

These can be summed up as 3 main rules:

Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Property/School

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 emphasise positive 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. Coen’s National School is to help children achieve their personal best - academically, intellectually and socially. We recognise that there are many different forms of intelligence and that similarly children use a variety of approaches to solve problems. Reward systems which are based solely on academic merit apply to only a limited number of children. All children deserve encouragement to attain their own best. Children will be encouraged, praised and listened to 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 behaviour should 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 or in assembly
A system of merit marks or stickers e.g. class dojo
Delegating some special responsibility or privilege
A mention to parent, written or verbal communication
Golden Time
Homework Pass

Unacceptable Behaviour

Three levels of misbehaviour are recognised: Minor, Serious and Gross. All everyday instances of a minor nature are dealt with by the class teacher. In cases of repeated serious misbehaviour or 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.

Minor Misbehaviour

Interrupting class work
Running in the building
Littering around the school
Being discourteous or unmannerly
Not completing homework without good reason (failure to include a note)
Talking out of turn
Not wearing appropriate uniform
Using chewing gum
Using tippex
Disobedience
Spitting

Serious Misbehaviour

Bullying (Anti-bullying procedures will be followed)
Physical threat
Verbal threat
Name calling of any kind such as racial insults, homophobic remarks, commenting on special needs
Having a phone
Leaving yard/class without permission
Defiance
Recurring disobedience
Rough contact e.g. headlock/pushing/shoving

Gross Misbehaviour

Ongoing racial abuse
Serious assault
Extreme or ongoing verbal abuse including cursing at staff
Vandalism to school property or personal property
Any persistent serious misbehaviours
Stealing
Serious threat of violence
Actual assault
Supplying illegal drugs
Spitting at someone
Smoking

Sanctions

The use of sanctions or consequences should be characterised by 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 behaviour are required to avoid future sanctions
Group punishment should be avoided
There should be a clear distinction between minor and major offences
It should be the behaviour rather than the person that is the focus

The following steps will be taken when the children behave inappropriately. 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)

Behavioural Steps for Minor Misbehaviours in the Classroom

Warning Stage:

Before any formal steps are taken the child is provided with a warning by the teacher to stop misbehaving

Step 1:

If the misbehaviour continues, the child is informed that they are on Step 1.

Step 2:

If the misbehaviour continues, the child now has their name written on the classroom behavioural ladder.

Step 3:

If misbehaviour continues, the child is now sent to the Reflection Table in their classroom. They will complete a Reflection log at the Reflection Table. This log will be sent home that day and must be returned signed the next morning. In the event that the form is not returned the parents will receive a call home from the Principal.

Principal Involvement

Step 4:

Before any formal steps are taken the child is provided with a warning by the teacher to stop misbehaving
This step arises where the child continues to misbehave or disrupt class, or if a child doesn’t appropriately fill in the reflection log.
At this point a messenger is sent to the office to call the Principal.
The Principal collects the child for a meeting in his office.
The Principal makes a judgement on whether the child returns to their classroom.

In the case of a Serious Misbehavior the child will go straight to Step 3 of the behavioural steps.

In the case of a Gross Misbehaviour the child will go straight to Step 4 of the behavioural step.

Time spent at Reflection Tables:

Junior and Senior Infants: 5-10 mins at Reflection Table
1st and 2nd Class: 10-20 mins at Reflection Table
3rd and 4th Class: 15-25 mins at Reflection Table
5th and 6th Class: 20-30 mins at Reflection Table

Every day is a fresh start but teacher keeps a written record.

Consequences of accumulating reflection sheets in a month period:

2 sheets in a week = detention for one break
Any subsequent sheet in a week = detention for one break
5 sheets in a month = letter sent home to be signed by parents/guardians
6 sheets in a month = principal – parent/guardian meeting
8 sheets in a month = automatic suspension for up to 3 days

Every month is a fresh start for accumulation of reflection sheets but records are kept by Behaviour Committee.

Yard Behaviour

Step 1: Verbal Warning
Step 2: If minor misbehaviour continues the child is put on Time Out for 5 mins
Step 3: If child misbehaves again during break or if the misbehaviour is more serious the child will be off yard for all of the break
Step 4: If the child misbehaves 3 times in a week:

The child is off yard the following school day on another section of the yard.
On Friday, after lunch, the Principal speaks to the child and sends record home to be signed.

Each week is a fresh start

Disciplinary Committee

A Disciplinary Committee comprised of a member of the Board of Management, a teacher and the Principal.
The committee meets monthly to analyse class and yard records.
A report is sent to the Board of Management.

Suspension and Expulsion (in accordance with NEWB Guidelines)

Before serious sanctions such as detention, suspension (internal or external) or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances.

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

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet with 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, Board authorises Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days.

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 behaviour plan 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 recognises that children with special needs may require assistance in understanding certain rules. Specialised behaviour plans will be put in place in consultation with parents and the class teacher, SEN 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 behaviour in 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 and Formal parent/teacher meetings
Through children’s homework journal (infants check bags)
Letters/notes from school to home and from home to school
School notice board
Monthly newsletter
Text messages
School website
Class Dojo
Aladdin Connect

N.B.

Any pupil who breaks rules or/and procedures put in place in the school Covid 19 Response Plan will be in breach of the Code of Behaviour and dealt with according to the Code of Behaviour.

This Policy has been ratified by the Board of Management on the 4/11/2021.

Signed: Fr. Donal Roche
Chairperson Board of Management

This page to be returned to the school:

We agree to uphold and support the school’s code of Behaviour including any amendments / revisions made to it at any future time.

Parents Signature: ______________________________________

Date: __________________________

Child / Children Name(s): ________________________________________________

Class: _________________________________________