Code of Behaviour and Discipline Policy

Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline

The standard of children’s behaviour at St. Mary’s is excellent and it is recognised that children are intrinsically well behaved. However, sometimes situations arise when children need to be disciplined and the following code is been implemented to deal with these situations effectively.

It is very important to note that at St. Mary’s positive behaviour is emphasised, recognised, praised and promoted. The vast majority of our students adhere to school rules and have a very rewarding, positive and satisfying experience at school.

The B.O.M. recognises and promotes a good open relationship with parents where mutual respect between parents and teachers of vital importance in promoting the overall development of each child. To promote this relationship in a positive and professional way the B.O.M sets out the following principles

Respect & Responsibility

Each child is entitled to an education and a learning environment, which facilitates the nurturing of his/her full educational potential in all its richness and diversity (White Paper on Education, 1995).

The teachers, parents, Board of Management and pupils of St. Mary’s N.S., are committed to the creation of a stimulating and nurturing environment; an environment that is caring and inclusive, where each child feels safe and happy at all times. To this end we seek to promote a sense of community and a high level of co-operation among teachers, pupils, parents, Board of Management and ancillary staff.

Where and When the Code of Behaviour will apply

This Code of Behaviour will apply to all school activities, regardless of timing and location. This will encompass the normal school day, activities that may extend beyond normal opening and closing times and all extra-curricular activities such as school tours, outings, performances and sporting pursuits.

The Code of Behaviour applies when students are in the school, or anywhere our students are in school uniform or at any time the students are representing the school.

Within our school we promote the following ideals:

• People feel valued
• Self-esteem is fostered
• Respect, tolerance and fairness is evident
• High expectations and standards are promoted
• There is support for those with difficulties
• Open communication is the norm
• Effort is recognised and rewarded
• Uniqueness/difference is valued
• Conflict is handled constructively
• Initiative and creativity are encouraged
• Spiritual, social, moral and civil values are promoted

Aims of code of Behaviour and Discipline:

1. To structure in- school discipline that promotes the efficient operation of the school and creates an efficient, stimulating and nurturing environment
2. To develop self-discipline, courtesy,respect and responsibility towards self and others.
3. To develop respect for the environment, including schoolbooks, equipment, furniture, the school buildings and grounds.
4. To maintain good order ands afety hroughout the school day,including in-class time, movement between classes, break-times and sports activities.
5. To create a safe, secure and positive environment where Teaching and Learning can occur.

The overall aim of our code of behaviour is to ensure that the individuality of each child is accommodated while acknowledging the right of each child to education in a safe and a relativity disruption free environment

Discipline for Learning

D.F.L. (Discipline for Learning) is the system we operate in St. Mary’s Primary School to manage pupil’s behaviour. It is a whole-school approach modified for junior and senior infants in which pupils are treated by all teachers in a consistent manner. It aims to create a positive learning environment where pupils are motivated to make responsible choices regarding their behaviour and so minimise disruption and the loss of teaching/ learning time.

The central concept in Discipline For Learning (D.F.L.) is the basic fact that no child has to misbehave. When a pupil does misbehave then he is making a choice to do so. Children can always choose to behave. Pupils have to know that good behaviour brings desirable consequences and unwise choices bring behaviour checks.

Rewards

• Pupils who follow the rules are verbally reinforced by their teachers throughout the day and by the principal especially at Assembly. They are also rewarded through a structured system consisting of a stamp book. When pupils choose to follow the rules they can earn a stamp. They can earn up to 3 stamps a day. Each week a student can obtain up to 15 stamps, each stamp is worth 4 minutes of Golden Time at the end of the week.
• 1 Stamp = 4 mins Golden Time
• 15 Stamps = 60 mins Golden Time (Full allocation of Golden Time)

  For those children who lose some of their Golden time during the week there will be a folder of resources in each classroom from which they must take an additional piece of written work. This exercise will be completed in a classroom supervised by another teacher. When the child’s time is up, they will be allowed to join their class again.

  PAX

  St. Mary’s primary School also use PAX strategies to help students learn important self-management skills while collaborating to make their classroom a peaceful and productive learning environment. Children help create a PAX vision for their class. This vision encourages the behaviour we want to see more of. Staff have taken part in training in the PAX good behaviour game.

PRINCIPLES OF OUR BEHAVIOUR POLICY

The overall responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within the school rests with the principal. Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within his/her classroom while sharing a common responsibility for good order within the school premises.

Implementation of discipline in general shall be a team effort. Every member of staff has a right to correct any child in school whether the pupil is in his/her class or not.

The following strategies may be used to show approval and to encourage acceptable behaviour:

• Stamp gained in stampbook
• Student of the week
• Praise, encouragement, congratulations.
• Notes home to parents.
• Badges, stars, certificates.
• Being awarded extra games, free time or favourite activity.
• Being given extra responsibility
• Privileges.
• PAX games and rewards

The following strategies may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:

• Loss of a stamp from stamp book
• Reasoning with the pupil
• Reprimand, including advice on how to improve
• Temporary separation from peers, friends or others
• Loss of privileges including Golden Time
• Prescribing of additional work
• Referral to the principal
• Communications with parents
• Suspension (temporary)

  Teachers will keep a written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour as well as a record of improvements in the behaviour of disruptive students. Children may also be asked to give a written account of events.

  In the event of serious behaviour or in the case of on-going unacceptable behaviour parents will be involved at an early stage rather than as a last resort.

  Communication with parents will be verbal or written, depending on the circumstances .The parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s behaviour.

  For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of unacceptable behaviour temporary suspension or whatever sanctions that the principal and B.O.M. deems to be appropriate will be considered.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, or gross misbehaviour, the chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents 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 have to be suspended for a temporary period. Suspension will be in accordance with the terms of Rule 130(5) of the Rules for National Schools.

In the case of gross unacceptable behaviour, the Board shall authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension pending a discussion of the matter with the parents. Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case in accordance with Rule 130 (6)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

All children are required to comply with the spirit of the Code of Behaviour. St. Mary’s recognises that some children with SEN may need extra time and help in understanding some rules. Specialised Behaviour Plans may be necessary at times. Cognitive development will be taken into account at all times. Behaviour Plans will be put in place in consultation with the class teacher, Parent/Guardian, Special Education Teacher and Principal. All will work together to make sure the child receives all the support they need. Any professional advice from our NEPS Psychologist will be taken into consideration.

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

Use Of Mobile Phones

It is recognised that mobile phones can be intrusive and distracting in all situations and particularly in schools.

In addition to the inconvenience, there may also be possible harmful effects associated with frequent use. Children could be particularly vulnerable in this regard.
In this context the following will apply

• Children are not allowed to have mobile phones in school
• Children are not allowed to have camera phones on the school premises or on school trips at any time.
• The school premises include the school building and grounds.
• Pupils who breach any of the above rules will have their phones confiscated for one week. It will be stored in the office where it may be collected by a parent/guardian.
  Use of mobile phones during class time or on school trips is considered a serious misbehaviour.

Use of Social Media

Pupils must not use Social Media in any way to harass, insult, abuse or defame pupils, their families, staff and other members of the school community. Pupils must not discuss personal information about other pupils, staff or other members of the school community on social media.

Substance Use

The schools policy regarding vaping/smoking, the possession of and misuse of alcohol or illegal substances is in keeping with the law of the land. St. Mary’s NS has a zero tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal substances. Smoking/vaping, being in possession of cigarettes/vapes, alcohol or illegal substances is forbidden and this applies when students are in the school, or anywhere our students are in school uniform or at any time the students are representing the school. No student should ever bring cigarettes/vapes to school for personal use or for sale or distribution.

Examples of Minor Unacceptable Behaviour:

Distracting others (a repeated pattern is considered serious misbehaviour),

Interrupting teacher, interrupting other pupils, wandering around the classroom, fidgeting/inattention, wasting time deliberately, using bad language, eating in class, slovenly work, sulking, misbehaviour in teacher’s absence, leaving seat without permission when pupils are in classroom for break due to inclement weather or any other brief teacher absence, not wearing school uniform, frequently leaving books, copies and school requisites at home, not completing homework without a valid reason.

Examples of Serious Misbehaviour:

Being cheeky, abusing property, noisy disruptive behaviour, deliberate disobedience, making rude signs or annoying gestures, throwing objects, telling lies, entering buildings or classrooms during breaks without permission, littering the buildings or school yard, leaving designated play areas without permission.

Very serious and Gross Misbehaviour