St. Kevin’s Junior School Code of Behaviour & Discipline
This code of behaviour is designed to promote an environment conducive to learning and for the safety of all the children attending St. Kevin’s JNS.
General Behaviour
a) Pupils are expected to show consideration, courtesy and respect for other pupils and adults at all times.
b) Pupils are expected to assemble, enter and exit from the school in an orderly manner. Pupils are the responsibility of parents/guardians before the designated arrival times and after the designated dismissal times.
c) The full co-operation of parents / guardians is essential for safety, in particular at arrival and dismissal times. Therefore, no cars other than staff cars, are allowed in the school grounds.
d) Pupils must not enter classrooms before the attendance of the class teacher unless instructed to do so by the principal or another teacher.
e) If, during bad weather, pupils are allowed indoors on arrival, it is on the strict understanding that, when instructed to enter the classroom, they remain seated at all times.
f) The same rule applies when the pupils are allowed to remain indoors at break times during bad weather.
g) Pupils are not permitted to run in classrooms or on corridors.
h) Pupils are expected to walk up and down the stairs in an orderly manner.
Behaviour in Class
To facilitate an environment conducive to learning, pupils are expected to pay attention to the teacher and follow her/his instructions at all times. We believe praise and encouragement will give best results. Good behaviour may also be rewarded with certificates and stars.
Pupils must respect the right of others to learn. Any behaviour that interferes with this right, e.g. constant disruption of the class is unacceptable.
The following are examples of sanctions, which may be imposed (not necessarily in order of severity).
a) Reprimand from teacher
b) Temporary removal from current work group
c) Temporary/permanent re-seating arrangements as necessary
d) Work, which has not been completed, due to disruptive behaviour, may be sent home for completion.
e) A pupil may be kept in from the yard, under supervision, during break times.
f) A pupil may be put under the supervision of another teacher.
g) A note to parents/guardians informing them about behaviour
h) A note to parents/guardians requesting a meeting with the class teacher
i) A note to parents/guardians requesting a meeting with the Principal (any note sent home must be signed and returned by parents/guardians)
j) In extreme circumstances or in response to ongoing serious misbehaviour, the Board of Management may consider suspension of a pupil, under the terms of the Education Act 1998.
Behaviour in the Playground
Social interaction in the playground is an important part of a child’s development. Children are encouraged to be kind, friendly and inclusive.
a) Junior and Senior Infants play in the lower end of the yard. First and Second classes play in the upper end.
b) Rough behaviour e.g. fighting, kicking, spitting, pushing etc. is strictly forbidden.
c) Verbal abuse of other pupils is strictly forbidden.
d) Bullying* of other pupils will not be tolerated.
e) When the first bell rings, all pupils ‘freeze’. On the second bell, children walk to their lines. Children have their own place in the line to avoid the risk of pushing when lining up.
g) Children who misbehave in the yard may have sanctions imposed, These may include: a cooling-off period, standing at the wall; reporting of the incident to the class teacher and Principal and a note home , as outlined before (under Behaviour in Class), when the incident is serious.
We praise and encourage children to behave responsibly in the yard. A cup is awarded weekly to the class, which makes a special effort to line up in an orderly way.
*Definition of Bullying Bullying is repeated aggression – verbal, psychological or physical – conducted by an individual or group against others. Isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour, which should not be condoned, can scarcely be described as bullying.
However, when the behaviour is systematic and ongoing it is bullying.
Attendance
Pupils must be on time for school each day. School opens at 8.50a.m.
Dismissal times are: 1.30p.m. for Junior and Senior Infants and 2.30p.m. for First and Second Classes.
A note will be required to explain a child’s absence from school. The school is required by law to keep these notes on file. Under the Education Welfare Act 2000, the school is obliged to notify the Education Welfare Office
a) when there is a pattern of irregular attendance
b) When a child has been absent for a combined total of 20 days in one school year, regardless of the reason.
Homework
Written homework will be given Monday – Thursday in First and Second Classes only. This work should be completed within 20 –30 minutes. It should be done neatly and carefully. Parents/guardians should sign the homework notebook. If, for some reason, homework cannot be done/completed parents/guardians should note this in the notebook. No written homework is given in Junior and Senior Infants. Parents/guardians are asked to make a commitment to spend a minimum of 10 minutes reading a story with their child each evening e.g. C.A.P.E.R. book