St Kevin’s Junior National Schools Code of Behaviour
Introductory Statement This code of behaviour was formulated in September 2017 by the staff and Board of Management of St Kevin’s Junior School.
This code should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies (Health and Safety, Anti-Bullying etc.) and with the school information booklet.
It was implemented in September 2017 and will be reviewed in annually or when the need arises. Copies of this will be given to each member of staff, each member of the Board of Management and to all parents by e-mail.
Rationale According to DES Circular 20/90, schools are required to have a code of behaviour. This code has been drawn up in accordance with DES and INTO guidelines. The existing code of behaviour was due for review as the school has grown and the demographics have changed. During the past three years our school has grown in size, to over 216 pupils, an administrative principal, 10 teaching staff and 5 non-teaching staff. Our Principal, teaching and non-teaching staff support a code of behaviour must reflect our children and their needs as our school grows and develops.
Aims Our code of behaviour aims: § To ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school community. § To assist parents, pupils and teachers in understanding the system of procedures that form part of the code of behaviour and seek their co-operation. § To ensure that the system of rules, rewards and sanctions are implemented in a fair way. Content The School Community Every effort will be made by all members of our school community (the staff, the parents, the children and those responsible for extra-curricular activities) to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in our school. We expect everyone to show kindness and courtesy in all their dealings with others.
The Staff The overall responsibility for discipline within the school rests with the principal teacher. Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline with his/her classroom, while sharing a common responsibility for good order in the school environment.
The Parents As important members of the school community, parents are encouraged to support the school and their children: § By making their children aware of the behaviour expected in the code and encouraging their children to abide by it. § By consulting the Junior Infants information booklet for school policy on uniforms, routines, etc. § By ensuring that their child gives due time and effort to homework and by providing a suitable environment, free of distraction to enable the children to give their best effort to their work. § By actively engaging in discussions with members of staff on behavioural issues as necessary. § By visiting the school when requested to do so by the Principal or by another member of staff.
The Children In our school we believe that no child is an outsider. Children are actively encouraged to help each other keep the school a pleasant and safe place to learn and grow: § by being kind and thoughtful, listening and being respectful to others. § through active inclusion of all our children in school life. § positive playtime in the yard and in class. § showing courtesy to all children and all members of our staff § promoting and displaying good listening skills § through turn taking, caring and sharing with others.
Children can help themselves § through promoting and displaying good listening skills in class and in the yard. § by doing their work to the best of their ability at school and at home. § By completing their work with care and pride to the best of their ability § Following our 5 simple golden rules: 1. I look 2. I listen 3. I care & I share 4. I sit on my chair 5. I do my best
In the yard our children can have fun and be safe by: § Staying in the yard § Playing and sharing yard activities with their classmates. § never leaving the yard
Around the school children can keep safe through:
Not leaving the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
Holding the banisters while walking slowly up or down the stairs.
No inside running.
While on a message to another class or to the office walking with a partner
All staff are Garda vetted through the Archbishops Office.
Supervision of children to and from learning support.
On school tours: Children are encouraged to make out-of-school trips and activities a success by § following instructions given by teachers or supervising adults. § behaving well on public transport. § staying with the group at all times
Yard Rules
All children must go out to the yard at break & lunch time. The Principal Teacher, teaching & non-teaching staff and our BOM support the rule ‘that if a child is well enough to come to school they are well enough to go outside’. In exceptional cases a chair maybe provided to a child who cannot participate in yard.
All children are encouraged to:
1. Talk to the teacher/ SNAs on yard duty if there is a problem that needs attention. 2. Play safely and fairly in the yard. Fighting, name-calling, pushing, teasing or using bad language is not allowed. 3. Treat others with kindness and include them in your games. 4. Never leave the yard without permission. 5. Play ball carefully! Balls that go on the grass can only be retrieved by a yard-buddy, balls that go into the carpark must only be achieved by a teacher/SNA. All Yard Equipment must be carried to and from the yard by Yard buddies only 6. Children are encouraged to bring their own clothing from the yard. 7. At the end of yard-time the bell is rung. Children are asked to freeze on the first bell and on the second bell all children must walk to their line slowly and line up quietly in single file. (see Appendix A for further details in relation to yard behaviours).
We encourage our children to take care of their own property, school resources and that of others through: § keeping the playground, classrooms and school buildings clean and tidy. § tidying up after themselves and bringing home leftovers and wrappings from their lunch. § Caring for our school furniture, class and yard equipment and toilets.
Rewards:
Positive feedback… Catching the child being good
Stickers/ certificates/ Homework Pass/ Pencils/ Treats etc.
Classroom reward systems
Celebration of positive action through sharing their action with another class teacher or in assembly.
Principals Reward Certificate
Student of the Week Reward
Group/ Table of the Week
Golden Time
Sanctions The following sanctions may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour: § Chatting with pupils in relation to the negative behaviour with a focus on positive behaviours/ expectations. § Verbal warning from a teacher § Temporary separation from peers and friends within their classroom during all/part of a lesson § Loss of privileges/ Golden Time § Exclusion of children from any activities if their behaviour during this activity poses a risk to themselves or others. § Temporary separation from peers and friends to another teacher/principal teacher for a full/part of a lesson.
For a more serious incident or for repeated incidents of poor behaviour, the following may occur at the discretion of the teacher:
§ Participation in the SALT Programme or a specific programme that addresses the child’s individual issue. § An informal meeting between the teacher and the parents/guardians which may include the Principal.
For a most serious incident or when a pattern of poor behaviour persists, the following may occur at the discretion of the teacher: § A formal meeting between the teacher and the parents/guardians which may include the Principal § Reporting incidents of a serious nature to the BoM § Suspension/expulsion* from school for a period, agreed by the BoM. Suspension: A pupil can be withdrawn from class on a temporary basis and put into another class if he or she is deemed to be a disruption to the progress of the other children in the class. In extreme cases a parent may be called in to take the child home for a short period until the teacher, with the cooperation of the parents and Principal, feels that he or she is ready to resume work and the behavioural issues have been resolved. Expulsion: In extreme cases, or following suspension, and where there is no improvement in a child’s behaviour it may be necessary to expel a child from the school on a permanent basis.
Ratification This policy was circulated for discussion, comment and approval to all teaching & non-teaching staff members of St. Kevin’s Junior School during our staff meeting on Tuesday 31st May 2022. It was ratified by the Board of Management during their next board meeting for immediate implementation. The policy was posted on the website and placed on the school notice board for the school community to see. *This is in accordance with the National Education Welfare Board guidelines and fulfils the school’s obligations under Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act, 2000. If a BoM decides to expel a pupil, parents/guardians have a right of appeal to the Secretary General of the DES under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
Signed:
Ms Magdalena Rej Ms Orlagh Leonard Chairperson of the Board of Management Principal Teacher Dated:
Appendix A: Detailed Behaviours expected at Yard Time. Children are encouraged to talk to the teacher/SNAs on duty in the yard if there is a problem that needs attention.
All children should walk carefully on the stairs and hold the handrail on the way up and down. Children must not hold hands with other children on the stairs.
At all times children are encouraged to play safely and fairly in the yard.
Children must treat others with care, kindness and include them in their games when asked.
Children must not leave the yard without permission.
Play ball carefully! Balls that go on the grass can only be retrieved by a yard buddy, balls that go into the carpark must only be retrieved by a teacher/SNA.
Yard Play Equipment must be carried to and from the yard by yard buddies and supervised by an SNA.
When yard-time finishes and the bell is rung, children must freeze on the first bell and on the second bell all children must walk to the line slowly. All children must line up quietly in single file.
Differentiated play may be introduced for some children. All children are ask to respect the rules for differentiated play and this activity will be under the discretion of the SNA’s on duty and with the support of the class teachers.
Some children may access the special class yard for supervised play during yard time. All children must use the resources including playground equipment with care.