Code of Behaviour and Discipline

Modeligo National School Code of Behaviour and Discipline The Code of Behaviour and Discipline was formulated to allow the school to function in an orderly and harmonious way and to enhance the learning environment where children's individuality is accommodated and can progress in all aspects of their development in a relatively disruption free environment.

The Board of Management and the teaching staff of Modeligo National School aim to foster a stimulating and happy atmosphere within the school, which is helpful to the social and academic development of the pupils attending the school.

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.

Our Mission Statement endeavours to nurture responsible, capable and caring individuals in a Christian environment who respect themselves and others. We will aim to enable each child to develop his/her self esteem and achieve his/her potential within a positive, happy, safe and healthy school atmosphere.

Aims

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 our school's welcome pack and are also available to view anytime on our school website
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. A Code of Conduct for staff, pupils and volunteers ensures that the rights of all are upheld.

As adults we should aim to:

Create a positive climate with realistic expectations.
Promote positive behaviour, 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 positive behaviour.

General School Rules

Fundamental Principles

All pupils have the right to come to school, to be in school and return home without interference from any other pupil or parent.
Modeligo National School expects all children to behave with dignity and treat each other, their teachers and visitors to the school with courtesy and respect during the school hours and during school related activities.
Modeligo National School respects the right of each child to work and learn in an environment that is happy and secure. Children should not, through disruptive or anti-social behaviour, deny that right to any child.
Any form of bullying is unacceptable - Please refer to our Anti-Bullying Policy.

Uniform

Full school uniform must be worn during school hours.
This consists of navy tracksuit pants or grey skirt, grey polo shirt and blue school jumper with Modeligo National School crest.

Attendance

A teacher begins yard duty at 8.55a.m each morning. The children are permitted to enter the yard at this time. The school bell is rung at 9.00 a.m. The children are then escorted into the school by their class teacher. School does not officially start until 9.00a.m.
Children are not allowed to leave the school grounds during school hours.
Parents must provide a note if a child must leave the school and collect the child from their outer classroom door/main school door. Parent must also sign child out on the school register.
If a child is absent, the parent must contact school ASAP on the day of the absence and also provide a written explanation note on the day the child returns to school.

In line with the Educational Welfare Act 2000, all schools are obliged to inform the Child and Family Services Agency (Tusla) of 20 days absence during the school year If your child is absent, parents must provide a letter stating the reason for the absence. If a child is absent for 20 or more days, the school is obliged under the Educational Welfare Act 2000 to provide this information to Tusla, as well as the reasons for absence. In the vast majority of cases, there are genuine reasons as to why a child might be absent (e.g. illness, hospital stay, hospital appointments) The school's only role in this is to pass on the information and it is at the discretion of Tusla if it will be followed up or not.

Homework

Children will have homework on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as a general rule.
All homework must be completed fully and signed by parents.
Written excuses must be furnished if homework is not completed.
Children will either complete homework in school if not completed at home, or the children will complete at home the following night.

Behaviour

School property, toilets, furniture, staff and pupil's property must be respected.
Any form of bad language is unacceptable in school or during any school related activities.
All pupils will go to the playground except when the weather is unsuitable or when a written or verbal excuse has been obtained from the parent/guardian.
Pupils must walk quietly in the corridors and through the school area.
Older pupils are asked to role model the best possible example of behaviour for the younger pupils.
Rough play, games involving throwing or kicking objects and careless running are not permitted.
When the bell rings, children should walk quietly to their class lines before being escorted into the school by their class teacher.
Juniors and Seniors will enter the school using their fire exit door. First, Second and Fourth will enter through the main fire exit. Fifth and sixth class will enter through the fire exit located at the rear of the school.
Lunch will be eaten in the classroom. Pupils will remain seated and behave in a mannerly fashion.
The school premises must be kept litter free.
Any behaviour which causes upset, hurt or injury to others will not be tolerated in the school.
Mobile phones are not allowed in the school.

Lunches

Parents should endeavour to provide a daily nutritional lunch for their children. In order to cultivate good eating habits, fizzy drinks and junk foods are discouraged. The school operates a Healthy Lunch Policy and expects the co-operation of the parents at all times.

Bringing food to the yard is not permitted
Chewing gum is not permitted.
Glass bottles are not permitted.

Infectious Disease

When a child has contracted an infectious disease, the school should be informed as soon as the diagnosis is made. The child should return to school when the infection has ceased and the child is deemed fit by a healthcare professional.

School Rules

Our school rules can be summed up as The Golden Rules. A copy of the Golden Rules will be displayed in each classroom, along with the school corridor.

Class Rules

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/Reward System

Part of the vision of Modeligo School is to help children achieve their best, academically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. We recognise that there are many different forms of intelligence and similarly that children use a variety of approaches to solve problems. All children deserve to be encouraged, praised and listened to at all times 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 copy or homework journal
A visit to another member of Staff or to the Principal for commendation
A word of praise in front of a group or class
Delegating some special responsibility or privilege
A mention to parent, written or verbal communication
'Bualadh Bos' in class or special mention at assembly.
A system of special stickers for all round good behaviour and hard work are given out by each class teacher during assembly, to commend a child's efforts

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 or the supervising teacher at break-times. 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.

Examples of minor misbehaviour include:

Bringing electronic equipment or mobile-phones to school
Not wearing appropriate uniform; bringing in chewing-gum
Not following instructions.

Examples of serious misbehaviour include:

Behaviour that is hurtful (including bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation)
Behaviour that interferes with teaching and learning
Threats or physical hurt to another person
Damage to property
Theft
Bringing dangerous equipment to school
Leaving school/school activities without permission.

Examples of gross misbehaviour include:

Assault on a teacher or pupil
Serious Theft
Serious Damage to property
Serious bullying
Carrying drugs, alcohol, cigarettes

Restorative Practice

Restorative Practice in our school provides a focus on developing positive relationships between all members of the school community. It gives opportunities for pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour and learning.

Restorative Practice is a process whereby children are given the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and how they and others have been affected by it so as to help heal broken relationships and prevent reoccurrence.

Where suspension occurs, the school will use restorative practice involving all parties affected to help repair the harm done.

Restorative Questions to Respond to Challenging Behaviour

What happened?
What were you thinking about at the time?
What have your thoughts been since?
Who has been affected by what you did?
In what way have they been affected?
What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

To Help Those Harmed by Other Actions

What did you think when you realised what had happened?
What have your thoughts been since?
How has this affected others?
What has been the hardest thing for you?
What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

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
There should be a clear distinction between minor and major offences
It should be the behaviour rather than the person that is in focus

The following steps will be taken when a child behaves inappropriately. They are listed in order of severity with one being for a minor misbehaviour and ten being for serious or gross misbehaviour. The list is by no means exhaustive. Teachers may put in place alternative measures bearing in mind the features by which sanctions should be characterised. The aim of any sanction is to prevent the behaviour occurring again and if necessary to help the pupil devise strategies for this.

Reasoning with pupil
Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve
Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class
Prescribing extra work/ writing out the story of what happened
Loss of privileges
Detention during break
Communication with parents
Referral to Principal
Principal communicating with parents

Sanctions should relate as closely as possible to the behaviour. Therefore a child, who does not do his work in class or has not completed his homework, may be detained at break time to finish the work. Pupils will not be deprived of engagement in a Curricular Area, except on the grounds of Health and Safety.

Detention at break time does not require prior notice to parents, but where it is a natural consequence, is an acceptable method of sanction.

Suspension and Expulsion

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) Before serious sanctions such as detention, suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised.

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 Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be 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 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, the Board of Management may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.

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 Education Welfare 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 of Behaviour and Discipline 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, learning support / resource 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.

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 are 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 of communication are to be used within the school:

Informal/formal parent/teacher meetings
Through children's homework journal (infants do not have a homework journal, please check bags for notes)
Letters/notes from school to home and from home to school
School notice board
Newsletters/school website
TextaParent service.

Right of Appeal

In all cases involving the suspension or expulsion of a pupil, the parents or guardians have a right of appeal to the Board of Management The Code of Behaviour and Discipline document has been drawn up in accordance with the Department of Education and Skills guidelines. The principal and the Board of Management reserve the right to amend the school rules should they deem it necessary.

Every effort will be made to have an emotionally disturbed child referred for psychological assessment without delay. Help will also be sought from support services within the wider community i.e. Community Care services provided by the HSE.

All members of the teaching staff have been involved in planning the Code of Behaviour and Discipline.

A copy of this code has been made available to all parents, in our school's welcome pack and is also available to view anytime on our school website.

In the belief that the most effective schools tend to be those with the best relationship with parents, every effort will be made by the principal and staff to ensure that parents are kept well informed, the school provides a welcoming atmosphere towards parents and that parents are not only told when their children are in trouble but when they have behaved particularly well.

Ratified by B.O.M: 12/11/2020

Chairperson of B.O.M: Sr Veronica Casey Next review date: June 2021