BASIC PRINCIPLES

Discipline is about relationships within a classroom and within a school.

Every child in our school is an important human person created by God, entrusted to us by parents and society and worthy of unconditional respect for his/her dignity.

Good discipline practices create the conditions foe effective learning and help to develop in children responsible attitudes and values for life.

Every teacher in our school is an important person and professional, entrusted with the education and care of our students and entitled to the support and respect of parents, school management and society.

The school cannot produce the fully committed member of the Church all alone without the help of the parish and home and the free personal decisions of the pupils.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF DISCIPLINE

The emphasis should where possible be on the positive approach of encouragement and praise rather than on the negative one of criticism and punishment. The ultimate aim is to build into our Discipline procedures a systematic process fro rewarding pupils which is understood by all and characterised by consistency of approach. Praise is given in may ways including the following: 

¨         An encouraging comment;

¨         An exercise book comment, either in general terms –or in a more detailed way, picking out specific points or ideas that are worthy of praise;

¨         A public word of praise in front of a group, a class, a School, (Junior, Senior, Upper) or the whole College;

¨         Public acknowledgement by giving a special responsibility;

¨         Use of school reports to comment favourably, not only on good work and academic achievement, but on behaviour, on involvement and on general attitudes;

¨         A letter to parents informing them specifically of some action or achievement deserving praise.

PASTORAL ADVICE

Pastoral Advice forms an important part of the disciplinary framework of the College.

Much of such advice is of an informal nature and subject teachers have as important a role to play as those given a specific pastoral role as tutor.

SUBJECT TEACHERS

The subject teachers are the backbone of the disciplinary structure in the school and a great deal of the problems arising are dealt with directly by them.

COUNSELLORS

Counsellors assist individual students who have difficulty in coping with College discipline.

PREFECTS

Prefects are appointed from among students in Sixth Form. They are responsible for supervising students on the buses and at other times when required. Prefects refer students to the Vice Principal (Mrs R. Sullivan). They are not permitted to impose sanctions.

REFERRAL OF STUDENTS FOR DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

Students with a poor record of homework, punctuality, attendance etc. are normally referred to the Class Tutor. The Class Tutor also deals with students whose behaviour has been unsatisfactory. If the Class Tutor has attempted to deal with an issue and the problem remains unresolved, or if it recurs then it should be referred to the Head of Year. The Year Head should review the situation carefully and arrange to meet the parents. He/She may also consult the Head of  School for advice. If the difficulty persists then the Head of School should be asked to intervene.

The Head of School and/or the Vice-Principal deals with cases of serious misbehaviour. The Principal should be kept informed at all times.

The Head of School may refer a student to the appropriate school disciplinary committee. This committee consists of himself/herself, the Vice-Principal and the Principal.

There are Counsellors to whom students with problems, including disciplinary problems may be referred. Students may also approach Counsellors directly.

A RANGE OF SANCTIONS

Immediate checking of misbehaviour—including verbal and non-verbal, individual and public indications of disapproval.

A minor penalty, where possible relevant to the offence, such as picking up litter for those who drop it.

Repeated or extra work where work is poorly presented or clearly below the child’s potential.

Lunch time detention, after school detention. Detention slips signed by a parent/guardian.

Loss of privileges, such as membership of clubs, the right to go on visits, the right of Sixth Formers to use the common Room.

Restitution of some kind, e.g. repair of damage and/or payment for it.

Placing on Report.

Referral to Class Tutor, Head of Year, Head of School. Vice-Principal

Parental consultation.

Suspension and Expulsion. According to the procedures outlined

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF PUPILS:  PROCEDURES

a)   A pupil may be suspended from the College only by the Principal.

b)   An initial period of suspension should not exceed 5 school days.  The maximum period of suspension from school will be 45 days in any one school year.

c)   Where a pupil is suspended from the College, the Principal shall immediately:

(i)  give written notification of the reasons for the suspension and the period of

             the suspension to the parent of the pupil, to the Education and Library   

             Board and to the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

      (ii)  invite the parents of the pupil to visit the College to discuss the

             suspension.

d)   Where, in the case of a pupil who is suspended from the College, the Principal

       considers that the period of suspension should be extended, any such

       extension shall be for a specified period and shall have the prior approval of

       the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

e)   A pupil may be expelled from the College only after serving a period of

       suspension. Expulsions usually occur for 1 or 2 reasons

·      a single major incident involving gross misconduct

·      as a last resort i.e.

·       where The College has taken all reasonable steps to avoid expelling a pupil     

                                                         or

·      where allowing the pupil to remain in school would be seriously detrimental to the education and welfare of the pupil or that of others..

Where an incident occurs which is clearly or may possibly be of a criminal nature - the police, parent/guardian, Chairman of Governors, must be consulted by the Principal and a suspension invoked immediately pending arrangements being made for the consideration of an expulsion. Depending on circumstances the Principal may also need to consult with the Designated Officer SEELB and Social Services.

f)   A pupil may be expelled only by the Board of Governors       

g)   Subject to the provisions of paragraph (i) below a pupil may be expelled from

       the College only after consultation about his expulsion has taken place  

       between the Principal, the parent/guardian of the pupil, the Chief Officer of

       the Board (or another officer of the Board duly authorised by him) and the

       Chairman of the Board of Governors.

h)   The consultations referred to in paragraph (g) above should include

       consultations about the future provision of suitable education for the pupil 

       concerned.

1)       A refusal on the part of the parent to take part in the consultations referred to in

      paragraph (g) above should not prevent a pupil being expelled.

j)        The College Principal shall advise the parent or the pupil where he/she has                      

      reached the age of eighteen, in writing, of their right of appeal against a

      decision to expel the pupil from school, of the time set by the board for lodging

      such an appeal and where the appeal may be lodged.

 NOTE

The Principal, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors, will be defined as including any other person who is for the time being performing those duties.