In deciding what constitutes a Code of Behaviour and Discipline for our school, it is necessary at the outset to state what we are aiming to do in relation to helping parents educate their children.

Briefly, the general aims of Primary Education maybe defined thus ;-

• "To enable children to live full lives as children
• To equip them to avail themselves of further education
• To prepare them to live full and useful lives as adults in society"

(Report of the Review Body on the Primary Curriculum)

In a more specific way, the aims of what we are about may be summarised thus ;-

• To help children to think clearly , creatively and critically and to act independently.
• To help in fostering the desire to learn, encourage children to a sense of self esteem and cultivate in them the motivation to apply themselves to worthwhile and satisfying activites.
• To help children to develop their creative and imaginitaive capacities, through both expressive and appreciative activities.
• To help children to acquire knowledge, skills and practical abilities and the desire to use them.
• To help children to develop physically.
• To help children to appreciate the society and environment in which they live; to understand the interdependence of people and nations; to foster a spirit of co-operation; to develop the capacity and willingness to contribute, in a critical but positive manner, towards the development of society.
• To help children to respect, appreciate and understand their own and other cultural identities.
• To help children to acquire and develop moral and religious values and a respect for the beliefs and values held by others.
• To help children to prepare for the social, domestic, recreational and working aspects of their adult lives.

In devising the Code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this School. The aim is to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that the individuality of each child is accommodated while acknowledging the right of each child to Education in a relatively disruption-free environment.

The School recognises the variety of differences that exist between children and the need to accommodate these differences. A high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the School and a high level of co-operation among staff, and between staff, pupils and parents.

Notwithstanding the pupil's responsibility for his own behaviour, the Board of Management and Staff acknowledges that the primary responsibility for the behaviour of pupils rest with the parents, and appreciates the vital role the parents play in supporting good standards of behaviour in the School. Accordingly, a high priority is given to the continuance of the positive links with parents which already exist in the School.

Aims of a Discipline Code

All pupils are expected to behave in a responsible manner both to themselves and others, showing consideration, courtesy and respect for other people, their property and the School's property at all times.

The above statement is central to the School's policy on Discipline.

The main aims of the Code of Discipline are :-

1) To help create a positive learning environment in which all the pupils can benefit.

2) To help pupils to become self-disciplined.

3) To encourage good standards of behaviour.

4) To encourage respect for the individuality of both pupils and teachers.

5) To develop respect for fellow pupils, staff and other adults.

6) To develop respect for the School, its furnishings, its equipment and the environment.

7) To encourage independence, self reliance and trust-worthiness.

8) To encourage honesty and truthfulness.

In the interest of good order and safety, it is most important that clearly defined guidelines be known and understood by all pupils and that pupils see parents and teachers engaged in a co-operative enterprise on their behalf.

The Code of Discipline covers the following areas :-

1. Classroom
2. Playground
3. School environs
4. Activities outside the School
5. Attendance and Punctuality
6. Homework

1. Rules covering behaviour in the Classroom
· Pupils must respect the right of other pupils to learn. Any behaviour that interferes with this right e.g. constant petty disruption, persistent distracting of others, etc., is unacceptable behaviour.

· Pupils must co-operate with teachers.

· Pupils must show respect and courtesy towards their fellow pupils and the School staff.

· Pupils must have respect for their own property, other people's property and the School property.

· Pupils behaviour in the classroom must be such as not to be a source of danger to themselves or others.

· In order that pupils benefit from the work in class, full co-operation is required at all times. Pupils must co-operate with instructions given by the teacher.

2. Rules covering behaviour in the Playgrounds
· Pupils may not leave the playground for any reason, without the permission of the teacher/s on Yard Supervision, or the Principal teacher or a teacher acting in the place of the Principal teacher.

· Pupils should treat others as they would like to be treated themselves.

· Bullying, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable behaviour.

· Any behaviour or play, which may be a danger to oneself or others, is unacceptable behaviour.

· Verbal or physical abuse of others is unacceptable behaviour.

· Any behaviour which interferes with others' play is unacceptable behaviour.

· Pupils must have a positive attitude towards keeping the playgrounds litter free.

· Pupils must cease play when the end of breaktime is signalled and proceed, in an orderly fashion, to the area designated for their class to assemble, and, line up in an orderly manner.

· Pupils must play games in a proper manner and in accordance with the rules of the game/s.

3. Rules covering behaviour in the School environs.
· Respect, courtesy and sensitivity towards others and their property are the basic rules.

· Pupils must move around the School in an orderly manner.

· Verbal or physical abuse, or bullying, is unacceptable behaviour.

· Pupils must not leave the School grounds without the permission of the Principal teacher and/or his class teacher and/or the supervising teacher.

· Pupils must walk on paths entering/leaving School grounds.

· To minimise the danger of accidents, pupils must follow the instruction of the Traffic Warden, and, those with bicycles, must walk when entering/leaving the School grounds.

· Chewing gum is not permitted.

4. Rules covering behaviour in activities outside school.
· When pupils leave the School environs as part of a School group under the supervision of a teacher, the same high standards of courtesy, respect and co-operation, which operate within the School environs, will apply, with particular attention to rules governing safety.

5. Attendance

· Regular and punctual attendance is the basic norm for all.

· On returning to School after an absence, a pupil should have a written note i.e. from parent/guardian.

· No pupil will be allowed to leave School early without advance permission from the parents/guardians to the teacher, for such early release.

· Irregular attendance and/or instances of mitching will be brought to the notice of the School Attendance Officer.

· Each pupil shall come to School equipped for the days work with his books, copies, pens, pencils, P.E. gear when required, and any other implements needed for classwork.

6. Homework

· It is the policy of the School to assign homework on a regular basis.

· All homework assigned should be completed promptly, neatly and completely.

· Homework may include memorization, written assignments, research or other tasks.

· Parents/guardians of pupils, from Senior Infants through to Sixth Class, should ensure that, on completion of homework, the homework is checked and the Homework Diary is signed, only when the work is done to their parent's/guardian's satisfaction.

· If for some reason the homework, or any part of it, is not completed, parents are asked to note this in the Homework Diary.

SANCTIONS

While the overall responsibility for discipline within the School rests with the Principal, each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within his/her classroom and shares a common responsibility for good order within the School in general.

High standards of behaviour among pupils and creating and maintaining an orderly atmosphere for learning in the School will involve the use of encouragement, sound relationship between teachers and pupils and effective teaching and learning.

It will also involve in some instances, the application of sanctions to register dissapproval of unacceptable behaviour.

When sanctions are invoked, pupils should understand that what they have done is not acceptable. The onus is on the person/persons imposing the sanctions to convey to the pupil that it is the misbehaviour that is rejected and not the pupil.

Basic Procedure

1. The teacher deals with the problem directly.
2. The pupil is spoken to.
3. The help of another teacher may be enlisted.
4. Teacher involves parents ;
verbally and/or
by written note
5. Teacher involves parents by arranged consultation and the Principal is informed of same.
6. The Principal is involved in problem by Mentor and deals with it appropriately.
7. The Board of Management is involved by the Principal.

The procedure outlined above is followed when dealing with misbehaviour by pupils. The particular step invoked will depend on the seriousness of the misbehaviour. Any or all of the following strategies may be used, not necessarily in the order listed:-

· Reasoning with the pupil
· Reprimand
· Temporary separation from peers, friends or others
· Extra work
· Repetition of work

Sanctions Contd....
· Note in Homework Diary or by letter to parents
· Referral to Principal/teacher in charge
· Official letter to parents from Principal
· Loss of privileges
· Detention during a break / curtailment of play
· Suspension (temporary)
· Expulsion

GENERAL POINTS
1. Where there are instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management may be informed and the parents may be requested in writing to attend at the School to meet the Chairperson and 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. In the case of very serious misbehaviour, the Board of Management shall authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension, pending a discussion with the parents. Expulsion may be considered in extreme cases.

2. Efforts will be made to have an emotionally disturbed child referred for psychological assessment.

3. This document has been drawn up by the Principal and all the Teaching staff in consultation with the Parents' Association and has been approved by the Board of Management.

4. A copy of this Code will be made available to all parents of pupils in the School.

5. 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 and that the School provides a welcoming atmosphere towards parents.

6. Staff will be cognisant of the importance of noting improved behaviour and will communicate same, where appropriate, to parents.

7. The Code will be reviewed and revised, as seen appropriate, from time to time.

We would therefore, earnestly ask Parents to :-

· Familiarise themselves with the School Policy Document in relation to Discipline.
· Co-operate with the School in the implementation of its policy on Discipline.
· Communicate regularly with the School about factors likely to affect the behaviour of their children in School.