DIA is committed to ensuring a school-wide approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL). This is demonstrated by:

• Explicit SEL instruction through the PSHE Curriculum

• Empowering students through voice, choice, and agency

• Supportive school environment

• Supportive discipline measures and practices

• Alignment between school and home

The counseling services at DIA are designed to provide students with guidance and support to help them navigate personal, academic, and social challenges. There is a specific focus on the following:

• Self-Awareness.

• Self-Management.

• Social Awareness.

• Relationship Skills.

• Responsible Decision-Making.

The above are integrated into the school’s Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum

Parents are required to:

• Participate in workshops related to behavior management and personal, social, and health education

Students are required to:

• Understand the school has a Behavior and Anti-Bullying Policy and read the Student Handbook 

• Report any concerns, such as bullying or self-harm through the Students Grievance/Bullying/Child Protection form, through the Counselor's Mailbox, or in person with a trusted adult in the school 

• Actively participate in PSHE lessons to learn more about how to keep themselves safe and how to treat others

PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education)

As a subject, PSHE aims to provide children with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves happy, healthy, and safe, as well as to prepare them for life and work. PSHE aims to give children the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, and independent lives. Navigating our complex world can be challenging, and parents and teachers play an essential role in preparing children for the future. As such, the goal of PSHE is to assist students in:

• Taking individual responsibility for their physical and mental well-being

• Understanding the risks of drugs and alcohol and how to stay safe online

• Developing resilience, independence, and responsibility

• Developing the personal and social skills required to succeed

PSHE is taught by the counselor and supported by grade-level advisors and all teachers. 

DIA is committed to ensuring that all students are safe from harm, neglect, and abuse during their time as enrolled students at the school. This is demonstrated by:

• Providing safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments

• Providing physical and virtual resources to support child protection

• A whole-school approach, involving staff, students, families, and the community, working together to create a safe and supportive educational environment

The responsibility of students:

• Understand that the school has a Child Protection Policy that guides us in keeping all students safe and ensuring they are well. This includes having rules and plans to protect them from any harm or danger

• Report any Child Protection concerns, such as bullying or self-harm, through the Students Grievance/Bullying/Child Protection form, through the Counsellor's Mailbox, or in person with a trusted adult in the school

• Actively participate in PSHE lessons to learn more about how to keep themselves safe and how to treat others

The responsibility of parents/guardians:

• Read, understand, acknowledge, and adhere to the Child Protection Policy

• Report any Child Protection concerns to a member of the Child Protection team

• Attempt to attend professional development/workshops and training

• Speak to their child about Child Protection and how to keep themselves and others safe. 

Please see the Child Protection Policy for details. 

DIA is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students, this is demonstrated by:

• Providing clear guidelines and expectations of behavior and anti-bullying

• Implementing positive strategies for self-regulation and self-management skills

• Implementing restorative justice practices 

• A whole-school approach, involving staff, students, families, and the community, working together to create a safe and supportive educational environment

The Behavior & Anti-Bullying Policy outlines the expectations, rules, and processes for supporting positive behavior at the school, as well as consequences for negative behavior. Secondary school rules are designed to make clear to students how they can achieve acceptable standards of behavior. 

Secondary School Rules

Secondary school rules are designed to make clear to students how they can achieve acceptable standards of behavior. 

1. General Behavior

Students must:

•  Respect everyone by demonstrating good conduct and speech both while on campus and when on school-initiated off-campus 

trips, aligned with DIA’s Language Policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

• fellow students

• teaching staff 

• support staff

• administrative staff

• canteen staff 

• volunteer teachers/interns

• external coaches or activity instructors

• presenters

• study tour/field trip guides

• all other guests

• Follow instructions whether in class, on breaks, or on school-initiated off-campus trips. 

• Not engage in bullying behavior (including verbal, persistent teasing, and cyberbullying) 

• Not engage in verbal or physical fighting and violence

• Not engage in theft

• Not engage in racist or discriminatory behavior

• Not use or bring to school drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, tobacco in all its forms, weapons, or weapon-like toys

• Abide by rules provided in other policies namely:

  •  Academic Integrity Policy

  •  ICT Policy

  • Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement,

  • ICT Lab rules

  • Science Lab rules

  •  Pool/Field/Court/Playground Rules

  • Class Agreements

• Turn in assignments in a timely manner

• Be in an appropriate uniform

• Not chew gum during school hours/trips

• Not roughhouse (ie. swinging bags to hit peers, tripping, pushing, putting hands in someone else's personal space)

• Clean up after themselves in the canteen and classroom spaces

• Not eat and drink in inappropriate places (eating on the field/ court etc)

• Respect school property (breaking pencils, drawing on tables, etc)

• Be on time and attend class (not be Truant)

• Not bring electronic devices to school, including phones, unless been given permission

2.  Respect for Property

Students must respect the school, other students/staff, and their own property. This includes 

• eating only in designated areas; no eating or drinking inside academic buildings (water in a closed container is the only exception) except during rainy days and cleaning up after themselves

• not chewing gum 

• using electronics, in-class resources, library, computer lab, and science lab resources responsibly as outlined by the school

• using all school facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, basketball court, football pitch, swimming pool, canteen, washrooms, hallways, notice boards, stairways, nurse room, reception, entryway, the car park, rooftops, the White Box, observing all signage, and all other spaces responsibly and safely

• not taking or using another person’s property without their permission

• not hiding or stealing another person’s property

• not vandalizing any property (their own or that belonging to others or the school)

• exercise due precautions with their property, such as by not leaving it unattended, keeping it in the school lockers or leaving it in the care of another student when these are not possible;

Please note the school will occasionally conduct random locker checks and bag checks. Students are expected to fully cooperate with this arrangement

3. Homework and Class Preparation

Students must 

• complete all homework assignments by the due date given by the teacher

• arrive for class with homework and the necessary materials to participate in the lessons that day

• bring a note or email from their parent/guardian to explain if they have a legitimate reason for not completing homework. They should then speak with the teacher to agree on an extension

Continuously not doing homework (more than three times) will result in:

• Communication with the parent/guardian

• Organizing a meeting between the student, teacher, and Coordinator where necessary to discuss a plan of action 

• The principal will be involved where these occurrences are persistent. 

4. Presence, Punctuality, and Participation/Engagement

• All students must arrive at homeroom class on time (including while they are learning online;)they will be considered late after this time;

• All DP students must arrive on time for homeroom registration irrespective of the start of their first taught lesson; all students coming in late should have a note from the parent;

• Grade leaders should log homeroom attendance promptly, latest by 8:30 am; all subject teachers should log lesson attendance within the lesson duration;

• Students who miss more than twenty (20) days of class in an academic year are at risk of not meeting grade-level expectations. This could jeopardize promotion to the next grade. Special circumstances, such as medical situations with supporting documents, or extended family leave, can be considered. Whether or not the teachers feel that a student in this situation can continue to cope with the curriculum will also affect the decision;

• Parents/Guardians will receive a notification when their child is absent. Excessive absences will result in a meeting between the parents/guardians and the Secondary Principal;

• Students must transfer from one class to the next promptly;

• Students must use nurses and bathroom passes when visiting the Nurse’s room or the bathroom;

• If a student attends school but is not able to participate in Performing Arts, PHE, or swimming activities, a letter from a parent/guardian to the Principal is required to explain the reasons;

• Students are expected to actively participate and engage in the lessons, including doing their fair share when working in groups;

• Students must be picked up by 3:10 pm (MYP and DP) daily and at 12:20 pm on Tuesdays (unless participating in an activity or having lunch at school)

5.  Online Learning (in the event of school closure)

Online classes have specific rules and etiquette in addition to regular classes that must be adhered to. These are:

• Not sharing the login details with others who are not students in that class;

• Keeping the video on and staying in view at all times;

• Not engaging in disruptive behavior, such as side chatting or annotating on the screen, where the teacher has enabled these features in the class;

• No impersonating other individuals’ screen names or images;

• Being appropriately dressed at all times when visible online;

• Keeping the comments courteous, respectful, relevant, and on topic;

• Teachers should record each online session and upload the video in the designated folder on Google Drive;

• Teachers should record each session’s attendance (this also applies to hybrid learning situations);

• As much as possible, parents/guardians should provide appropriate supervision or oversight to ensure students are focused on the lesson.

6. Uniform

• DIA has a compulsory school uniform for all students enrolled in the school from grades  K - 12. 

• All compulsory items are required for all students to have

• All students must follow the school’s General Uniform guidelines when attending school or school-related activities

General Uniform Regulations

• Students must be in the correct uniform at all times unless specific communication on special days has been given by the school in advance

• All uniforms must:

• • fit properly (not too tight or too loose)

  • be clean, presentable

  • be in good repair (no tears)

  • be free of stains and writing

• Students wearing bottoms such as shorts/pants that are not navy or too far from the color shown below will be considered not in the correct uniform

• Students coming to school with clothing that is shorter than the above guidelines will be considered not in the correct uniform

• Under coverings and scarves worn for religious purposes must be of solid, neutral colors that match the school color scheme (navy blue, gray, white, yellow) and cannot have branding/patterns/slogans 

• Outerwear worn in cool weather - such as sweatshirts -  must either be a DIA sweatshirt and/or a sweatshirt in neutral colors (Navy, Black, Blue, Grey, White) and cannot have branding/patterns/slogans 

• Students should not be wearing heavy makeup to school;

• Expensive jewelry and watches are strongly discouraged to be worn to school and are the responsibility of the student to keep safe;

• Smartwatches cannot be connected to mobile phones or the Internet

• Students cannot wear:

  • spaghetti straps

  • tops showing their midriff

  • low cut tops

7.  Electronics

• Electronics can only be brought to school if approved by completing the Device Waiver form. If a teacher is specifically requesting a student bring in an electronic item for class purposes, parents/guardians will be requested to complete a waiver form.

• Laptops or tablets can only be used with teacher supervision and only for class-related assignments. 

• If mobile phones are brought to school, they will be collected in the morning to be kept in the phone box and redistributed at home time. If students are found with mobile phones or unapproved electronics, these will be confiscated.

• Students are not allowed to bring and use personal modems, hotspots, or VPNs when accessing the internet at school.

• Students must sign the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement 

• Be careful to store their electronic items securely in their lockers when they are not in use

• Have a lock for their locker before bringing in their device(s). Students who continuously do not look after their belongings will have them confiscated.

8.  Breaks and Lunches

During breaks and lunches, students

• must be outside the academic blocks unless they have a specific appointment with a teacher;

• should eat and play only within the designated areas;

• cannot use electronics unless on assignment from a teacher.

Anti-Bullying

All students are responsible for creating an atmosphere of positivity and well-being, where students can be free from the fear of intimidation. During Mindfulness Week, workshops will be conducted for parents and students on identifying bullying and becoming an up-stander. Students will be taught to reflect on and recognize how their attitudes and actions affect others. 

There are various types of bullying:  

• Physical - can include kicking, hitting, pushing, and taking away belongings

• Verbal - includes name-calling, mocking, and making offensive comments

• Emotional - includes isolating an individual or spreading rumors about them

• Cyber-bullying - where technology is used to hurt an individual, for instance, text messaging or posting messages/images on the internet or any form of social media  

• Racism - occurs when bullying is motivated by racial, ethnic, or cultural prejudice

• Sexual - is where someone makes unwanted physical contact or makes sexually abusive comments 

• Disablist - occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against people with any form of disability

Sexist - occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against someone because of their gender 

Reporting

If you are being bullied or you see someone else being bullied

1. Report confidentially using the Reporting Form

2. Tell a teacher, counselor, parent, or trusted friend

Please see the Behavior & Anti-Bullying Policy for more details. 

Contact the Secondary Principal, Mr. Tim  Postlethwaite, at tpostlethwaite@diatz.cc if you have any questions or concerns. 

DIA believes that all stakeholders deserve to have access and equal opportunity. This is demonstrated by:

• A commitment to continuous improvement and a willingness to adapt practices to meet the changing needs

• A whole-school approach, involving staff, students, families, and the community, working together to create an inclusive and supportive educational environment for all

Please read the student version of the DIA JEDI policy as it outlines the definition, expectations, approach, and practices of promoting justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and safety at DIA.

DIA supports the general health and well-being of staff and students on campus. This includes fostering a healthy mindset towards eating, exercise, mindfulness, and leading a balanced lifestyle.

To ensure that students are bringing the appropriate foods to school, we have a short list of items not allowed at school:

• Crisps 


• Chocolates or other sweets 


• Sodas 


• Energy Drinks (Red Bull etc.)

If you are struggling with finding healthy alternatives or snack/lunch ideas for your child to bring to school, let your teacher know and we are happy to assist

Leading a balanced lifestyle is important and DIA offers various opportunities for students to get moving. These are through the timetable:

• Physical Education (taught 2 - 3 times in a week/cycle)

• Swimming (taught once a week/cycle)

• Team Sports

• After School  Activities 

• Unit/Subject related content 

• Sports Days

Students are expected to participate in all curriculum-related classes. PHE/Swimming classes also have theoretical and practical components that support student learning.

At DIA, we take everyone's safety very seriously. This includes the safety of students, teachers, staff, and any visitors. 

To help us with that, we have rules that we must all follow. Some places have additional, special rules. These are listed below.

Science Lab Rules:

Student Responsibilities:

• I will not enter the science labs or use any of the science equipment without the supervision of a teacher

• I will not run, push others, throw things, or engage in any similar activities in the science lab

• I will not bring fluids or food to the science lab

• I will not vandalize any property in connection with the science lab and science equipment

• I will never play with laboratory equipment or materials

• I will always follow instructions and wait until I am told to begin before starting any investigation. If I am uncertain about what to do, I should read the directions thoroughly and ask for help with any parts that were unclear to me

• I will never carry out unassigned experiments. Creativity and exploration are encouraged; however, I must get prior approval before doing my own investigation

• I will never eat or taste anything in the laboratory. This includes food, drinks, and gum, as well as chemicals

• I will wash my hands after each experiment

• I will keep all books and other materials not needed during experiments away from the work area

• I will keep my work area clean and follow proper disposal procedures

• I will make sure all of my equipment is turned off and properly cleaned and stored away when I have completed an experiment unless I am told to do otherwise

• I will report all injuries or accidents to my teacher immediately

• I will never use broken or cracked glassware

• I will always keep my footwear on in the laboratory

• I will tie back long hair and restrict loose clothing

• I will wear safety goggles, lab aprons, and gloves when instructed to do so.

IT (Computer) Lab Rules:

Student Responsibilities:

Students are NOT allowed to do any of the following in the computer labs and on school computers and while using the school’s computer network:

• Enter the computer labs and use school computers without teacher supervision

• Run, push others, throw things, and any other similar activities

• Bring your school bag, food, or drinks (including water) to the computer desks

• Turn the computers on or off without permission

• Change any software or hardware settings

• Install or uninstall any software or hardware

• Connect, disconnect, or swap any hardware (e.g. headphones, mice, and keyboards)

• Use personal modems or smartphone hotspots

• Leave the computer without logging off

• Fix any computer problems

• Vandalise school computers or computer network

• Delete, copy, modify, or in any other way tamper with another person’s data

• Access or publish any defamatory, offensive, or illegal material

• Publish personal information about yourself or others (e.g. full names, date of birth, physical address, phone numbers, and email addresses)

Students MUST :

• Register their electronic device with the Head of IT before bringing it to school

• Use a locker for storing their electronic device

• Use the school computer network only for school-related work

• Keep confidential all passwords given to you by the school

• Maintain a neat and well-organized folder structure for data

• Regularly backup their data

• Report to a teacher any computer problems or misuse immediately

Note: The term “electronic device” above refers to laptops and tablets

Athletics Facilities 

Display good sportsmanship and adhere to the following rules:

• Do not use vulgar or provocative language or gestures

• Do not use racist language or gestures

• Do not use sexist language or gestures

• No fighting or violence in any form

• Wear shoes during play 

• Respect the referee's decision as final, no arguments with him/her on the field; any questions and clarifications should be made later

Football rules

• Maximum 5 goalkeeper swaps

• Maximum 11 players playing per side

Consequences

• One yellow - caution that carries forward

• Cumulative two yellow cards = 1 red card - minimum 3 days ban

• Two yellow cards in the same game = 1 red card - leave the field immediately and a minimum 1-week ban

• A straight red card - leave the field immediately and a minimum two-week ban

• Fighting - up to a term ban

• Racism/sexism - up to a term ban

DIA is committed to ensuring a positive and constructive relationship with parents/guardians. This is demonstrated by: 

• Fostering open lines of communication between school and home

• A willingness to listen to questions and criticism and to respond positively

• A whole-school approach towards working together to create a supportive educational environment

This policy outlines the procedures and steps that parents/guardians can follow if they have a concern or complaint. You can access it at this link: DIA Parent/Guardian Grievance Policy 

Students may continue to use the following form, as mentioned in the Child Protection section above: Students Grievance/Bullying/Child Protection form