CODE OF CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY CHARTER

This section is intended to be read in conjunction with the Foundation Policy on Student Discipline which it is designed to supplement and amplify.

Acceptance of a place at the School implies an acceptance of the Code of Conduct and Community Charter by students and parents. Students will be given a copy of the student charter and will be expected to read, sign and return to their Mentor.

Through its Code of Conduct the School aims to promote a positive attitude and approach, based on the principles of mutual respect and consideration for other people, their well-being and their property, for the whole School community and for the wider environment. The School seeks first and foremost to promote high standards of courtesy, conduct and self-discipline through positive encouragement, example and reward.

The observance of this Code is necessary for the running of a well ordered and harmonious society to enable each member to develop educationally, physically and emotionally to the best of his or her ability and in a healthy and safe environment. If students do not respect the Code of Conduct, depending on the severity of the infraction, punishments can range from detention to suspension to permanent exclusion.

Every member of our community has a duty to act towards all other members with consideration and respect.This community includes not only students and teachers but also everyone involved in the School and those who live in its vicinity. The same consideration and courtesy should be extended to all those with whom students come into contact.

No Code of Conduct can cover every point of school discipline and organisation, but the following points are designed to act as a guide as to what is expected.

Any breach of common sense or common courtesy is a breach of the Code of Conduct; a breach of the law of the land is clearly also a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

1. Respect for other people

All members of the School community are expected to treat other people, both within and outside the School community, with respect. Foul or insulting language, harassment or bullying cannot be tolerated in any school community, even less so in an International School. The School will take a particularly serious view of any incident of bullying (verbal, psychological or physical), harassment or racial abuse.

2. Respect for property and the environment

All members of the School community are expected to respect other people’s property. This includes respect for School property and buildings, as well as the property of other members of the School community.

All members of the School community are expected to play their part in keeping the School clean, tidy and free of graffiti. This requires particular attention to prevent littering at lunchtime, both inside and outside the Cafeteria. Students should not consume food and drink in classrooms or corridors, nor take trays of food out of the Cafeteria. (See Cafeteria section page 15). The only exception is when a teacher has given permission for a particular group of students to use a room at lunchtime.

Litter should be placed in the bins provided and every effort made to keep the School a litter-free environment. Recycling bins are provided. Students are requested not to bring chewing gum to school.

Any damage to property should be reported immediately. It is accepted that accidents happen, but the School will take a serious view if they are not reported, or if the damage is caused deliberately. This specifically includes the defacing of property with graffiti.

Students should ensure that posters will not cause offence to others and are placed only on the boards provided.

Parents are requested to ensure that all items of personal property brought to School are clearly named. We do our best to return lost items to their owners, but the task is made impossible if they are not named.

There should normally be no reason to bring expensive or fragile items (or large sums of money) to School. The School provides every student with a lockable locker, but ultimately cannot be responsible for students’ property. The School is not responsible for the security of lockers.

Students should not change their lockers without permission from the Secretariat. Lockers will be checked throughout the school year.

The borrowing of money, clothing or equipment by students is not allowed, nor is the buying or selling of items without permission from the Principal.

3. Respect for academic integrity

All students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty regarding their academic work. Students who fail to live up to this fundamental principle will lose credit for the work concerned and be liable to further sanctions. (See also page 36: Policy on Academic Honesty)

4. Respect for the working conditions of others

It is expected that students will respect the need for quiet working conditions during the school day. They should not gather in front of the lockers, especially when located in corridors, as they disturb the classes that are proceeding. They should leave the buildings as soon as possible after they have visited their lockers.

Mobile phones as well as other electronic equipment must be switched off in class or risk confiscation. Improper use of camera-phones will have serious consequences.

A separate Internet Acceptable Use Policy is published and must be accepted by all users.

5. Attendance

Regular attendance is one of the most important factors determining success or failure at school. Absences are disruptive and detrimental not only to the student concerned but also to the rest of the class and the professional efforts of the teacher.

Only the School can authorise absences.

Parents are particularly requested to observe the published school term dates scrupulously and not to request extra holidays in term time or to attempt to take their children out of school for other reasons. The School can give the necessary permission for such absences only in the most exceptional of circumstances.

"Credits" can only be gained if a student has regularly attended a course. Failure to attend regularly or on time may result in the withholding of a credit. A record of attendance is kept by teachers each lesson. The record of attendance is part of a student's school record and will normally be transmitted to any school or college requesting it.

Teachers will endeavour to assist students who must miss school for an authorised reason or for a prolonged illness, so that a student’s progress can be maintained as far as possible. On the other hand, teachers cannot reasonably be expected to devote extra time and effort to help students who miss school for non-authorised absences.

It may not be possible to award grades to students who miss tests or assignments for whatever reason, even for authorised absence.

In cases of unauthorised absence, students will be liable to sanctions. They must expect to receive a "0" grade for work which was missed through unauthorised absence.

Arrangements for notifying absence through illness are published separately (see page 9)

Students are expected to be on time for all classes and meetings for which they are timetabled and to comply with the absence or late arrival procedures of the School.

If a student is involved in an activity (e.g. a field trip or sports fixture) which would necessitate missing a class or other school event, permission should be sought from all relevant teachers in advance. Work missed needs to be made up, and permission to miss a class does not mean permission to miss a homework.

6. Dress

There is no school uniform but students are expected to attend school in clean, appropriate clothes. Students should ensure that at all times their appearance does not risk giving offence to other people. Specific clothing, footwear and equipment may be required for some activities (e.g. PE or laboratory work).

7. Tobacco, drugs and alcohol

The Foundation publishes a separate policy on substance abuse on its website www.ecolint.ch Students and their parents should familiarise themselves with this policy.

The School wishes to take steps to protect students from substances dangerous to their health. To this end:

Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is not permitted by students on the campus or in its vicinity at any time. This specifically includes the roads and pavements bordering the campus and the grounds of neighbouring properties.

Alcohol must not be brought onto or consumed on the campus by students at any time.

Alcohol must not be consumed by students at any time during the school day.

Any possession or use of illegal drugs is formally forbidden.

Any prescribed medicines other than asthma inhalers should be notified to the nurses and their advice followed.

The above rules also apply to all school trips and events unless specifically varied.

8. Respect for personal safety

Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which ensures the safety of others as well as themselves. They are expected to pay particular attention to the following:

Not to bring to School any dangerous items. Articles such as fireworks, pepper sprays, knives and other weapons of any type are strictly forbidden.

Ball games, frisbee etc should not be played outside the areas intended for such activities. Skateboards, scooters and rollerblades are forbidden on the entire campus.

Bicycles and mopeds may be ridden to school but must not be ridden on campus.

To know the general fire and traffic regulations (see sections 10 and 11 below). The school’s fire procedures must be strictly observed at all times. Any interference with the school’s fire-fighting equipment will be particularly seriously viewed.

Not to throw snowballs under conditions which are dangerous.

9. Respect for fire regulations

These regulations and procedures are amplified in a separate document.

All school buildings are fitted with fire alarms. Adequate fire extinguishers are in place and all these installations are regularly inspected.

An evacuation plan is posted in every room and all users of the premises are expected to take note.

When the alarm sounds, students in class should accompany the teacher in a quiet and orderly manner out of the building by the nearest exit and go to the Greek Theatre. Those not in class should also proceed immediately to the Greek Theatre.

All windows and doors should be closed (not locked) on leaving the building, and lights and electrical apparatus turned off.

10. Respect for traffic regulations

Students crossing Route de Chêne should cross only on the marked pedestrian crossings, respecting the indications given by the traffic lights or crossing patrol personnel.

A pedestrian who crosses at other than a marked walkway is not legally protected in case of accident. Parents, teachers and senior students should be aware of the example they set for the younger students.

The School is expected to use its car parking facilities to enable its employees, parents and visitors to park their cars. As facilities are limited, students are not permitted to park cars within the campus or on or alongside the ‘chemins de desserte’ which lead from le chemin de la Chevillarde to la route de Chêne.

Parents are respectfully requested to use extreme care and consideration when dropping off or picking up students.

11. Respect for regulations relating to specific areas

There are other rules published concerning specific areas of the school - e.g. science laboratories, gymnasium, Cafeteria - and all students need to be aware of these.

12. General

In the unlikely event of any class being without a teacher five minutes after the scheduled start of any lesson, a member of the class should go to the School Office for instructions.

The Principal’s permission should be sought before organising any activity which involves the collection of money from other students (i.e. sponsorship).

The permission of the Principal or the Foundation Director of Communications should be sought before any contact is made with any members of the Press on any matters relating to the school.

Students become the responsibility of their parents when at home, with the proviso that the School reserves the right to discipline any pupil who engages in any activity likely to bring the good name of the School into disrepute or who is in breach of the law of the land at whatever stage of the year.