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PUPIL MANAGEMENT, DISCIPLINE AND DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM
PUPIL MANAGEMENT, DISCIPLINE AND DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM
FRAMEWORK
FRAMEWORK
Hwa Chong Institution is committed to provide an effective learning environment for all students to succeed and excel. This is only possible if the behaviour of our students supports and respects the rights of all students to learn and teachers to teach. Hence, the management of students' behaviour is crucial to providing a safe, orderly, productive and success-oriented learning environment at school.
1. The Discipline Framework aims to:
- Instill in our students' the set of desired behavioural outcomes which are aligned to HCI's institutional values.
- Develop students' self-management skills.
- Encourage self-responsibility.
- Rehabilitate students who have violated school rules.
2. To achieve the above objectives, the Disciplinary Framework will be guided by the principles of Positive Discipline and Restorative Justice. Positive Discipline focuses on actively teaching personal responsibility, pro-social behaviours and taking responsibility for the violation of school rules, while Restorative Justice directs attention to helping students learn alternative positive behaviours in place of unacceptable behaviours.
3. A 2-pronged strategy would be implemented:
- Integration with Counselling and PCME life-skills modules on teaching Personal and Social Responsibility, Self-Management skills, Anger Management, Conflict Intervention, etc. These modules may be Class-based, Assembly-based or Online Independent Learning modules.
- Administering consequences through our Demerit Points System that are related to the offence caused and misbehaviour. Corporal punishment and other retributive measures would be taken after careful consideration as they focus on the concepts of fear and retribution rather than rehabilitation.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Students of Hwa Chong Institution are responsible for conducting themselves appropriately through their words and deeds.
Guiding Principles
Good Discipline for Effective Learning
Our students are responsible for observing all school rules and for exercising self-control through self-discipline,courtesy and respect for each other, school personnel and property.They believe in working together and caring for each other. Their behaviour will include appropriate conduct in school,at functions, and in public places. They demonstrate social and personal responsibilities and excellent work attitude.
When a student is to be disciplined or suspended, the school official shall notify the parents of the student concerned.
The Principal and Director / Student Development or other teachers so assigned are authorised to take disciplinary action in connection with the offences.
The decision of the School Authority is final. The School reserves the right not to divulge the reason or reasons as the case may be.
The School Authority also reserves the right to determine what meets the requirements when there is a question of acceptability or appropriateness.
1. Attendance
To maintain and attain excellence performance in school, regular attendance is necessary.
1.1 Students must assemble at the school terraces by 7.20 am punctually for the commencement of the daily flag raising ceremony.
1.2 Students who are not present at the flag-raising ceremony will be considered as late or absent.
1.3 In case of inclement weather, students should be in school not later than 7.30 am. Those not in classes by 7.30 am will be considered as late or absent.
1.4 Pupils who are Singapore citizens must sing the National Anthem and recite the pledge. Individuals reciting the pledge shall clench their right fists to the left side of their chests as a gesture to symbolise loyalty to the nation.
1.5 Pupils who wish to leave school before the end of curriculum time must seek permission from their form teacher or from school personnel. They have to complete an Out of Campus Pass which may be obtained from the High School Reception.
1.6 Pupils who are away for competitions, attachments or school programmes outside school will NOT be considered as ABSENT. Instead they are regarded as ‘Out-of-School’ on official programme.
2. Absence with excuse
Absence with excuse shall include the followings:-
- Personal illness, death in the immediate family, emergencies at home, or where permission has been granted by the school authorities or medical officer.
Absence without excuse
- Absence from class without prior knowledge and approval of a teacher or school authority.
- Students who are absent from 3rd Language lesson without prior knowledge and approval from school or MOE language Centre
3. Canteen
Our school canteen offers nutritious and balanced food that is a vital part of our school health programme. The food is offered at a reasonable price.
Students may bring their home made food, but they must consume the food in the canteen.
The rules in the canteen are as follows:-
3.1 All students must deposit meal litter in the proper waste bins.
3.2 Students MUST return all utensils and cutlery to the respective stalls or receptacle bins.
3.3 Keep the table and floor around the place in a clean condition.
3.4 All food must be consumed in the canteen, or at the place of purchase.
4. Detention, Suspension, Caning or Expulsion
The grounds for detention, suspension, and caning or expulsion shall apply under the categories stipulated. It is to be noted that only the Principal and his Discipline Master are authorised to administer caning in school,and that caning is to be given as a last resort after all avenues to correct the students have been exhausted.
NOTE: Misconduct by students which is prejudicial to the school population shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
5. Library
5.1. The library is a source of information for our students. Students are encouraged to use the library during opening time for recreational reading pleasure, class assignments, and reference work. The playing of computer games is prohibited.
5.2 Students are expected to put the books back on the correct shelf, and observe Library rules.
5.3 For the benefit of all students, materials or books borrowed must be returned in good condition.
5.4. Silence in the library MUST be observed at all times.
6. Information Technology related Offences
Students are encouraged to use the Technology Centre during opening times for research and learning purposes. Students should not commit computer-related offences or cyber-crimes punishable under the Computer Misuse Act. These include the offences listed below.
- Hacking into the school's computer system
- Using a login account other than his own personal account
- Use of obscene, vulgar or disrespectful messages on the internet
- Using the school computer or laptop for non-educational purpose
- Downloading and uploading of undesirable or offensive materials
- Installing games / programmes in the server
- Playing games on the school computers or personal laptops
- Copyright infringement by possessing copyrighted and / or pirated material
- Spamming
- Rowdy behaviour in the computer laboratory
- Eating or drinking in the computer laboratory
- Use of messages and / or images that constitute defamation of another individual or organization
7. Personal Appearance
7.1 All students are required to look neat and clean. They are not allowed to wear jewellery or other ornamental accessories in school. Ear or body piercing or tattooing is not permissible. Parents are to ensure that their sons are properly dressed in a manner befitting the positive mental attitude of a scholarly gentleman of Hwa Chong Institution.
7.2 The face must be clean-shaven. Sporting of beards or moustaches is not allowed.
7.3 The school uniform consists of a white, short-sleeved shirt and a pair of khaki shorts for Sec 1 to 3. The shirt is attached with four brass buttons, two of which are pinned on the shoulder epaulettes. The other two buttons are pinned one on each side of the shirt pockets. The school uniform for Sec 4 consists of a beige shirt and long pants. Belts (optional) worn must be black or brown with no fanciful design. The school collar pin must be pinned on the left collar when a student puts on the school uniform. No other ornamental accessories or jewellery are allowed to be worn by students. Students should take pride in wearing their school uniform when coming to school.They are to ensure that their shirts are correctly tucked in at all times. Modification to the uniform is not allowed.
7.4 Students playing games or sports must be in PE or CCA shirts with their school shorts or pants.
7.5 The approved colour for shoes shall be white, or a dominant colour of dark blue or black. The socks must be ALL white. Socks must be worn above the ankle at all times.
7.6 Hair should be short and neat. Fanciful hair style is not allowed. The face must be clean-shaven. Students may be asked to go for a hair cut if they have an unacceptable hair style.
7.7 Fingernails should be trimmed and cut.
7.8 Highlighting, dyeing or the colouring of hair is forbidden.
7.9 Students should not wear 'T' shirt or PE attire when in Lecture Theatres, the Auditorium, the Library, the Tech Centre or the Drama Centre when attending lectures or performances.
7.10 Students may be asked to return home to make necessary changes if they are not dressed appropriately.
Note: With regard to the shoes and socks, the School has the sole rights to determine the colours of the shoes and socks to be worn and to make the final decision on what is acceptable.
8. PE Lesson
8.1 Students must produce a letter of excuse from a Medical Officer if they are unable to participate in PE lessons.
8.2 All students are required to change into their PE attire when attending PE lessons.
8.3 Students in school are to wear their school 'T' shirt or CCA shirt when playing games.
8.4 On weekends and holidays, students visiting the school must be in proper uniform. The school 'T' shirt must be worn at all times when playing games in school.
8.5 Sandals or slippers are not allowed to be worn in and around the school campus at all times and on all days.
9. Play areas
9.1 Students should play at designated areas only, or play under the open sky.They are not to play in covered areas or along corridors, stairwells or in the classroom.
9.2 Students should be respectful of school property.
10. Smoking
10.1 The Nation's Law specifically prohibits smoking in school premises. Cigarettes, lighters, and/or matches should not be brought into the school campus.
10.2 Students under 18 years of age are prohibited from consuming intoxicating drinks,and possessing, purchasing or smoking cigarettes.
10.3 Any violation of this regulation may result in immediate Suspension or Caning or both.
11. Mobile phones
11.1 Mobile phones should be switched off or set to silent mode during curriculum time.
11.2 Mobile phones should not disrupt lessons by ringing or beeping.
11.3 Unless express permission is granted, mobile phones should not be used to make calls, send SMS messages, surf the internet, and take photos or videos or any other application during school lessons.
11.4 While on school premises, students should use soundless features such as text messaging, answering services, call diversion and vibration alert to receive important calls.
11.5 If students are caught violating the above rules on the use of mobile phone, they will face the following consequences:
- Students who are caught violating the rule (first offence) will be given a warning and their parents will be informed by the form teachers or CSE mentor.
- Students who commit the offence a second time will have their mobile phone confiscated for 1 week and given 1 demerit point. The form teacher or CSE mentor will inform the students’ parents. Mobile phones will be handed over to the DM.
- Those who commit the offence again will be sent to the Disciplinary Master. Their mobile phones will be confiscated for at least a month and 2 to 5 demerit points will be given. Student may not be allowed to bring another mobile phone to school. Mobile phones will be kept by the DM.
11.6 School teachers, with permission from the Principal, are allowed to check and browse through the contents of the students’ mobile phones. This is to ensure that they do not use their mobile phones for illegal purposes.
11.7 It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones onto school premises to adhere to the guidelines and take care of their own mobile phones.
11.8 The following are criminal offences related to the use of mobile phone.
- Any student/s caught using a mobile phone to cheat in examinations or assessments will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the Principal or discipline committee.
- Any student who uses vulgar, derogatory, or obscene language while using a mobile phone will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the Principal or discipline committee.
- Students with mobile phones may not engage in personal attacks, harass another person, or post private information about another person using SMS messages, taking/sending photos, videos or objectionable images, and phone calls. Students using mobile phones to bully other students will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the Principal or discipline committee.
- It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. As such, if an action as sanctioned by the Principal or discipline committee is deemed ineffective, the school may consider it appropriate to involve the police.
12. Playing of card games, ball games and other activities unrelated to curriculum will be considered an offence.
13. Academic integrity-related offence: Plagiarism, Collusion and Cheating
13.1 Plagiarism: attempt to pass off as your own work, whole or part, the work or ideas of another person or institution, without proper acknowledgment of the source.
Collusion: attempt to conspire with others for the purpose of cheating.
Cheating: attempts to give or receive information during an examination; possession of unauthorized materials (notes, dictionary, electronic devices) during an exam; and alteration or fabrication of marked work or reports.
*The term “Examination” includes tests, term papers, and assignments, either given in class or online.
13.2 Penalties for academic integrity-related offence:
A maximum of 10 demerit points and / or not more than 5 strokes of the cane may be meted out, and marks for that particular examination would be nullified. A letter of reprimand would be given to the parents and the student would be required to attend compulsory counselling with the school counsellor. The student would also be disqualified from all awards in HCI. The penalty for a second offence is expulsion. The penalty imposed would be at the discretion of the Principal and the Discipline Committee.
DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM
DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM
1. General Guidelines
1.1 Each minor offence will be awarded 1 demerit point. Higher demerit points will be given for repeat cases, subject to the maximum stipulated.
1.2 Each major offence will be awarded between 3 to 10 demerit points. Higher demerit points will be given for repeat cases, subject to the maximum stipulated.
1.3 The demerit points and offences committed will affect a student’s conduct grade.
2. Classification Of Offences
2.1 Attendance-Related Offence (max. 4 demerit points)
2.1.1 Absence from flag-raising ceremony
2.1.2 Late for school
2.2 Irresponsible Behaviour (max. 5 demerit points)
2.2.1 Leaving school without permission
2.2.2 Absence from school without valid reason
2.2.3 Absence from CCA without valid reason
2.2.4 Absence from lesson or school programme without valid reason
2.2.5 Using other login account to enter school computer network
2.3 Attire-Related Offence (max. 4 demerit points)
2.3.1 Inappropriate attire or grooming
2.3.2 Long hair
2.3.3 No school collar pin or brass button
2.3.4 Shirt not properly tucked in
2.3.5 Socks not covering the ankle or not visible
2.3.6 Wearing of sandals or slippers without medical reason
2.4 Misconduct (max. 4 demerit points)
2.4.1 Being a public nuisance
2.4.2 Consumption of food (excluding finger food) in places beyond the canteen
2.4.3 Disturbing the peace within the school premises
2.4.4 Failure to return utensils to receptacle bins after use
2.4.5 Inappropriate use of mobile phones during curriculum time
2.4.6 Late for lessons (including level assembly)
2.4.7 Littering
2.4.8 Lying to teachers or other misbehaviour
2.4.9 Non compliance to instruction
2.4.10 Playing / Rowdy behaviour
2.4.11 Playing card games in school
2.4.12 Refusal to do duties
2.4.13 Taunting, quarrelling or scuffling
2.4.14 Playing computer games in school
2.5 Abuse of computer or Network Facilities (max. 10 demerit points)
2.5.1 Defamation / 'Flaming' of teachers or peers in online blogs or forums
2.5.2 Downloading of MP3s, videos, software or other non-distributable contents
2.5.3 Downloading of undesirable, offensive or pornographic materials
2.5.4 Hacking
2.5.5 Copyright infringement
2.5.6 Spamming
2.5.7 Unauthorized access into another person's account
2.5.8 Using foul language in email messages or websites
2.6 Uncivilized Behaviour (max. 10 demerit points and / or not more than 5 strokes of cane)
2.6.1 Defaming people, especially teacher(s)
2.6.2 Harassing / insulting / verbally abusing people, especially teacher(s)
2.6.3 Open defiance and rudeness to teacher(s)
2.6.4 Using obscene / foul language or vulgarities
2.6.5 Passing racist remarks
2.7 Integrity-Related Offence (max. 10 demerit points and / or not more than 5 strokes of cane)
2.7.1 Cheating in test or exam
2.7.2 Misappropriation of funds
2.7.3 Stealing
2.7.4 Plagiarism
2.7.5 Forging signature on document(s)
2.7.6 Lying (compromising one’s integrity)
2.8 Criminal Offence (max. 10 demerit points and / or not more than 5 strokes of cane)
2.8.1 Instigating trouble(s)
2.8.2 Arson / Vandalism / Damaging school property
2.8.3 Bullying / Harassing / Causing hurt to other person
2.8.4 Extortion
2.8.5 Fighting
2.8.6 Insulting modesty / Voyeurism
2.8.7 Possession of dangerous items or weapons
2.8.8 Possession of pornographic materials
2.8.9 Downloading of undesirable, offensive or pornographic materials
3. CONSEQUENCES
3.1 Sabbaticals
3.1.1 Students who accumulated 1 – 4 demerit points per term will have 100 points per demerit point deducted from the sabbatical bidding process.
3.1.2 Students who accumulated 5 or more demerit points per term will be recommended to attend corrective work order during sabbatical week.
3.2 Awards and Hwa Chong Programme
3.2.1 Students who accumulated 5 or more demerit points may be derived of entry into / participation in a special programme, such as
- Overseas programmes
- Sponsorship for competition or attachment
- Special programmes (BSP, HP, SMTP, etc)
- Incentive trips
- Local or overseas attachments
3.2.2 Students who accumulated 5 or more demerit points will not be recommended for school-based or external awards, such as
- Model Student Award
- Hwa Chong Young Gentleman Award
- EAGLES Award
- Hwa Chong Outstanding Award and All Round Excellent Award
- Edusave Character Award (ECHA)
- School-based or external Scholarship
3.2.3 Students who accumulated 10 or more demerit points may be derived of participation in the Hwa Chong Integrated programme.
3.3 Rehabitation Programme
Repeat offenders and student who has committed serious offences will be required to attend counselling and mentorship programmes. Mentors assigned to the student will supervise and monitor student’s behaviour and conduct.
3.4 Other Punishment
3.4.1 Corrective Work Order of 1 to 5 hours for each offence.
3.4.2 Students who accumulated 10 or more demerit points will be removed from or deprived of their leadership post in CCA and in the student council.
3.4.3 Caning of not more than 5 strokes for students who have committed criminal or integrity-related offences.
3.4.4 Suspension from school.
3.4.5 No testimonial for Sec 4 students who accumulated 20 or more demerit points or committed serious offence.
CONDUCT GRADE
A student’s term conduct grade is the average of the grades given by all his subject teachers and form teacher or CSE affective mentor.
Subject teachers will grade the student on the Quality of Work and Meeting Deadlines:
A, 1 = Excellent
B, 2 = Good
C, 3 = Satisfactory
D, 4 = Unsatisfactory
Form teachers or CSE affective mentors will grade him on Personal Responsibility and Social Responsibility.
A, 1 = Excellent
B, 2 = Good
C, 3 = Fair
D, 4 = Poor
In addition, the following conditions apply:
- If a particular teacher has given the student a grade D for any of the above items, he will not be given conduct grade A.
- If the student has committed an offence and accumulated demerit point(s), his conduct grade will be downgraded according to the table below.
A student’s Final Year Conduct Grade is an average of the grades given in Term 1, 2 and 3.
If the student has committed offence and accumulated demerit point(s), his conduct grade
will be adjusted according to the table below.
Student with a conduct grade C in at least one term will not be given conduct grade A (Excellent grade) at the final year.
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