DISCIPLINARY POLICY  AND LEARNER  CODE OF CONDUCT

 AIM:

This policy aims to:

 •       establish a disciplined and intentional environment for the promotion of effective education and scholarship in the school;

•       protect the rights of all learners as encapsulated in die Constitution of South Africa;

•       ensure that all learners associated with this school at all times uphold the name of the school with pride and dignity;

•              ensure that no learner   puts  the  school  to  shame  by  his  or  her  conduct   under  any circumstances:   and

•       ensure that all learners respect their property, as well as that of the school, fellow­ learners, educators and non-teaching staff.

SCOPE

This policy governs the actions and attitudes displayed by all the stakeholders of the school.

LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

It is subject to stipulations in the

·       Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

·       The Schools act in its current form and any subsequent version thereof.

·       The Child Protection Act

·       All criminal Laws of the Republic of South Africa where a criminal offence has been committed by a member of staff, a learner of the school.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEARNERS

Every learner at Firgrove Primary School

·      Has the right to privacy, dignity and the responsibility not to violate the privacy and dignity of others.

·      Has the right to personal safety and protection from violence and corporal punishment.

·      Has the right to be treated with respect and courtesy and the responsibility to act courteously towards others and respect them.

·      Has the right to work and learn without disturbance by others and the responsibility not to prevent others from working and learning.

·      Has the right to a fair hearing

·      Has the right to a clean and safe learning environment and a healthy environment with clean water.

·      Have the right not to be subjected to intellectual; emotional, physical and sexual harassment and the responsibility not to harass anyone.

·      Has the right to develop holistically, can expect educators to maintain a high standard of education and has the responsibility to cooperate fully in receiving a high level of education.

·      Has the right to freedom of speech and the responsibility not to infringe on the freedom of speech of others

·      Has the responsibility to attend school regularly and be punctual at all times.

·      Has the responsibility to commit to do all work assigned to her/him in class and at home and to update and complete work after absence from school or class.

·      Has the responsibility not to damage the property of the school.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, LATE COMING AND EARLY RELEASE

·       Parents or guardians should ensure that their children attend school regularly, are punctual and are not absent without a valid reason.

·       Learners who return to school, after being absent for a period of time should submit a letter from their parents/guardians or an official document in which the reason for their absence is explained. A letter must contain a contact number of the parent/guardian so that the school can verify the validity thereof.

·       The class teacher, member of the School Management Team or the school secretary will contact the parent if a learner has been absent for three consecutive school days without any communication regarding the absence.

·       The school may, by law, deregister a learner who is absent for more than twenty (20) consecutive days without a valid reason and/or no communication from the parent/guardian.

·       If a learner is ill, the parent/guardian should not send her/him to school.

·       If a learner suffers from a contagious medical condition, the parent/guardian MUST let the learner recover at home until a medical professional confirms in writing that the condition is no longer contagious.

·       If a learner arrives at school late, the class teacher or substitute in the case of absence of the class teacher must note it in the attendance register.

·       When a learner arrived late on three occasions, the parent/guardian will be notified and requested to correct the late coming of the learner.

·       Habitual late coming will be addressed as a general transgression of the Code of Conduct and corrective measures will be instituted.

·       Learners may not leave the school premises without permission.

·       If a learner needs to leave school early, a written or telephonic request from the parent/ guardian should be addressed to the office and permission should be granted by the principal, or deputy principals.

·       Learners must receive a permission note before leaving the school premises early. The permission note must be shown to the security personnel at the gate of the school to be allowed to leave.

·       Parents/guardians should try not to make appointments for learners during school hours.

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND NEATNESS OF LEARNERS

PERSONAL GROOMING

IF THE RELIGIOUS BELIEVES OF A LEARNER OR FAMILY REQUIRES PERSONAL GROOMING OR THE WEARING OF ITEMS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RELEVANT STIPULATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT TO CONSULT WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND SGB TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHTS OF THE LEARNER IS NOT VIOLATED AND THAT ANY DEVIATION FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT IS APPLIED CONSISTENTLY, FAIRLY AND WITH NO COMPROMISE TO THE GENERAL DISCIPLINE OF THE SCHOOL OR THE RIGHTS OF THE LEARNER

·       All learners must ensure that their nails are short and clean

·       No jewelry, except watches and medical bracelets may be worn.

·       Only prescription sunglasses may be worn. Sunglasses are not allowed.

·       No make-up is allowed unless it is required for an educational or cultural school event. In such cases the educator/s supervising the event must be aware and approve of the deviation.

·       Only clear lip gloss or lip balm may be applied to the lips.

·       Writing and drawing on any part of the body or tattoos are not allowed.

·       Boys are not allowed to wear earrings.

·       Girls are allowed to wear one pair of studs in the lower lobe of the ear.

·       Boys’ hair must be short and neat with no styles, ponytails or plaits and no patterns cut into the hair.

·       Girls’ hair should be plaited or tied with a ribbon in the school’s colour. No styles are allowed.

DRESS CODE

Only the school uniform is allowed for normal school days and the school sports clothes for sports events.

The wearing of the school tie is optional and when worn, should be neatly pulled up to the top button of the shirt as in formal wear.

No caps are allowed to be worn indoors. Learners have to remove caps before entering a classroom. If there is a special reason for which a learner has to wear a cap for a LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME, the parent/guardian must inform the school and request permission for it.

Garments worn under the official uniform – normal underwear or garments worn for extra protection against the cold - may not directly be visible.

If it is necessary for a learner to deviate from the normal school uniform (E.g.: if clothes are stolen, lost, damaged, etc.), the parent/guardian must make sure that the learner is dresses neatly in substitute attire that is appropriate for school.

Learners may not write or draw on their school clothes. Identifying names or symbols on the inside of clothing that are not directly visible are allowed.

Learners, whose achievement in sports or cultural activities earned them regional, provincial or national colours, may wear the attire associated with it on specified days.

The school uniform consists of the following:

Girls: From the beginning of the school year until the end of April and the last term

·       Black school shoes with white ankle socks

·       A school jersey, cardigan or track top

·       A school dress or a school skirt and white shirt.

Girls: From the beginning of May until the end of the third term

·       White ankle socks

·       Black school shoes

·       A school jersey, cardigan or track top

·       A school dress or a school skirt and white shirt with black pantyhose.

·       A girl cut grey school pants or school tracksuit with grey school socks.

·       A navy blue or black rain jacket with hood – the hood may not be worn indoors.

Boys: From the beginning of the school year until the end of April and the last term

·       Black school shoes with Grey school socks

·       A school jersey, cardigan or track top

·       A grey school pants and white shirt.

Boys: From the beginning of May until the end of the third term

·       Grey school socks

·       Black school shoes

·       A school jersey, cardigan or track top or school tracksuit.

·       Grey school socks

·       A navy blue or black rain jacket with hood – the hood may not be worn indoors.

·       Should a learner need to wear a rain coat or jacket of another colour over the school uniform while traveling to school, such clothing must be taken off at school and kept in the learner’s bag.

GENERAL ORDER OF DISCIPLINE

The behaviour or attitude of a learner may not conflict with the generally accepted code of conduct and a learner must not make him or herself guilty of the following:

·        neglect of one's duty

·        disobedience / theft / dishonesty

·        Intentional damage, defacement or contamination of learner-, educator- school property and school uniform.

·           Untruths / swearing

·           Possession and throwing or harboring items (e.g. stink bombs) / animals that may cause disruption.

·           Disrespectful behaviour/attitude towards educators/ non-educational staff/guests of the school.

·        Assault / Fighting / Instigating fighting / bullying / indecency (Non whistleblowers / Transgressors / Bystanders / Instigators will be considered partners in crime and dealt with accordingly.)

·        truancy (e.g. bunking) absent from classes without permission

·        contempt or undermining of authority

·        The maintenance of language usage or behaviour according to the principal, is of such a nature that a proper level of moral behaviour, discipline of social well-being not put the school in danger.

·        A deed according to the principal which is reprehensive.

·        Breach of a law that gives lead to conflict with the law.

·        Contempt against the Republic of South Africa's national symbols, (flag of the country and national anthem) and the school’s formal symbols, (school flag and school anthem).

·        Undisciplined behaviour in the classroom, on the school premises, or any official assembly or function.

·        Any other misconduct of a serious nature whereby the name of the school comes into question.

·        Threats against fellow learners and / or staff/guests of the school.

·        Inappropriate sexual conduct, sexual harassment.

·        Littering; graffiti; smoking: (Learners in the company of smokers are as guilty and will be dealt with accordingly.)

LEARNERS WHO ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHER LEARNERS WHO TRANSGRESS THE CODE OF CONDUCT ON LEVELS 3 TO 5 AND NEGLECT TO REPORT THE TRANSGRESSION TO A TEACHER, WILL BE REGARDED AS AN ACCOMPLICE AND WILL BE DISCIPLINED APPROPRIATELY.

WHEN A LEARNER ACTS OR DISPLAYS AN ATTITUDE WHICH IS CONTRARY TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT THE SCHOOL WILL INSTITUTE CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINARY MEASURES DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE TRANSGRESSION.

The following transgressions are regarded as level 1 or less serious transgressions unless they are repeated more than three times:

·       Coming late

·       Improper school uniform

·       Failure or refusal to perform class or homework

·       Refusal to adhere a reasonably instruction

·       Failure or refusal to deliver correspondence between home and school.

The following transgressions are regarded as level 2 transgressions unless they are repeated three times or more:

·       Regular repetition of level 1 transgressions or if corrective measures are not effective.

·       Not reacting to the disciplinary and/or corrective measures of the teacher.

·       Leaving the school premises without permission.

·       Use of offensive language.

·       Disrupting the normal class activities

·       Displaying an attitude of disrespect towards someone else.

·       Dishonesty with minor consequences.

·       Assault with minor injuries.

·       Uttering words or acting in a manner that is discriminatory or showing and inciting intolerance.

·       Theft

·       Vandalism including graffiti.

·       Being in a restricted area as stipulated below.

The following transgressions are regarded as level 3 or serious transgressions:

·       Regular repetition of level 2 transgressions

·       Ignoring and/or undermining the school’s safety policy and/or procedures

·       Smoking or being in possession of cigarettes or tobacco

·       Leaving the school premises without permission and committing a serious transgression.

·       Serious disruption of class activities

·       Forging documents with minor consequences

·       Possession of pornographic material or making drawings or symbols of a sexual nature.

·       Dishonesty in an examination

·       An act or utterance that displays contempt against the Republic of South Africa's national symbols, (flag of the country and national anthem) and the school’s formal symbols, (school flag and school anthem).

·       Audio or video recording of any material that may harm the image of the school, violate the rights to privacy any other person at school or can be used in any form of bullying.

The following transgressions are regarded as level 4 or very serious transgressions:

·       Regular repetition of level 3 transgressions or when corrective disciplinary actions were ineffective.

·       Ignoring and/or undermining the school’s safety policy and/or procedures with serious consequences.

·       Deliberately inflicting serious injury on someone else.

·       Any form of bullying and/or threatening someone verbally/in writing or via an electronic device.

·       Sexual harassment – including verbal comments, inappropriate touching and suggestive signals.

·       The use of and/or possession of illegal substances.

·       Disrupting the entire school program.

·       Forging documents with serious consequences.

·       Audio or video recording of fights or acts of a sexual nature and the distribution thereof.

The following transgressions are regarded as level 5 transgressions and include Criminal Offences:

·       Regular repetition of level 4 transgressions

·       Assault with aggravating circumstances

·       Threatening someone with a dangerous weapon or the use of a dangerous weapon to attack someone

·       Being in possession of or bringing a dangerous weapon to school.

·       Sexual Assault and Sexual activity on the school premises

·       Burglary

·       Murder

·       Dealing with illegal substances

CORRECTIONAL AND DISCIPLINARY MEASURES FOR TRANSGRESSIONS

·       Level 5 transgressions must be handled by the principal, SGB and the Education Department.

·       The action for level 5 transgressions is to apply for expulsion or transfer of a learner.

·       The parties involved must cooperate fully in the criminal procedure to take its course.

·       Level 4 transgressions must be handled by the principal, SGB and the Education Department.

·       The actions for level 4 transgressions are to refer the learner for counseling/therapy and to apply for temporary suspension of the learner.

·       Level 3 transgressions can be handled by the School Management Team and the Disciplinary Committee of the school.

·       Actions for level 3 transgressions includes a written warning for temporary suspension; referral for counseling/therapy; Community service with the permission of the Education Department and any of the disciplinary measures for Levels 1 and 2 transgressions; detention with educational written work.

·       Actions for level 2 transgressions include placing the incident on the disciplinary record after a serious talk with the learner; Consulting with the parent/guardian of the learner; a written warning; making the learner sign a behavioural contract with the learner; detention with educational written work.

·       Level 1 and 2 transgressions can be dealt with by the class or subject teacher and Head of Grade.

·       Actions for level 1 and 2 transgressions include a verbal warning; additional work of educational value; tasks like cleaning a classroom; picking up litter, etc and detention with educational written work.

Ignoring or refusing to serve detention without a valid reason will result in the level of the transgression and accompanying disciplinary action to be elevated to a higher level.

The following areas are considered restricted areas:

·       The tuck shop during teaching time.

·       Educator Toilets

·       Duplicating room or any room where examination papers are being processed.

·       The school safe, unless requested to perform a task there by the principal or delegate.

·       Any store room of the school without the permission of a staff member.

·       The school hall without the permission of an educator.

·       The foyer

·       The admin block

DETENTION SYSTEM

Learners who transgressed some of the stipulations of the Code of Conduct will be referred to after school detention for a minimum of 1 hour.

Learner in the Foundation Phase will be held for 45 minutes by their teacher due to their earlier time of dismissal.

A learner will be given a letter in which the parent is informed of the detention at least one school day before the learner has to serve detention. The parent must sign the letter to acknowledge receipt thereof, fill in a contact number on the letter and send it back to the Head of Grade.

If a parent does not agree that his/her child should serve detention, or that detention is the appropriate correctional measure or the learner cannot serve detention on the specified date, the parent must communicate this in writing on the back of the detention notice, sign the letter, fill in a contact number and send the letter to the Head of Grade.

It is the responsibility of the parent to make alternative travel arrangements for the learner where necessary.

Learners must do written work on three educational topics during the hour of detention and hand it to the supervising teacher. If a learner refuses or fails to complete the written work, he/she will get additional detention for the next week.

If a learner is required to serve detention on a day that he/she needs to attend educational intervention classes or represent the school in sport or cultural activities, it is the responsibility of the learner to ask the teacher/coach/coordinator of the activity for a note to be excused from detention for that day and to take the note to the Head of Grade before the start of the detention session. The Head of Grade will arrange an alternative date for detention or an alternative form of correctional action.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE OF DANGEROUS ITEMS AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

No person may bring a dangerous item or illegal substance onto the school premises, except with permission from the principal to use it for educational purposes.

The principal or her/his delegate may execute random searches on any learner or group of learners and their possessions for dangerous items or illegal substances. There must be a reasonable suspicion that such items could be present.

Such procedures must be done according to legislation in the Government Gazette 30637 of 2007.

The search may only be performed if the following has been taken into account:

·       It must be in the best interest of the learner or other learners of the school.

·       It must be to ensure the safety of the learner or other learners of the school.

·       There must be a reasonable degree of proof that it is an illegal item.

·       There must be a reasonable degree of proof that an illegal activity can be performed with the item.

·       All necessary information must be available.

If the search involves a body search, the following must be adhered to:

·       The person performing the search must be of the same gender as the learner who is searched.

·       The search must be in a private space and not in front of other learners.

·       Another adult of the same gender must be present.

·       The search may not take place in sensitive areas.

TESTING FOR DRUGS

The principal or a delegate may perform, at their discretion, a urine test or any other test, without violating the privacy of a learner, to determine whether a learner used an illegal substance if there is a reasonable indication that the learner may be using drugs.

·       It must be in the best interest of the learner or other learners of the school.

·       It must be to ensure the safety of the learner or other learners of the school.

·       There must be a reasonable degree of proof that the learner is involved in an illegal activity

·       All necessary information must be available.

·       The test must be done by a person of the same gender.

·       An adult of the same gender must be present during the test.

·       The test must be done in a private space and not in front of other learners.

·       The principal or the delegate must inform the parent/guardian within one work day that a fair test or search has been done on the child.

·       The principal or delegate must inform the parent/guardian and the learner immediately of the result of the test when it is available.

PROCESSING THE PROOF OF FINDING DANGEROUS ITEM OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE AND THE POSITIVE RESULT OF A DRUG TEST.

·       It must be recorded in the school’s incident book.

·       The dangerous item or illegal substance must be handed to the police for safekeeping.

·       Receive an official receipt from the police.

·       The principal or the delegate must inform the parent/guardian within one work day that a fair test or search has been done on the child.

·       Disciplinary action must be taken in accordance with the School Code of Conduct.

·       Any dangerous item must be clearly marked as follows:

o   The name of the learner in whose possession it was found.

o   The name of the person to whom the item belong if not the learner in possession of it.

o   The time and date of the search.

o   The incident book reference number.

o   The name of the person who performed and the adult who witnessed the search

o   Any other applicable information.

The school may not start any legal proceedings against a learner who had illegal substances or a dangerous item in his/her possession.

The school may not start any legal proceedings against a learner who tested positive for an illegal substance.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

·       A learner may not be in possession of electronic media or communication devices during the school day.

·       A learner who needs to use his/her cell phone after school must hand in the device for safe keeping at the office.

·       The school accepts no responsibility for the loss/damage to media devices including sim cards and memory cards.

·       The school does not accept financial responsibility for the loss of airtime or data credits that the parent pays for during the period of safekeeping of a device.

·       If a learner is found in possession of a prohibited electronic device for the first time, it will be confiscated, appropriately labeled, and kept in the school safe for two months or returned to the parent personally after payment of a release fee of R200.

·       If a learner is found in possession of a prohibited electronic device for a second time, it will be confiscated, appropriately labeled, and kept in the school safe for four months or returned to the parent personally after payment of a release fee of R400.

·       If a learner is found in possession of a prohibited electronic device for a third time, it will be confiscated, appropriately labeled, and kept in the school safe for four months or returned to the parent personally after payment of a release fee of R600.

·       Where the period of safekeeping extends beyond the last school day of the year, the device will be retained until the last day and returned to the parent after payment of a pro rata release fee.

·       If a learner transgresses the rule on the possession of an electronic device and uses it to record any audio or video material that can harm the image of the school, violate the rights to privacy any other person at school or can be used in any form of bullying, the above measures will be combined with the appropriate correctional measures in any other section of this Code of Conduct.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENT

It is expected that parents/guardians should

·       Ensure that their children attend school regularly and that they report for school punctually

·       Ensure that their contact detail is on record at school and that it is updated when it changes.

·       Always give preference to their children’s physical and emotional wellbeing and not send a sick child to school.

·       Ensure that a learner who suffers from a contagious condition stays home and only returns to school when cleared by a medical professional to do so.

·       Pay the school fees agreed upon by parents at the annual budget meeting every year, in full – Preferably by the end of the third term.

·       If they are unable to pay school fees, parents must complete and submit the necessary application forms for exemption of school fees before the end of March of the year in question.

·       Support the school by ensuring that their children adhere to the school’s Code of Conduct and accept responsibility for corrective action if their children transgress.

·       Take and active interest in their children’s school work and ensure that it is possible and comfortable for their children to do their school work.

·       Ensure that learners do not bring unnecessary valuable, dissolute accessories to school.

·       Attend meetings called for them by the school and governing body

·       Attend sports and cultural events of the school regularly

·       Attend and/or support fundraising efforts of the school.

·       Always promote the best interest of the school and not utter or do things that will unfairly tarnish the image of the school.

RULES WITH REGARD TO PRIVATE LEARNER TRANSPORT

It is the duty of the parent to ensure when they enter into an agreement with a Learner Transport Operator to transport their children to and from school, that

Ø  The operator renders a safe and legal service with a suitable, safe and roadworthy vehicle.

Ø  The learner knows the name and contact number of the operator/driver.

Ø  The school is informed in writing who the operator and/or driver is and what her/his contact number is.

Ø  The operator is informed that learners must be dropped and collected AT SCHOOL ONLY and not at any other location.

The parent must request that the transport operator/driver contact the parent and the school if a trip to or from school is delayed.

If a learner missed her/his transport or if the transport operator/driver does not arrive at school within 30 minutes of the normal pick up time, the learner

Ø  Must report to the secretary’s office

Ø  MAY NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL

Ø  MAY NOT DEPART WITH SOMEONE ELSE WITHOUT THE PARENT GIVING PERMISSION TO THE SCHOOL FOR SUCH ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

Early release of a learner from school may only be arranged by direct communication of the parent with the school and not by a transport operator/driver.

The parent and Learner Transport Operator must appreciate that the school or the WCED have no authority to intervene if the relevant authorities perform law enforcement operations near or at the school with regard to compliance of Learner Transport Operators.

EXAMINATION RULES

1.     All school rules apply during the examination

2.     A medical certificate, court order or death certificate of a close family member – parent, sibling or grandparent - is required for days absent during the exam.

3.     The school uniform rules apply during the exam period. No blankets, beanies, etc., will be allowed.

4.     To have a Cell phone on a pupil’s person in an exam venue is regarded as an exam irregularity. No cell phones, whether switched on or off, are allowed.

5.     No MP3 players, I-pods or any ‘social’ electronic equipment may be brought to school during the exam period. These items will be confiscated if found.

6.     Learners must have all the necessary stationary and equipment needed for a particular exam. No borrowing will be allowed.

7.     Parents must acquaint themselves with the examination timetable of their children and ensure that they study every day and bring the necessary stationary or equipment to school.

8.     A learner may not change exam venue or seat without permission.

9.     Pupils may not have any notes or material related to the subject written in his/her possession. To prevent confusion, it is advised that learners have no printed or written material during an exam session.

10.   Where posters and other display material in an exam room are covered, learners may not remove the covering material.

11.   No communication may take place between pupils during an exam or study session. All questions and requests must be directed to the invigilating teacher with the least possible disturbance to other learners.

12.   Study sessions are only to be used for revision purposes. Pupils may not play games; listen to music or read books or magazines that are not curriculum related.

13.   Pupils are responsible for the cleanliness of their exam venue and the area around it, ensuring that there is no litter and absolutely no graffiti.

14.   Gr. 7 learners may use a calculator for Mathematics Paper 2 but NOT FOR PAPER 1