Social Behaviour

• Students should be courteous and polite to all members of the school community at all times. Whilst wearing the school uniform outside of the school grounds students must demonstrate these qualities to all members of the community and the public.

• Students are advised not to bring expensive items to school.  The school cannot accept responsibility in cases of loss or theft of property.  No jewellery is allowed other than one pair of earrings, religious necklaces and a watch. 

• Students are not allowed to bring the following to school: knives, toy guns or other dangerous items; skateboards; cigarettes; matches and lighters; alcohol; dangerous or illegal substances.

Mobile Devices

These items are brought into school at the owner's risk.  All items must be switched off at all times unless permission has been given by a teacher.  Students should not be using these items whilst walking around school.

Unacceptable Behaviour

The following activities are forbidden, and will lead to serious consequences:

• Bullying, of any kind

• Excessive displays of affection

• Vandalism, including the writing of graffiti

• Smoking; consuming alcohol/drugs; gambling; truancy; theft; fighting and all illegal activities.

Playing cards is permitted at school if the following rules are observed: 

• No Gambling - if caught it may lead to serious consequences  

• Cards are not allowed in lesson times unless it's an organised activity by the teacher

Anti-Bullying

We believe that every student at South Island School has the basic entitlement to enjoy life at school, free from the sort of behaviour which is classed as bullying. We define bullying as wilful and persistent behaviour which results in someone being physically or emotionally hurt, threatened, frightened or humiliated.

The ethos of the school is that of care and consideration towards others. Aggressive behaviour and bullying does not foster consideration for others and any student failing to respect this basic right of others can expect action to be taken.  All reported cases of bullying are taken seriously and dealt with in an appropriate manner. In certain circumstances, action taken against bullying will include suspension or expulsion in cases of serious or persistent bullying. 

We address the issue of bullying in tutor groups and in our Pastoral Learning Curriculum and the message is reinforced whenever such behaviour becomes apparent.  One of the most effective deterrents to bullying behaviour is openness and communication.  Parents and students are asked to inform a member of staff as soon as they are aware of such behaviour, so that it can be dealt with at an early stage.

Anti-Bullying Code

• All students at South Island School have the right to enjoy their learning and leisure free from intimidation, both in School and in the surrounding community

• Our School community will not tolerate any unkind comments, name-calling or threats, even if these were not intended to hurt

• Any unkind actions, exclusion or ganging up will be called bullying

• Information, comments written in emails, blogs, Facebook etc. to discredit another student will be called cyberbullying

• Students should support each other by reporting all incidents of bullying

• Bullying will be dealt with seriously

• We are a ‘telling’ school because bullying is too important not to be reported

Substance Misuse Policy

We believe in the promotion of a healthy environment and responsible lifestyles for all members of the school community.  All staff have the legal responsibility to provide a duty of care to all students in the school.  Our priority is the safety of students.

We address the issue of drug education and drug abuse in tutor groups, and in our Pastoral Learning Curriculum; the message is reinforced by speakers from CDAC and KELY.

We believe that every student in South Island School is entitled to have:

• A safe and drug free environment.

• Access to and an understanding of the ESF drug policy.

• An appropriate health and drugs programme.

• A supportive and caring system for dealing with drug related problems.

• The ESF Substance Misuse policy covers situations when students might be suspected of substance misuse, and outlines procedures and requirements to follow in such cases. 

Students may be required to:

• Fully cooperate with any investigation

• Submit to a search of belongings under the terms of the Procedure for Searching a Student’s Belongings

• Submit to a drug test under the terms of the Drug Testing Procedures, including being responsible for the costs of such tests

• Agree and adhere to any behavioural agreements established.

Please see the SIS student-friendly video of the policy below: