School Rules

Our School Rules are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community.  If a school is to function properly and efficiently, it is necessary that the rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently and wisely.

• Pupils must show respect for teachers, parents and fellow pupils at all times.
• School property and the property of others must be treated with respect.  Interfering with or damaging school property, ie. writing on walls, tables, etc. will be regarded as a serious offence.
• Aggressive behaviour or foul language will not be tolerated in the school. 
• Running indoors, pushing, jostling and any sort of rough play is not permitted.
• No child is allowed leave the school grounds without permission. 
• High standards of hygiene should be required at all times throughout the school.  Children are encouraged to use the litter bins to keep the school and the grounds tidy.
• Children are expected to wear the complete school uniform, with tie, each day.
• All absences shall be explained by written notification.
• Punctuality is encouraged at all times.  Children should arrive in school no later than 9.20am.
• The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden within the school grounds.  If found using one, the phone will be confiscated until 3.00pm.
• While your child is in school, he/she will be known by the names (christian name and surname) that is on his/her Birth and Baptismal Certificate.  The school will only change the name if evidence of changing name by deed poll is made available to the Principal of the school.  Slang name-calling, surnames or nicknames is discouraged, as we would like all children to be treated with respect.
• The following are not permitted on the school premises:
  • Eating during class time. 
  • Dangerous articles, i.e. knives, sharp objects, aerosols, matches, lighters or any object that is considered a danger to any pupil or others.
  • Fizzy drinks, crisps, sweets, biscuits, bars, chewing gum or any other junk food.
  • Tipp-Ex.
  • A most serious view will be taken by the Board of Management of the introduction of abusive substances to the school.

Examples of Student Misbehaviour

Procedures to Deal with Student Misbehaviour

• The class teacher deals with it and may impose a sanction on the child.
• If the problem persists, the teacher shall consult the Principal or parents, in the hope of solving and helping the child.
• In the case of serious misbehaviour, the Principal, the teacher and the parents may need to have ongoing discussions to monitor the situation.

Sanctions

The following strategies may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:

• Reasoning with pupil.
• Verbal reprimand, including advice on how to improve.
• Temporary separation from peers, friends and others.
• Prescribed additional work signed by parents.
• Recording of incident of misbehaviour in the incident book, signed by the offender.
• Detention during breaks.
• Referral to Principal.

Pupils who misbehave frequently and who have no remorse for their actions, will not be allowed to participate in school outings for their own safety and that of others.  Although incidents of misbehaviour are recorded, the emphasis is on encouraging children to behave well and praise is given for commendable behaviour.  Parents will be informed at an early stage if problems occur and not simply at the point where a crisis has arisen.  At times, it has been suggested by some parents that the matters to which their attention is being drawn are of a trivial nature, and that there was no necessity to have informed them that their child had misbehaved.  The response to this is that while the misbehaviour may appear to be of a trivial nature, it is the cumulative effect of such breaches of the rules, which is important as it undermines the ethos of the school.

For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, suspension will be seriously considered by the Board of Management.