Conduct

The Aims of the Code of Conduct are:

To guarantee justice and fairness to all.
To protect every student's right to benefit fully from the school.
To aid students in acquiring high standards of behaviour.
To develop self-discipline.
To protect students and school property.

Parents must accept as a condition of the enrolment of their child our published Code of Discipline. The provisions of
the code are fair and reasonable. The full support of all parents will be expected in implementing the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct covers the following areas:

Behaviour in Courts, Classrooms, Corridors, Cloakrooms,
School Uniform, Breakage's, Smoking, Behaviour outside School Grounds.
A guide for Parents which include:
Sanctions.

Classrooms
Courtesy and respect are basic to classroom behaviour. Respect must be shown to staff members at all times.
It is one of the most serious breaches of discipline when a student shows disrespect for a member of staff.
Striking a fellow student or intimidation or bullying in any form is a serious infringement of the dignity of the person.
Be respectful at prayer time.
Keep room free from litter, graffiti and chewing gum.
Have appropriate books and equipment for each class. Books must be respected and where possible covered.
When changing rooms queue quietly outside classroom door to allow the other class to come out.
Do not leave classroom during class or between the various classes.
Books are to be obtained from brothers and sisters at mid-morning break and lunchtime, where possible.
Take one's assigned place in the classroom.
Eating during class is prohibited.
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Corridors
Walk single file on the left-hand side.
Stand back at doorways for teachers.
Move quietly between classes.
After the bell has been sounded students should return to class immediate.
Keep corridors free from litter at all times.
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Cloakrooms
Keep clean and hygienic.
Do not interfere with other students property.
Have your name on each item of clothing.
Do not leave money or valuables in the cloakroom.
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School Uniform
The school uniform consists of the following:
Navy jumper with school Crest.
School Tie.
Two light blue shirts.
Black shoes or black runners.
For Girls - Grey skirt/grey trousers and navy/black tights.
For Boys - Dark grey trousers and grey/black socks.
An apron is required for Home Economics.
The Uniform must be clean and neat.
Tracksuit or white shorts white tee-shirt and runners for Physical Education.
Large or inappropriate jewellery is not permitted.
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Breakage's
Pupils are encouraged to respect the environment in which they live. This is so as the school and its facilities
are there to benefit all the students in their personal, social and academic education. Vandalism is anti social
behaviour and shows disrespect for the property of others. It is a most serious offence and the school insists
that payment be made for any damage caused.
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Smoking, Alcohol, Substance Abuse, etc.
All people are prohibited by law from smoking tobacco within school grounds. Students are educated
regarding the danger to health by smoking and the abuse of alcohol and addictive substances. Students
who smoke in school uniform in the shops or on the street give a very unfavourable image of the school.
If a student is found smoking within school grounds suspension from school is automatic. This may be
from one to three days depending on the circumstances. Pupils are prohibited from possessing solvents as
experimenting with these substances can cause serious damage to health. It is serious offence to possess
them. The use or introduction of alcohol or drugs is extremely serious and in most cases will lead to permanent
exclusion from the school. The introduction of unsuitable or pornographic material may also lead to permanent
exclusion. This is because such material hinders the proper and balanced development of the pupil.
All of the above also applies to students while engaged in any school related activities.
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Behaviour outside the school grounds
On the street students are expected to behave properly while awaiting the buses and students
may not leave the school grounds during school hours without permission. A student may leave
the school at lunch time with the parents signed permission.

Note: Bus Eireann reserves the right to deprive a student of his/her ticket for unacceptable behaviour.

A Guide for Parents
1. Attendance
  If a student is to make any progress in school, regular attendance is essential. When a student is going
  to be absent for any reason parents should sign the relevant note in the Pupils Homework diary. Students
  are expected to be in attendance for all House Exams especially Christmas and Summer Tests and the "mock"
  for Junior and Leaving Certificate. Attendance involves punctuality. Students should be in the school at
  least 5 minutes before the start of class. Persistent lateness requires that parents be contacted by Tutors.
  Truancy (mitching) for part of the day entails informing parents and may entail suspension.
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2. Bullying
  The role of the school is to provide the highest possible standard of education for all its pupils.
  A stable, secure learning environment is an essential requirement to achieve this goal.
  Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an
  individual or group against others.
  
  It can include some or all of the following:
  Physical aggression, damage to property, extortion, intimidation,
  abusive telephone calls, isolation, name calling, slagging.
  
  Bullying behaviour, by its very nature, undermines and dilutes the quality of education and imposes
  psychological damage. If any parent has any information about bullying he/she should make it known
  immediately to the school staff. Every alleged bullying incident notified to the staff, is investigated and
  parents will be contacted should the need arise.
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3. Study
  Homework is vital if the student is to make any progress. Homework does not only
  include written work, it also includes revision of work done, study and planning.
  We suggest the following minimum.
  - First years: Two hours
  - Second years: Two and a half hours.
  - Third years: Three hours
  - Transition years: As required
  - Fifth years: As required
  - Sixth years: As required
  Study facilities are available in the school from 8.15am to 8.50am.
  Students are encouraged to use this time in a productive way.
  Factors which interfere with study:
  - Excess watching of T.V. and Videos
  - Frequent discos and late nights out.
  - Working at weekends; frequent baby-sitting.
  Parents are the only people who can control these practices. We urge you to do so without delay.
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3 Sanctions
The school places greater emphasis on encouragement than on sanctions, in the belief that this will, in the long
run, give the best results. The school provides a welcoming atmosphere towards th pupils. It is accepted that
there is a need for sanctions to register disapproval of unacceptable behaviour. We have devised a graded
system of sanctions, in line with those suggested by the Department of Education (Oct. 1991) and suitable
to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. Every effort will be made to keep you the Parents
informed of instances of serious misbehaviour on the part of your children, and your co-operation in
addressing the problem is requested and expected.

Our Discipline Strategy
The following strategies will be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:
1. Interviewing student.
2. Re-location in the classroom.
3. Reprimand, including advice on how to improve.
4. Penalty Sheet
5. Referral to tutor
6. School Community Work
7. Lunchtime detention.
  They are supervised during this time and given work to do. A pupil is detained for
  25 minutes when ever his/her name is entered in the "Detention" book. This happens
  for serious offences, repeated minor offences etc.
- Lack of punctuality,
- Lack of honesty,
- Truancy,
- Damage to property,
- Lack of respect to/for others,
- Repeated lack of full uniform,
- Disruption in class,
- Leaving the school at any time without permission,
- Unacceptable language,
- Disorderly behaviour in class or on corridors.
  Students who commit any of the above may be detained or suspended
  depending on the seriousness and/or frequency of the offence.
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- Lack of full uniform,
- Untidy in dress,
- Not producing homework when required,
- Not having the correct books etc. in class,
- 'Horse-play' in School,
- Surrounding,
- Lack of courtesy to others,
- Improper dress for P.E,
- Causing litter,
1. After School Detention
  This will take place from 3.45pm until 4.45pm in the school. Parents will be informed when it is to take
  place and the onus is on you the parents to make arrangements to collect your son/daughter at 4.45pm.
  After school detention is automatic if a student doesn't turn up for detention, or at the discretion of
  the tutor if a student has been in detention a number of times.
2. Loss of privileges
  e.g. games, tours.
3. On Report
  A Tutor can decide to put a pupil "On Report". This will happen after the student has been seen by the Tutor
  and Principal and fails to make satisfactory improvement. "On Report" involves the student getting a Report Card each morning, signed at the end of each class by his/her class teacher and bringing it home that evening
  to be signed by parent/s. If there is no improvement both parent(s)/guardians will be invited to the school to discuss the matter.
4. Interview by Discipline Committee.
  This is an ad hoc committee convened at the discretion of the Principal. When a student
  has been before the Discipline Committee parents will be informed in writing.
5. Suspension
  The Principal can suspend a pupil. The Parent(s)/Guardian(s) has a right to appeal to the Board of Management.
6. Expulsion
  The Board of Management may expel a pupil. Parent/s has right of appeal to Department of Education.
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