ST. VINCENT ’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

The behaviour of individuals within the school affects the ability of all pupils to learn. As an Edmund Rice School, we aspire to create a happy, calm environment where pupils, parents and teachers have shared clear aims and we believe that this will foster the development of all aspects of the pupils’ education. Parents are encouraged to read the following code of behaviour with their children and discuss it with them.

The overall aim of the behaviour policy is, at all times, to develop positive behaviour patterns. Other important objectives are:

  • To encourage pupils to take a more active role in developing positive behaviour patterns.
  • To take responsibility for their own behaviour.
  • To create an atmosphere of respect, tolerance and consideration for others.
  • To ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school community.
  • To ensure that the system of rules, rewards and sanctions are implemented in a fair and consistent manner.

A. Behaviour

Pupils are expected:

  • To be polite in their speech and behaviour at all times.
  • To walk calmly when moving around the school.
  • To treat the school environment and all school property with care.
  • To be attentive and co-operative in the classroom.
  • To let other children work without interruption.

During break times the children are expected

  • To be co-operative with adult supervisors in the yard/field.
  • To show consideration for others.
  • To show consideration for their surroundings
  • To obey the bell.

B. Punctuality and Attendance

Pupils are expected to be on time for school every morning and are greeted warmly upon arrival. Regular attendance is also expected and encouraged. The school must be informed on Aladdin of the reason for any absence. There will be a termly prize to encourage all pupils to attend school and to improve their attendance.

Cases of infectious illnesses should be reported immediately.

If a pupil needs to be collected from the school during the school day the parent/guardian must contact the school using the Aladdin App. to obtain permission. The pupil must be collected from the main entrance at the appointed time. Only under exceptional circumstances will a pupil be allowed leave the school unaccompanied and only with the permission of the Principal.

C. Dress

Full school tracksuit and Polo shirt should be worn at all times. Jewellery is not permitted for safety reasons. Appropriate footwear should be worn, especially for P.E. lessons.

D. School Books

Pupils are expected to have all the required books, copies, pencils etc., in school and if they take them home to take care of them.

E. Homework

The homework policy should be adhered to. We aspire to keep homework to a manageable level for all concerned. Like all policies in this school it will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Rewards and Sanctions

The emphasis in this code of behaviour is, at all times, on the positive. Rewards such as praise, written comment in the pupils Homework folder, stickers, certificates and other public mention of good behaviour will play an important part in encouraging positive behaviour patterns among the pupils. A small amount of homework off may also be seen as a positive incentive for good behaviour. School staff should try to catch children when they are behaving well and highlight and acknowledge this behaviour.

As part of the administration of this system the principal will check the yard behaviour books on a weekly basis.

YARD RULES

  1. Keep unhelpful hands, feet, objects and comments to yourself.

Behaviour that is unacceptable: –

Hands:  Punching Feet:  Kicking

 Hitting  Tripping

 Pinching  Kneeing

 Head-locks  Stamping

 Pushing  Dragging

 Wrestling

 Interfering with property of others

 Scraping

Objects:  Stones Comments:  Jeering/Slagging/Name-calling

 Litter- Cans/Bottles  Use of hurtful language

 Spitting  Bad Language

 Toys  Threatening

 Coins  Shouting

 Grass  Cheek to adults

  1. Be in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.

Expected Behaviours:

  • Be on time.
  • Walk to line when bell goes.
  • Stay in your own yard.
  • Stay inside white lines.
  • Have an activity if you’re in quiet area.
  • Food to remain in classroom.
  • All litter to be brought home.
  • On wet days stay in your seat doing activity.
  • Stay away from boys put to the wall.
  1. Be helpful, polite and honest to everyone.

Expected Behaviours:

  • Remember to treat everyone with respect – adults & children.
  • Always have manners.
  • Tell the truth at all times – Honesty brings its own rewards.
  • Play safely and try to include everyone.
  • Always remember that everyone has a right to their own property.
  • Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
  1. Line up quietly and in order when bell rings.
  • Walk quickly to line when bell rings.
  • Stand quietly in your own space and allow others to stand in theirs.
  • Yard activities i.e. cards/wrestlers/games etc. are to finish when bell goes.

CONSEQUENCES -YARD STEPS

  1. Verbal Warning.
  2. Five minutes at wall.
  3. Time Out – Name in Yard Book.
  4. Pupils may be withdrawn from Yard or Field for persistent or serious misbehaviour.


JUNIOR CLASS RULES

  1. Have your books, be on time, do your work and you’ll be fine.
  2. Working and Walking means no Talking.
  3. Care, share and be fair to everyone.

SENIOR CLASS RULES

  1. Be on time and be prepared. Tidy Up.
  2. Follow instructions straight away.
  3. Always do your best and allow others to do the same.
  4. Put up your hand to speak and listen to others.
  5. Ask permission to leave your seat.
  6. Always show good manners.

CONSEQUENCES – CLASS STEPS

  1. Indirect Verbal Warning. Whole class reinforcement of positive.
  2. Direct Verbal Warning.
  3. Think time? What rule(s) did I break? What happens next? How can I improve?
  4. Name recorded – book – loss of privilege e.g. free time.
  5. Note home – Self Reflection Form – Call Home (Teacher)
  6. Principal – Warning List.
  7. Parents called in on the spot. Meeting: Parents/Teacher/Principal.

Second loss of privileges.

  1. Suspension. In the case of suspension the procedures will be in accordance with the Education Welfare Act. The chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the Parents/Guardians will be requested in writing to come to the school to discuss the matter. Suspension will be in accordance with the terms of Rule 130 (5) (Copy in appendix) of the rules for National Schools. In the case of gross misbehaviour the Board shall authorise the Chairperson/Principal to sanction immediate suspension pending a discussion of the matter with Parents/Guardians.

REWARDS – CLASS

  1. Réalt na Seachtaine (which is a way of showing recognition for hard work) runs throughout the school year.
  2. Class of the Week starts in second term.
  3. Individual Teachers will organise their own reward system in class. Rewards can include:
  • Individual Booklet – stars/ticks/spots/stamps/links red.. amber… green light or similar

Could be given for: – being in school, – being in school on time, – uniform, – effort, – behaviour, – spot stars.

  • Free time voucher
  • Homework voucher
  • “Golden Time”
  • Extra ipad time
  • Extra playtime etc.

REWARDS – YARD

(This system runs in terms 2 & 3 as part of the “Class of the Week “competition.)

Class Grid – 20 squares at the discretion of the class teacher.

Each teacher on duty has token to be given to well behaved class. Reward when grid is filled.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

  1. Display Plan
  2. Explain each rule and teach it – practice each one.
  3. Explain Rewards and idea of choice. The choice is their responsibility and develops “self-discipline”.
  4. Explain consequences.
  5. Look for positive at all times not negative and always praise positive behaviour and achievement.
  6. Be consistent – stick to steps.
  7. Calmness is the key.
  8. Model the behaviour you require and reinforce the rules regularly.
  9. Positive remarks are very powerful so give credit where credit is due. Do not allow poor yard behaviour to take from good classroom behaviour. Never take a reward back.
  10. No child should be reprimanded before two children have been praised for doing right (Difficult!)

(Indirect verbal cue to those off task etc)

Roles, Responsibilities and Procedures

The Board of Management/Principal will have overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and the code of behaviour. In practice the Principal and Staff of the School will carry this out. Staff should consider themselves responsible at all times for the behaviour of pupils within sight or sound of them and should respond to incidents of unacceptable behaviour. Consultation with the Parent body will be undertaken and amendments and adjustments agreed by all.

This policy will be operated in conjunction with the school’s Anti-bullying policy.

Signed: _________________________________

Review Date: _________________________________

Date of next review: _____________________________