Our behaviour and disciplinary code is based on respect for self and respect for others. It seeks to promote individual self-discipline and the common good. It further seeks to challenge our students to act responsibly and to take responsibility for their actions.

Rationale of the Code:

At Loreto Secondary School we aim to maintain a safe and orderly environment where teachers and students can learn and work together in an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual respect.

More specifically our aims are:

l.        To promote justice and fairness for all;

2.       To protect each student's right to benefit fully from Loreto Secondary School;

3.       To enable all students to work to the best of their ability thereby achieving their full academic potential;

4.       To help students acquire a high standard of social behaviour;

5.       To encourage students to develop self-discipline;

6.       To develop in our students a sense of pride in themselves and in their school.

Code of Behaviour and Discipline  - Role of Parents/Guardians

Supportive parents and a favourable home environment play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes which produce good behaviour in school. 

In particular, parents should:

(i)      co-operate with the school by encouraging their daughter to abide by the school rules;

(ii)      actively support the school staff in the application of the Code of Behaviour and Discipline;

(iii)     keep themselves informed of their daughter's behaviour, progress, attendance and punctuality by regularly checking their daughter's Journal;

(iv)     contact the school if they are concerned about any aspect of their daughter's behaviour and/or progress.

In the spirit of good communication the school will endeavour to keep parents / guardians informed of their daughter's progress and to alert them at an early stage if difficulties arise.

Parents should note that they have the right to appeal any decision to the Principal or to the Board of Management as appropriate.

Code of Behaviour and Discipline  - Academic Requirements 

1.       To enable each student to work to the best of her ability and achieve her academic potential the school authorities insist that each student:

-        show respect for the person, property and professional status of her teachers and the right of her fellow students to work and make progress in the classroom;

-        attend class regularly and punctually;

-        have the required books, equipment, etc. necessary for each class;

-        record and complete homework to the satisfaction of her teachers.

2.       Good study habits and skills need to be developed from First Year.

3.       Activities, including part time jobs, should not be allowed to adversely affect a student's homework or her ability to concentrate during the school day.

The School Authorities expect full co-operation on these points in order to provide a setting conducive to good teaching and good learning in a disciplined environment.

Code of Behaviour and Discipline  -  General

l.        The highest standard of courtesy and good manners is expected when dealing with all those involved in school life, teachers, ancillary staff and fellow pupils. Answering back rudely, verbal insults, defiance, any form of disrespect to adult or student will not be tolerated.

2.       Students' behaviour must at all times be in accordance with the School's Safety Declaration.

3.       Full School uniform is obligatory and must be worn during school hours and at school functions.  On non-uniform occasions dress should be appropriate to the event.  Jewellery should be simple and in keeping with uniform.  Nose-studs are forbidden and earrings should be discreet. Included when considering uniform and appearance are items such as blazers, overcoats, footwear, hairstyles, make-up and jewellery.  In all cases the school authorities are the judges of acceptable standards of appearance.

4.       While wearing school uniform students are expected to behave in a manner consistent with the standards set by the school.

5.       Students must be punctual and regular in attendance.  Lateness will be recorded. Absences must be explained satisfactorily by a parent/guardian in the student's journal.

6.       Students may not leave the school premises during school time without having their journal stamped. This absence must be acknowledged in the journal by a parent/guardian.  Students may however go to a designated home at lunch time provided they have been granted a lunch pass to do so.

7.       Students must not enter areas deemed "Out of Bounds" by the school authorities.

8.       Students must participate in all activities (e.g.. Pastoral Care Programmes, Lectures, Concerts, Prize-giving ) as instructed by the school authorities.

9.       Students have a responsibility towards the cleanliness and tidiness of their classrooms and the school environment.  Litter must not be scattered and the school furniture must not be defaced or wilfully damaged.

10.     Books and clothing should be clearly marked with the student's name. It is inadvisable for students to bring items of value to school. School management accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to a student's property.  School insurance does not cover loss or damage to bicycles or any other property of the student.

11.     Students are forbidden to take into school or to use any of the following:

          (a)  Chewing gum (b)  Cigarettes (c)  Alcoholic Drink      (d)  Other dangerous or illegal substances.

In the case of Alcoholic Drink and other dangerous or illegal substances, the Principal may suspend the students involved. The matter will be referred to the Board of Management where the question of expulsion will be considered. Parents will have the opportunity to express their views to the Board prior to its reaching a decision on any course of action it may take.

12.     Bullying, verbal, physical or otherwise, is forbidden and is a serious breach of discipline.

13.     Truancy is forbidden and is a serious breach of discipline.

Every student without exception is expected to observe these rules of behaviour.
Code of Behaviour and Discipline  - Sanctions

For the great majority of students the question of sanctions does not arise.   However, sanctions will be applied where breaches of school rules occur.

Discipline begins in the classroom and is essential for a good learning environment. In general teachers handle problems and apply their own sanctions.

Steps in the Disciplinary Process

l.        Teachers may note details of unacceptable behaviour or failure to complete homework assignments in the student's Journal.  Parent/guardian must then sign the journal indicating awareness of this complaint. The student must also bring this complaint to the attention of her Form Teacher.

2.       On the third recorded offence ( apart from those listed at 7 and 8 below) After-School Detention will be given by the Year Head, who issues a detention stamp in the student's school journal . The Year Head may issue a Report Card to the student at this stage. (This is a blank time-table which the student asks her teachers to sign at the end of each class indicating her behaviour.)

3.       On the fourth recorded offence the matter is brought to the attention of the School Head who may write to parents alerting them to the seriousness of the situation.

4.       On the sixth recorded complaint the School Head imposes detention and may  request a meeting with the parents to discuss the student's continued misbehaviour.

5.       On the seventh recorded complaint, the School Head refers the student's behaviour to the Discipline Committee. The student and her parents may, if they wish, address the Discipline Committee and make any relevant points before the committee makes its recommendations to the Principal. Discipline Committee recommendations may include a period of suspension from school. The Principal retains the right to reject any recommendation of the Discipline Committee.

6.       The procedure outlined above will be followed except in cases where it is considered to be in the best interest of the student to do otherwise.

7.       Serious transgressions such as suspected forged notes, mitching, smoking, defacing school property  are reported to the School Head on first offence. The School Head imposes detention and informs the parents. On the second such offence the School Head reviews the situation and takes appropriate action.

8.       Bullying is considered a most serious offence and will be dealt with by the Principal and/or Vice-Principal.

9.       The Principal and Vice-Principal reserve the right to become involved in any disciplinary matter, (or to instruct the relevant Year Head or School Head to deal with the matter), if it is deemed that such involvement is necessary in the particular instance.

Discipline Committee:

The Discipline Committee will usually be composed of at least 2 of the following persons:

Vice-Principal               Relevant School Head              Relevant Year Head    

Detention

1.       Teachers may impose detention for misbehaviour in class. This detention may take place at lunch time and will be noted in student's Journal by the teacher concerned.

2.       A Year Head imposes detention when:

(i)      three offences have been noted in a student's Journal or

(ii)      three "unexplained Lates" have been noted in the student's Journal.

Unexplained Lates are counted separately from other complaints over the academic year.  Parents/Guardians are required to sign the stamp in the Journal informing them of this detention.

3.       For a serious breach of discipline ( e.g. as outlined in Nos. 7 & 8 above), the School Head may impose a series of detentions. Parents are notified of these detentions and the reasons for them.

Mobile Phone Detention

If a student has a mobile phone in class or study it will be confiscated until the end of the day and the student will have a two-hour detention.

Suspension

Only the School Principal may suspend  a student from school. This suspension may follow a recommendation of the school Discipline Committee. In the case of gross misbehaviour, the Principal can sanction an immediate suspension, pending a discussion with the Parents/Guardians and a review of the incident at issue. Except in exceptional circumstances written notification of the suspension and its duration will be given to parents/guardians.

The student will be regarded as being in the care of her parents/guardians during the period of her suspension from school.

Return to school following a period of suspension may be subject to the student's signed acceptance of the school Code of Discipline and may be subject to further conditions which the school deems necessary in the circumstances.

Expulsion

The Board of Management alone has the power to expel a student.  Expulsion is a last resort and is considered when the continued attendance of  the student at the school is, in the Board's view, harmful to the education, health or safety of other students (or any member of the school community) and/or when, in the Board's view, the student concerned can no longer benefit by remaining in this school and/or when the student concerned has, through continued misconduct, displayed her unwillingness to accept the standards set out in the School Code of Discipline and Behaviour.

Changes to the Code of Behaviour and Discipline will occur and are communicated to students. Students are bound by any changes in the school rules.

School Policy on Bullying

Definition: Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against others.

The school strives to generate an ethos which focuses on mutual respect and the promotion of justice and fairness for all. These values are integrated into the school curriculum and are promoted by special exercises undertaken by year or class groups.

The school's handling of bullying aims to be sensitive and supportive. Counselling will be made available to any student who wishes to avail of it.

1.       Students are encouraged to develop a strong anti-bullying stance and to report cases of suspected bullying to any one of the following:

(a)     Class Prefect;

(b)     Senior Prefect assigned to class;

(c)     School Counsellor;

(d)     Pastoral Care Co-ordinator for First Years;

(f)      Form Teacher;

(g)     Other Staff Member- including Vice-Principal and Principal.

2.       Parents, concerned that their daughter might be a victim of bullying, ( perhaps through observing

          mood swings or a change in attitude to school on their daughter's part ), are encouraged to contact school authorities who will endeavour to sensitively address parental concerns.

3.       All staff members are encouraged to be vigilant in ensuring that students can learn and develop in a happy, secure school environment.

4.       Ultimately all cases of bullying should be reported to the Principal.

5.       The sanction for those involved in bullying may be suspension or the question of a student continuing in the school might be referred to the Board of Management.

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Reply Slip

I have read and understand the Code of Behaviour and Discipline of Loreto Secondary School, Bray. I have discussed the Code with my daughter and I am happy to support the school by ensuring that my daughter behaves in accordance with the Code.

Daughter's Name: __________________________________

Parent's/Guardian's Signature: _______________________________

Date: ___________________________

PLEASE SIGN AND DETACH THIS REPLY SLIP