1. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES (CORRECTIONAL MEASURES)
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of our disciplinary measures is not merely to correct unacceptable conduct (namely the disobeying of school rules), or to ensure the maintenance of order and discipline in the school, but rather to guide learners to become responsible and mature decision-makers. For this reason especially, it is important that the disciplinary measures comply with the following minimum criteria:
- Fairness
- Reasonableness
- Objectivity
- Legality
- Acknowledging the age, physical - and mental condition of the learner.
The disciplinary process can only be successful if learners, parents and educators co-operate with and support each other.
2. DETENTION PROCEDURES
The school diary contains all the school rules and the disciplinary measures that apply. Learners who disobey these rules will be dealt with according to the stipulated measures. As soon as a learner reaches a balance of -30 debit marks, that learner must attend detention. Learners will be notified a day in advance. NO EXCUSES will be accepted, as learners and parents know what the rules are.
Detentions are held on:
Mondays and Wednesdays - 14:20 to 15:20.
Fridays – 13:30 to 14:30.
Parents are urgently requested not to make other arrangements if their child has to stay for detention, but to adapt their schedule to that of the school. We need and appreciate your mature co-operation and support in this matter, as children have to learn to take responsibility for their actions.
A learner who was absent must - on the day that he/she returns to school - go to the grade head, explain the reason for being absent and ask to change his/her detention date. Failure to do that will result in an additional detention.
A learner’s behavior during detention must be impeccable.
Any disruptive conduct by a learner during a detention session will be punished accordingly and two additional detentions will be awarded.
3. MISCONDUCT
It is the school’s responsibility to lead every learner to adulthood, self-discipline and to become a social responsible citizen.
When a learner fails to do homework repeatedly, the learner will be summoned to attend an internal disciplinary hearing.
If the transgression is of a more serious nature and if a learner is found guilty he/she can be brought before the disciplinary committee of the school’s Governing Body.
If the learner is found guilty by the School Governing Body, it could lead to permanent suspension of such a learner.
3.1 DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM:
All misdemeanours committed by learners are recorded on the electronic disciplinary system by the teachers, on a daily basis.
Every learner will - upon request - be able to inspect the state of his/her disciplinary record.
The debit - and credit points accumulated by a learner during the course of the year shall be indicated on his/her report on a regular basis.
A detailed print-out of each learner's disciplinary record will be attached to his/her July - and December academic report.
Parents are at any stage welcome to make enquiries at the administrative office / Grade Head, regarding the state of their child's behaviour.
The school sees it as our responsibility to guide every learner towards maturity and self-discipline. All transgressions are classified into four categories, and a detailed misdemeanour list is hereby attached. This list is adjusted from time to time as or when deemed necessary.
3.1.1 CATEGORY 1 TRANSGRESSIONS
Here, debit points are given to learners by teachers, for minor misdemeanours (which however should not and may not be regarded as trifling).
An example of such transgressions would be poor behaviour, inter alia.
Should a learner for example repeatedly behave poorly, debit points are given by the teacher, and the parent is notified about the child's trespass in writing or via SMS.
If, thereafter, the learner still repeatedly behaves poorly, he/she (accompanied by the parents / guardians) will have to appear in front of the grade head. The result could be community service or the application of par. 2.2 above.
3.1.2 CATEGORY 2 TRANSGRESSIONS
Here, debit points are given to learners by teachers, for offences of a less serious nature (which however should not and may not be regarded as inconsequential).
Examples of such transgressions would be fighting (minor scraps) and gambling, inter alia.
The offences could be of such a nature that learners who transgress, would have to appear in front of an internal disciplinary committee chaired by the grade head / deputy principal (Discipline). The result could be community service or the application of par. 2.2 above.
3.1.3 CATEGORY 3 TRANSGRESSIONS
Here, debit points are given to learners by teachers, for offences of a more serious nature.
Examples of such transgressions would be serious fighting, copying during a test/exam, and bunking a school day, inter alia.
The offences could be of such a nature that learners who transgress, would have to appear in front of an internal disciplinary committee chaired by the grade head / deputy principal (Discipline). The result could be community service or the application of par. 2.2 above.
Alternatively, the offence could be of such a serious nature that a learner who transgresses, would have to appear in front of the disciplinary committee of the Governing Body. The result could be permanent suspension/expulsion, should the learner be found guilty by said committee.
3.1.4 CATEGORY 4 TRANSGRESSIONS
Here, debit points are given to learners by teachers, for serious offences.
Examples of such transgressions include theft, being in possession of drugs/alcohol, as well as any violation of the Law.
The offences could be of such a nature that learners who transgress, would have to appear in front of an internal disciplinary committee chaired by the deputy principal (Discipline). The result could be community service or the application of par. 2.2 above.
Alternatively, the offence could be of such a serious nature that a learner who transgresses, would have to appear in front of the disciplinary committee of the Governing Body. The result could be permanent suspension/expulsion, should the learner be found guilty by said committee.
3.1.5 GENERAL
The principal, the deputy principals or the relevant grade heads may as a situation dictates and at his/her/their discretion, allocate community service to learners.
Parents/guardians shall be notified accordingly and in time, telephonically or in writing, in order to make the necessary transport arrangements.
Community service could include the following, inter alia:
Cleaning of class rooms, desks or toilets;
Litter removal, gardening or cleaning up the school terrain;
Administrative tasks.
A stamp system has been introduced in the school.
Blue stamp:
On a regular basis, learners will receive such a stamp in their work books to indicate that the homework / work in that subject is up to date and done.
Red stamp:
On a regular basis, learners will receive such a stamp to indicate that the homework / work in that subject is not up to date and not done.
Parents need to sign the stamp
and are free to make comments about the situation.