St Mary's Primary School

Code of Conduct

Introduction

Legal perspective

  • The Minister of Education is responsible for formulating policy for the control and discipline of learners (Act 27 of 1996).
  • The School Governing Body of each school is responsible for adopting a Code of Conduct for learners (Art 8(1) of Act 84 of 1996).
  • The above must conform to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution (Art 108 of 1996).

Vision and mission statement

We of St. Mary’s commit ourselves to upholding the values of love, respect and reconciliation, thereby creating a prayerful and Catholic atmosphere and developing the school community and the whole individual. We believe that through acceptance, understanding and forgiveness, spiritual growth and healing can take place. We endeavour to nurture self-discipline and self-esteem, thus helping the children to achieve a level of maturity which will enable them to take up their rightful place in society. We strive to create an awareness of the needs and feelings of others, so that we may all experience life and nature as being wonderfully created by God.

Ownership of the Code of Conduct

All members of the school community should be involved in drawing up and maintaining the Code of Conduct and should accept ownership of it.

Jurisdiction and scope of the Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is in force:

  • On school property, prior to, during and following regular school hours.
  • At all official school events, both within and outside regular school hours, where such school events are held under the auspices of the school management structures.
  • At all official school events which are held off the school property.
  • At all times when the learner is dressed in the school uniform and is recognisable as such, both on and off the school property, in public view outside the school.

Line of authority

  1. Educator
  2. Senior member of staff
  3. Principal
  4. School Governing Body
  5. Head of Education
  6. MEC for Education

Level 1: Misconduct inside the classroom

Learners should show respect to all members of staff by:

  • Being obedient.
  • Exercising good manners, speaking politely and refraining from back-chatting.
  • Not eating in class without the educator’s permission.
  • Having respect for school property, i.e. desks, textbooks, stationery, classroom equipment and possessions belonging to other learners.
  • Adhering to the rule: no cell phones are to be brought to school. Phones will be confiscated and a fine of R300.00 will have to be paid.
  • Being in class on time.
  • Not bunking classes.
  • Finishing homework on time.
  • Following reasonable instructions.
  • Not being dishonest with minor consequences.

Action for Level 1 offences

  • Verbal warnings
  • Community service
  • Demerits
  • Additional constructive work
  • Small menial tasks
  • Detention (time used constructively in the classroom)

Level 2: Misconduct on the playground

Please note: only tennis balls are allowed during breaks. The following are unacceptable:

  • Throwing dangerous objects in the playground, e.g. sticks, pinecones, stones, etc.
  • Using rollerblades, scooters, skateboards or wheelies on the school property.
  • Not lining up immediately after the bell has rung, and continuing to talk and play. Learners are to line up in silence.
  • Not remaining under supervision in the classroom during break times in wet weather.
  • Fighting anywhere on school property or while wearing the school uniform.
  • Hanging over or communicating over walls.
  • Sitting or climbing on boundary walls.
  • Eating in line after the bell has gone at the end of break.

Level 2: Misconduct in the library

  • No bags in the library (all bags are to be left outside).
  • Rulers to be used when removing books from the shelves.
  • Treat the books with care at all times. Cards are to be returned to books before shelving.
  • Return books to the library.
  • Lost or damaged books are to be paid for by the learner’s parent(s).

Level 2: Misconduct in the computer lab

  • No bags allowed in the computer lab (bags are to be left outside).
  • Hands need to be cleaned before entering the lab.
  • Treat all workstations with care.
  • Learners may not connect any flash drives or external hard drives to workstations without the teacher’s permission.
  • Learners may not print without the teacher’s permission.

Level 2: General rules

Learners will refrain from:

  • Chewing bubblegum at any time while in school uniform or while on school property.
  • Bullying other learners.
  • Playing in the toilets at break time or abusing toilet paper or toilet facilities.
  • Playing in the car park at any time.
  • Going to the shops once on school premises for the day.
  • Going to the Catholic Bookshop during school hours.
  • Coming into the foyer of the school unless on urgent business with the Secretary.
  • Talking, running or eating in school passages.
  • Playing with light switches.
  • Abusing any school equipment, e.g. sports equipment, musical instruments, library books, projectors and screens.
  • Talking in the hall when assembling for any general gathering.
  • Going to the toilet during class time unless absolutely necessary.
  • Stealing.
  • Misbehaving in public in their school uniform, especially on outings.
  • Bringing toys to school.
  • Bringing weapons (such as firearms or items that could be used as weapons).
  • Eating or bringing food into the library or the hall.
  • Going into the staffroom at any time.
  • Loitering on private property, e.g. the Grimley Building.
  • Using the school phone.
  • Climbing trees or destroying vegetation.
  • Coming into the office between 09:00 and 13:00.
  • Vandalising of any nature.
  • Frequently repeating Level 1 misconduct and not responding to disciplinary measures taken by the educator.
  • Smoking or carrying any form of illegal substance.
  • Leaving school without permission.
  • Using abusive language.
  • Interrupting education in the classroom.
  • Showing disrespect for another person.
  • Engaging in minor vandalism, e.g. graffiti.
  • Being dishonest with serious consequences.

Action for Level 2 offences

  • 5 demerits: detention.
  • Any of the disciplinary actions listed above.
  • Disciplinary talk with the learner.
  • Talks with the learner’s parents or guardians.
  • Written warnings.
  • Signing a “contract” with the learner, who agrees to improve.
  • Improving the school environment.

Level 3: Serious misconduct or serious violation of school rules

  • Frequently repeating Level 2 misconduct, where action taken by the school is ineffective.
  • Inflicting minor injury on another person.
  • Gambling.
  • Being severely disruptive of classes.
  • Forging documents or signatures with minor consequences.
  • Using racist, sexist or other discriminatory behaviour.
  • Possessing or distributing pornographic, racist or sexist materials.
  • Theft.
  • Vandalism.
  • Cheating during examinations.

Action for Level 3 offences

  • Any of the disciplinary actions listed above.
  • Written warning of the possibility of suspension from the school.
  • Referral to a counsellor or social worker.
  • Community service.

Level 4: Very serious misconduct or very serious violations of school rules

Substance abuse

Should a learner be found in possession of, or using, an illegal substance on the school property, the incident will be reported to the SAPS, who will be called to the school. The parent or guardian will be requested to meet with the SGB for a Disciplinary Hearing. The Disciplinary Hearing may lead to a suspension period of 5 school days. Please note: random search and seizure, and drug testing (EAA no. 31 of 2007, Circular 23/2008).

Other

  • Repetition of Level 3 misconduct where disciplinary action has been ineffective.
  • Causing intentional limited injury to another person.
  • Engaging in sexual abuse such as grabbing.
  • Disrupting the entire school, e.g. boycotting or staging a picket without consent; forging documents with serious consequences.

Action for Level 4 offences

  • Any of the disciplinary actions listed above.
  • Referral of the learner to an outside agency for counselling.
  • Application to the provincial education department for limited suspension from all school activities.

Suspension

The learner and parents are called before the school’s Disciplinary Committee and are warned of the consequences of continual infringement of the school rules. If there is no sufficient improvement thereafter, the learner and his/her parents may be called to attend an SGB Disciplinary Hearing. This may lead to suspension.

Level 5: Criminal acts which not only violate school codes but break the law

  • Repetition of Level 4 acts.
  • Intending to inflict major physical injury on another person (assault).
  • Intentionally using a dangerous weapon to cause physical harm.
  • Carrying a dangerous weapon to school.
  • Threatening another person with a dangerous weapon.
  • Sexual harassment.
  • Sexual abuse and rape.
  • Robbery and major theft.
  • Breaking and entering locked premises.
  • Murder.
  • Engaging in sexual activity on school premises.
  • Dealing in or distributing drugs.

Action for Level 5 offences

  • SAPS contacted.
  • Application for expulsion or transfer of the learner.
  • Allow for criminal or civil procedures.