Scoil Treasa, Firhouse

The aim of the code of behaviour in Scoil Treasa is to provide a framework for reasonable and responsible behaviour by all involved in our school – Board of Management, staff, parents and pupils and to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to accommodate the individuality of each pupil, while acknowledging the right of each pupil to education in a disruption free and unthreatening environment.  The school therefore promotes a culture and climate that is welcoming of diversity and where all relationships are respected.
 

The school code therefore places emphasis on all members of staff adopting a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school. The code offers a framework within which positive techniques of motivation ,encouragement and rewards for positive behaviour are utilised by teachers. All children will be encouraged to behave in a positive, respectful and friendly manner.  The school community will be empowered to prevent, discuss, disclose and deal with all breaches of the code of behaviour and written records will be kept of all serious misdemeanours.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the code of behaviour is implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a high level of co-operation between staff, parents and pupils.
For this reason before resorting to serious sanctions, channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised and the active co-operation of parents sought at an early stage rather than a last resort. Also for this reason every effort will be made by the Principal and the staff to ensure that parents are kept well informed and that the school provides a welcoming atmosphere towards parents.

 

General School Rules

Safety: For my own safety and that of others-

(a) I should always be prepared for the school day.
(b) I should always remain seated in my place unless I have permission to go somewhere .

(c) I should always put my hand up before speaking.
(d) I should keep my table and classroom clean and tidy.
(e) I should always show respect for others around me.
(f) I should always follow the agreed classroom rules.
(g) I should always be honest and try my best.

Caring for myself:
(a) I should respect myself and my property, always keeping my school bag, books and copies in good order.
(b) I should always be in my class line at 9:00 am.
(c) I should show respect for my school and wear the complete school uniform every day.

(d) I should always be aware of my personal cleanliness.
(e) I should always bring a sensible, healthy lunch to school.
(f) I should always do my best in school by listening carefully, working as hard as I can and by completing my homework.

Caring for others:
(a) I should be kind and respectful to all members of the school community by being mannerly and polite, by taking turns and by respecting other people’s personal space.
(b) I should behave well in class and always do as I am asked by school staff so that my fellow pupils and I can learn.
(c) I should show respect for the property of all members of the school community, the school building and grounds.
(d) Be truthful and honest at all times.
(e) I should not provoke bad behaviour in others by name-calling or slagging.
(f) All pupils have a right to an environment free of intimidation. All Forms of bullying are unacceptable (see Anti Bullying Policy)

 

The Classroom Code of Behaviour

1. Pupils are expected to work to the best of their abilities and present written work neatly.
2. Pupils are to show respect for their classmates and to follow teachers’ instructions and follow agreed classroom rules.
3. Unless otherwise advised, pupils whilst in the classroom are to remain seated.
4. Children should keep their classrooms neat and tidy.
5. When pupils must remain in the classrooms during break times please obey the supervising teacher’s instructions at all times.
6. When visiting other classrooms & offices:-
a. Children should knock at the door and wait until told to enter.
b. Enter, close door and relay message
c. When exiting close door quietly.
7. The general school rules apply at all times.

Positive behaviour may be acknowledged in any one of the following ways:
• A quiet word or gesture to show approval.
• A comment/stamp/merit sticker in a pupil’s exercise book.
• A visit to another member of Staff or to the Principal for commendation.
• A word of praise in front of a group or class.
• A system of merit marks/reward.
• Delegating some special responsibility or privilege.
• A mention to parent, written or verbal communication.

Unacceptable minor misdemeanours will be dealt with in some of the following ways:
• Reasoning with pupils.
• Verbal Warning (including advice on how to improve).
• Time Out /temporary separation from peers (within the class).
• Note home/Extra work
• Referral to Principal.
• Time Out in another class
• Meeting with parents/class teacher
• Meeting with parents/class teacher/principal and drawing up of contract of acceptable behaviour signed by all parties including pupil

Serious Misdemeanours ……..including
 Constant disruptive behaviour
 Constant disregard for others and school/class rules.
 Disrespect for staff members
 Aggressive ,threatening, insulting language or behaviour towards other children or staff members
 Interference with or damage to property belonging to others or the school.
 Stealing, fighting or lying

Examples of steps to be taken when dealing with serious misdemeanours
 Immediate referral to Principal
 Written record of misdemeanour
 Parent informed either by phone or letter
 Meeting with principal/parent /class teacher

For serious/continued misdemeanours a pupil may be suspended in accordance with the procedures as outlined in Chapter 11 ‘Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools 2008. In the case of serious misbehaviour the Board of Management has authorised the Principal to sanction an immediate suspension pending discussing the matter with the parents.
Expulsion will be considered in extreme cases only and will take place in accordance with the procedures as outlined in Chapter 12 ‘Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools 2008.

It should be noted that these lists consist of examples only: It is not meant to be a totally comprehensive list of misdemeanours and procedural steps. You appreciate that we cannot predict all possible eventualities. Examples not listed here will be dealt with as the principal and Board of Management see fit.

 

Code of Practice - Homework
It is the policy of the school to assign homework each night except at weekends. Parents are strongly advised to take an active interest in their child’s homework and must sign their Homework Journal /Homework copy each night (ensuring that it is done).

Failure to complete homework is dealt with in the following manner.
1. A standard note is sent home to parents to be signed the following day informing them that their child’s homework was not completed. The child is required to complete the homework in question and also that night’s homework by the following day.
2. Phone call or letter to parents from class teacher.
3. Meeting between parent, teacher and pupil.
4. Meeting arranged between parents, pupil, teacher and principal.
5. Second meeting arranged between parents, class teacher and principal

 

The School Yard - Code of Behaviour
1. Pupils must not behave in any way, which endangers themselves and others.
2. No mess fighting, tripping, wrestling, or other dangerous play accepted.
3. Any instructions or directions given by supervising teachers must be complied with.
4. When a child has to re-enter school for coat/toilet, etc. child must report to yard teacher for yard pass.
5. ‘Little break’ starts at 11.00am and finishes at 11.10am.
6. ‘Big Break’ starts at 12.40pm and finishes at 1.10pm.
7. Depending on weather conditions, children will either be on tarmac area or tarmac and grass area.
8. 1st bell informs that break is over, children line up in twos at designated area. 2nd bell informs that classes are ready to enter school in an orderly fashion.
9. Please do not interfere with play of others.
10 All pupils have a right to an environment free of intimidation. All forms of bullying are unacceptable (see section on Bullying)
11. Swinging out of basketball/goal posts is dangerous and is prohibited.

Positive behaviour may be acknowledged in any one of the following ways:
• A quiet word or gesture to show approval.
• A comment to child’s teacher.
• A class merit mark .
• A word of praise in front of a group or class.

Unacceptable minor misdemeanours will be dealt with as follows:
• Reasoning with pupils.
-Verbal Warning (including advice on how to improve).
-Name/misdemeanour recorded in Yard Book.
-Repeated occurrences - note home and removal from yard activities for a period of time . -Referral to Principal

Serious Yard Misdemeanours
 Name/record of misdemeanour entered into yard book.
 Principal.
 Note home
 Removal from yard activities for a period of time
 Class teacher meets parents
 Class teacher, principal meet parents.

 

 

Scoil Treasa Dress Code:-
School Uniform A: Grey Jumper; blue shirt/blouse; Grey skirt/pinafore/trousers; School tie and black shoes.

Sports Uniform B: School tracksuit; white polo shirt; Runners. School polo shirt or plain T/Shirt to be worn with tracksuit

School Uniform A should be worn at all times except on the following occasions:-
 When Sports, Uniform B should be worn.
 On P.E. / Swimming and Gymnastics days.
 When pupils have school related sports activities after school.
 Name tags should be attached to all personal clothing
 Note required when child is not wearing school uniform
 In the interests of safety we request that earrings not be worn to school.
 No jewellery of any sort to be worn during P.E. class (in the interest of safety)
 No make-up to be worn to school at any time.

When a child does not wear the school uniform a standard letter will be sent to the parents/guardians.

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Code of Practice - Absences from School
An explanatory note is required from parents/guardians:
 When a child has been absent
 When a child wishes to get off early
 When children miss school because they are brought on holidays.

No child shall leave the school during school hours without permission of the appropriate authority

When a pupil is absent (for any reason) for 20 or more school days, the school authorities are obliged under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 to report such absences to Túsla.

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Code of Practice - when a child is ill
1. When a child becomes ill at school; parent/guardian/minder is contacted and appropriate arrangements made for child’s collection.
2. If a child is ill he/she should not attend school on this particular day/days.
3. If you wish your child (under certain circumstances i.e. injuries/crutches) to remain in please contact the Office.

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Code of Practice - Punctuality
School starts at 9:05 am. Children are expected to be on time and it is their parents/guardians responsibility to ensure that they are. When children are late they disrupt their class and their learning and constantly being late impacts negatively on the child’s own learning outcomes. A standard letter will be sent to parents if a child is always late.

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Mobile Phone Policy
Where a pupil brings a mobile phone to school, the phone must be kept out of sight, switched off during the school day and may not be used, for any purpose, on school premises, grounds or during off-site school activities (such as school swimming or sports activities, school tours). The only exception to this is with the prior approval of the B.O.M. / Principal.
Pupils who ignore this policy and use a mobile on school premises without permission will be required to hand over their phone to a teacher and parents will be asked to collect it from Mr. O’ Meara in the office.
If a pupil continually ignores this policy they will not be allowed bring a phone to school.
The school will incorporate this plan in the school’s behaviour policy and will treat breaches as they would treat any other breach of school behaviour.
The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones. The safety and security of mobile phones is wholly a matter for pupils/parents.
Pupils using mobile phones to bully other pupils or send offensive messages/calls will face disciplinary actions as per the School Code of Behaviour. The use of the camera element of a mobile phone is also prohibited and is considered a serious misdemeanour if used in the school, on yard or off site during any school –related activities.