Code of Behaviour

1. Introduction
St. Broghans Code of Behaviour has been developing over the last number of years. This is
in keeping with the requirements of the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) and
follows the guidelines of its publication Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for
Schools (2008).
2. Affirming Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement of good behavior leads to better self-discipline and we place a greater
emphasis on rewards and incentives than on sanctions.
3. St. Broghans Vision for Relationships and Behaviour in the School
At St. Broghans we commit ourselves to affording the pupils the best opportunity possible
to avail of an all-rounded education, suitable to the ability of each child and in keeping with
the Catholic ethos of the school. This Code of Behaviour aims to provide a framework to
promote positive constructive behaviour so that this mission is achieved.
We aim for a work environment that will be safe and characterised by fair treatment, team
work, personal accountability and opportunity to contribute, learn and grow. Teachers and
parents are partners in the childrens education. Co- operation and communication between
home and school are vital ingredients in the educational process. We share the same aim, the
well being of the children in our care.
We as a school community will respect pupils from different backgrounds, countries and
cultures.
While St. Broghans is a school with a Catholic Ethos pupils from different religious
denominations are welcomed and cherished.
When expectations are high it helps to develop a heightened sense of responsibility and self
discipline among the whole school community.
We expect all students to behave to the best of their ability.
3. Expectations for pupils, staff and parents and how they will treat each other.
3.1 Pupils
Pupils can expect to:

Be treated fairly, consistently and with respect;

To feel safe, respected and secure;

Have their individual differences recognised and acknowledged when and if possible;

Have positive behaviour reaffirmed;

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Have misbehaviour dealt with appropriately.

Pupils are expected to:

attend school regularly and punctually;

wear a neat school uniform;

work quietly and safely to the best of their ability at all times;

respect the right of other pupils to learn;

show respect for all members of the school community and visitors;

respect school property, the property of others and their own belongings;

keep the school environment clean and tidy;

have the correct books and materials in school;

follow class rules as outlined by each class teacher;

move quietly and carefully around the school;

line up in an orderly manner before and after break;

stay on the premises and within designated areas during school times;

refrain from climbing any boundary or protective fence or building to recover a ball or
any other object from a place outside any protective or boundary fence without
teachers permission;

do their homework to the best of their ability;

be honest and truthful at all times.

3.2 Staff
Staff can expect to:

be treated with respect by pupils and parents;

teach in a well maintained physical environment relatively free from disruption;

get support and co-operation from colleagues and parents in order to achieve the
schools aims and objectives;
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be listened to and participate in decision making which affects their own work and
that of the school in general;

work in an atmosphere that encourages professional development;

get support and professional advice from relevant bodies to help to cater for the
psychological, emotional and physical needs of their pupils;

have grievances dealt with according to agreed procedures.

Staff are expected to:

support and implement the schools Code of Behaviour;

be aware of their duty of care;

create a safe, welcoming atmosphere for their pupils;

develop and nurture a sense of self-esteem in each pupil;

praise desirable behaviour;

facilitate pupils to reach their full academic potential;

recognise and provide for individual differences as far as is reasonable;

be courteous, consistent and fair;

keep opportunities for disruption to a minimum;

keep record of serious misbehaviour or repeated instances of misbehaviour;

provide support for colleagues.

3.3 Parents
Parents can expect to:

be treated with respect;

have a safe and welcoming environment for their child;

obtain recognition for individual differences among pupils having due regard for the
resources that are available;

have fair and consistent procedures applied to the schools dealings with pupils;

receive progress reports in accordance with agreed school policy (P.T. meetings and
end of year reports)

have information on schools policies and procedures available to them for inspection
in the school office.

Parents are expected to:

to treat all members of the school community with respect;

ensure their children attend school regularly and on time and that they are
collected from school on time;

encourage their children to follow the schools Code of Behaviour;

ensure their children wear the school uniform;

ensure their children have the correct books and materials;

have their childrens belongings labeled;

read written communication received from the school and respond appropriately;

make an appointment beforehand if they need to see a teacher;

to provide a letter for all absenteeism (see Section 9);

inform class teacher of any change to collection procedure for their children;

help their children to learn and practise good behaviour and to have a positive attitude
towards themselves, other people and towards the school;

co-operate with teachers in instances where their childs behaviour is causing

difficulty to others;

communicate to the school problems which may affect their childs behaviour;

attend meetings at the school if requested;

help their children with their homework and ensure it is completed.

4. School Rules
In order to achieve a happy, healthy and safe working environment, where a sense of mutual
respect is fostered, every pupil is expected to keep the following rules.
4.1 Respect and Courtesy
All pupils are expected to treat staff and fellow pupils with respect and courtesy.
Inappropriate behaviour i.e. rough play, bad language, fighting, personal remarks, pushing,
kicking, spitting and bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.
School property and the property of others should be respected.
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4.2 Dress Code

Pupils are required to wear the complete uniform everyday except on the designated P.E. day.
4.3 Homework

Homework is expected to be well done, clean and neat.

Checking and signing by parents/guardians on a daily basis is recommended.

Incomplete homework must be explained in writing by a parent/guardian.

4.4 Attendance

Pupils are expected to be present every day.

A written note is expected to explain all absences as per Child Welfare Act.

Pupils leaving school early must present the teacher with a note and be collected by a
designated guardian.

4.5 Movement throughout the school/ school grounds

Entering and leaving the school must be done in an orderly manner.

Pupils are asked to stand back and allow adults to pass.

Running is strictly forbidden in classrooms and on corridors.

Pupils who use bicycles are asked to alight at the school gate.

4.6 Break-times

Break supervisors are to be obeyed at all times.

No re-entering the school building during the breaks without permission of teacher/
yard supervisor.

When the bell rings to signal the end of break-time, pupils are to line up quietly and
immediately stand in an orderly manner until collected by teacher.

4.7 Mobile Phones

We would advise that mobile phones be left at home except in the case of an
emergency (refer to Mobile Phone Policy).
4.8 The School Yard

The school yard is always supervised during breaks. The teacher in charge deals with
problems that arise during play.
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If a child misbehaves in the yard, he/she is sent to a designated area. The area is a
corner of the yard where the child can stand away from the play area. This can
happen for interfering in others games, rough play, going outside the play area, etc.

For more serious misbehavior, a childs name may be entered into the Yard Book and
a punishment may be given.

For very serious misbehaviour, parents may be asked to meet the class teacher or
Principal or with the Board of Management.

Parents may be requested to take their child from the school yard during break
time/lunchtime when a child is an unacceptable risk in the playground.

4.9 Health and Safety

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are asked that teachers be made aware of any special needs or
medical needs which a child may have.

Parent(s)/guardians(s) are asked to make an appointment for parent/teacher meetings.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are asked to please check your childs hair regularly for
outbreaks of head lice and treat if necessary.

Children who are ill should not be in school.

Parents may be contacted if a child becomes ill during the school day.

5. System for acknowledging good behaviour, progress and effort.

Good behaviour is praised in a number of ways.
For Individuals, good behaviour may be acknowledged as follows:
1. A quiet word or gesture to show approval;
2. A word of praise in front of group/class
3. A mention to the principal or other teachers;
4. A comment/smiley/sticker in the exercise book;
5. A mention to parents(verbal or written);
6. A treat at the discretion of the class teacher.
Group/Class

A Group/Class treat such as:

Reduction in homework

Edible treat
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DVD

Time given to preferred activity

Extra playtime

6. Consequences of unacceptable behaviour

Disapproval of unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with as follows:
1. Reprimand and Reasoning (making clear what behaviour was unacceptable) and
advise on how to improve;
2. Loss of privilege / weekend homework
3. Referral to Principal/Deputy;
4. Communication with parent
5. Temporary separation from peers;
6. Withdrawal from class temporarily to another classroom or Principal
7. Losses and damage caused must be made good in all cases;
8. Suspension/expulsion (see below)
7. Procedures for Suspension/Expulsion
In the case of exceptional misbehaviour, the Principal reserves the right to immediately take
whatever action is appropriate.
The Board of Management may authorize the Principal to impose suspension in accordance
with Department of Education rules for repeated serious or continued misbehaviour. Where a
satisfactory resolution of a problem is achieved a pupil may be readmitted to school within a
suspension period at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Board of Management or the
Principal.
Following or during a period of suspension, the parent(s) may apply to have the pupil
reinstated to the school. The parent(s) must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended
pupil will behave in accordance with the school code and the Principal must be satisfied that
the pupils reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupils own safety or that of other
pupils or staff. The Principal will facilitate the preparation of a behaviour plan for the pupil if
required and will re-admit the pupil formally to class.
8. Procedures for notifying the school about reasons for absence from school.Parents/
Guardians are expected to communicate the reasons for the non-attendance of their child in
St. Broghans by sending in a signed dated explanation of absence when the pupil returns to
school. Such notes are an important part of the record keeping done to fulfill the requirements
of reporting to the NEWB.
9. Other School Policies related to Code of Behaviour
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The following policies overlap in various ways with the Code of Behaviour:

SPHE School Plan;

Anti- Bullying Policy;

Health and Safety Policy;

Supervision Policy;

Acceptable Use Policy (Computers/Internet);

Enrolment Policy;

Complaints Procedure;

Homework Policy;

School Uniform Statement;

Mobile Phone Policy;

Administration of Medicines

10. When and where will behaviour be subjected to the Code of Behaviour?
Standards and rules in the Code of Behaviour will apply to all situations where the pupils are
the responsibility of the school. This includes activities not within the school grounds.
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