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    The aims of the Code of Behaviour of Gaelscoil Osraí are: 

     

    IMPLEMENTATION

    LEARNING, RELATIONSHIPS AND BEHAVIOUR ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED.  Good behaviour is an outcome of effective learning and good relationships, as well as an influence on how students learn. 

    Some key principles are shared by almost all developed models of behaviour. 

    Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour.  Rules will be kept to a minimum, emphasise positive behaviour and will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference.  Good behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded.  Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage. 

    PUPIL  INVOLVEMENT

    Pupils are included in the drawing up of school rules in an age – appropriate manner.  This is done regularly but particularly at the beginning of each school year where discussion takes place between each class and their teacher regarding the need for school rules in the context of the safety and progress, both social and academic, of all pupils.  Examples of rewards and sanctions are agreed.

    STAFF INVOLVEMENT

    The Principal and staff draw up a proposed Code of Behaviour in accordance with National Educational Welfare Board Guidelines on “Developing a Code of Behaviour for Schools.”

    PARENTAL  INVOLVEMENT

    The proposed Code of Behaviour is presented to Parent Representatives for discussion after it has been drawn up by the Principal and staff and amended if appropriate. 

    BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

    The Code of Behaviour is presented to the Board of Management for discussion and ratification. 

    GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR

    1. 1.                  Pupils are expected to treat all adults and fellow pupils with respect and courtesy at all times.  Behaviour that interferes with the rights of others to learn and to feel safe is unacceptable.
    2. 2.                  Pupils are expected to show respect for all school property and to keep the school environment clean and litter free.
    3. 3.                  Pupils are expected to take pride in their appearance, to have all books and required materials and to be in the right place at the right time.
    4. 4.                  Pupils are expected to obey a teacher’s and other school staff member’s instructions, to work to the best of their ability and to present assignments neatly.
    5. 5.                  Pupils are expected to attend every day unless there is a genuine reason for absence, in which case the school must be informed in writing or by phone, stating the reason for absence. 

    BULLYING

    Bullying is systematic verbal, psychological or physical aggression by an individual or group against others.  The most common forms of bullying are aggressive physical contact, name-calling, exclusion, intimidation, extortion, isolation and taunting.  Bullying will not be tolerated and parents will be expected to cooperate with the school at all times in dealing with instances of bullying in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy. 

    AFFIRMING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR

    Positive reinforcement of good behaviour leads to better self-discipline and we place a greater emphasis on rewards and incentives than on sanctions. 

    STRATEGIES/INCENTIVES

    DISCOURAGING  MISBEHAVIOUR

    The purpose of sanctions and other strategies is to promote positive behaviour and to discourage misbehaviour.  Efforts will be made to understand the child’s behaviour and all sides of the story will be investigated.  If appropriate, a programme of suitable behaviour will be drawn up with the child and the child will be encouraged and supported to change his/her behaviour.  Sanctions will be applied according to the gravity of the misbehaviour, with due regard to age and emotional development.  These will include:

    Pupils will not usually be deprived of engagement in a Curricular Area, except on the grounds of health/safety but may be deprived of extra-curricular activities if this is felt appropriate. 

    Where children are to be spoken to by the Principal their parents should always be entitled to attend if the complainant parents are involved in the meeting. 

    DEGREES OF MISDEMEANOURS.

    The degree of misdemeanours i.e. minor, serious or gross will be judged by the teachers and/or Principal and/or Board of Management based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours, as follows: 

    EXAMPLES OF MINOR MISDEMEANOURS.

    Interrupting class work/arriving late for school/ running in school building/ misbehaving in class line/leaving seat without permission /placing unfinished food/drinks cartons in class bin/leaving litter around school/ not wearing correct /full uniform/being discourteous/unmannerly/not completing homework without good reason/not having homework signed by a parent/ breaches of the school’s Gaeilge rule.

    SCHOOL UNIFORM

    Pupils are expected to dress neatly in school and to wear the correct and full uniform on the appropriate days.  The school uniform consists of tartan pinafore and/or grey trousers, white or grey shirt, school tie and green jumper.  The length of skirts is to be of appropriate length.  During warm weather, the pinafore/trousers may be substituted by navy/black shorts with no logos.  

    School tracksuit consists of plain black tracksuit bottoms, yellow shcool polo shirt and school tracksuit top (green with yellow stripes).  During warm weather, tracksuit bottoms may be substituted by navy/black shorts with no logos. 

    Footwear is to be appropriate black shoes and should be safe e.g. no platforms or high heels. 

    Hair is to be neat, properly kept and inspected regularly for headlice.  Hair styles are to be appropriate for school.  Hair colour is to be natural. 

    Pupils with pierced ears may wear neat stud earrings in line with the school’s Health and Safety Regulations.

    EXAMPLES OF SERIOUS MISDEMEANOURS.

    Constantly disruptive in class/telling lies/stealing/damaging other pupil’s or school property, having a mobile phone on school premises, bullying/back answering a teacher/frequenting school premises after school hours without appropriate permission/leaving school premises during school day without appropriate permission.  Not working to full potential/using unacceptable language/bringing dangerous items to school.  Deliberately injuring or endangering self/fellow pupils in the school or yard at breaktime/Persistent breaking of the school’s Gaeilge rule. 

    EXAMPLES OF GROSS MISDEMEANOURS.

    Aggressive, threatening, violent or intimidating behaviour towards another/intentional damage to property/causing intentional injury to others. Possession of inappropriate items and potentially dangerous items and substances/the audio or visual recording and dissemination of such recording, of any pupil or staff member.
    The above lists are not exhaustive. 

    SUSPENSION/EXPULSION

    Before serious sanctions such as, suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised.  Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances.  In the case of gross misbehaviour or persistent disruption to class, the Board may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.  The Board of Management of Gaelscoil Osraí reserves the right to take such reasonable measures as it considers appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school and that the safety of all students, staff and visitors is secured. 

    Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with the Rule of National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.  Before suspending or expelling a pupil, the Board shall notify the Local Education Welfare Officer in writing in accordance with NEWB guidelines. 

    IMPLEMENTING  THE  SUSPENSION
    Written notification

    The Principal should notify the parents and the student in writing of the decision to suspend.  The letter should confirm: 

    REMOVAL OF SUSPENSION (Reinstatement)

    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 pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the 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 the class.

    SCHOOL RULES

    School rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community.  If a school is to function efficiently, it is necessary that rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently and fairly.  School rules are outlined in the pupils’ Dialann Scoile. 

    BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

    Parents are reminded that the staff of the school does not accept responsibility for pupils before official opening time 9:10a.m. or after the official closing time of 1:50p.m. (infants) 2:50p.m. (other classes) except where pupils are engaged in an extra-curricular activity organised by the school and approved by the Board of Management.  Pupils involved in such activities are expected to behave in accordance with school behaviour policy during these times. The school grounds open at 8.50 am and children are accepted on the grounds at this time and supervised by the Principal or another staff member. Behaviour is expected to be excellent at this time when staff members volunteer to facilitate children and their parents. 

    BOARD OF MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

    PRINCIPAL’S RESPONSIBILITIES

    TEACHERS’  RESPONSIBILITIES

    Support and implement the school’s code of behaviour.

     PUPILS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

    PARENTS/GUARDIANS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

    Encourage children to have a sense of respect for themselves and for property.

    This Code of Behaviour was formulated in consultation with Staff, Board of Management, Parents and Pupils of Gaelscoil Osraí and is regularly reviewed.  The staff, as a team, works to ensure that all policies and practices support the objectives of the Code of Behaviour.