BASIC PRINCIPLES AND AIMS THE SCHOOL’S AIM IS TO CREATE A SAFE AND ORGANISED ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR STAFF AND PUPILS CAN WORK, LEARN AND SOCIALISE. A PLACE THAT WILL ENGENDER BOTH PRIDE AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, WITH THE MINIMUM OF CONFLICT AND MISUNDERSTANDING.
The Code of Conduct, School rules and Dress Regulations have been drawn up and are revised yearly in consultation with all stakeholders, to ensure that these basic principles and aims can be realized by all. It must be remembered that all rules are there to ensure that both educators and learners are afforded the opportunity to be given the best environment in which to develop and grow.
The Principal and staff reserve the right to administer appropriate punishments when infringements of school rules and norms of behaviour occur.
B. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE The rules at this school are based on socially accepted conventions and common sense and are implemented fairly and consistently by educators.
Learners who persistently behave in a manner, which disrupts the work of others in the classroom, may be reported to School Management Team (SMT) member and be removed from the class temporarily or, in the case of extreme disruption, even suspended from the school at the discretion of the Principal.
i) Parents will have to be informed in advance in the event the following corrective measures are to be awarded against their child:
Community work
Referral of a learner for counselling
ii) Over and above the above corrective measures the principal may withdraw responsibilities and awards.
E. DISCIPLINE PROCESS
Each educator is to maintain a file containing a CLASS DEMERIT/DETENTION RECORD for each learner in his/her class.Parents and learners need to be aware that these records are placed on the learner’s personal file and remain on record throughout the school career of the learner.
Misdemeanors are recorded on this sheet immediately they occur.This will include the date, reason and educator responsible.A note is also placed in the homework book.
When 5 demerits are recorded, educators refer the learner to the secretary for placement on the Detention list.
A serious breach of discipline is referred to a member of the Management for a decision.A member of the Management can decide whether the offence is worth an immediate detention (i.e. 5 demerits) or any other appropriate number of demerits.
A “form” letter (tear-off, sign and return) is sent to parents on a Monday informing them of the detention on the Wednesday.The parent will also receive a copy of the Detention Record of their child.
Detention is held on a Wednesday from 14h00pm – 15h00pm.Roll call is taken.Learners will be given written work for the entire period of the detention. Learners who do not turn up for the detention purposefully would be put to detention again the following week, with extra detention.
F. DISCIPLINE PROCESS - ACTION
When a learner has had 3 detentions, a FIRST WARNING letter from the Principal is sent to the parents. A copy is placed on the learner’s file.
When a learner receives 2 more detentions, a SECOND WARNING letter will be sent to the parents and a compulsory interview requested.
When a learner has 1 more detention, a FINAL WARNING letter will be sent to the parent. An urgent, compulsory meeting will be arranged with the Principal and a member of the Governing Body. At this meeting the learner’s future at the school will be discussed.
Any further disciplinary problems may result in an enquiry to investigate suspension and possible expulsion of the learner.
At any stage during this process the learner may be placed on Daily or Weekly Report. The learner’s Report book will be sent home and MUST be returned on the following school day
H. GENERAL SCHOOL RULES
1. REGULAR ATTENDANCE
School attendance is to be regular and punctuality is to be observed.
Absences are to be supported by a note signed by a parent/ legal guardian. In the case of sustained absence or absence during examination periods, a doctor’s certificate must be submitted on demand.
Learners may not leave the school premises during the school day without the permission of the Principal.
Notice of intention to remove a learner from school should be given in good time, in writing, by the parents.
Learners may not enter or leave school through the Junior Primary School.
2. NEAT APPEARANCE
The following regulations regarding neatness and haircuts MUST BE OBSERVED from the first day of the term to the last.
Pupils are to wear the prescribed uniform to and from school, at school, and at all school functions.
Boy’s hair is to be short and well groomed, in accordance with the School’s regulations.
Girls’ hair must be similarly well groomed and long hair must be tied up away from the face. Hairstyles must be of a standard in keeping with the young primary school learner. Exaggerated hairstyles or hair extensions are not allowed. Hair ornaments may only be yellow, green or white.
No artificial hair colour will be allowed and offenders will not be allowed at school until colour is removed.
No ornaments or jewellery is to be worn, except a watch, and girls may wear gold or silver “plain” stud or sleeper-earrings.
3. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Learners are to conform to school society requirements. These include respect, obedience and maximum effort at all times.
No behaviour detrimental to the welfare or reputation of the school will be tolerated.
Bounds are to be strictly observed.
All learners are to participate in the school curriculum, including Physical Education, unless medically unfit. All learners are expected to involve themselves in some of the many school activities.
Learners must respect all property. Books and equipment on loan to learners must be returned in good condition when requested. Any shortfall or damage is to be made good by the learners.
Prompt payment of school fees is required.
4. HOME STUDY
Daily homework, as prescribed by the school, must be completed conscientiously. A record of this (in a homework notebook) is to be kept for checking by both the School, and the parent. Parents are encouraged to use this notebook as a means of communicating with the educator.
5. SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS
The foregoing is to be adhered to together with any other such supplementary regulations, which may be provided from time to time to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the school as a whole.
Montclair learners are expected at all times and in all places to be polite, well behaved and uphold the good name of their school.
Monitors/Prefects are appointed to assist the staff in minor disciplinary matters and must be obeyed.
The staff-room, except in an emergency, the verandah near it, all cars, and the garage area under the hall, small trees, banks and fences are out-of-bounds. Learners may sit and play under the big trees, but not climb them.
Before school and during breaks all classrooms are out of bounds.
Learners are not permitted to run or shout on the stairs or verandas.
No lunch papers etc. may be taken onto the playground.
Lunches and snacks etc. must be eaten and papers deposited into a rubbish bin before going onto the field to play.
All classrooms are locked at breaks and no one may enter a classroom unless an educator is present.
Riding or coasting on bicycles or skateboards in the school grounds is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
Use of bad language or fighting is punishable misdemeanours.
The school has an effective disciplinary code, which hinges on a demerit system. All learners at the school must adhere to this code.
REMEMBER TO KEEP THESE RULES AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY AT SCHOOL