School Prizes and Honours Policy

WHOLE SCHOOL POLICY BSC POL 009.

Revision 01 : September 2012 Author: Dr J Scarth

School Prizes Honours Policy

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SCHOOL PRIZES and HONOURS POLICY

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INTRODUCTION

This Policy has been approved by the Board of Directors and applies to all staff and pupils in the school from Year 1 to Year 13, and includes pupils attending EYFS. The School believes that Prizes and Honours are an important part of the wider education provided by The British School in Colombo. Prizes provide reward and motivation to all students and the intention of this Policy is to give clarity to the criteria on which all School Prizes and School Honours are awarded.

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SCHOOL PRIZES

The Prizes that are covered by this Policy include: Annual Form Prizes Annual Subject Prizes Dedicated Subject Prizes at IGCSE, A Level and IB Shanika Kannanagara Memorial Trophy – Year 11 student 1.2

SCHOOL HONOURS

The School Honours covered by this Policy include: House Captains Sports Captains Prefects Head Prefects Junior School Head Boy and Head Girl 2

SENIOR SCHOOL CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL PRIZES

When selecting students for prizes the Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School) will consider nominations according to the criteria below but will also take into account: A pupil’s attendance: a pupil must not have 20 or more days of absence in a school year The overall balance of awards: the Deputy Principal will seek to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of prizes among worthy candidates.

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2.2 Annual Form Prizes Each Form Tutor nominates two pupils to the Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School) from their Tutor Group who in their opinion have displayed the most consistent commitment throughout the academic year.

When selecting students for a Form Prize, Tutors will consider the following criteria: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Attendance and punctuality completion of homework performance in examinations the wearing of school uniform contribution to sports teams contribution to the arts contribution to charity work contribution to the House the number of House points collected

2.3 Annual Subject Prizes Subject prizes are awarded annually to students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 in all academic subjects assessed by public examinations. One student in each year group who has constantly performed to a high level throughout the year is nominated by the Head of Department to the Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School).

When selecting students for awards, Heads of Department also take into account the following criteria: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Attendance and punctuality completion of homework performance in examinations the wearing of school uniform contribution to sports teams contribution to the arts contribution to charity work contribution to the House House points collected

In all Awards, the Deputy Principal will make a final selection after consultation with the Principal.

2.4 Commemorative Prizes These Prizes are awarded according to specific criteria for each Award, as follows: Drama Prize One pupil nominated by the Head of Department for an outstanding dramatic performance during the year.

Senior Singer One student nominated by the Head of Music for outstanding singing contribution throughout the year.

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Contribution to Dance One student nominated by the Head of Department for outstanding contribution to dance Service to the Community Awarded to two students, one nominated by Key Stage 4 co-ordinator and the other nominated by Head of Sixth Form, who have made an outstanding contribution to the school’s charity work.

Best Sportsman One student nominated by the Sports Co-ordinator who has made an outstanding contribution to sports.

Best Sportswoman One student nominated by the Sports Co-ordinator who has made an outstanding contribution to sports.

Shanika Kannanagara Memorial Trophy Awarded to one student in Year 11, nominated by the Key Stage co-ordinator, who has shown great progress throughout the year.

Best Perfomance at IGCSE Awarded to one student who has the highest overall points total when the scores of each IGCSE are added together.

Best Performance at AS Level Awarded to one student who has the highest overall points total when the scores of each AS subject examination are added together Best Performance at A Level Awarded to one student who has the highest overall points total when the scores of each A Level subject examination are added together Best Performance at IB Diploma Awarded to one student who has the highest overall points total on the IB Diploma 3

JUNIOR SCHOOL CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL PRIZES

When selecting students for prizes the Deputy Principal (Head of Junior School) will consider nominations according to the criteria below but will also take into account: A pupil’s attendance: a pupil must not have 20 or more days of absence in a school year The overall balance of awards: the Deputy Principal will seek to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of prizes among worthy candidates.

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SENIOR SCHOOL CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL HONOURS

When considering nominations for School Honours, the Deputy Principal will seek the opinions of all members of staff and, where appropriate, students. The final decision with the appointment of School Honours resides with the Principal.

Alongside the criteria listed below, the Principal and Deputy Principal will only consider students for School Honours who do not have 20 days or more absence in a school year.

School Prefects School Prefects are selected in the Lent Term of the Lower Sixth and will serve for three terms (from April to April). These are the highest position in the school and Prefects are expected to help with supervision and the enforcement of the School Rules as well as to be on duty at various school events. There are two Head Prefects who are supported by two Deputies and 16 Prefects.

The selection process begins with a formal announcement in the School Assembly and is followed up by a briefing to the Lower Sixth cohort to discuss particularly the nature of the role and the candidate profile.

The Prefect Job Description is published to students and those seeking election are expected to: 1.

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continue to achieve their academic potential; maintain a good disciplinary record throughout their career in the school; continue to be involved in a range of extra-curricular activities; have shown leadership potential; have shown commitment and support for others; have good relationships with students across a range of forms; demonstrate a clear ability to work co-operatively with both staff and students; maintain a good record of attendance, punctuality and uniform wearing; conduct themselves in an appropriate manner as representatives of the school at all times.

Students appointed Prefects who do not maintain acceptable levels in the above areas may be suspended from their position until satisfactory improvement has been demonstrated.

The application process begins with the submission of a formal letter of application to The Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School) that indicates:   

the candidate’s understanding of the role; proven leadership experience and skills; points 1-9 of the Candidate profile.

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The outcome of the interviews leads to the drawing up of the shortlist of candidates using the criteria based on the Candidate Profile. Staff vote for up to 20 Prefects from the shortlist. Shortlisted applicants are then interviewed by The Principal, Deputy Principal and Head of Sixth Form, who make the final selections.

Head Prefects and Deputies are chosen after 4 weeks of office having demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and dedication.

Performance review is carried out on a weekly basis through the Prefects’ Meeting.

House Captains and Vice Captains House Captains are selected in June of each year from the outgoing Year 11 students.

Students are nominated to the Deputy Principal for the positions of House Captain and Vice-Captain by the Head of each House.

Potential House Captains will be asked to submit a letter of application to their Head of House outlining their suitability for the post and their vision for the House whilst serving as House Captain. The letter of application should demonstrate their eligibility to be considered and provide evidence to meet the criteria below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Participation in House events Contribution to Charitable works The number of House Awards The number of House Point certificates awarded The Number of KS Co-ordinator Commendations received The number of Deputy Principal Awards The number of Principal Awards Leadership abilities and ability to inspire respect whilst respecting others Ability to communicate clearly with others (including House members and staff) Ability to take responsibility, show skills of organisation and act as a role model

The Head of House and House Teachers will interview four candidates chosen against the above criteria. The interview will be carried out by the House Teacher, house staff and Deputy Head (Pastoral) Following the interview, the panel will nominate a House Captain and Deputy House Captain to the Deputy Principal who must approve the selection.

Sports Captains Sports Captains for boys and girls may be chosen in each sport in the the following categories: Under 12 Captain Under 14 Captain Under 16 Captain 6

Under 19 Captain The Under 19 Captain is seen as the overall School Captain for the named sport.

Students for Sports Captains are nominated by the Coach, the Sports Coordinator and the appropriate Teacher-in-Charge to the Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School).

To be selected as a Sports Captain, students must demonstrate: 1. A record of commitment to and ability the sport (matches played, attendance and punctuality to training sessions) 2. Proven leadership abilities 3. An ability to inspire respect whilst respecting others 4. An ability to lead and motivate 5. Clear communication with others (including team mates and staff) 6. Responsibility 7. Skills of organisation Selection of the Under 19 Captains will also include evaluation of a student’s past experience as a captain.

House Colours School Colours The Director of Sports will ensure accurate information on all sports performances are maintained throughout the year. In consultation with sports coaches, the Director of Sports will provide to the Deputy Principal by the end of May each year a list of athletes who meet one or more of the criteria below. The Deputy Principal will verify that the students qualify for the Award of School Colours and submit their names for approval to the Principal.

Definition of Colours  Colours will be the school crest with the name of the sport a pupil has excelled in.  These Colours are to be worn by the winners of the Colours on their blazers.  No one other than the Coloursmen should wear the school Colours on blazers.  In cases where the Award of School Colours is based on performance at a tournament, then a player must have participated in at least 75% of the games played during the qualifying tournament.

Criteria for awarding School Colours  

School Sports: being a member of a School Team and winning the 1st, 2nd or the 3rd place in an All Island tournament, or winning 1st or 2nd place in an Inter International School tournament.

Other Sports (individual and team): being a member of the team winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in an All Island tournament (that is, a tournament sanctioned by the appropriate national organisation for that sport), or 1st or 2nd place in an Inter- International School tournament, or winning at least 95% of the individual events in above tournaments even if the team loses.

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Individual sports: Winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd places in individual events in an All Island tournament (that is, a tournament sanctioned by the appropriate national organisation for that sport), or winning 1st or 2nd places in an Inter International School tournament, or creating a meet/national record at a tournament in which BSC has taken part.

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Relays: Being a member of the team winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in an All Island tournament (that is, a tournament sanctioned by the appropriate national organisation for that sport), or 1st or 2nd place in an Inter International School tournament.

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