St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook Positive Behaviour Policy
Compiled by the Pastoral Team Mr. J. Burns Mr. D. McKenna Mr. B. McArdle Mr. T. Murney Mrs. C. Rafferty Miss. C. Murphy Mrs. B. McConville Mrs. C. Fearon Fr. D. Maloney
(To be Reviewed June 2011)
POLICY OVERVIEW St. Paul’s High School is a Catholic community which expects the highest standards of behaviour from its students, towards all those within or outside the school community. We work together to actively promote an orderly and disciplined school environment in which care, courtesy and concern for others are central tenets of the behaviour of all members of the school community. The school is also committed to developing in our pupils a set of values and beliefs which reflect the central themes of our Patron’s mission; justice, peace, faith, hope and love. As such, we engender in our pupils an ability to distinguish between right and wrong, to be honest, compassionate and tolerant, and to show respect for others. Any rewards and punishments to be used within school will support and be consistent with the Gospel values of loving God and one another. To put this into practice, the school has a clear Code of Conduct, thorough behaviour management procedures and a robust system of rewards and sanctions. AIMS • •
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To create an orderly and disciplined school community where all pupils feel safe, happy and comfortable within their learning environment To help all of our pupils to develop a standard of behaviour that demonstrates self-respect, self-discipline, respect for others and their property, respect for the environment and for the local community To engender a praise culture at St. Paul’s, where pupil effort and achievement is celebrated and rewarded To provide a systematic and structural response to behaviour management in school. To ensure that our pupils recognise the need to have rules within any community, and understand how they are expected to behave in school along with the underlying reasons why.
OBJECTIVES • • • •
To encourage our pupils to exercise self-discipline at all times To ensure that our pupils behave appropriately at all times, according to the school Code of Conduct To encourage our pupils to have a proper regard for authority, treating all persons in authority with courtesy and respect To encourage our pupils by recognizing and rewarding high standards of behaviour and effort.
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To engender in our pupils the importance of self-respect and of healthy lifestyles. To support classroom teachers with issues of behaviour management
The following should be noted as important: • The development of sound relationships between staff and students. • The necessity for all to work hard at all times. • The individual’s contribution to a pleasant school atmosphere at all times. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The key themes in the behaviour and Discipline Policy are outlined to pupils and staff on a regular basis. The School Code of Conduct is contained within the pupils’ student planner and all parents receive a copy. It is referred to at Assemblies, during PD and in the classroom. There is a robust system of rewards which is used by all staff to actively promote high standards of behaviour, discipline, effort and achievement. The class teacher has responsibility for the management of the behaviour of the pupils they teach. There are clear classroom behaviour management procedures which provide a systematic and structural response to behaviour management at St. Paul’s. These, along with other school-wide procedures are outlined and clarified to both staff and pupils on a regular basis. The Head of Department and Form Teacher support colleagues with their behaviour management. When their intervention is required, there are clear procedures for them to follow. All Heads of Department and Form Teachers are familiar with these procedures. NQ Teachers and student teachers are offered additional support from their tutor (Mrs. S. Bradley). The Head of Year oversees the behaviour and discipline of the pupils within their year group, both within and outside of lessons. When their intervention is required, there are clear procedures for them to follow. All Heads of Year are familiar with these procedures. When the behaviour of a pupil is of particular concern, due to its serious and / or persistent nature, decisions about the appropriate sanctions to be employed will always be made in consultation with the Vice Principal with responsibility for Pastoral Care, following the appropriate procedures. RECORDING OF BEHAVIOUR
All recording of behaviour in St. Paul’s is now carried out online through SIMS; a student information management system. Teachers record positive and negative behaviour, giving standard points for particular incidents and enabling the recording of detentions. The weighting of points is as follows; Bullying 1 Bullying 2 Bullying 3 Bullying 4 Chewing Gum 1 Code of Conduct not Completed 2 Damage to Property 3 Damage to Property 4 Damage to Property 5 Defiance 3 Defiance 4 Disruptive Behaviour 2 Disruptive Behaviour 3 Equipment 1 Fighting 2 Fighting 3 Fighting 4 Fighting 5 Going to shop 3 Homework 1 Homework 2 Illicit Substances 5 Inadequate Work 1 Late for Class 1 Late for Class 2 Left School without permission 3 Missed Detention 1 Missed Detention 2 Mitching 2 Mitching 3 Mitching 4 Racist Incident 4 Racist Incident 5 Smoking 5 Theft 2 Theft 4
Verbal Abuse of Pupil 3 Verbal Abuse of Staff 4 Verbal Abuse of Staff 5 Form Teachers will respond to any incident which is recorded as a ‘2’ and Year Heads will respond to incidents recorded as ‘3’ and over. All issues relating to Academic matters (homework, classwork, presentation) are dealt with within the classroom and department. Behaviour Management issues are dealt with by the class teacher with support from the Form Teacher. Form Teachers will be informed of their pupils’ progress by regular monitoring of the SIMS interface. TARGET PLAN In some instances, a pupil may require extra assistance and closer monitoring of his/her work and behaviour. In consultation with parents, they will be requested to go on a ‘Target Plan’. This process involves the identification of areas where the pupil needs to improve and focuses on these over a period of a week, a fortnight or longer. This is a short term measure and can only be deemed a success when the pupil has withdrawn from the Target Plan and has improved in the areas identified over a period of time. DETENTIONS Detentions can be given by the Class Teacher for persistent non compliance with school rules. All Detentions are given in consultation with the Form Teacher and twenty four hours’ notice will be given to parents. The class teacher will need to make the arrangements for this by: • Speaking to the pupil at the end of the lesson, explaining when the detention is and why it is being given • Writing the detention on the appropriate page in the pupil’s diary. The pupil has the responsibility for showing this to his / her parent • Where possible, phoning the parent to inform them of the detention, when it is and why it is being given. If a pupil fails to attend this after-school detention, the Class Teacher and Form Teacher should follow this up by: • The class teacher speaking to the pupil the following day, making it clear that it is unacceptable to miss a detention. • Issuing a second after-school detention • Writing the detention on the appropriate page in the pupil’s diary (the pupil has the responsibility for showing this to his / her parent) and arranging for the usual department detention letter to be sent home
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The Class Teacher or Form Teacher phoning the parent to inform them that their child missed the detention, that this is unacceptable and that they must attend the department after-school detention
If the student fails to attend the second Detention, the Detention is doubled and the parents are asked to come into the school and discuss their child’s progress. SUSPENSION In St. Paul’s, we endeavour to avoid where possible the sanction of suspension and will only use it in the cases where a serious breach of school discipline has occurred. However, if a student's behaviour is a threat to the safety, health or emotional wellbeing of others, and previous methods of prevention and intervention have not been successful, that student will be suspended. These behaviours include; • physical assault, • verbal abuse /offensive language against teachers and other students, • sexual and other forms of harassment • threats and intimidation of teachers and other students • carrying offensive weapons • supplying or using illegal drugs • smoking in or around the school grounds In each of these cases, the CCMS guidelines for suspension will be followed. EXPULSION The expulsion of a pupil is the most serious disciplinary action that can be applied and in normal circumstances should be considered only after all reasonable courses of action have been explored. St. Paul’s High School will follow the procedures set out under the provisions of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1993 and the Regulations contained in SR No 99 of 1995 or any statutory modification thereof and contained in the CCMS Guidelines for Expulsion. SEN, OUTSIDE AGENCIES The school Pastoral Team will work closely with the Special Needs Co-ordinator and will assist in the identification of behaviours which may warrant remedial help or diagnosis. There will be co-operation with Social Services, Education Welfare and organizations such as NAP (Newry Adolescent Partnership), Contact Youth Counselling. Staff will only attend ‘Looked After Meetings’ where it does not involve the missing of class, but will provide a report for same.
COUNSELLING A Counselling Service is available within school. If any member of staff wishes a student to avail of this service, they follow this procedure; • Speak to the Form Teacher • Form Teacher makes the referral • Form teacher informs Year Head. In some instances, further intervention may be required in terms of Behaviour Management. These referrals can only be made by the School Counsellor in consultation with the Year Head. POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR REWARDS Behaving well and obeying school rules provide their own rewards in terms of self-discipline, enjoyment of school and success in exams. In St. Paul’s we strive to reward good behaviour and recognize achievement when and where it occurs. The Behaviour Module in SIMS identifies those pupils who are consistently diligent and our Positive Behaviour System provides for rewarding those pupils. Each term, a certificate of good behaviour is given to pupils who are deserving of recognition. These certificates are bronze, silver and gold. There will also be organized trips at the end of final term. GRADAM NAOMH PÓL – ST PAUL’S AWARD FOR DISTINCTION This year, St. Paul’s is extending its Positive Behaviour Policy to include pupil achievement outside school. The scheme called Gradam Naomh Pól, recognises pupil achievement / success / participation in representing the school as Ambassadors, making a worthwhile contribution to his/her community or local Parish. Recognition is awarded in the following areas: • • •
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Giolla Dé – giving of one’s time regularly in local Parish or Church activities, eg serving Mass, junior SVP. Spórt – individual or team – winning Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, winning a league or Championship or other Sporting competition. Léann – pupils who have won awards from Educational bodies external to St Paul’s. Pupils who are members of winning quiz teams. Pupils who demonstrate excellence in this respect as a one-off or as a result of sustained effort. Ceol – achieving or demonstrating excellence or proficiency with a group or as an individual as a musician.
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Cultúr – could be awarded to pupils who represent local dancing groups, attend local Irish Language classes and activities, win Teastas while attending, or scholarships to the Gaeltacht. Many other cultural activities could be included – as might pupils from other cultures who attend St Paul’s. Saoránacht – could be awarded to pupils who regularly give of their time to assist others who are in need in their community – or in their own homes. Similarly pupils who volunteer in activities / organisations which seek to promote a cleaner environment for all. This area is can be a wide one and the personal conviction and sustained effort of the pupil should make for recognition with the award.
The awarding of Gradam Naomh Pól will: • Recognise hitherto unacknowledged excellence on the part of our pupils • Provide opportunity for discussion with pupils on this award of distinction and their efforts in their locality – adding to the importance of such pursuits. Wearing could be restricted to Assembly days where uniform might be inspected and on occasions where pupils are available to meet Guests, parents and the public. • Provide regular opportunity for local press to portray pupils in a positive and novel way • Provide formal and recorded opportunity for Form teachers and Year Heads to credit students in the SIMS Achievement system and in Pupil Profiling. • Most importantly the scheme will provide opportunity for pupils’ virtuous efforts in life outside of the school to be recognised by St Paul’s. In the first instance the Form Teacher refers pupils he/she considers eligible for an award to the Year Head – specifying the relevant category and briefly detailing the evidence to be considered. This detail is recorded in the SIMS Achievement module under the individual pupil. The awarding of Gradam Naomh Pól is considered, and formally carried out at Assembly by the Year Head, or on occasions, by the Principal.