Code of conduct

LEARNERS CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The learners of Laddsworth Primary School are expected to uphold our school motto of “Aim High”. As ambassadors of our school we expect exemplary behaviour at all times.

DISCIPLINE

1. The maintenance and enforcement of discipline at Laddsworth School (hereinafter referred to as the School) is an essential element of the School’s function and future existence.
2. Our school has a long and proud tradition and learners are expected to uphold these values and to recognize the convictions, cultural traditions and especially the dignity of their fellow learners.
3. Parents/guardians and learners are therefore enjoined to assist the management and staff of the School in protecting these traditions and values and in ensuring that all learners, at all times, are able to freely explore their academic potential and sporting abilities in a safe, clean and law abiding environment.
4. To this end, School rules and more particularly, a code of conduct has been drafted to guide the behaviour of the learners and those responsible for their conduct at School. This code of conduct is simply a set of rules by which the conduct of learners at School is regulated.

By applying this code equally and fairly, misconduct or unacceptable behaviour will be discouraged, the fundamental rights of the School community will be protected and a safe and disciplined environment for quality education will be ensured.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At Laddsworth Primary School learners have:

• the right to be listened to and taken seriously
• the responsibility to listen to others
• the right to be respected and protected from harm
• the responsibility to show others respect and caring
• the right to make mistakes
• the responsibility to learn from their mistakes
• the right to receive attention for special needs
• the responsibility to be the best person possible
• the right to have a safe and comfortable school
• the responsibility to keep it clean and neat and treat it with respect
• the right to be proud of their School, their family traditions and beliefs
• the responsibility to respect the traditions of the School and other people
• the right to work and learn without being disturbed by others
• the responsibility to be considerate to others while at work
• the right to be forgiven or given a second chance
• the responsibility to be forgiving and tolerant of others

CODE OF CONDUCT

A. GENERAL

1. Learners are required to observe official School hours: they must arrive at School before the 07h30 bell and may not leave the School until dismissed by a Staff member following the final bell at the end of the day.
2. Any absence from School, during official hours, must be explained by a written note from the parent/guardian. Absence on medical grounds of 3 days or more must be explained by a doctor’s certificate. These notes must be presented immediately on the learner’s return to School.
3. Learners are expected to deliver all notices to parents promptly.
4. Learners are expected to take pride in the School and to respect and protect its good reputation.
5. The behaviour of all learners is expected to be exemplary at all times.
6. Learners are expected to be friendly, courteous, tolerant, considerate and respectful in their dealings with the public, staff members, fellow learners and visitors to the School.
7. Learners are expected to be responsible for their own possessions and to respect the possessions of others.
8. Learners are expected to complete the work assigned to them to the best of their ability.
9. Learners should respect the values and traditions of all cultural groups.
10. Learners are expected to honour their extra-curricular commitments and any absence therefrom must be explained by a written note from the parent/guardian or doctor as the case may be.
11. Learners are expected to be obedient and all instructions from the Principal, educators or seniors/ monitors, must be carried out promptly and properly.
12. Learners are expected to obey all other existing School rules and those, which from time to time may be incorporated or amended.

B. DISCIPLINARY OFFENCES

Any learner who:

1. disobeys or disregards lawful instructions, School rules, safety rules and regulations or standing
   orders;
2. is absent from School without a valid reason;
3. is insubordinate, by word or conduct;
4. deliberately misuses or damages School property;
5. steals any property;
6. is dishonest or deliberately misleads or lies to a staff member or fellow learner;
7. litters whilst on School premises, or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
8. conducts himself/herself immorally whilst on School premises, or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
9. engages in fighting, intimidation, bullying, or ill treatment of others;
10. uses indecent and/or obscene language, written or verbal, on School premises, or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
11. possesses indecent and/or obscene matter in any format, whilst on School premises, or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
12. possesses dangerous weapons whilst on School premises, or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
13. possess or consumes intoxicating liquor or narcotics on the School premises or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
14. possesses cellphones, Ipods or MP3 players while on the School premises or whilst attending or taking part in an official School function or whilst on an official School excursion;
15. brings the schools name into disrepute or disrespects the privacy of the school, its staff, pupils and affiliates, but also of any other person, by way of spoken or written word, deed, or form of any electronic or social media.
16. performs or assists in the performance of any act which is contrary to the interests of the School...

shall be guilty of an offence and subject to one or more of the prescribed punishments.

PUNISHMENT

Violations, may attract one or more of the following sanctions:

1. Verbal warning by an Educator
2. Verbal or written warning by the Principal
3. Extra homework
   • This will be constructive in nature and will be carried out after official School hours.
4. Detention
5. On Report
   • When a problem demands more than detention e.g. continually disruptive in class, repeatedly neglecting to do homework, not co-operating in lessons etc. a learner may be put on report. This entails both parent/guardian and teacher working together in order to achieve a positive result.
6. In House Suspension
   • The learner will still attend School but will be isolated and may be given additional tasks to perform.
7. Suspension / Expulsion

The Governing Body may order the suspension / expulsion of a learner.

1. 1. A learner may be suspended / expelled from School if he is found guilty of serious misconduct;
   2. Serious misconduct includes the following:
      1. serious assaults
      2. repeated defiance of School authorities
      3. possession/use of narcotics/alcohol
      4. possession of dangerous weapons which includes a knife with a blade longer than 4cm
      5. possession of indecent or obscene material
      6. serious thefts
      7. guilt proven in a court of law.
   3. The Governing Body may order the suspension of a learner.
      1. as a correctional measure for a period of not longer than one week after being; found guilty of misconduct;
      2. pending a decision as to whether the learner is to be expelled from School, after being found guilty of serious misconduct, for a period of not longer than 14 days.
      3. before misconduct charges are put to the learner and his/her parent/guardian, where the learner is accused of serious misconduct, which if proved, could lead to his expulsion, for a period of not longer that 14 days.
      4. where his/her continued presence:
         1. endangers the maintenance of discipline or the social well-being of the School; for a period of not longer than 14 days.
         2. hinders or obstructs the investigation into his conduct; for a period of not longer than 14 days.
      5. If a learner is suspended, parents / guardians will be informed of their rights to appear at the disciplinary hearing.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING

1. A disciplinary Tribunal consisting of 2 members of the Governing Body will preside at all disciplinary hearings.
2. Disciplinary hearings will usually be held to adjudicate in cases of serious misconduct.
3. The discretion whether or not to refer the alleged misconduct to the Tribunal, rests with the Principal or his/her delegate.
4. The Tribunal shall give the learner and his/her parents/guardian at least 5 days written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing and of the charges. Disciplinary hearings against the learner must be conducted within 7 school days after the suspension of such a learner. If disciplinary proceedings are not concluded within 7 school days after the suspension of the learner, the Governing Body must obtain approval of the Head of Department for the continuation of the suspension of such a learner.
5. The Tribunal, in cases where expulsion is possible, shall advise the parents/guardian and learner thereof.
6. The Tribunal shall inform the parents/ guardian and learner of the right to give evidence at this hearing, call witnesses and cross-examine witnesses and to address the Tribunal thereafter.
7. The parents/guardian and learner shall be advised in writing of the Tribunal’s decision.

APPEAL

1. Anyone aggrieved by a decision of the Tribunal or Governing Body may appeal to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and Culture.
2. A learner or the parent of the learner who has been expelled from a public school may appeal against the decision of the Head of Department to the member of the Executive Council within 14 days of receiving the notice of expulsion.

CODE OF CONDUCT TABLE