SCHOOL RULES & PROCEDURES (refer disciplinary policy)
STUDENTS MUST MAKE THEMSELVES FAMILIAR WITH THESE RULES AND PROCEDURES. IGNORANCE CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE. PARENTS ARE EARNESTLY REQUESTED TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE RULES AND ALL OTHER MEASURES TO ENSURE THE STUDENTS’ SAFETY. ABSENCE
The South African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) clarifies expectations regarding compulsory attendance. A note from the parent must be brought and handed to the register teacher on the first day a learner returns to school after being absent.
SKIPPING EXAM/TESTS
A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE must be brought after absence from examinations or other scheduled tests or assessments. Failure to do this will result in a zero mark. Being absent for 10 or more consecutive days may lead to immediate de-registration.
BANNED ITEMS
No learner may bring these items to the school: ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS, VAPES, E-CIGARETTES, WEAPONS or PORNOGRAPHY. Contravention of this rule may lead to immediate suspension, pending expulsion. Criminal charges may also be laid in such cases. In addition, no learner identifiable as a learner of the school, whether in or out of uniform, should use these substances off the premises. Learners, who need to take medication during the school day, and therefore have such substances in their possession while on school property, should inform the Principal or Deputy Principal of this.
APPOINTMENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS
Parents are requested to avoid making appointments which will necessitate their child’s missing school. Very few learners can afford to miss lessons. Learners who miss continuous assessments activities or tests will be given nil (0).
If such an absence is ABSOLUTELY UNAVOIDABLE, please send a note of excuse to the principal at least 24 hours IN ADVANCE.
BULLYING/ OTHER THREATS:
No student may be party to threats or intimidation of any kind against the school or any other parties.
Involvement in such activities may result in immediate suspension, and/or expulsion. Criminal charges may
also be laid.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES & EARPHONES
Cellular phones and/or earphones may not be visible or used during school hours. This includes the sending and receiving of SMS/text messages. Cell phones must be switched off at all other times. If this rule is broken, the cell phone will be confiscated. The phone will be kept for one week before a student may get it back. Parents are requested not to try to contact their children during class time. In compliance with DOE rules, learners may not have a cell phone on their person when writing a test or an examination.
They may not be used as a calculator. All cell phones must be handed in to the invigilator before the start of the test or examination. Any attempt to use a cell phone during a test or examination will be construed as dishonesty and will be treated as such. (See CHEATING below) The school will not be held liable of theft of cell phones.
CHEATING IN EXAMS OR TEST
Any learner found cheating in a test or examination will have their paper removed forthwith by the invigilator. They will receive nil (0) for that examination and could face further disciplinary action which will include not being resulted.
DEFACING/DAMAGING PROPERTY
The willful defacing or damaging of property belonging to the school or to any other person will not be tolerated.
DISCIPLINE
All transgression of the code of conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary procedures. The various infringements set out in the Code are not intended to be an exhaustive or full list of possible infringements or misconduct by learners, but are rather to be interpreted as indications of the broad types and severity of offences by learners and the appropriate sanctions if the learner is found to be guilty by the School.
LEVELS OF MISCONDUCT AND APPLICABLE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Level 1
1.1 Late for class/ school/ extra murals/registration.
1.2 Absent from class without teacher’s permission or bunking a lesson
1.3 Homework not done/incomplete.
1.4 Task/activity not submitted on the due date.
1.5 School work/ equipment/ diaries/ books not at school.
1.6 Working on another subject in a class without permission.
1.7 Reply slips/letters not returned.
1.8 Appearance/ rules for neatness/ dress not adhered to.
1.9 Use or misuse of cellular phone/earphones/other electronic devices without permission.
1.10 Allowing an individual to use one’s book to copy work.
1.11 Littering/ not cleaning up after you.
1.12 Extra-mural activity: non-attendance at practices and matches (without a valid excuse to teachers/coach).
Level 2
2.1 Continuous repetition of level 1 misconduct
2.2 Swearing/ use of profane language.
2.3 Copying of homework from another.
2.4 Hiding possessions.
2.5 Willful disobedience
2.6 Disruptive behavior.
2.7 Not following regulatory school procedures.
2.8 Disregarding test/examination procedures.
2.9 Inappropriate communication via social media (minor level - as deemed by staff)
Level 3
3.1 Repetition of level 2 misconduct
3.2 Plagiarism.
3.3 Verbal abuse of a fellow pupil.
3.4 Truancy/ bunking school (absence without proper permission from parents).
3.5 Non-attendance of match/performance.
3.6 Inappropriate communication via social media (moderate level - as deemed by staff
3.7 Bringing the school into disrepute, whether directly or through social media
Level 4
4.1 Repetition of level 3 misconduct
4.2 Tarnishing school image (Including any misconduct outside the school premises).
4.3 Dishonesty in a test/exam (copying someone else, having notes etc. or allowing someone to copy your work).
4.4 Fighting or violent behaviour.
4.5 Vandalism/ damage to property/possession of other pupils’ property.
4.6 Possession of pornographic material.
4.7 Smoking/ possession of/in the company of/ vaping/ e-cigarettes/ smoking or vaping paraphernalia.
4.8 Misconduct on any school outing/ excursion/ trip/ tour.
4.9 Non-attendance of detention.
4.10 Falsifying signature or writing a false letter on behalf of someone else (forgery).
4.11 Ongoing disruptive behaviour in the classroom/disrupting the school’s educational programme.
4.12 Inappropriate communication via social electronic media (severe level - as deemed by staff).
Level 5
5.1 Repetition of level 4 misconduct
5.2 Discrimination.
5.3 Threatening to assault/intimidate a fellow pupil or teacher, verbal abuse of a fellow pupil or teacher, whether directly or through social media.
5.4 Inappropriate sexual behaviour and/or sexual harassment.
5.5 Hate speech: this refers to speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people, whether directly or through social media.
5.6 Possession of Illegal substances; dealing/selling/pushing/consumption/being under the influence of such substances at school, on school outings, extracurricular outings or in school uniform.
5.7 Theft.
5.8 Improper suggestions of a sexual nature; sexual harassment of Teacher/pupil, whether directly or through social media.
5.9 Threatening/assaulting/intimidating a fellow pupil; bullying.
5.10 Criminal offence.
5.11 Possession of any dangerous weapons e.g., knife at school/on school outing