Congratulations to the children who had their First Holy Communion last Sunday. Míle Buíochas to Ms. Mahon for preparing them so well and also to the staff and parents. Gymnastics will resume on Wednesday. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Code of Behaviour Policy

1. We, the teachers and staff of Arles National School promote and attempt to safeguard every child’s right to an education free from disruption.
2. We validate and re-affirm those pupils who behave appropriately, building in them feelings of self worth and self-esteem and continually assures them that their way is right.
3. As teachers, pupils and parents have had an input into formulating a set of AGREED RULES for positive behaviour, a sense of ownership of those rules exists, thereby increasing in our children the likelihood that they will understand, accept and follow them.
4. Arles N.S. promotes in teachers a sense of team spirit, by providing a shared vision of the type of learning and teaching environment we wish to create in our school.
5. Arles N.S. promotes in the children a team spirit, a sense of working together and helping each other out through good behaviour and minimum disruption.
6. We adopt a proactive role on all matters of discipline, providing the children with a clear picture of how they should behave in school and how they should respond to the various scenarios that will arise (e.g. correct responses to forms of bullying).
7. Our School Discipline Programme is a flexible one, open to change and development, as new ideas, better methods and alternatives are presented through the school year.

AIMS

1. To ensure that the good standard of discipline in our school is maintained, developed and encouraged through a formal co-ordinated system agreed by Principal, teachers, pupils, parents and Board of Management.
2. To impress upon the children how important their behaviour is in creating the right environment for learning to take place.
3. To inculcate in children the belief that true discipline comes from within themselves.
4. To help children to become more responsible for their own behaviour through developing an understanding of rules and forms of appropriate behaviour.
5. To focus attention on the majority of children in our school who are well behaved and mannerly, making them more aware of their valuable, worthy and commendable role in creating a positive environment for learning.
6. To enable children to see that inappropriate behaviour denies their classmates their basic right to work in a disruption free environment.
7. To highlight the positive consequences of good behaviour, namely an increased sense of self-esteem and self-worth and an improved level of achievement in class.

INPUT

The principles and aims of our school discipline programme will be manifested and achieved through a supportive and positive interaction between the three main parties in the children’s education i.e. teacher, child and parent.

Teacher Input:

1. The teachers are committed to maintaining and promoting good discipline in a unified way and to this end all teachers will display the AGREED RULES prominently in their rooms.
2. The teachers are committed to reinforcing these rules frequently.
3. The teachers are equally committed to minimising disruption and will take all steps necessary to maintain good order. (See sanctions) Pupil Input:
1. All pupils have agreed that good behaviour is vital for learning to take place and are committed to following the AGREED RULES.
2. The pupils will display the AGREED RULES in their Journal and sign them at the start of the school year.
3. The pupils understand that sanctions are necessary and agree that they are fair.

Parent Input:

1. Parents acknowledge that their children’s good behaviour is vital in the life of our school and will sign the AGREED RULES with their child on enrolment.
2. Notes home regarding misbehaviour should be signed and returned to teacher.
3. Parents accept the need for sanctions, which are designed to safeguard the rights of their children.

PROCESS

The principles and aims of our school discipline programme will be realised in the following ways:

• Teachers draw attention to and encourage children to follow the AGREED RULES.
• Principal’s visits to classrooms to be used as opportunity to encourage positive behaviour by stating clearly and consistently what is expected of the children, and to reward and praise their achievements on a weekly basis.
• Teachers may use Rewards to reinforce good behaviour in individual children.
• S.P.H.E. lessons will be used to assist children who have a difficulty with their behaviour. This time will be used to discuss the need for good behaviour and to set realistic achievable “behavioural targets” from week to week.

ENDORSING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR

The ultimate goal of our school discipline programme is positive behaviour through self-discipline. The teachers in Arles N.S. place a high value on good behaviour and will endorse it by the appropriate use of praise, encouragement and personal rewards supplemented by use of the broader elements of reward adopted by the school i.e.

• Weekly Awards
• Child of Achievement
• Principal’s No Homework Award

SANCTIONS

The teachers will use the following sanctions as appropriate

• Reasoning / verbal reprimand / temporary separation.
• Written record in teacher’s class diaries.
• ‘Back on Board’ note sent home.
• Pupil sent straight to Principal
• Daily record sheet / Behaviour Book.
• Suspension

Sanctions offer clear boundaries and a safe framework for those children who need boundaries. Sanctions are not used as punishment for breaking rules, but are seen entirely as safeguarding the rights of the majority of the children.

School Discipline: Guidelines to appropriate response

A) The following forms of inappropriate behaviour can be dealt with via discipline record book:

Back answering/ Back cheek.
Use of foul language.
No uniform, no homework and no note.
Leaving seat without permission.
Rough play, pushing, shoving etc in class, yard or at PE.
Unruly at lining up.
Failing to line up.
Playing banned games in the yard.
Unruly during wet break.
Causing disturbance on corridor.
Eating snacks that have been disallowed. Crisps etc.

B) More serious misbehaviour can be dealt with directly by the principal for example:

Serious fighting.
Physical or verbal aggression towards teacher or pupil.
Physical and verbal bullying.
Stealing or interfering with other peoples property
Vandalism.
Climbing over school railings during break.
Entering school building during break.
Leaving school without permission.
Persistent repetitions of minor misbehaviour as in above.

ARLES National School

Our Agreed Rules

General Rules

1. We show respect to all people in our school.
2. We try to be polite and mannerly in school.
3. We treat all property with respect.
4. We are kind and helpful to each other whenever possible.
5. We walk carefully within the school.
6. We play carefully on the yard.
7. We line up when the bell is rung.

IN SHORT- We believe in the principals of “Kind Hands, Kind tongue, Kind Feet” and that “Gentle boys turn into Gentlemen”.

Classroom Rules

1. We pay attention and listen carefully to our teachers.
2. We do our work quietly and avoid distracting others.
3. We stay in our seats unless we get permission to leave them.
4. We sit properly and safely.
5. We raise our hand if we need attention.
6. We avoid unhelpful remarks and interruptions.
7. We believe it’s better to tell the truth.

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Pupil’s Signature:

Arles National School

Supporting Each Other’s Learning

Date:

Dear
As you know, Arles National School operates a system of rules for good behaviour, which all the children have agreed to follow. A reasonable standard of behaviour from all our pupils will ensure that learning can take place without disruption. _______________ is having a difficulty with his/her behaviour at the moment and I would be grateful if you could go over the Agreed Rules with him/her. An immediate return to good behaviour will be very much appreciated and valued.

Thank you,
Yours sincerely

Class Teacher
Please sign and return to your child’s class teacher.
I have spoken to my child and he/she will improve her behaviour in class.
Signed:_____________________ Date:





 
Arles National School, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois via Carlow ¦ Phone: 059 9147731 ¦ Email: principal@arlesnationalschool.ie

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