Code of Behaviour

Statement of Standards

In Cross and Passion College we aim to maintain a safe and orderly environment where staff and students can learn and work together in an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual respect.

 

Our Objectives

To encourage self-awareness and self-discipline in all

•  To nurture respect and consideration for others
• To create a safe and positive learning environment to enable all to reach their full potential
• To develop respectful ways of resolving difficulties and conflict
• To promote a sense of pride in our school and the development of a community spirit through a willingness to participate in school activities
• To encourage the development of values and responsibilities that will help prepare students for adult life

Code of Behaviour

  1. Attendance

Students should attend school each day and be on time. It is important that students are absent from school only when it is absolutely necessary. Poor attendance and poor progress and academic performance are closely linked.

• Students must attend all timetabled classes on a given day.
• Attendance is recorded electronically on VsWare. Parents/Guardians have access to VsWare and are encouraged to monitor their son/daughter’s attendance.
• On the first day back after an unforeseen absence the student should present a note, signed by a parent / guardian and written into the Student Journal (using the absence form at the back) to teachers/Year Head. This note must then be detached and placed in the relevant year group box in the school entrance foyer.
• Alternatively, parents/guardians can notify the school of an absence through the School App.
• Under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, the school must notify the National Educational Welfare Board if a student has missed a total of 20 days in the school year, even if the absences are accounted for. Therefore, family holidays should be avoided in term time. Medical and dental appointments should be arranged out of school time if at all possible. Year Heads will communicate with parents/guardians where concerns arise around poor attendance.
• Written requests to leave school during the school day must be shown to the Year Head (or Deputy Principal if the Year Head is unavailable) and signed before the student leaves the school. The student must always sign out at the main office before leaving.
• Parents / guardians can submit a Permission to Leave request through the School App but the student will still need a signature from their Year Head in the Student Journal to sign out at the main office.
• Students who arrive late to school must sign in at the main office. Students must receive a Late Stamp in their school journal before they enter class. Students who are regularly late may be given a detention by their Year Head.
• As far as possible, students should use bathroom facilities at break and lunch times to minimize disruption to classes.

  2. Illness During School Day 

•  When a student becomes ill during the school day they should inform the subject teacher that they have at that time and then seek permission from their yearhead to go to the main office so that a phone call home can be made. All contact with home must be made through the school office. Students are not permitted to phone directly.
• Having obtained permission to go home, the student signs out in the office as they leave. If a student returns to school they must sign back in.
• Students should never absent themselves from class without permission for health and safety reasons• All of these points are to ensure the safety of your son / daughter while in our care and parent/guardian support in these matters is appreciated.

3. On the Corridors and Break-Times 

• Given the number of students moving around the school, students are asked to move promptly and carefully at all times, following the instructions of staff where given.
• In order to maintain an orderly flow students are asked to keep to the left hand side of the corridor where possible.
• To maintain our school and show pride in our surroundings students are asked keep the corridors tidy i.e. place litter in the bins provided.
• All students are expected to respect both school property and any other student’s property.
• No student is permitted to smoke/vape in school or on the school grounds at any time.
• Consumption/possession of alcohol or any other illegal substances are strictly forbidden by school rules and the law of the land.
• The possession of bangers /fireworks/sharp objects or items that may injure another will be treated with the utmost of seriousness and may involve informing the relevant authorities. Bullying, fighting and intimidation are regarded as the most serious discipline offences that can be committed and will not be tolerated. Suspension and/or expulsion may result.

4. In Class

• The teacher decides on the seating arrangements, therefore students must sit where the teacher asks.
• Students should come fully prepared for class with all necessary books, equipment, stationery, pens etc.
• Students should ensure all homework due has been completed to the best of their ability and that day’s homework should be recorded in the school journal.
• As all students have a right to learn, no student should do anything to distract others during class time.
• All class periods either follow a break or are leading into a break, therefore it should be rare that a student needs to leave the classroom. In the case of an urgent need to leave, the student must ask for permission, provide their journal to the teacher so that the temporary absence can be recorded and endeavour to return to class as quickly as possible.
• It is important that students remain attentive throughout the class period.
• In keeping with our desire to display pride in our school students are expected to keep the classroom tidy, placing any litter in the bins. Eating in classrooms is not permitted.

5. Homework

• Homework is given in most subjects after each class. It may not always be written work. Some other examples of homework include: Learning assignments, reading, listening comprehension, learning phrases, personal reflective journal, drafting and writing essays, research, visiting the library, model making, word processing, project work, interviews, report writing, debate preparation, revision, watching a documentary etc.
• Homework should be completed to the highest possible standard for each student. Where homework is not completed a note of explanation from a parent/guardian should be supplied. Where this is not the case the teacher will impose an appropriate sanction.

6. Uniform

•  Parents/guardians show their sons/daughters and the school that they support the school in its efforts to maintain high standards of behaviour by ensuring that their son/daughter wears the correct uniform. Students are expected to wear the uniform with pride and respect and be conscious that every time they wear it, they represent our school community. Students are expected to be clean, neat and tidy and to take care of their uniforms at all times.
• Students are expected to wear full uniform each day:
  o Blue CPC school jumper with crest
  o Blue school shirt
  o School CPC check pleated skirt / Black trousers
  Note: Trousers are black ‘suit type’ – NOT leggings, jeans, tracksuit bottoms etc.
  o Black socks / tights
  o Black footwear (Plain black only)
  o The school CPC jacket/fleece can be worn over the uniform but NOT as a replacement for the blue CPC jumper.
  o The PE Hoodie is a pale blue CPC Hoodie with crest on it. This should be worn with plain pale blue polo shirt and plain black tracksuit bottoms.
  o The PE Hoodie and PE clothing is only worn for PE class.
• Non CPC items of clothing should not be worn around the school.
• All items of uniform and property should be clearly marked with the student’s name. It is recommended to bring only what is needed each day to school.
• If for any reason students are not wearing their full uniform, they must have a written note from a parent/guardian explaining the reason for this.
• Teachers will ask to see the note and record the details on VsWare for the attention of the Year Head. If the student has no note of explanation the teacher will also record the details on VsWare for the attention of the Year Head.
  o The Year Head will monitor these reports and after 3 such instances will contact a parent/guardian and the student will be put on detention.
  o If there is no improvement the Year Head will repeat these steps and arrange to meet with a parent/guardian.
  o If there is still no improvement the Year Head will refer the matter to the Deputy Principal outlining all steps taken to date.
  o The Deputy Principal will meet with the parent/guardian if there is still no improvement and further detention / suspension will be considered.
  o If necessary the Deputy Principal will refer the matter to the Principal.
• Hair styles and colour ought to be appropriate to wearing uniform. Neither extremely tight haircuts nor outrageous styles are acceptable. The school management’s decision about what constitutes unacceptable haircut/styles shall be binding.
• Similarly the school management’s decision on excessive use of makeup, jewellery and piercings shall be binding.
• The school operates a Lost and Found property room. Property abandoned within the school after school hours is placed in this room. Please ensure that your name is on all property – books, uniforms, jackets. etc.

7. Lockers

• Lockers are available for rent for all students except Fourth Years. Students are reminded that the lockers remain the property of the school and can be searched at any time.
• Any student found to be misusing or damaging a locker may have the privilege of using a locker removed.
• Students should only visit their lockers before school, during break/lunch time and after school.

8. Mobile Phones/Electronic Equipment

• Use of personal devices such as smart phones and tablets by students is confined to break times only (i.e. little break and lunch break). However if a member of staff tells a student(s) during break times that they should put their phone/tablet away then the student(s) should respect that. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
• Use of personal devices outside of break times, including supervised classes, can only take place with the expressed permission of staff and for educational purposes.
• During class time, personal devices such as smart phones and tablets should be powered off, unless staff permits them to be switched on.
• Personal devices, such as smart phones, are not permitted in exams and exam papers will be cancelled if this occurs.
• If a student needs to contact home urgently, they will be allowed to use the phone in the Main Office.
• If parents need to contact students urgently, they should phone the Main Office.
• The use of personal devices to take photographs/audio or video footage is prohibited, unless with the expressed permission of staff e.g. as part of Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) and with the consent of the subject(s) of photograph/audio or video footage.
•  If a student uses a personal device outside the permitted times or in breach of the agreed acceptable use then sanctions will apply, which may include confiscation of the device, suspension or expulsion.
• Where a phone is confiscated by a member of staff for misuse it will be left in the main office where it can only be collected by a parent/guardian.
•  A refusal by a student to hand up a phone to a member of staff will be considered very serious and the matter will be referred immediately to the Deputy Principal and/or Principal.
• At Cross and Passion College students must not take, use, share, publish or distribute images of others without their permission.
• Students must not share images, videos or other content online with the intention to harm another member of the College community regardless of whether this happens in school or outside.
• Misuse of mobile phones/devices/the internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges, detention and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The College also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
• Cross and Passion College will deal with incidents that take place outside the College that impact on the wellbeing of pupils or staff. In such cases the College will, where known, inform parents/carers of incidents of inappropriate online behaviour that take place out of the College and impose the appropriate sanctions.

9. Canteen/Refectory

• The school canteen offers a range of high quality, freshly prepared food. The canteen is open for breakfast, at break time and at lunch time. We encourage all students to use the facilities.
• First Year students are not allowed outside the school grounds at lunch time and must therefore either bring in their own lunch or use the canteen facilities.
• No students are allowed outside the school grounds during the small break.

10. Extra-Curricular Activities

• The expectations around student behaviour are the same as in school. In addition there may be specific guidelines depending on the activity. Students must follow the instructions of the accompanying adults at all times. Serious sanctions will apply where students misbehave when involved with such activities.

11. The School Ladder of Referral

• The purpose of sanctions is to give students a chance to reflect on their behaviour and to bring about a positive change in their behaviour in the future. It is our aim to ensure that sanctions are imposed in a fair, reasonable and consistent manner. Students will be encouraged by their teachers to correct inappropriate behaviour, without recourse to formal sanctions.

 

Stage One
• Teachers will address misbehaviours and lack of co-operation in their classes such as:
i. Lateness for class
ii. Failure to bring relevant materials
iii. Challenging teacher authority
iv. Refusal to follow instructions
v. Leaving assigned seat without permission
vi. Using inappropriate language
vii. Making noises/humming etc.
viii. Shouting out / at other pupils
ix. Eating/drinking/chewing gum
x. Using mobile phone
xi. Lack of or incomplete homework

• Teachers may use a variety of strategies to show disapproval of and to discourage unacceptable behaviour, such as:
i. Speak to student at the end of class and advise the student on what aspect of their behaviour they need to improve on
ii. Verbal warning
iii. Write out missed work / Issue extra homework / written work (no more than 1 A4 page)
iv. Arrange and supervise detention during school time: either before school/as part of lunch time or after school and record such in the school journal (parents will receive notice of such detention)
v. Review seating plan / Move student
vi. Note home
vii. Phone parents
viii. Meet parents

• Under the following circumstances a teacher may send for a Deputy Principal to remove a student from class:
i. Physical threat to (a) teacher, (b) another student
ii. Gross disruption of the class
iii. Major safety issue.

Stage Two
• The Class Teacher / Tutor fulfils a pastoral role and may speak with students (on referral by a teacher) about their behaviour to encourage them to alter the behaviour. They may contact parents by phone or in writing to inform them of their concerns.

Stage Three
• Incidents of serious and/or persistent indiscipline will be reported in writing to the Year Head by the teacher concerned. The teacher’s report details the incident(s) and the interventions used by the teacher and how the student responded to them. The teacher should inform the student that a referral sheet will be completed on the matter for the attention of the Year Head. All referral sheets are filed in students’ files once the issue has been addressed by the Year Head.
• The Year Head will address persistent misbehaviours such as outlined above, as well as inappropriate behaviour such as:i. Repeated minor offences ii. Refusing correction in class iii. Undermining adult authorityiv. Serious disruption of classv. Bullying/intimidation of other students vi. Inappropriate behaviour on corridors/at school eventsvii. Mitching / Truancy
• The Year Head may use a variety of strategies to show disapproval of and to discourage unacceptable behaviour, such as:
i. Speak to the student and advise the student on what aspect of their behaviour they need to improve on
ii. Refer to the Guidance Counsellor
iii. Seek Student Support Team support
iv. Phone parents
v. Meet parents
vi. Arrange and supervise detention during school time: either before school/as part of lunch time or after school and record such in the school journal
vii. Impose Friday detention
viii. Withdrawal of privileges
ix. Use Support Cards to monitor behaviour
x. Use Attendance Cards to monitor attendance / punctuality

Stage Four
• If there is insufficient improvement in behaviour despite the interventions of the teacher and Year Head, then the matter will be referred to the Deputy Principal. The report from the Year Head will detail the incidents and the interventions used by the teacher, and subsequently the Year Head, and how the student responded to them.
• The Deputy Principal will address continuing misbehaviours after interventions referred on by the Year Head such as outlined above, as well as inappropriate behaviour such as:
i. Substance abuse – alcohol/smoking
ii. Physical threat to a teacher or another student
iii. Fighting
iv. Inappropriate language directed at the teacher
v. Damage to school property
• The Deputy Principal may use a variety of strategies in addition to those above to show disapproval of and to discourage unacceptable behaviour, such as:
i. Temporary removal from class
ii. In-House Suspension from a particular subject(s) for a limited time.
iii. Seek cost of repair of damaged property from the student
iv. Support from outside agencies
v. External Suspension (in consultation with the Principal)
vi. Referral to the Principal.

Stage Five
• The Principal, and in his absence the Deputy Principal, has the final authority in dealing with matters of discipline in the day to day running of the school.
• The Principal/Deputy Principal will deal with serious breaches of behaviour, referred on by the Subject Teachers or Year Head. Serious breaches of behaviour will normally result in a pupil being suspended. (Please refer to Suspension and Exclusion policy).
• The Principal/Deputy Principal has the right to refer matters to the Gardaí when the law has been broken.
• The Principal may use any of the above sanctions/interventions plus those listed below:
i. In all cases of external suspension, the Principal will inform the Board of Management. Parents have a right to appeal the decision to suspend their son/daughter to the Board of Management.
ii. The Principal will inform Tusla/Education Welfare Officer if a student has been suspended for more than 6 days (20 cumulative days in any school year).
iii. The Principal may refer the student to an external agency for assistance in behaviour modification.
iv. The Principal may refer the pupil to relevant authorities, including the Gardaí.
v. The Principal may refer the behaviour of the pupil to the Board of Management.

Stage Six
• The Board of Management may arrange:
i. Meeting of parents with the Board of Management.
ii. Further suspension(s)/Exclusion.

 

12. Detention
Detention is a serious sanction used as part of the discipline system in the school.

• Detention normally takes place at 1.30pm each Friday for 1 hour.
• Parents are informed of the details in writing.
• Students are expected to turn up on time for detention and to cooperate with the supervisor.
• Students will be excused from detention only in exceptional circumstances and where these circumstances are communicated to the school directly by parents/guardians.
• Failure to attend detention without prior notice is very serious and will be followed up appropriately. Further sanctions, up to and including suspension, will be considered.
• Students who have a large number of detentions and suspensions may be brought before the Board of Management.

13. Motorbikes/Cars etc.

• Students with motorbikes must register them with the Secretary in the office. Once registered they may be parked alongside the Assembly Hall. Students with motor bikes that enter or leave the school premises in a reckless manner shall be barred from parking in the school grounds
• Because of the limited parking space in the school, students are not permitted to park their cars in the school grounds.

14. Supporting the Community 

• Cross and Passion College is very much a part of the wider community and values the many links with the local community. With this in mind students are asked to:
  i. Treat people you meet outside school with respect.
  ii. Respect the local environment and not litter or engage in any acts of vandalism.
  iii. Respect private or residential areas and not congregate there. iv. At all times be conscious of other road users and treat them with courtesy.

15. Awards 

• The school Awards aim to recognize students who have made a positive effort in many areas of school life. Awards are given for:
  o Academic Excellence
  o Application to Study
  o Excellent Attendance
  o Sporting Achievement
  o Achievement in Music
  o Principal’s Award for Contribution to School Life.
  o Subject Awards o Chaplain’s Award
  o Other awards can also be given as the opportunity arises.

• Transition Year Students have their own special Graduation Evening where TY awards and certificates are presented.

• As well as formal awards students are rewarded regularly through:
  i. Verbal praise for student in private/in class/at assembly
  ii. Positive note in the student journal
  iii. Commendation on the school app/website
  iv. Stamps/Stickers in the student journal
  v. Phone call home to parents
  vi. Positive Postcard posted to parents
  vii. Merit Award System for Transition Year
  viii. Small prizes throughout the year
  ix. Inter-Class Competitions with awards for the best class
  x. Display of students’ work in classrooms and on corridors
  xi. Leadership Roles given to pupils
  xii. Plaques on walls of school naming the Award Winning Students

16. Student Council 
Elections take place at the beginning of each year to elect representatives from each year group to the Student Council. The purpose of the Student Council is to provide leadership, and to serve the student body, the school, and the community. The Student Council at Cross and Passion College is the students’ voice in our school. Students are encouraged to participate in and support the Student Council.