School Policies

The Legal Authority for the Control and Discipline of Learners

• The South African Schools’ Act empowers a governing body of a school to maintain discipline in a school. The Code of Conduct must prescribe behaviour that respects the rights of learners and educators.

• The school will make every effort to ensure that learners understand that action may be taken against them if they contravene the Code of Conduct.

• In cases where action has to be taken the school will inform the learners why:
  • Their conduct is considered as misbehaviour or misconduct.
  • They are to be disciplined or punished.
  • All learners at the school are subject to the Code of Conduct without exception. The learners will be informed about its contents on enrolment at the school.
  • An educator at the school shall have the same rights as a parent to control and discipline the learner in accordance with the Code of Conduct during the time the learner is in attendance at the school or school related activities.

• The Principal or an educator, upon reasonable suspicion, has the legal authority to conduct a search of any learner or property in possession of a learner for a dangerous weapon, firearm, drugs, or harmful dangerous substance, stolen property or pornographic material brought onto the school property.

Attendance

1. All learners are expected to attend school regularly and punctually.
2. School hours as appointed by SGB. (Please see the School Times under ‘Ethos’.)
3. Should a learner be absent from school, his/her parent is required to notify the school in writing.
4. Learner truancy/absence from class/bunking will not be tolerated

Absence

Absence from school effects the learner negatively. Absence is only allowed in the case of genuine illness. A letter from the parents is a necessity. A medical certificate is required if the learner is absent for more than 3 days. Learners must see to it that they catch up all their work.

Early Departure from School

1. No learner may leave the school premises without permission from the office during school hours.
2. The school prefers that appointments to e.g. doctors, dentists, etc be made after school hours or over the holidays.
3. A learner who needs leave during school hours must supply the office with a letter from the parent requesting permission for leave and must be collected by an adult.
4. A learner who falls sick during school hours must report to the class teacher, who will contact the parent.

It is expected that each educator will together with the learners develop their own classroom rules.

The following rules are applicable to all classes:

1. Every educator is responsible for discipline at all times at the school and at school related activities. Educators have full authority and responsibility to correct the behaviour of learners whenever such correction is necessary at the school. Serious misconduct must be referred to the Principal of the school.
2. Learners must commit themselves to do their school work during classes, complete assigned homework and catch up on work missed because of absence.
3. An educator’s instruction must be followed at all times. Under no circumstances will the undermining/disregard of an educator be tolerated.
4. Classrooms may only be left with the permission of an educator.

General Behaviour

1. Under no circumstances will learners be allowed to sell anything at the school, unless it relates to school fund raising or a project for which a teacher has sought the necessary permission.
2. Dishonesty, telling of lies, indecency or an act which in the opinion of the principal is condemnable will be acted upon by the Principal.
3. Disrespect towards the national symbols (national flag, anthem, etc) of the Republic of South Africa as well as the school flag and anthem will not be tolerated.
4. Any ill disciplined behavior in the classroom, on the school premises, during school trips/excursions or any school function, including any action that brings the school into disrepute will not be tolerated.
5. All litter must be thrown in the bins provided and not thrown around the class or school.
6. Learners must not disregard/undermine the authority of the Principal or staff of the school.
7. Disruption of classes or school by learners is unacceptable.
8. Learners are not allowed to enter areas restricted by the Principal/SMT.

Care of School Property

1. Every learner is expected to protect and use all school equipment and facilities with care.
2. Vandalism will not be rated.
3. Any learner who intentionally misuses, damages or defaces any school property should replace it or pay for the damage to property.

Drugs, Alcohol and Weapon free Zone

1. Smoking, alcohol, drug use is not permissible at the school.
2. Possession of cigarettes, cigarette lighters, matches, drugs, alcoholic drinks, pornographic material, firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons is prohibited at the school.

Violence, Bullying and Foul Language

1. No violence, bullying, intimidation or threatening of any kind is allowed at the school.
2. Learners are not allowed to swear or use foul language.

Property of Learners

1. Learners are not allowed to bring computer games, CD players, radios, cell phones, iPods, etc to school unless permission to do so has been obtained from the Principal.
2. Learners are encouraged not to bring valuable items to school. In cases where such items must be brought to school they should be handed in to the office for safekeeping.
3. Stealing/Theft is prohibited at the school.

Preamble

The school does not encourage the use of cell phones or any other form of electronic devices such as MP3 players, I Pods or cameras at school, although we realise that cell phones are a useful aid for safety and communication in arrangements with parents.

Scope

The policy is to encourage learners not to use cell phones or any other electronic devices during school hours. Learners may, in an emergency, make use of the school phones to contact their parents/guardians or the school will contact the parents/guardians personally.

Aim/Purpose and Goals

Uitsig Primary continuously endeavors to achieve the best learning practice. In order to enable and enhance such a learning practice, it is critical to make use of this policy. The purpose of this Policy is to develop a means of managing the best and secure learning environment for all learners and to be used as a guiding principle in the development of the learners.

Norms and Values

There is significant pressure on learners to have the latest model cell phone or electronic device. Parents are often placed under financial pressure to acquire such a device. Furthermore, the advantages of a cell phone or other electronic device are not overseen. There is a place for the latest communication devices, but unfortunately this also gives children access to unsuitable material, the ability to send unwanted material to one another and to communicate with unsuitable elements. Therefore the school can not take any responsibility for material received and sent during school hours.

While it is appreciated that this Policy may cause inconvenience for learners and their parents/guardians, it must be understood that it has been drawn up with the best interests of the learners at heart, with consideration for their education, their personal safety and the safety of their possessions.

Implementation

1. No cell phones may be used during class time. No calls or messages are allowed to be made or taken. Cell phones are only allowed to be switched on BEFORE or AFTER school.
2. Learners are not allowed to call parents to come and fetch them at school. This will be done by grade leaders and the administrative office.
3. Cell phones are not allowed in exam venues.
4. If a learner brings a cell phone or any other electronic device to school, it is done so at their own risk. The school will take no responsibility if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
5. Learners are not allowed to have any other electronic devices with them during school time.
6. Cell phones, electronic devices and earphones must be put away during school time.
7. Cell phones or other electronic devices may not be used or switched on during break time.
8. If the above rules are broken, the cell phone or any other device will be confiscated by the teacher and will be kept till the end of the day. Demerits will be given.
9. After the second offence the cell phone or any other device will be locked away in the school safe for a period of 10 days.
10. After a third offence the cell phone or electronic device will be confiscated and locked up till the end of the term.