Midleton College

Preamble

Midleton College is a co-educational boarding and day school recognised by the Department of Education and Science. While our Code of Behaviour is founded in the Christian teaching of the Church of Ireland and its underlying principles are expressed in the College Ethos Statement, the College welcome applications from those of all religions and of none.

Thus, our Code of Behaviour establishes the means through which, our central functions of teaching and learning in their varied forms, can occur effectively within an atmosphere of care, support and encouragement. It is fundamental to the successful daily routine of the College that teachers have the right to teach and that each pupil has the right to learn and enjoy school. v

However, this College takes an holistic view of the educational development of each pupil. It is our aspiration that all pupils will have the opportunity to develop as people and to realise their own worth alongside that of others. Our aim is that our pupils will leave the College equipped to make an active contribution to the community. Opportunities for teaching and learning therefore are not restricted to the classroom. Thus, the Code of Behaviour extends beyond the classroom and embraces all activities occurring within the College, or on behalf of the College, in which our pupils participate.

Staff are also encouraged to take a personal interest in the welfare and progress of each pupil regardless of academic ability or personality. In implementing this Code of Behaviour, the Board of Governors, Headmaster, Deputy Principal and any other designated College authority will consider any extenuating factors which may be relevant for consideration.

The Code of Behaviour has been complied by the teaching staff in consultation with parent and pupil representatives. The final document has been considered and ratified by the Board of Governors.

The Code of Behaviour will be reviewed, and updated where appropriate, on a regular basis.

General Behaviour Requirements

In applying our Code of Behaviour the College requires that all members of the College community, both staff and pupils, treat each other with respect and recognise the dignity and value of all.

As Midleton College is a co-educational campus the following general rules must be observed at all times:

Physical relationships between pupils are unacceptable.
Female dormitories and changing areas are exclusively for the use of female pupils.
Male dormitories and changing areas are exclusively for the use of male pupils.
The only pupils with right of access to any dormitory are those students who sleep there.
Only those residing in a particular dormitory must have right of access to those dormitories.

Child Protection Policy (CPP):

The College Child Protection Policy is available from the office at any time and available on the College Website. The Headmaster is the College Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

Attendance

All pupils are required to be in attendance by 8.50 a.m. each morning. Pupils who are late must provide a written explanation on the morning they are late. Any pupil who is late for school must go to the Deputy Principal to sign in before going to class. Apupil who is late more than 3 times in a fortnight without satisfactory explanation is subject to a disciplinary sanction.

Absence

Parents / Guardians must contact the College on the first day of any period of absence, to inform as to the reason for a pupils’ absence from school.

On the day of return from an absence, a pupil must bring a written explanation and place it in the Absent Notes Box in the main building before going to class.

Uniform and Appearance

Pupils are required to wear the College uniform to and from school, during the normal school day and at other times as designated by the College authorities. The uniform is a symbol of who we are and should be worn with a sense of pride in belonging.

The only clothing items permitted are those set out in the prescribed list which is attached. Any pupil wearing other clothing items will be withdrawn from class until they are wearing the proper uniform. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters / sons comply with the College uniform requirements. The College Health and Safety Policy prohibits facial jewellery or visible tattoos. Only stud earrings are permitted. Hair must be of a natural colour and worn neatly.

The designated authorities of the College will decide whether a pupil is complying with the uniform requirements or not.

In class and out of class

As locker rooms are open only before school, during break, lunch and after school, pupils must equip themselves with all relevant materials for each section of the school day. Pupils should arrive punctually for class. Pupils must ensure that they are attentive during class and do not interrupt either the teacher or another pupil. Classrooms should be left tidy at the end of each period.

When pupils are moving around the school they must ensure they do so in a safety conscious and courteous manner which will not cause damage to others, to property or to the environment. Pupils are provided with a range of opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities. They must adhere to the requirements specific to any particular activity and comply with all normal school rules during this participation.

Any pupils participating on field-trips, school tours or any other school-related activity, which occurs away from the College premises must comply with all normal school rules.

Theft

Attempting to, or actually having, stolen items belonging to any other person is regarded as a serious offence and will be subject to sanction which may lead to expulsion.

Smoking / Alcohol / Illegal Drugs

As the College wishes to promote a healthy environment smoking is prohibited. Pupils found in possession of cigarettes will be subject to sanction which may include suspension. Pupils found smoking on the College campus will be suspended for a first offence.

The possession and/or consumption of alcohol and/or illegal drugs are regarded as serious offences which may lead to expulsion.

Information Technology Policy

All pupils and members of staff are required to sign the College Acceptable Use Policy. Copies are available from the College office.

Mobile Phone Policy

Pupils are welcome to have mobile phones on campus. However, as the College is a co-educational residential campus mobile phones must not be camera/photograph enabled. Alist of suitable phones is available from the office.

Prescribed Medicines

All prescribed medicine which pupils may require during school must be handed in to the Matron’s office on the first day of use. No prescribed medicines or drugs can be selfadministered without written notification having been provided by a parent-guardian and agreed to by the Matron.

Leave out during school hours

Pupils are allowed to leave the school premises during lunchtime only if permission has been given in writing by parents/guardians. During the school day any pupils wishing to leave the school grounds must also have the permission of the member of staff on duty.

After arriving in the morning day pupils may not leave the school grounds unless permission has been granted, or otherwise until after school has finished.

Waste Management

The College recycles cardboard, aluminium, plastics and paper. Pupils must use the designated bins for each item they wish to dispose of. Anyone seen dropping litter will be subject to the appropriate sanction.

Lunchtime procedure

Day pupils may either have lunch with boarding pupils in the Dining Hall at the daily charge, purchase sandwiches /rolls and refreshments from the tuck shop or bring lunch to school with them. All day pupils eating their own lunch must do so in the pupil lunch room.

Boarder Leave Out

After School 1st and 2nd Year boarders are allowed to leave the school grounds on 1 afternoon each week for 30 minutes, if they do not have a previous commitment to extra-curricular activities. Pupils must seek permission of the member of staff on duty and sign out and sign back in on their return. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Year boarders are allowed to leave the school grounds on two afternoons per week for 30 minutes on each occasion. Pupils must seek permission of the member of staff on duty and sign out and sign back in on their return.

Late return or failure to comply with any of the above requirements may result in leave permission being withdrawn from a pupil.

Leave times are from 4.15pm to 4.45pm or from 5.15pm to 5.45pm.

The College reserves the right to refuse Weekend Leave Out to a boarding pupil if either the Headmaster or the Deputy Principal believe the pupil’s reason for seeking leave out is inappropriate. If parents / guardians wish their son(s) / daughter(s) to go home at the same time every weekend they should confirm this in writing at the start of the term. Any changes to this understanding should be forwarded to the College Secretary in writing by the Thursday of the week concerned.

Leave Out During Weekends

Leave out during the course of a weekend is granted by the member of staff on duty. Pupils must sign out with the member of staff and sign in again on their return.

Sunday Night Return

Any pupil returning to school on a Sunday must report immediatelyto the member of staff on duty. Pupils returning to school on a Sunday night must do so in time for roll call at 9.30 p.m.

Boarding pupils returning early on a Sunday evening may not leave the school grounds again.

Monday Morning Return

Boarding pupils returning on a Monday morning must sign in with the appropriate member of staff after Assembly in the Gym. Pupils must be on the premises by 8.45 a.m. and in full school uniform.

Disciplinary Structures And Procedures

It is the College’s aim to foster a positive attitude to personal responsibility and behaviour. The primary goal is to encourage pupils to consider what they should do as part of their moral and ethical development. There are a range of means in which positive behaviour and achievement both within and beyond the classroom are recognised. These include daily Assembly, Form Assembly, individual classes, awards nights and Prize Day.

In the daily routine of school pupils can achieve high standards for themselves and make a positive contribution to the community in a variety of ways.

Some examples are:

Assisting new pupils or any visitors to the school.
Being punctual to class and activities.
Ensuring all equipment is brought to class
Completing homework to the best of their ability.
Valuing yourself and other people.

In the event of a pupil engaging in a negative behaviour a structured series of disciplinary responses will be invoked. These are set out below. The chain of reporting proceeds from the Class Teacher to the Form Teacher to the Deputy Principal to the Headmaster, to the Board of Governors.

Subject Teachers

In the event of negative behaviour occurring in class, subject teachers have a range of sanctions available to them. These include:

Verbal reprimand
Moving the pupil to a different location within the class
Assigning extra work
Detaining the pupil at breaktime / lunchtime
Assigning cleaning tasks

This list is not exhaustive. In the event of a disciplinary incident occurring, which, in the view of the class teacher is of sufficient severity to require further sanctioning, the matter must be referred to the relevant Form Teacher and, if necessary, the Deputy Principal.

Weekly Report Sheets are compiled by class teachers each Tuesday in which both positive achievements, and, if necessary, incidents of negative behaviour, are recorded. These are used by Form Teachers as a means of drawing together a regular composite picture of a pupil’s performance.

Form Teachers

Form Teachers may issue a Report Card to pupils as a means of monitoring their performance in class. These are issued on a Wednesday and run for one week. Pupils must present the Report Card to each teacher at the beginning of each class for the week. The teacher will make a comment on the pupil’s participation at the end of the class. The Report card must be signed by a parent / guardian and returned to the Form Teacher by the following Wednesday.

The issuing of a Report Card is seen as a sanction in itself on the pupil’s behaviour. In certain circumstances it may be necessary to proceed to another phase of the disciplinary structure.

Detention

Form Teachers, the Deputy Principal and the Headmaster may issue a detention. Detention occurs on a Tuesday and a Thursday in the Library from 4.00 – 5.30 p.m. Pupils are required to attend the next available detention. Work will be set and must be completed.

Records are maintained in relation to behavioural offences that occur. This information may be used in meetings with parents / guardians, or as evidence in the event of further sanctions being deemed necessary.

Suspension / Expulsion

A pupil may be suspended only by the Headmaster. A pupil may be recommended for expulsion by the Headmaster to the Board of Governors. In the event of a pupil being recommended for expulsion the parents/guardians, or the pupil themselves, if they are 18 years of age or over will be provided with the right of appeal as specified in Section 29 of The Education Act 1998.

Spot Checks

As part of a preventative policy in relation to the possession of Alcohol and Illegal Drugs the College authorities may, from time to time, carry out spot checks of bags, lockers, dormitory areas, in the presence of the pupils’ concerned.

Local Appeals Procedure

Any parents/guardians who feel that a recommendation for expulsion is unreasonable may lodge an appeal in writing to the Headmaster. An appeal must be made within 14 days of the action complained of. The Headmaster will investigate and consult with the parents and others he considers appropriate with a view to achieving a resolution to the matter by agreement.

If agreement is not possible, the Headmaster will decide on the matter. This decision will be communicated in writing to the parents/guardians and others involved within 14 days of the receipt of the Appeal.

If parents/guardians are dissatisfied with the decision of the Headmaster they may appeal further to the Board of Governors of the College. Such a further appeal must be made in writing and must be submitted to the Secretary of the Board within 7 days of receipt of the Headmaster’s decision. The Governors will appoint an Appeals sub-committee comprising three members. The Headmaster will submit a copy of his decision to this sub-committee, which may seek whatever further submissions and consult with such other persons as it sees fit.

The sub-committee will hold a meeting with the affected parties within a further 7 days with a view to achieving a mutually agreed resolution to the matter. If agreement is not possible at this stage, the sub-committee shall hold a further meeting or meetings with the affected parties. The sub-committee shall issue its decision within 7 days of its final meeting.

This decision shall be binding on parents/guardians and all other affected parties subject only to a right of further appeal being available to any party pursuant to the Education Act, 1998.

Concluding Points

This Code of Behaviour will be issued to all prospective parents/guardians in advance of their daughters/sons being accepted into the College. It is a requirement of entry that parents/guardians sign their acceptance of the Code of Behaviour in advance of their daughters/sons being accepted into the College. The Code of Behaviour is also issued to all members of staff and they are required to adhere to it while employed by the College.

As the College values the role played by the Parent Teacher Association, the Code of Behaviour may be commented on by the committee of the PTAand their views passed on to the Headmaster. Parents/Guardians wishing to comment on the Code of Behaviour should do so through the PTA Committee members.