Preamble

1. PREAMBLE

1.1    St Thomas Aquinas School is committed to the holistic development of its learners within the Gospel values of justice, truth and love.

1.2   The principle of the dignity of each individual is fundamental in all areas of school life.

1.3   This requires that the above values are lived out in the behaviour and conduct of each learner.

2. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LEARNERS

2.1   All learners will enjoy equal treatment and protection and no learner may be unfairly discriminated against.

2.2  Every learner has the right to have his/her dignity respected and the right not to be treated in a cruel or degrading manner.  Corporal punishment cannot be employed by educators and learners are to seek non-violent solutions to conflict and differences.

2.3  Every learner has the right to privacy.  However, the principal or educator may search a learner and seize his/her possessions, on the grounds of reasonable suspicions.

2.4  All learners have the freedom of expression.  This, however, will be limited to freedom of speech and freedom to present petitions.  Freedom of speech is not absolute and vulgarity, insubordination and insults will not be tolerated.

2.5  All learners have the right to agreed procedures for expressing and resolving school-related grievances, including an appeal method.  Problems or issues should, as far as possible, be resolved at the school.

2.6  Learners have the right to a clean and safe environment conducive to sound education.

2.7  Learners are expected to know the contents of this document.  Ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse.

2.8  Learners must at all times abide by the rules set out in the Code, whether at school or outside the school grounds.

2.9  Learners have a responsibility to learn and develop their full potential.

2.10  At all times, common sense should prevail.

A 4th detention, will trigger a disciplinary hearing.

Academics

6.1 CATEGORY 1

6.1.3 Detention

Insubordination

Forgery

Gambling

Senior Phase Academics

The Disciplinary Team, at its discretion and depending on the severity of the misconduct, may proceed as follows:

6.4 DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS

Any learner who has committed an extremely serious offence or who repeatedly breaks the school rules, has to appear before a disciplinary committee.

The committee will hear the evidence and then decide on the action to be

taken.

The action must include the following:

• The parents/guardians must be informed in writing of the proposed action.
• A Disciplinary Committee will be formed and the offender will receive a fair hearing.
• The parents/guardians will be informed of the outcome (in writing) within 48 hours (school days).  The document must be collected by the parent/guardian.

Learners’ rights with regard to a disciplinary hearing:

6.4.1     The right to a formal hearing.

6.4.2    The right to be present at the hearing.

6.4.3    The right to be given time to prepare for the case.

6.4.4    The right to be given advance notice of charges.

6.4.5    The right to be assisted at the hearing by parents/guardians if under age.

6.4.6    The right to ask questions on any evidence produced, or on statements of witnesses.

6.4.7    The right to an interpreter (to be requested in writing by the learner, 24 hours prior to the hearing).

6.4.8    The right to appeal within five school days against any penalty by the Disciplinary Committee.

6.4.9    Should the learner and/or his/her parents/guardians not attend the hearing, the hearing will be conducted in their absence.

6.4.10 Be informed in writing of the decision on whether or not he/she is guilty of serious misconduct and of the penalty that is being imposed on him/her.

6.5  The above disciplinary procedure will be followed in all cases where there has been unacceptable conduct by a learner or group of learners.  Any behaviour off school property that can be associated with the school or has the potential to harm the school image will also be covered by the Code.

LOCKERS

• Lockers are made available for hire by Gr 8 – 12 learners.  Preference is given to Gr 8 & 9 learners. A locker number will be allocated to a learner.  No learner may make use of another locker without the express permission of the teacher in charge of lockers.
• Should there be a problem with the locker, this must be reported to the teacher in charge of the lockers immediately.
• No vandalism of lockers (including removing the doors) will be tolerated.
• No learner may request any of the groundstaff to remove a lock from their locker – this must be done via the teacher in charge of the lockers.
• The amount payable for the year will be debited to the school account after the permission slip has been signed by parents/guardian.  This amount must be paid into the school account.  NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE TEACHER.
• Lockers must be kept neat and tidy and cleared out by the end of October.  Failure to do so will result in locks being cut off and the contents disposed of.  Lockers must be kept locked with a COMBINATION LOCK (to prevent loss of keys) at all times.  No learner may tamper with the lock on another learner’s locker.
• Each learner must have his/her own locker – sharing is not permitted.
• No learner may make use of a locker unless they lock it.  Failure to lock the locker at any time will result in the contents being confiscated without warning.
• Learners may not keep food or any perishable items in their lockers for longer than 2 days.

BREAK TIME/BEFORE SCHOOL/AFTER SCHOOL

• At no time may learners play with a ball on the school grounds (tennis balls, cricket balls, soccer balls, rugby balls, golf balls, hockey balls, etc).  These may only be used on the field at the designated times.
• Any learner found with a ball in their possession will have it confiscated until the end of term and demerits will be given (unless they are on their way to or from the field with the ball).  Should a ball be brought to school, it must be kept in a bag or in a locker during lesson times.

CONFISCATED JEWELLERY POLICY

PLAGIARISM POLICY

1. Plagiarism (in any form) will not be tolerated.
2. If plagiarism is detected, the learner will receive zero for the piece of work. No opportunity will be given to resubmit work.
3. According to the Code for learners, plagiarism is a category 3 offence. It may result in a disciplinary hearing. Possible suspension and expulsion could occur.

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary the following can be considered plagiarism:

• To steal or borrow another person’s work.
• To pay another person to do your assignment.
• To copy directly from a source and simply reference it in a bibliography.
• To use another person’s ideas and build on them without giving credit to the original idea.
• To paraphrase another person’s work word for word.
• To present false data (fabricated, altered or borrowed without permission).

HOW CAN PLAGIARISM BE AVOIDED?

• Learners must use source document/s for reading up on a topic and make notes.
• Once thorough reading has taken place, the learner writes the piece of work in his / her own words.
• Learners must also provide a complete reference list of all source documents that have been used. The Shorter Harvard Method of referencing is to be used.  (See “How to compile a bibliography/reference list” below)

Learners can submit the work to a plagiarism website for checking. The following websites may be used:

http://www.plagiarism-detect.com

http://www.duplichecker.com

http://www.plagiarismchecker.com/help-teachers.php

http://searchenginereports.net/articlecheck.aspx

• An acceptable percentage for plagiarism is between 6% and 8%. (Based on IEB practice).

HOW TO COMPILE A BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCE LIST:

1. A Bibliography lists all the works/sites read up from (whether quoted from or not.)  It appears at the end of an assignment.
2. A Reference list lists all the works/sites directly quoted from. It appears at the end of an assignment, arranged alphabetically by authors’ names.
3. A Citation or in-text-citation backs up a statement or quotation in the text.  It gives the author’s name and the date of a publication in brackets in the text directly after a quote.

a) Referencing a Book:

Record the full bibliographical details including the page number(s) from which the information is taken.  Write it in a specific order and take note of punctuation rules and what appears in upper case and what appears in Italics and Title Case:

AUTHOR’S SURNAME (upper case) , INITIAL. Date. Title in Title-Case or Underlined if

Handwritten. Place published: Publisher’s name.

Example:

ADAM-SMITH, P. 1978. Art of the Aborigines. Melbourne: Thomas Nelson.

b) Publications compiled by an editor – use the name of the editor.

Example:

WALTHER, I. F. (ed.), 2005. Art of the 20th Century. Köln: Taschen.

c) Newspaper and magazine articles:

Author of article. Year of Publication. Article title. Title of magazine/newspaper. Volume number

(If available), (Issue number) (If available) or date: Page numbers.

d) Referring to an Internet Site:

To cite a document from a website, follow the author, date, etc. format.

Providing just a search engine ‘Google ‘or a URL ‘ http: quotes.com ‘ is not

acceptable.

Websites:

Author. Date or update. Title of item or page. Title of Home page (Online). Available: URL of item. Date Accessed.

Example:

BECKLEHEIMER, J., 1994. How do you cite URLs in a bibliography? [Online], Available:<http://www.nrlssc.navy.mil/meta/bibliography.html>. Accessed on: 12 August 2007.

Example for online images – give the artist’s name:

Fig 13. SALVADOR DALI, The Persistence of Memory. (1931). Oil on canvas, 24 x 33cm. Museum of Modern Art, New York.(Source: ww.virtualdali.com/assets/paintings/31Persis> …) [Accessed 10 January 2008].

World Wide Web page with no publication date

Prizker, T. J. n. d., An early fragment from central Nepal//. [Online] Available:

http://library.regencystudent.com/referencing.html>. Accessed on: 12 August

2007.

e) Citing:

‘Fish are born alive.’ (Buchanan, 1998).

No further referencing detail, such as footnotes, is expected. However in Visual Art for quotations, we can simply use quotation marks and a footnote which will appear at the bottom of the page.

All citations must be backed up by a full reference in the Reference list.

Gr 10 – 12 learners may be required to submit their work to a plagiarism website for checking.

HIGH SCHOOL TEST/EXAM POLICY & PROCEDURE

1. HIGH SCHOOL TEST/EXAM POLICY & PROCEDURE

   • As far as possible, learners and their parents should avoid making personal plans during exam time.  Should there, however, be an emergency, the HOD must be contacted immediately.  Learners who arrive late for a test/exam will not be given any additional time in which to complete it.
   • At least 1 week’s notice must be given to the learners for cycle tests.  Learners are required to ask the teacher what to learn if that have not been notified timeously.
   • As far as possible, and when the timetable permits, no more than 1 test will be written per day and no more than 3 per week  (Excl. vocabulary & spelling tests or other tests not requiring learning)
   • Formal test timetables are provided by the Deputy Principal for terms 1, 2 & 3.  During the fourth term, learners should ask their teachers if a test in their particular subject has been scheduled for them, as no formal timetable is provided due to the brief period before examinations begin.
   • Gr 8 & 9 learners have a formal test period once every 6-day cycle.
   • These tests are to be written on the exam pads/books which are left in the classroom.
   • There must be absolute silence.  No communication with other learners whatsoever!
   • Bags to be left at the front/back of the classroom or outside on the lockers.
   • Learners may not wear their blazers during tests/exams.
   • Learners may not have ANYTHING in their pockets during a test/exam.
   • Learners may not have cellphones, electronic devices or earphones on their person during any test/exam.
   • Teachers have the right to conduct searches of learners/pencil cases/calculators, etc. at random.
   • Learners may not go to the toilet during the first hour or last half hour of any test/exam.
   • Calculators (if they may be used in the test/exam) may not have their covers on.
   • Learners may not have any notes/books/incriminating evidence in their possession.
   • Should a learner neglect to hand in any part of his/her answer script, it will not be taken in afterwards for marking at any time after the answer scripts have been collected.
   • Learners must staple their own tests/exams.
   • A doctor’s letter must be provided if a test/exam is missed.  Failure to do so can result in a learner obtaining zero for the test/exam.
   • If the learner was absent on the day of a test, it is the learner’s responsibility to see the HOD early in the morning on the day that he/she returns to school to arrange to write the test.
   • The test will be written after school on the day the learner returns to school, except in extenuating circumstances, (at the discretion of the HOD.)
   • Planned absenteeism:  the learner will write the test the following day after school.  (A letter must be provided).
   • If a learner must write a test that has already been written by other learners no communication whatsoever regarding the test is permitted between learners!  Any such communication will result in serious consequences for learners!
   • Corrections will be done verbally by the teacher and learners must record correct answers in pencil.
   • Learners are not required to have tests signed, but parents/guardians will be informed by SMS if their child has performed poorly or failed the test.
   • The following procedure will be followed when cheating is suspected:

   i)   The test will be taken from the learner & the time recorded.

   ii) The learner must start again (from the beginning or continue where they left off).

   iii) No additional time is given.

   • The HOD will investigate the matter.  Disciplinary procedures may follow.

   In addition to the above, the following will apply during examinations:

   EXAMINATIONS:

   • In the study venues, learners must sit in alphabetical order.  They may not talk or “teach” each other.
   • Learners must have their stationery in clear plastic containers and may not have the covers on their calculators.  Learners may take water into the exam venues in clear plastic bottles.
   • If the learners have a break, they must go to the rose garden area.
   • All bags to be placed in the front or at the back of the class (or in the foyer of the hall).
   • As per IEB procedure, learners are given an extra 10 minutes’ reading time at the start of each exam. No writing or highlighting may take place during this time.
   • If learners finish an exam early, they may hand in the exam and then read a book.  Books to be placed on teacher’s desk or at back of hall on the table at the start of the exam.  Once handed in, the learner may not be given their answer script back.
   • At the end of the exam, learners must stop writing and put down their pens.
   • Learners must leave the school premises within half an hour after the end of their exam.

   .

1. HAIR

Girls

–          All hair longer than the bottom of the collar must be tied back (including braids/dreadlocks).

–          Fringes must be short and neat and no hair may hang in the eyes.  Fringes may not extend beyond the eyebrows.

–          NO strands of hair may hang loose about the face.  It is not sufficient to simply place the loose hair behind the ears, it MUST be held back securely with clips or bands.

–          The colour of the hair must remain natural-looking at all times.

–          No gel, mousse, wax or other hair care products are permitted.

–          Only PLAIN white, navy, black or royal blue accessories (clips, bands, ribbons) may be worn.  (No turquoise/silver/gold/brown).  No diamanté or fancy hair accessories (including flowers) are permitted.  Hair accessories may not be patterned.

–          Hair extensions/braids must be thin (no thicker than 1cm in diameter).  They must lie flat against the head (not on top of one another) and be neatly tied in the neck.  The length of the braids may not extend beyond the middle of the back.  No bushy hairstyles or elaborate hairstyles are permitted.  Learners may not incorporate more than one particular style (i.e. shaved in one part & braided in another)

–          Excessively large “buns” are not permitted.

–          No afros are permitted.

–          Any hairpiece (weave) worn must comply with the above rules and must be properly attached and kept neat and clean.  Hairpieces/braids must be the natural colour of the learners’ hair.  Only the following colours are permitted:  #1, #1B, #4.  Burgundy shades are forbidden.

–          Dreadlocks are discouraged, however, if a learner does have dreadlocks, they must comply with the above rules.

–          Should a girl’s weave/braids/extensions become untidy, the HOD reserves the right to instruct her to remove them.

–          Permission will not be given for any specialised hairstyles for any events.

–          Facial hair must (lips, chin) be removed.

–          Eyebrows may not be shaved or have patterns shaved into them.

Boys

1. –          The entire head of hair must be kept short, in particular the fringe and hair on the top of the head.  Hair should be short enough that it is not able to be fastened with an elastic band.  This rule is to be applied at the discretion of management.

   –          Hair may not touch the collar at the back.

   –          The sides may not touch the ear when combed down.

   –          Fringes may not touch the eyebrows.

   –          Sideburns must be thin and must end 15 mm above the bottom of the earlobe.

   –          Boys must be clean-shaven at all times.  (It is recommended that boys who have facial hair and are not yet ready to shave use depilatories or an electric razor).  Boys who are unshaven will be given a new, disposable razor and will have to shave at school.

   –          The colour of the hair must remain natural at all times.  No colouring of the hair is permitted.

   –          No gel, mousse, wax or other hair care products are permitted.

   –          Mohawks are not permitted.  The hair must lie flat against the head.

   –          Afros are not permitted.

   –          “Steps” are not permitted in the hair, however “fade”/“faze” / ”combover”/”undercut” styles will be permitted, so long as there is not a very significant difference between the shorter part and the longer part.  The hair is required to be “blended”.

   –          No patterns or lines may be shaved into the hair or eyebrows.

   –          Neat, flat “corn rows” are permissible and must be neatly tied.  No “tails” permitted.

   –          Short, thin, neat “mini dreads” are permissible, but must comply with the above rules.

   –          Permission will not be given for any specialised hairstyles for any events.

2. UNIFORM

GIRLS & BOYS (GR 8 – 11)

–          Black leather school shoes. (Lace-ups only, not slip-ons)  Girls may wear buckle-up school shoes.

–          Summer:

Short-sleeved, open neck white school shirt (no top button), school badge.  (Witbank Outfitters)

–          Winter:

Long-sleeved, button-up collar white school shirt

School tie

A Plain black scarf may be worn (no stripes, not fluffy or elaborate)

–          Plain black beanies & gloves may be worn to school, but not in the classroom.

–          Should any learner wear incorrect beanies/scarves/gloves, etc. the item/s will be confiscated and donated to charity OR the learner will receive a demerit.  Confiscated items will not be exchanged for demerits (or vice versa). If a demerit is given, the item must be removed immediately.

–          Royal blue jersey or pullover with school badge.

–          Should the learner choose the wear both the pullover and the jersey, the pullover must be worn underneath the jersey.

–          No vests may be visible at the neckline or sleeves.

–          School blazer: compulsory for terms 2 & 3.  Must also be worn on assembly days or special celebrations in summer.  Blazer sleeves may NEVER be pushed up. House badges MUST be worn on the blazer.  (These can be purchased from the office).  New learners will be allocated to a house within their first week of school.

–          At times when school tracksuits may be worn the following rules apply:

The “Big Badge” T-shirt must be worn with the tracksuit.  This is currently being phased out and replaced by the new golf shirt.

WHITE sports takkies must be worn.  (No fashion/canvas shoes or sneakers).  We are aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult to buy plain white takkies, but they must be PREDOMINANTLY white and have white laces.

Tracksuit top sleeves may never be pushed/rolled up.

Summer: (Term 1 & 4)

No pullover or jersey may be worn with the tracksuit.

PT shorts (from Witbank Outfitters) may be worn instead of tracksuit pants – NOT match kit shorts.

Winter: (Term 2 & 3)

The “Big Badge” T-shirt must be worn with the tracksuit.  This is currently being phased out and replaced by the new golf shirt.

A pullover or jersey may be worn, but only if the tracksuit top is worn as the outer garment.

No coloured tops to be worn under the white shirt.  If a vest is worn it may not stick out at the neckline.

Should the T-shirt become stretched, faded or sloppy-looking, the learner is expected to purchase a new one.

Boys (Gr 8 – 11)

PT UNIFORM

(See “Uniform – Boys & Girls)

–          Gr 8 & 9 learners must come to school in their PT uniform on the days they have PT.

–          Gr 10 – 12 learners must bring their PT uniform to school to change into on the days they have PT (as part of LO)

AT NO TIME may learners wear headphones or earphones whilst in school uniform.

School clothing must be clean at all times! (Including blazers & jerseys)

NAILS, MAKE-UP & JEWELLERY

Girls

–          Nails may not be visible from the inside of the palm.  Nails must be clean at all times.

–          Only clear nail polish may be worn.  False nails/tips are not permitted.

–          No make-up may be worn. Eyelashes and eyebrows may not be tinted. False eyelashes are not permitted.

–          The only earrings permitted are either a small silver or gold stud (only plain, round ones – no stars or stones) or regular-sized gold or silver sleepers.  They must be worn in the lowest hole in the ear.  Only one earring per ear.  No diamanté/pearls/coloured stones.

–          Toenails may not be painted with coloured nail polish.

Boys

–          Nails must be short and clean.

–          No rings or earrings are permitted.

Boys & Girls

–          Watches:  Only plain watches with plain gold, silver, black, white or navy straps may be worn.  No elaborate or ornate links or straps.  Watch faces should not be larger than a R5 coin and must be plain (no diamanté, charms, etc).

–          Only Medic Alert bracelets may be worn.

–          No armbands/bracelets/bangles are permitted.

–          The rubber-type bands that are issued by some institutions (although possibly religious), may not be worn. These are not considered jewellery and will thus be confiscated/destroyed, but not sold back to the learner.

–          Elastic bands / hair bands may not be worn on the wrist at any time.

–          No tongue rings/nose studs/belly rings or tattoos are permitted.

–          A religious symbol (of your own religion) may be worn on a long chain that is not visible at the neck line.

–          No colour contact lenses are permitted whatsoever as these are considered cosmetic.  Learners who are required to wear contact lenses must ensure that they are clear.

–          Eyelash extensions are not permitted.

THE SCHOOL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEND THE LEARNER HOME IF INAPPROPRIATELY DRESSED.

Civvies: Boys

Computers

1. Acceptable Use: Use of the school computers must be in support of education and research that is consistent with the educational objectives of the school.

2. Unacceptable Use: Transmission or receipt or storage of any material in violation of any South African or school regulation is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to the following: copyrighted material, threatening, harassing or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use of school computers for commercial activities is not acceptable. Any transmission or receipt of pornographic material is expressly prohibited and will result in the cancellation of computer privileges, as well as further disciplinary action. The same applies to any learner found guilty of cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment.

3. Privileges: Theuse of school computers and the Internetis a privilege, not a right, and unacceptable use will result in a cancellation of those privileges and the taking of appropriate school disciplinary action.

4. Rules:

a. No food or drink allowed in the computer room.

b. No software may be installed on or deleted from the computers. This includes games which

may not be installed or played at any time as well as any form of software.

c. Do not alter or remove any computer files that do not belong to you.

d. All copyright laws are to be observed.

e. No computer or peripheral devices may be moved, opened, disconnected or used without consent. This could lead to disciplinary action.

f. Learners should report any computer problems to their teachers immediately. This includes all hardware and software problems, as well as any logon/password and malware issues such as spyware, viruses etc.

g. Appropriate behaviour, language and common courtesy are expected at all times. There is to be no running, shouting or loud noise in or around the computer room.

h. Anyone found attempting to breach security will immediately forfeit their computer usage privileges.

i. Learners may not access inappropriate Internet sites. These include sites that contain elements of nudity, pornography, foul language, racism, violence and any other material that may be deemed offensive.

j. Learners may not upload or save files onto a local C: drive, or onto any other unauthorised drive or folder. The school’s network is reserved for bona fide school work and projects, and any ‘private’ files found on the network (e.g.: games, video clips, music, pictures) will be removed immediately.

k. There is to be no loitering in or around the computer room. This is a place for serious learning and not a venue for non-computer related socialising.

l. No Internet chat facilities and or social network sites may be used at all.

m. Memory sticks/flash drives are to remain in class at all times. Removal of these will constitute disciplinary action.

n. Learners will be assigned seats and a record will be kept of their station number. Learners may not sit at another station without the express permission of the computer teacher. Failure to adhere to this will result in disciplinary action.

o. Assignments need to be completed by the due date. Failure to do so will be dealt with according to the Code.

p.        Under no circumstances will a learner be permitted to use the computer room for printing or other purposes during lesson times or break.  An AFTERNOON appointment must be scheduled IN ADVANCE on the appropriate booking sheet in the computer room.  Any learner who requests to use or uses the computer room during unscheduled times will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

5. Network Etiquette: You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

a. Be polite at all times

b. Use appropriate language

1. c. Do not reveal your personal address or contact details, or those of any learner or staff member, to anyone on the Internet

d. Do not use the network in any way that is obstructive or disruptive for others

e. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be the private property of the school or of the originator of the specific document, file or communication

6. The school will not be held responsible for any damages or inconvenience that you may suffer as a result of your use of the computers, such as data loss resulting from delays, non-deliveries or service interruptions.

7. Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you identify a security problem on the Internet or network, please notify the teacher immediately.

8. Vandalism: Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the local or network operating system, the hardware or software of the computers themselves, or the wider network or Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses or any other type of malware. Anyone found guilty of vandalism will have his or her computer privileges revoked.

9. Duration of Agreement: The Contract Agreement for Learner and Parent/Guardian comes into force upon signing of the contract and ends when the learner leaves St Thomas Aquinas School. This agreement is binding on all parties.

CODE OF CONDUCT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT

By completing and signing the “HIGH SCHOOL LEARNER INFORMATION FORM & CODE OF CONDUCT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT 2016” learners & parents/guardians indicate that they have read and understood this document and agree to adhere it.  (Should there be any points that require clarification, parents/guardians and learners are welcome to contact one of the HODs or the Deputy Principal)

The completed form must be returned to the register teacher within the first week of school.

In signing the document, the learner accepts the following:

1. Education is a right, and the learner has responsibilities that accompany this right.
2. Teaching or learning activities may not be disrupted, nor may others be distracted while they are engaged in these activities.
3. Learners must be punctual for all activities and classes and in completing assignments and homework.
4. Learners are not to malinger (pretend to be ill in order to get out of work/duties).
5. Learners must strive to improve their personal organisation and time management skills (e.g. having the correct books and equipment for classes and activities) in respect of academics and sporting activities.
6. Learners are expected to make new members of the community and visitors welcome by being polite and helpful towards them.
7. Learners must display good manners towards all members of the school community at all times.
8. Uncouth and rowdy behaviour, and in particular avoid foul language, must be avoided at all times.
9. Learners may not insult anyone.
10. Graffiti of any kind will not be tolerated.
11. Different areas and rooms within the school are governed by their own sets of rules and learners will familiarise themselves with these and comply with them.
12. Learners understand that smoking, the use of alcohol, possession and/or use of illegal drugs, bullying, obscenity, theft, dishonesty and vandalism are all serious, punishable offences which could result in expulsion from the school.
13. Learners must adhere to the dress code at all times and not chew gum.
14. Learners will remain within bounds at all times unless they have special permission to break bounds.
15. Neither weapons nor dangerous objects may be in the possession of any learner at any time.
16. Learners will recognise the authority of the Educators and the prefect body.
17. Learners will recognise the authority of the Disciplinary Committee and ultimately the Head to hear and judge cases of serious misconduct (those which may lead to expulsion) and to assign punishments to offenders.
18. Learners will not engage in any physical contact which others might regard offensive or sexual in nature.
19. Learners will not make themselves guilty of discrimination (racial, gender, or otherwise).

20.  Learners will not make themselves guilty of plagiarism or forgery.  (All work presented will be the learner’s own)

1. Learners are expected to report any contravention of school rules to an educator.

22.  Learners will hand in all reply slips, forms and items as required ON TIME.

23.  Learners will adhere to ALL the rules laid out in the various policies covered by the Code.

Grade 8 learners will be required to write a test on the contents of this document within the first two weeks of the new school year.  (It is not necessary to LEARN the document, but to read it thoroughly and make sure it is understood.  Boys/girls need only know about the uniform/appearance regulations that apply to their gender.)

The marks will form part of the Life Orientation mark for the first term.

Kindly complete & sign the form (to be provided separately) & return it to your register teacher within the first week of school.  Both parents and learner must sign that they have read & understood the contents.