Glenamaddy Community School dedicates itself to providing an holistic education where the potential and uniqueness of each student is fostered and celebrated. With our Educational Partners we strive to create a caring environment of mutual respect, where each individual is cherished and nurtured to a personal, intellectual and moral maturity. We find our inspiration in the Christian message of faith, hope and love.

The Aims of the Glenamaddy School Community

We are committed to providing the best possible education for all our students. We aim to create a sense of community where respect is mutual and where people bring out the best in each other.  We are committed to creating a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning, where our students can develop into motivated and self disciplined young people.

We recognise that students have different abilities and interests and tailor our expectations accordingly. Every student has a right to an education, which suits his/her needs and abilities and encourages each student to develop his/her potential. Everyone has corresponding responsibilities to ensure that the rights of others are upheld. We seek to inspire and motivate our students by example and advice. Good behaviour is encouraged, praised and rewarded. Our standards are high so that our students can grow into self-confident and responsible citizens, prepared to face the challenges of independent life after school. In that regard we commit ourselves to implement the School Rules in a fair, impartial and consistent manner.

The Goals of the Educational Partners

The primary educators of children are parents. By sending them to Glenamaddy Community School parents are asking the school to act in loco parentis, to act as they would. Consequently the Management and Staff seek to create a suitable environment conducive to learning and happiness. The Staff of the school is fully conscious of the obligation this puts on it to maintain a productive and co-operative atmosphere where learning can take place. Good discipline is everyone’s concern. It contributes to order and is an integral part of the educational and socialisation process. Our school rules are necessary to protect the general good and the rights of all the school community.

Pastoral Care

Our Pastoral Care system makes the student the focus of school life.  The whole school aims to respond to the needs of our students - spiritually, socially and academically. Every student is encouraged to develop a set of values that embrace respect and responsibility.   The Pastoral Care Team meets each week to discuss the welfare of our students.

• Senior students act as mentors for First Year students in the first term.
• Each class is assigned a Tutor who functions in a pastoral capacity.
• Each year has a Year Head who has responsibility for monitoring discipline, academic progress and personal development. Files are kept which contain records of each student’s progress, achievements and behaviour together with copies of school reports and family data.
• The Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Heads and Chaplain meet each week to discuss issues relevant to the management of the school.
• Students and Parents also have the services of a School Chaplain, Guidance Counsellor and Learning Support Teachers.  You are welcome to make an appointment to speak with our Pastoral Care Team.
• Morning Assembly is held once a week for each year at 9.00am sharp. All students must be in attendance for roll call, uniform and homework check on the specified day.

 Counter Bullying Policy

• Our school has an Counter Bullying policy that forbids all forms of bullying and intimidation.
• Bullying is regarded as a serious offence and, where necessary, appropriate disciplinary procedures will be applied
• If concerns are voiced they are dealt with on an individual basis by the Year Head, Deputy Principal or Principal.
• This is a “Telling School” which encourages victims and witnesses to come forward.
• We recognise that bullies can also be victims and that counselling may be better than punishment in some cases

Extra Curricular Activities

• All students are encouraged to participate in out-of-class activities. Such activities are a vital part of the socialisation process as well as ensuring a healthy mind and a healthy body.
• Sport plays a vital part in school life through physical education classes and games. We provide a wide range of sports to cater for the various age and gender groups in the school.
• Students are encouraged to take part in debates, choir, Gaisce, quizzes, public speaking, art competitions, cookery competitions, the Young Scientist, chess competitions etc.
• School tours, exchange programmes, day trips, field work, work experience, theatre visits and guest speakers are seen as contributing to a wider education.
• Given the Christian ethos of the school students are encouraged to take part in school-related religious activities.
• Students will be mindful of their own and others safety. They will respect themselves, all members of the school staff and visitors to the school.
• Students are encouraged to eat a breakfast before they come to school and to bring a healthy lunch to school. We promote healthy eating as evidenced in our canteen, which provides hot savoury food and healthy options.

Uniform

• The uniform is a symbol of our school. It makes all students equal and creates a clear school identity. All students must wear the uniform. Parents are responsible for ensuring their son/daughter is in full school uniform every day. 

Appointments

• Meetings with the Principal, Deputy Principal or teaching staff are by appointment, arranged through the office.

 

SCHOOL RULES

 

The Education Partners would like each student to be happy at school and to benefit from his/her post primary education.  School rules are intended to protect the values we seek to uphold. Each student can make a positive contribution towards creating a caring atmosphere in our school by adhering to the Code of Good Behaviour.

Our core principle is that the student has a right to learn and the teacher has a right to teach. Our school is a community of people with shared interests and goals. If we are to create the right environment for learning it is important that we accept and follow a set of rules that outline what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. The interpretation of the rules is a matter for the management of the school.

Attendance and Punctuality

1. Students are required to attend school every day. A note of explanation in the School Journal is required for each absence or late arrival. In the case of unexplained absences the Year Head may contact the parent/guardian.

2. Students must sit all house exams before moving on to the next term.

3. Students may not leave the school grounds during the school day without the express permission of the School Management. A note from the parent/guardian is necessary if permission is to be given for an appointment during the day. Such students must ‘sign out’ on departure and ‘sign back’ on return at Reception.  Students must have school permission to call home to be collected during the school day.

4. Students are required to be on time for morning assembly, school and for all classes. Latecomers will have their Journal stamped and their names recorded in the ‘Lateness Record Book’. Persistent latecomers will be referred to their Year Head.

5. Students who are ill or claim to be ill will only be allowed home once the parent/guardian has been contacted and transport is available.  At Reception students must sign the ‘Register of Illness/Accidents’. If a student’s condition gives cause for concern he/she may be brought to the Doctor. Medical expenses are the responsibility of the parents.

6. Students may not travel to school matches or activities without the written permission of their Principal, Deputy Principal or Yearhead.

School Uniform and Appearance

7. All students must wear the official uniform in school, while representing the school and during state exams.  Students should have back-up items of uniform as excuses such as ‘it’s in the wash’ or ‘I spilt milk on it’ will not be accepted. Students not in full uniform may not be allowed to class, parents /guardians may be contacted or the school will provide a uniform for that day.  The official school uniform consists of: 

Girls

• School tartan skirt or School-approved navy trousers
• Crested navy school jumper and school blouse
• Black school shoes with navy socks or tights
• Red shorts and a plain white tee shirt for PE classes.

Boys

• Grey Hunter trousers
• School shirt and crested navy school jumper
• Black school shoes
• Green shorts and a plain white tee shirt for PE classes.

       An optional personalised navy Portwest jacket may be ordered in school.

 

8. The school uniform must not be altered or defaced by badges, insignia or writing. Students, who damage, write on or interfere with school uniforms, will be subject to the disciplinary procedures.  Students will not be allowed to class in jeans.

9. In the interest of health and safety, students are expected to be neat and well groomed.  Excessive jewellery is forbidden. Girls may wear one pair of ear studs. Hair must be worn in a simple style.  Boys must be clean-shaven.

The School Journal

10. Each student must have/purchase an official School Journal. It is a vital learning tool and useful as a method of communication between the three partners in education: students, parents and teachers.  Students must produce their School Journal if requested by any member of Staff.  The Journal is not a private diary and therefore can be inspected, at any time, by a member of Staff.

The School Journal is used:

• By students to record all homework.
• By parents to record notes for student absences and lateness, to request permission for students to leave school for essential appointments, to explain non-completion of homework etc.
• By teachers to correspond with parents, record lateness, give permission to leave class etc.
• Students are not allowed leave class without the teacher’s signature and the time of departure in the journal.
• Parents are requested to regularly check and sign the School Journal. The Class Tutor and Yearhead will check the journal regularly.

11. Students may not interfere with or write graffiti on their or other student's journal. Students will meet the costs of replacement journals.

Behaviour and Good Manners

12. Students will respect themselves, their fellow students, members of the school staff and all visitors to the school.

13. Students will respect and obey their teachers.  They will respond in a courteous manner when corrected.   Students will address staff as Sir / Mrs / Ms /Miss.

14. Swearing or using offensive language is forbidden.  Any form of aggression, verbal or physical will not be tolerated.

15. Students will conduct themselves in an orderly manner and will not disrupt classes or distract the teacher. 

Health and Safety

16. Alcohol is forbidden. Students found consuming or under the influence of alcohol will be suspended.  Students are forbidden to enter public houses during school hours.

17. Harmful substances are forbidden. Students found to be in possession of, consuming or supplying harmful substances/drugs will face serious consequences including expulsion.

18. Smoking is forbidden in school or while representing the school.

19. Chewing gum is forbidden. Food or beverages may not be consumed in class.

20. Dangerous items such as knives, fireworks, lasers etc. are forbidden.

21. Horseplay and ‘messing’ is forbidden.

22. Littering is forbidden. Students will assist with tidying and litter duty.

23. Students may not use mobile phones, cameras, MP3 players or other electronic devices in school. If used they will be confiscated.

24. Students are not allowed into a classroom unless a teacher is present. Specialist machines and equipment are out of bounds except under the supervision of a teacher.

25. The use of cars by students is strongly discouraged. Students may not drive onto or park cars on school grounds. Students may not use cars during school hours or give lifts to other students. Students may be asked to hand in their car keys to the office in the morning to be returned at the end of the school day.

Lunch Break

26. All students must remain on the school grounds at lunchtime. Parents are asked to avoid seeking permission for students to go down town. 

27. Students will keep the lunchroom clean and assist with tidying.  A litter duty rota will operate.

Care of School and Student Property

28. A student's property is his/her responsibility. Students should write their name on all personal belongings. Students must have a proper school bag, necessary books, copies and equipment. 

29. Students will respect the property of the school and other students. Interference with or damage of property is a serious offence - this includes fire extinguishers, lockers, windows, fittings or equipment. Writing graffiti on school/student property including books and uniform is forbidden. The replacement cost of vandalised, damaged or stolen property will be met by the student involved or their parents/guardians.

30. School texts on loan under the Book Rental Scheme must be treated with great care. Damaged/defaced school journals, schoolbags, books, copies etc. will have to be replaced. 

Homework and Study

31. Students will be expected to have all the required books, copies and equipment so that they can take part in the class. 

32. Students must complete all homework and be fully prepared for their classes each day. Homework is not just written exercises. It also includes reading, study, revision, memorising, project work and advance preparation.  Guidelines are provided in our Homework Policy.

33. All homework should be recorded in the School Journal and parents should inspect this regularly.

34. Students involved in extra-curricular activities must complete homework for the classes they missed by contacting classmates who were in class.

 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

• Each case of a breach of the School Rules will be treated on an individual basis with regard to how serious the breach is. The past record, attitude and general behaviour of the student will be taken into account.

 

• The Class Teacher will generally deal with breaches within his/her classroom. The teacher may speak with the student, point out the nature of the misbehaviour and seek an undertaking from the student that they will behave. The teacher may seek parental support by writing a note in the journal. Lunchtime detention may be assigned.

 

• A ‘Points System’ for recording instances of misbehaviour may be used. An accumulation of points will merit Friday Evening Detention. 

 

• Teachers may give a written report to the Year Head outlining breaches of the Code of Good Behaviour. On referral the Year Head will speak to the student, offer guidance and explain the consequences of further misbehaviour. The Year Head may put the student in detention or deprive him/her of privileges such as participating on school trips. The Year Head may also use ‘The Report Card’ whereby each teacher comments on the student’s behaviour on a class-by-class basis.

 

• Supervised evening detention will take place on Friday from 4.00 – 5.30pm during which time students will complete a ‘Detention Exercise Book’. Detention may also take place on a free day. A ‘Notice of Detention’ (to be returned signed) will be sent to Parents/Guardians in advance so that they may arrange transport home.  The fact that it may be inconvenient to do detention on Friday evening will not excuse the student from this sanction. A student may be required to do a double detention if he/she fails to attend at the date and time assigned.

 

• All reports by teachers are discussed at a weekly Disciplinary Meeting of Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Heads and Chaplain. Each case is dealt with individually and after consideration appropriate sanctions imposed. A file is kept on each student logging their progress. 

 

• It will be at the discretion of the Principal, Deputy Principal and the Year Heads to suspend a student. Students may be suspended from class internally pending a meeting with parents/guardians. A decision to suspend a student from school will be communicated to the parents/guardians by letter. Students may only return after suspension following a meeting of the student concerned and his/her parents with the Principal or Deputy Principal. The student and parents/guardians must give an undertaking that the student will behave in the future.

 

• Physical or verbal assault on a member of the staff will be viewed with the utmost seriousness and will be referred to the Board of Management.

 

• The school reserves the right to decide which course of action is taken in instances of breach of discipline. Students have the right to present their side and parents have a right to be informed and given a fair hearing.

 

• The Board of Management reserves the right to expel a student in instances of very serious misbehaviour. Expulsion may be preceded by a period of suspension. Parents/Guardians, or the student if over 18, have a right to appeal to the Board of Management in the first instance and subsequently such further rights of appeal as set out in Section 28 & 29 of the Education Act 1998.

 

Acceptance of the Code of Good Behaviour

Anti Bullying Charter