Behaviour Management

Rationale:

This policy should be read in conjunction with the duty of care policy. Schools and teachers owe a duty of care to students for the duration of the school day. Ilim College of Australia aims to establish good order and harmony within the school community and to ensure that the school, home and total community share in fostering the development of acceptable behaviour of children.  Ilim College does not endorse corporal punishment of any kind.

Guidelines for implementation:

If a student is

• Being disruptive
• Not doing any work
• Talking over you
• Yelling out
• Wandering in the class without your permission.

Apply the following strategies

1. Stop, look at the student and state what they are doing wrong assertively but low key
2. Continues to misbehave – restate number 1, and tell the consequences i.e.  “Ayse, I’ve asked you to please stop yelling out. If you continue, I will have to shift to another seat”
3. Move to another seat or corner
4. If the student continues in the same manner then send them outside the classroom (keeping a constant eye on them)

Do not

• Say or do the first thing that comes into your head
• Give the student a punishment without enough warnings
• Cause a confrontation in front of the class or in the corridor
• Never man handle the student
• Send the student to another class or the co-coordinator or principal

  

Detentions:

Lunchtime detentions:

If the above procedure was followed and the student continues to misbehave you may opt to give him/her a lunchtime detention. However, this should be seen as the last resort. Clearly state which room you’ll be in and be on time. Check that the student turns up. After detention, inform the home group teacher via a detention slip. The home-group teacher will then call the parents and inform them that their children had a lunchtime detention that day. The home group must also talk to the student and demand that they are not to get in trouble again or they will be referred to the co-coordinator.

After school detention
If a student:

• Continues to misbehave in regards to all of the above
• Does not attend detention (i.e. forgot)

You may choose to do either of the following:

• Give them another chance and try other disciplinary consequences
• Refer to the student of the year level coordinator
•  The coordinator can choose to issue an after school detention or exclude the student from a major even across the curriculum.

  

Late Passes

Any student that is late to home group or a period one must obtain a late pass from the front office (primary) or from the coordinators office (secondary) with a legitimate reason. Do not scold students for being late in the morning since it rarely is their fault. If a student has been late more than three times that week than the home group teacher should ring up the parents later that day or early or early Monday morning. Students who continue to be late will give a lunchtime detention and referred to the coordinator.  Secondary coordinators will keep a record of morning and between class late comers in their late record book.

Chewing gum

Chewing gum is banned at the College and any teacher who sees chewing must ask him/her to spit it out

Corridors
No students are allowed inside the corridors or classrooms during recess and lunchtime. Any teachers who should see a student in the corridor or classroom must escort them outside. Teachers must not leave their detention classes unattended either. Any girls not praying must be sent to the girls room.

Welfare and Discipline

Discipline in a school reflects on attitude to orderly behaviour existing amongst all members of the school community, an attitude which promotes positive behaviour in all situations. The aim of discipline within the school is behaviour modification or behaviour management.

The aim of the school is to develop, in partnership with home, students who are confident, courteous, friendly, reliable, tolerant and happy. Discipline and students behaviour are very much integrated with the general curriculum and geared towards the development of coping individuals in a changing society.

Rewards, positive reinforcement, praise and encouragement are seen as more effective than punishment. Rules are the result of striking a balance between rights and responsibilities.

The “welfare and Discipline Policy” is based on the following principles:

• The right of all members of the school to be valued and respected and treated without discrimination.
• The right of all to work in a co-orporative, supportive and safe environment.
• The obligation for the Principal and teachers to implement the Student Welfare Policy fairly and consistently.

Major Offences

1. Fighting
2. Stealing
3. Vandalism
4. Littering
5. Swearing

A student who commits these major offences will face consequences:

• Contact a parent and arrange an interview
• Up to 3 school days suspension in the first commitment 
• Replace damage done by the student
• The offence to be recorded in the student’s file

* We will not tolerate these offences happening at the College. Using bad language is definitely unacceptable
* We should look after our College property, furniture and computers. We should use the computers carefully.
* We have to learn how to control our temper. If any student is teased or annoyed by others, we should report to teachers. If teachers do not do anything about incidents then report to the Principal or Vice Principal.
* We expect all students to do the right thing thoughtfully. There are enough rubbish bins around the school, use them at all times.
* Do not forget, fighting is never a solution and there are other ways of solving problems rather than fighting. Talk and communicate with others.

Structure of discipline

1. Teachers have a plan for the way students are going to behave in the classroom.

This includes:

• A planned approach for recognising and responding to appropriate behaviour.
• A step wise plan for responding to inappropriate behaviour.

2. Teachers have a small set of rules (about 5) which are displayed known and understood by all students.
3. Students respond more often to appropriate behaviour than inappropriate behaviour.
4. There are specified consequences for inappropriate behavior which are known and understood by all students.
5. There is hierarchy of consequences for misbehaviour which increase in severity.
6. Discipline procedures are implemented consistently with all students.
7. Discipline procedures are implemented calmly and non punitively.

School expectations

General Behaviour

1. Students must behave courteously and appropriately to all member’s of the school community.
2. Students must wear the specified school uniform and appropriate footwear at all times.
3. Students must follow a teacher or staff members direction
4. The following are prohibited:

• Violent towards others
• Offensive language
• Violent toy or toys which could harm others
• Make-up and jewellery
• Chewing gum
• Walkman and hand held computer games (classroom only)
• Tattoos ( transfer variety)
• Knives or other sharp elements
• Matches 
• Medicine / drugs (except for prohibited medications with teacher knowledge or supervision)

Playground Rules

1. Play safely and happily within the school boundaries.
2. Play in the right place for the game or activity they are engaged in.
3. Play away from the toilets and drinking taps.
4. Take care of the school garden, building and equipment.
5. Eat only in the designated areas and place all litter in bins provided
6. Line up quietly when the bell rings.
7. Respect each other’s personal safety and property.

These rules will be reviewed at the beginning of each year by staff and SRC representatives.

Classroom Rules

Students must comply with the classroom rules which are developed in consultation with them. These rules will be relation to:

• Following instructions
• Participating in activities
• Completing set work
• Taking care of their own, other students and the school’s equipment and resources.
• Not distributing the learning program of others.

1. Every teacher has the opportunity to develop his/her own rules and consequences.
2. In This school rules are developed in consultation with the students.
3. Every teacher’s classroom discipline plan must go to all specialists, to the Principal and be included on the information sheet for emergency or relieving teachers.
4. Specialist teachers have their own classroom rules, but follow on the school’s Discipline Action Plan.
5. The severe clause will be the same for all classes – but other consequences may differ in different classes.
6. The Principal or Vice Principal must be informed when a parent is contacted.

Other rules: travel, camps and excursions:

1. Students are expected to behave and dress appropriately when involved in such activities.
2. Students are expected to behave appropriately when traveling to and from school

Behaviour on the school bus, to and from school

When a student misbehaves on a school vehicle or acts in a dangerous or unacceptable manner and is reported doing so by the driver, the matter will be dealt with by the appropriate coordinators.

The conduct card must be signed in the morning and evening by the bus driver during a nominated week and returned to the coordinator or Principal on completion of the week.

Where a student has been issued three bus-conduct cards in one school year the students parents/ guardians will be notified to discuss the matter.

Consequences for active learning

Each classroom will establish its own set of consequences in consultation with students and the classroom teacher. Logical consequences will be implemented for both acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Consequences of active learning and acceptable behaviour will include:

• Worthwhile learning outcomes
• Acknowledgement of achievement and effort
• Weekly pupil of the week awards
• Rewards and praise
• Feeling of achievement
• Positive communication with parents or guardians about student’s achievements.

Students are awarded stars on the Winners Record Sheet for active learning and positive behaviour. When a student has accumulated five stars, he/ she receives an award at the teachers discretion.

• Quite discussion
• Withdraw
• Extra duties
• Removal of privilege
• Sends the child to another teacher
• Contact parents
• Parent interview
• Detention during recess or lunchtime
• Consultation with coordinator, Principal and Vice-Principal
• Suspension
• Expulsion

Other forms of consequences include:

• Removal of privileges
• Behaviour records
• Confiscation of prohibited items
• Replace or pay for any willfully property or equipment

Punishment

Teachers are not permitted to physically punish a child for any reason, even if the permission has been given by parents. Giving corporal punishment is an offence. Punishment should never be of a degrading or violent nature but instead designed solely to assist the child to behave in an acceptable manner.

Sever clause

If there is severe misbehaviour either in the classroom or the playground (willful damage/harm to other persons or property, fighting, dangerous play, disruption of the learning program or blatant disobedience of instructions) students are sent immediately to the Principal or Vice Principal.

Reorganisation and reinforcement of positive behaviour in the classroom

• Positive recognition and reinforcement is the major focus in the classroom discipline.
• Reinforcement appropriate behaviour before responding to the issue of the consequences for inappropriate behaviour.
• Each teacher will have to a planned approach for reorganizing and responding to appropriate behaviour.

Quiet discussion

The teacher talks about the problem with the student or the class and suggestions to remedy the situation are agreed upon by the pupil or the class. The teacher may also employ minor procedures such as the “thinking chair” or a “quiet corner” to give the pupil an opportunity to reflect or become aware of his or her role in the evaluation of the problem.

Withdrawal

The pupil may be isolated from the other children and given a task to keep him occupied or may be withdrawn from the class or the playground. Caution should be exercised in withdrawing children from class as this may in fact produce much more harm than benefit.

Extra duties

Children may be given extra duties related to studies at home or during their free time at school. Care should be taken at these duties are monitored carefully.

Removal of privileges

Privileges ranging from minor to major may be withdrawn temporarily. Removal from a position of responsibility or keeping the child from participating in a desired event (sport, games, excursions) are fairly serious matters and should be desired upon only in consultation with one of the coordinators.

Sending the child to another teacher

Usually the Principal or the senior teacher. The more senior authority may than become aware of the existence of the problem and wither discuss the matter further with the offender or decide on further action. The course of action shall not be administered for more than 6 times a term.

Contact parents

Parents will be contacted by phone or letter to make them aware of the existence of the problem and its intractable nature. Parents should discuss the matter with the child and decide on an appropriate measure. This action shall be taken to the maximum of 2 times a term. Then arrange an interview with parents.

Parent teacher interviews

Parents may be called to the school to discuss the matter in person in the presence of the child to see if some changes in the unwanted behaviour can be affected. More serious matters may require discussion without the child being present. If this action doesn’t work the child should serve detention.
 
Detention during lunchtime

The student should be given relevant academic work to be completed while on detentions. The work should be corrected and followed up. If a student is given after school detention, the teacher’s responsibility to fill in a detention forms out and inform to parents. The detention form is to be returned after being signed. Consultation with the coordinator, Principal and the Vice Principal.
Students should not be sent to any of the above of a system of handling the situation.

Suspension

If the child has served 10 detentions in a term, the parents should be called again to discuss the issue. Any further action of disruptive behaviour or misconduct shall be reported to the Vice Principal and the Principal who will recommend suspension either internal or external.

Internal suspension

Upon recommendation of Vice Principal.

External suspension

Ilim College has the responsibility for the provision of education to the students at this school. Suspension is regarded as a serious disciplinary measure and only be imposed in cases where a student has failed to demonstrate satisfactory results following with disciplinary measures.

Following guide lines will be strictly adhered to when a suspension is imposed on a student

• A suspended student should not be sent home until the end of the school day, unless parent guardian supervision is ensured.
• Suspension will be used for the shortest time possible (maximum three days).
• Provision will be made by the school for appropriate and sufficient school work to be supplied to the suspended student.
• A student may be suspended in accordance with the school discipline policy. Before suspension, full record and history of student misbehaviour should be submitted to the Principal. The Principal has the right to suspend students. A copy of the notice of suspension will be given to the students parents/guardians.

Maximum of three external suspensions is allowed.

Expulsion from school

Ilim College views expulsion as an extreme form of discipline and is strictly restricted for more serious matters.

When a student has been suspended three times within a one school year, expulsion will be considered.  A formal meeting will be held with the Principal/Vice Principal, teacher, parents/guardians and student to determine the possibility of expulsion. On expulsion, the documentation of the student’s disciplinary record will be available and transferred to assist staff at the new school. A “Notice of expulsion” will be completed and filed at school. Students may be expelled from the school in accordance with the school discipline policy. The Principal only has the right to authorize the expulsion. A student may be suspended from class. During this time the student should be given enough work to do during suspension. The venue shall be the Conference Room. Close supervision will be arranged at all times.

Student enrolment may be terminated on the spot due to any form of abuse by a student or a  students family members towards any Ilim College staff or any other Ilim College student.
Verbal or physical abuse towards any staff member will not be tolerated.  In the incidence of a staff member being abused by the student or family member the Principal will take the matter directly to the school board.  Immediate expulsion will be taken.

School rules

The following should be adhered to at all times:

• No child is permitted to leave the school ground except under supervision between the time of arrival at the school and the normal time of departure. Children are not permitted to leave the school ground without prior consent from the coordinator.
• An unexcused absence from the school is unacceptable. Each child is required to provide a written excuse after each absence signed by the parents or guardians.
• Children must be seated while eating lunch.
• Recess and lunch are the only eating and chewing times of the day.
• All drinks are to be bought to the school in either a plastic bag or aluminium container, as glass is dangerous.
• No games are to be played in toilets.
• In the interest of safety sharp objects, pocket knives etc. should be left at home.
• All areas to be kept clean and tidy.
• Ball games are not be played indoors or near windows or between buildings.
• No child is permitted to throw any child playing on the playground or equipment.
• Do not touch or bother any child playing on the playground or equipment.
• Problems in the playground must be taken to the teacher/ s on the playground duty.
• No student is allowed to go to their locker during class time.
• Students must make their way to the Mosque or wudhu whilst adhaan called.

• Dangerous objects and materials such as knives are not to be brought to school. Confiscated dangerous objects will not be returned
• Fighting is not permitted under any circumstances.
• No student is permitted to leave the school grounds at any time except under supervision between the time of arrival at school and the normal departure time. Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds without prior concern of the Administrator and or/ relevant coordinator.
• Smoking is not permitted within the College grounds.
• Malicious vandalism or intentionally damaging the property of others is a serious offence against the College community and will not be permitted.
• Stealing at any time and more specifically stealing from the College, from the staff or from other students is a serious offence.
• The harassment of staff members physically, verbally or intent is not permitted.
• Behaviour while in uniform that brings the good name of the College into question is not permitted.