MISSION STATEMENT

St. Aloysius School is a Catholic School founded by the Mercy Order. It has a long tradition of academic excellence and is committed to the development of the whole student. It offers a curriculum designed to meet the needs of the student. The school wishes to cater for the academic, spiritual, moral, aesthetic, interpersonal and physical needs of the student.

The characteristics of the school are the pursuit of tolerance, compassion and a sense of justice and equality for all. We aim to develop in each student, confidence, self-respect and respect for others.

The school and its staff value its partnership with parents in meeting the personal and educational requirements of students and staff alike.

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2011-2012

DATES OF CLOSURE
September Mon. 26th Sept.
October Mid-Term Mon. 31st Oct.-Fri. 4th Nov.
December Thurs. 8th Dec.
Christmas Fri. 23rd Dec.-Fri. 6th Jan.
February Mid-Term Mon. 13th – Fri. 17th Feb.
March Mon. 19th Mar.
Easter Mon. 2nd – Fri. 13th April
May Bank Holiday –  Mon. 7th May
June School finishes on Fri. 1st June

PARENT TEACHER MEETING DATES

(4.15 – 6.45pm)
Leaving Certs October Mon. 17th
Junior Certs November Tues. 15th
2nd years December Thurs. 15th
5th years January Mon. 23rd
1st years February Tues. 7th
Transition Years March Thurs. 1st

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE POLICIES

The code of St. Aloysius School enables effective teaching and learning to take place in a disciplined atmosphere where the dignity, rights and security of each person can be respected. St. Aloysius school offers a friendly, caring environment.

PASTORAL CARE SYSTEM

The Pastoral Care Team consists of the Subject Teacher, Class Teacher, Year Head, Guidance Counsellor, Deputy Principal, Principal, Board of Management, as well as Class Prefects, Head Girl, Meitheal Group, Student Council, Parents Association. The Pastoral Care System helps to create students who:

•  have a deep sense of self-respect.
•  are self confident.
•  have high standards and are willing to do their best.
•  treat all students and all staff members (teaching and non-teaching) politely  and with respect.
•  have pride in their school.

BULLYING

Each student has a right to an education free from fear and threats. Bullying in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Bullying must be reported. Those not reporting what they know are supporting the bully. If you witness bullying or are a victim, please report it to member of staff or Meitheal team, Head Girl or parent. The school’s Anti-Bullying policy will be applied.

SCHOOL PREMISES

Students are insured only within the school premises and while on official school activities. Any student leaving the school premises during the school day must have parental permission to receive an Exit Slip from the Deputy or Principal. On her return she must have a parent note in her Journal. School management is not prepared to accept responsibility for students who leave school for any purpose without permission. Failure to follow school rules will result in the Code of Sanctions being applied.

SCHOOL HOURS

Monday: 8.45am-3.55pm
Tuesday: 8.45am-3.55pm
Wednesday: 8.45am-1.05pm
Thursday: 8.45am-3.55pm
Friday: 8.45am-3.50pm

BREAK TIMES:

Morning: 10.45am-11.00am Lunch: 12.15pm-1.15pm

Wednesday: 10.30am-10.45am

Students living locally may go home for lunch, and Leaving Certs may go out for lunch, if parent completes a Lunchtime Pass Form.

PUNCTUALITY & ATTENDANCE

(in accordance with the Education Welfare Act 2001)

School starts at 8.45am. Before class supervision is provided from 8 a.m. Students arriving late to school, for whatever reason, must report to the Office and sign the Late Book. When a student is absent from school, a Journal note, stating the date(s) and reason for absence, must be written in the Parent’s Notes section of the Homework Journal by her parent. A telephone call while appreciated, will not be enough. On return to school the note must then be shown to each subject teacher at the start of each class. Frequent absences will be dealt with in accordance with our Attendance Policy. Parents are urged, where possible, to avoid making appointments for students outside of school, during school hours.

UNIFORM & APPEARANCE

Only the Complete Official School Uniform may be worn by students in school as well as when entering and leaving school and on specified events. School tracksuits may be permitted for special occasions. It is the responsibility of parents and students to ensure that the proper and complete uniform is worn at all times. Each item of uniform should be clearly labelled.

Official uniform suppliers are “Laura’s Boutique”, Douglas Village or “Buckley’s”, Shandon Street.

UNIFORM CODE

• Green skirt (length to be below the knee), green tights.
•  Grey blouse, green jumper with school crest. Coloured garments visible under school uniform are not allowed.
•  Green outer jacket (compulsory for all).
•  Grey trousers worn with grey socks.
•  Black, flat, comfortable low-heeled shoes (no higher than 6cm). Runners or platform/sling-back/backless shoes are not permitted.
•  For P.E. classes: school track suit, white socks, white soled runners.

To maintain our high standards we seek the support of parents in ensuring that students are in correct school uniform. Students are expected to be clean, neat and tidy at all times. School authorities are the judges of what are acceptable standards of dress, hairstyles and jewellery.

No cult hairstyles or unnatural hair colours are permitted. No head gear should be worn indoors. Long hair is to be tied back neatly.

Excessive make-up is not allowed. Eye make-up is forbidden.

One pair of small earrings, one ring per hand and a watch is acceptable. Facial studs/rings or other piercings, and long necklaces are not allowed for safety reasons.

Students will be required to remove forbidden jewellery.

A written explanation from parent must be put in the student’s Journal if a student is not in full school uniform. In addition the student must sign the Uniform Book in the Office on arrival in school.

On No Uniform Days dress respectfully.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Students must, at all times, be responsible for, and take care, to ensure their own safety and that of others.

•  School bags and jackets are to be placed in lockers/desks.
• All litter to be placed in bins.
• Possession, purchase or drinking/taking of alcohol or any other banned substances (as defined by the Board) during the school day or during school activities is strictly forbidden.
•  Chewing gum is not allowed.
•  Smoking is strictly forbidden on the school premises, in its surroundings and at school functions/activities.
• Any wilful damage to school building, grounds, furniture, fittings or equipment will require a reasonable contribution in order to make good from parents or the students themselves.
•  Any damage to school building, grounds, furniture, fittings or equipment must be paid for by the parents or the students themselves.
• Specific rules pertaining to specialist rooms, e.g. Science labs, must be followed by all.
• Students are to obey all safety instructions given to them by school staff.
• Students may not park their cars in the school grounds.
• No students should be in the school grounds after school hours, except under supervision of a staff member.
• The use of mobile phones, i-pods, and similar items of technology are restricted to out of school hours.

Students are responsible for their own property and the student’s name should be clearly written/marked on all her books and other belongings.

School Authorities cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen property.

STUDY & CLASSWORK

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that she

• brings to class the books and materials needed.
• records her homework correctly in her Homework Journal.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time needed for study:

Take 5 minute break every 45 minutes.

AWARDS

We at St. Aloysius School value positive behaviour and encourage all students to do their best. An Awards Event is held annually. Students may be nominated for an award in e.g. full attendance, academic achievement, sport, quiz, debating.

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Be punctual and have the required materials for class.
2. Show courtesy and respect to each person in the room.
3. Be attentive at all times and follow given instructions.
4. Raise your hand when you want the teacher’s attention.
5. Homework is to be done neatly, on time, properly and completely.
6. Respect the classroom property and keep our room clean and tidy.

“Students are required to abide by the Code of Behaviour during the journey to and from school and while wearing the school uniform“.

SANCTIONS

Our formal Code of Sanctions enables effective teaching and learning to take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

LEVEL 1

-The following are examples of behaviour which may constitute a Level 1/2/3 offence. Teachers and the Principal may determine whether a student’s behaviour constitutes a Level 1/2/3 having regard to this Code of Behaviour….

1. Talking out of turn, chatting in class, writing or passing notes in class.
2. Being late for class, not seated or organised for class at class starting time.
3. Being without books/materials for class.
4. Homework or study not done.
5. Being without Homework Journal in class.
6. Absence notes not presented.
7. Eating or drinking during class time.
8. Misuse of or damaging a Homework Journal.

In any of these situations, teachers may record the offence by means of a Yellow Dot in the teacher’s diary. Where a student has a number of such offences recorded against her, she will be referred through a Referral Form to her Year Head who will consider placing the student On Report and informing her parent(s).

LEVEL 2

-The following are examples of behaviour which may constitute a Level 1/2/3 offence. Teachers and the Principal may determine whether a student’s behaviour constitutes a Level 1/2/3 having regard to this Code of Behaviour…

1. Causing damage to school property or that of others (e.g. graffiti).
   Students who damage school property are expected to make good otherwise suspension may follow.
2. Skipping classes.
3. Leaving school without permission.
4. Forging a parent’s note.
5. Failure to do detention.
6. Being late for school on 3 occasions in one month.
7. Being in incorrect uniform on 3 occasions.
8. Having a mobile phone which is turned on.
9. Failure to follow On Report instructions.

If any of the above offences occurs a student will receive an immediate Detention.

LEVEL 3

-The following are examples of behaviour which may constitute a Level 1/2/3 offence. Teachers and the Principal may determine whether a student’s behaviour constitutes a Level 1/2/3 having regard to this Code of Behaviour….

1. Repeatedly disrupting the education process.
2. Challenging a teacher’s authority to check inappropriate student behaviour…. e.g. defiant behaviour, lying, insolence or back answering a teacher.
3. Using offensive/rude language/gestures.
4. Cheating at a test or exam.
5. Stealing.
6. Bullying.
7. Intimidation.
8. Physical assault or injury of another.
9. Having or using cigarettes, alcohol or any illegal substance.
10. Serious damage to school property or that of others.

In any such situations the student will be informed that she will receive a detention and that she may also be liable for suspension, her parent(s) having first been consulted. A suspension will be considered when a student has one or more Level 3 detentions or has behaved in a manner which requires immediate removal from school in the interests of Health and Safety. After suspension the student will be placed On Report.

A full copy of the school’s suspension and expulsion policy is available on request.

NOTE: St. Aloysius School reserves the right to review and change its Code.