School Rules and Code

Our Lady Of Sion School - School Rules

In line with the school's Mission Statement, these rules are grounded in the Sion ethos of "Consideration Always". They are designed to protect the welfare of our students and to encourage the development of self-esteem, together with respect for all members of the school, its environment and the wider community. The rules apply to all activities in the normal school day, including travel to and from school, school outings and any other occasion when students are in uniform. A range of sanctions may be applied to students infringing either the letter or spirit of these rules; more serious breaches or persistent offences may bring the student's continued membership of the school into question.

Behaviour
Students at Our Lady of Sion School are expected to act with consideration and courtesy at all times. Irresponsible behaviour and insulting language may be dangerous or hurtful; the school therefore encourages pupils to think first and avoid inflicting harm or taking unnecessary risks. Pupils should co-operate with staff in creating a positive learning environment where everyone is respected, regardless of individual differences.

Bullying is completely unacceptable in any form. The pastoral team can deal more effectively with such matters if students report any incidents of physical, verbal or psychological bullying to a member of staff immediately, whether they are a witness or a victim.

iii. Pupils are expected to refrain from inappropriate displays of affection. (Senior School)

Attendance and Punctuality
Pupils must arrive at school in good time for registration at 8.50 a.m. and remain on school premises until the end of the school day. Where students are absent through illness, parents should inform the school office of the reason by 9.30 a.m. on the first day of absence and support this information on the student's return to school in a note to the Form Teacher.

Permission should be sought in writing for planned absence (for medical/dental appointments etc).

Family holidays during term time are discouraged due to the disruption to learning that this entails. The Deputy Head's permission must be sought for any such holiday.

Punctuality is a form of politeness and an important life skill. Students are expected to be punctual for lessons, clubs and any school-based activity, as well as for registration as mentioned above.

The School Environment
Students are expected to treat buildings, furniture and fittings with care.

Food may be eaten in the Hall, the playground or the courtyard, and not in any other part of the school. Water is freely available from water fountains and, except during exam periods, from the dispenser in the hall.

In the interests of a clean environment, all litter is to be placed in the bins provided around the school. Lockers should be cleared regularly of any rubbish, including uneaten food.

Under no circumstances may students use or possess chewing gum in school or at any time while in school uniform.

The use of Tippex is not permitted.

Health and Safety; First Aid
A directive from the Department for Education and Skills states that schools should not accept medicines ‘unless they have received a written request from the parent or guardian of the pupil concerned, including details of the medicine, how often it should be taken and the dose to be given.'

The required amount should be measured out, brought to school in a small container and given to the office. If applicable, a spare asthma inhaler, labelled with the child's name must be kept in school at all times. Two EpiPens must be sent to school, in named boxes, for those children who require them.

All parents must fill in a medical questionnaire at the beginning of each school year.

Students are required to listen carefully and follow safety instructions explicitly in order to avoid accidents.

Any student becoming ill or suffering an accident during the school day should be taken to the school secretary or other qualified first aider. Parents will be informed if the first aider considers that the student requires further treatment.

No medication will be administered without parental permission. Students requiring medication during the school day must bring a covering letter with their medicine to the school office and report for the prescribed dose at the appropriate time. The only exceptions are students who require an inhaler for asthma or have a need to carry an EpiPen.

Matches, lighters, fireworks, penknives, aerosol sprays and any item with the potential to harm people or property may not be brought onto the school premises.

All smoking materials, alcohol and illegal substances are comprehensively banned from school premises and must not be brought into school. For specific guidance refer to the School's Drugs and Substances policy.

Students are required to wear cycle helmets and to ensure that their bicycle is securely padlocked in the appropriate area during the school day. Parents are asked to ensure that their child(ren) receives training in road safety and keeps to the highway code.

Uniform and Appearance
The school uniform should be worn properly and completely in accordance with the uniform list. All students are expected to look clean and tidy at all times. Sanctions will be applied where students fail to observe this rule. The same requirements apply to PE kit. Sixth Form students should not wear extremes of fashion, hairstyles or make-up.
All items of uniform, including PE kit, must be clearly labelled with the student's name. Students must not borrow items of uniform from each other.

Hair should be clean and tidy. Acceptable hairstyles exclude part or full-shaven heads, obvious colourant in unnatural shades and/or any other extreme trends. Gel, wax, styling mousse or similar products must be used with discretion and not used to create extremes of fashion. Holiday styles and/or colour must be rationalised before students return to School. Students with long hair must wear it tied or clipped back when instructed for health and safety reasons.

Students may not wear obvious make-up or coloured nail polish.

One plain ring and one discreet neck chain may be worn. Bracelets are not permitted. Heavy chains, whether worn round the neck or on the belt, are not permitted. (This includes padlock/key chains)

Girls may wear one pair of stud earrings placed low on the earlobes. No other visible body piercings are permitted. Visible tattoos are not allowed.

Personal Possessions
The school cannot be held responsible for the loss or theft of money or personal possessions; students are expected to be responsible at all times for personal property brought onto the school premises.

Students should not leave bags and equipment lying around the school. Lockers are provided for the safe storage of property and must be locked. All equipment should be clearly named to protect against loss.

Money should not be brought to school unless absolutely necessary, in which case it must be passed to the Bursar's Secretary or the School Secretary for safekeeping. Under no circumstances should money be left in lockers, bags or blazers.

Personal stereos and/or hand held computer games should not be brought to school unless special permission has been granted for a specific purpose.

Musical instruments must be labelled with the student's name, preferably on both the case and the instrument. Sports equipment should be similarly labelled. The Music Departments have designated areas for the storage of instruments where these do not fit into lockers.

SENIOR SCHOOL
Mobiles phones may be brought into school at the owner's risk. They should not be switched on during school hours except in an emergency. Sixth Form students may use their mobile phones responsibly and with discretion outside of lessons but only when in the Sixth Form area.

JUNIOR SCHOOL
Mobile phones are only allowed in school if a student is travelling home unaccompanied. Permission must be sought in writing from the Deputy Head and phones must be kept in lockers during the day.

SCHOOL CODE
This code is issued to every student in the Senior School, to make clear the positive expectations and boundaries set out in the school rules. The aim is to encourage and promote the highest possible standards, which exist for the benefit and growth of everyone in our school.

Students should remember that they are part of a community. This means understanding, respecting and supporting the school's Christian ethos of "Consideration Always".

Students must possess good manners and treat each other and staff with respect and common courtesy. A selfish, rude or negative attitude harms the welfare of others.

General behaviour must always be appropriate, especially when in school uniform, on all trips, visits, excursions and other social occasions held at school. Students should always aim to create a positive impression.

Students are expected to show support for the school in its undertakings and to respect its buildings and equipment. We all have a right to work in unspoiled surroundings.

Students must arrive at school by 08.40 in the morning and ensure that they are punctual throughout the day. Punctuality is a form of politeness and a very important life skill.

Correct uniform will always be worn properly, both in and out of school. Students will be expected to be neat and tidy and show a willingness to conform to the school identity.

All aspects of daily school activities, including homework, should reflect best effort and a genuine desire to do well. Correct books and equipment are needed at every lesson.

Eating and drinking is allowed only in the Hall and Playground areas and litter must be placed in the waste bins provided. Everyone has a right to a clean environment.

Chewing gum, tobacco and alcohol may not be brought onto, or used on the school premises at any time. The thoughtless disposal of chewing gum is unpleasant and can cause damage to equipment and clothing.

Students should be aware of all visitors to the school, particularly during lesson changes. They should stand up for the Headmaster, Deputy Head and all visitors to classrooms, unless instructed otherwise.

The school reserves the right to amend this policy.
© Our Lady of Sion School 2009