Courtney College Student Policy

The intent or purpose of this document is to ensure a comfortable and secure environment for all students and staff. This policy reflects the behaviour expected of students and is instituted for the ultimate benefit of the whole society. It is introduced to create norms and to set and uphold standards for the wellbeing of students, the school community and society. Each student should strive to be thoughtful and considerate towards others and use his/her common sense.

Human dignity

Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. For this reason, inappropriate, aggressive, demeaning, insulting or discriminating behaviour of any kind is unacceptable.

Misconduct and criminal activity

If misconduct or criminal activity is seen, it should be reported on an incident report (available from homeroom teachers). The person accused of misconduct or criminal activity may refute the reported action. Further action will be taken by the counsellor/s, possibly by means of a verbal hearing, and, if necessary, the appropriate authorities may be called.  The school reserves the right to take remedial action to protect the students and staff from the misconduct or crime.  The use of alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Dress code

Clothing and personal items may not display images or slogans that are illegal or offensive such as profanities, alcohol or pornographic images. Should any items be found to offend, the offensive items will be confiscated and alternate clothing will be provided for the student to wear until they are able to change into more appropriate clothing.

Personal Items

Courtney House Learning Centre, the management and the staff take no liability for damage to or loss of personal items or possessions, allowed or otherwise, brought on to Courtney College premises by students of Courtney College.

Vehicles

Students who are licensed drivers may drive cars or motorcycles to school only with written permission from their parents. A copy of the licence must be filed with the school.  No other learners are permitted to travel with them without written permission from their parents.

Parking: Students must park outside

Electronic devices

We do not recommend bringing electronic devices to school. However, should the student decide to do so, the following rules will apply:

• The safety of your personal/electronic devices and valuables are your own responsibility.
• Electronic devices may only be used in the student centre unless express permission has been granted by the teacher to use the device for educational reasons or as a diary.
• Music may be listened to over earphones during breaks and study lessons.
• Devices may not be used to view, write or listen to illegal or offensive media including profanities or pornography.
• On school outings and on visiting the park, cell phones and earphones may not be visible.

Bags

Bags should be kept neat, out of the way and should not be left unattended. It is advisable that only items required for specific lessons are carried in bags. All other files, books and other items may be kept in cubicles until needed.

Valuables

Jewellery, wallets, money, cell phones and any other valuables are brought to school at the students own risk and the school will not take any responsibility for damage or loss thereof.

Any vandalism and damage to school property shall result in disciplinary action. Students should respect the school and its property.

Cubicles

Each student will be assigned a cubicle in which they may place their belongings (such as books, files, lunch boxes). Cubicles should be kept tidy and clean and it must be emptied at the end of each school term. Respect other students’ cubicles and belongings.

Vending machine

The machine may only be used during breaks (up to 5 minutes before the end of break) and after school. The students may not use the vending machine during lessons including study lessons and homework room.  Students should respect one another, line up and wait their turn.

Should the student require any assistance or change only Lizzy may help.

Library

Books are arranged alphabetically by author and should be kept as such. Students are expected to sign in the Library Register when they take out a book, and should return the book to its correct place, and sign it back in again within two weeks.

It is the responsibility of every student to keep the school areas neat.

Student area inside

Students are required to be in this area during study lessons and must be studying. A staff member will be in the vicinity to ensure an academic atmosphere is maintained.

No food or beverages, except water in a spill-proof bottle, are allowed in this area.

Bench area outside

This area may only be used by the seniors (IGCSE and AS/A students) before school, during study lessons and during break times.

After 15h00, all students may sit and work or have breaks in this area.

Kitchen

IGCSE & AS/A Level students may use the downstairs kitchen.  Checkpoint students may use the upstairs kitchen. To prevent crowding, only two students are allowed at a time. Do not leave food in the microwave unattended.  Leave the kitchen clean and tidy.

Bathrooms

Students must not loiter in the bathrooms. Only one person is allowed in a cubicle at a time. The bathrooms must be kept clean. The support staff should be alerted should the bathroom be untidy. Girls should use the bins provided to dispose of sanitary items.

Gate access

Students must sign in before school and be signed out by their driver at the gate. Students making use of the bus have to sign in at the gate before classes.  Should a student arrive late or leave early, or have any appointments for which they need to leave the premises during the school day, the college office must be notified by their parents via email or SMS as soon as possible.

Classrooms

Students should line up outside the classroom until permitted to enter by the teacher. No food and beverages are allowed in the classroom except water in a spill-proof bottle (the exception being the computer lab, where no food or drink is allowed at all).  Students should push in their chairs and leave in an orderly fashion at the end of each lesson.  At all times, students are not allowed in the classrooms or lab without teacher supervision.

Student cubicle area

Students are only permitted in this area before school and during break, and should ensure that they retrieve all the necessary items at these times.

Park

The park may be visited by students according to a schedule when supervised. While students are at the park, they are not allowed to have any valuables (such as phones) visible, since it poses a security risk.

Before school and break areas

Students will be in their designated areas during breaks.  Students are not allowed to be upstairs or in classes during break except to go to the bathroom or to get books from their cubicles.

Homework room

All students who do not have arranged lessons/extra-murals during 14h00-15h00 should be in homework room and they are expected to study and work during this time.

Restricted areas

Students are not allowed in the following areas unless express permission is granted by a teacher for a specific purpose:

• Staff toilet
• Foyer and front door
• Parent/conference room
• Gardens, unless supervised by a teacher
• Offices
• Teachers’ work area
• Chemical store
• Parking area
• Front stairs
• Store rooms
• Guard Toilet
• Guard Room

Student Representative Council

A student from each grade will represent the students on the student representative council. Duties and responsibilities will be discussed in a meeting with the teachers involved.  Students should raise any complaints and requests to the SRC representative who must relay it to the council in writing.

Fire monitor

A fire monitor will be chosen from each grade and their duties and responsibilities will be discussed with the fire marshal.  During a fire emergency or drill the students should follow the fire monitor to the safe area. All students should be aware of the fire and emergency procedure.

General

It is the responsibility of each student to inform a teacher if they are aware of any suspicious or concerning behaviour on the part of another student.  Students should respect the school and school equipment and encourage one another to do the same.

School counsellors

Any matters can be discussed confidentially with the school counsellors:

• Teacher Linda
• Mr Johan

A student who wishes to consult with a counsellor should ask their homeroom teacher to make an appointment for them.

Homeroom teachers

All matters (maintenance, personal problems, domestic issues and doctor’s notes) can be discussed with the homeroom teacher. Should the student not feel comfortable speaking to their homeroom teacher they can discuss it with the school counsellors.

Subjects

Specific subject related issues should be directed to the subject teacher or the head of departments.

Head of Departments

• Teacher Cara
  • Business
  • Geography
• Teacher CJ
  • Checkpoint Homeroom classes
  • Accounting
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Music
• Teacher Estelle
  • English Language
  • English Literature
• Teacher Linda
  • A/AS Level Homeroom classes
  • Afrikaans
  • Art
  • French
  • History
  • Spanish
• Teacher Patrick
  • IGCSE Homeroom classes
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Science

First aiders

In case of a medical emergency do not attempt to help another student yourself. Help should be sought immediately from a teacher and the following first aiders are available:

• Dave
• Shirley
• Teacher Claudine
• Teacher Estelle
• Teacher Linda
• Teacher Odette
• Teacher Rafael

Administrative staff

The administrative staff at the front desk can be approached for first aid, or asked to contact a student’s parents in the case of an emergency.

Support staff

If there is a spillage or mess the support staff can be asked for assistance with cleaning equipment, however, students are expected to clean up their own spills.

Confidentially: In a secret or private manner

Cubicles: A small area that is partitioned off for your own use

Demeaning: Causing someone to lose their dignity and the respect of others

Dignity: The state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect

Discriminating behaviour: Attitude or actions directed towards others caused by prejudice or negative small distinctions

Medical emergency: An acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person’s life or long term health

Misconduct: Unlawful behaviour by a person entrusted in any degree

Notified: Inform someone formally about something

Offensive: Causing someone to feel resentful, upset or annoyed

Profanities: Offensive or insulting language to any person or persons

Prejudice: Prejudgment or forming an opinion before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case

Refute: Prove a statement or person to be wrong

Respect: Consideration for the feelings or rights of others and avoid harming

Spill-proof bottle: Water bottle that is closed and no opening for water to leak out in case it falls on the floor

Suspicious: Giving an impression of being dishonest or dangerous, not able to trust someone or something

Valuables: A thing that is of great worth, especially a small item of personal property

Vandalism: An action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. This also includes criminal damage such as graffiti and defacement directed towards any property without permission of the owner.