A Broad Outline of the Disciplinary Policy

29/04/2011

St Benedict’s College is committed to providing a safe and orderly learning environment for all boys and staff. All boys are required to conduct themselves in an appropriate and acceptable manner at all times. Responsible and mature citizenship ensures a positive and productive campus environment.

St Benedict’s College and its management believe that it is important for boys to understand that they have a choice for their actions and that appropriate conduct benefits both them and others. St Benedict’s College envisages a discipline policy that reinforces the underlying belief that boys are responsible for their own behaviour. This Discipline Policy is linked to a Code of Conduct and a Demerit System. Staff, Year Heads and Senior Management deal with disciplinary matters on an immediate and continual basis and ensure that inappropriate and damaging behaviour is addressed. Consequently, boys learn that there are always consequence for their actions and they gradually develop into upright and morally sound citizens of the College and society.

The Discipline Policy is a paradigm for achieving appropriate, productive behaviour and ultimately increasing achievement. Boys will receive a “Notice of Disciplinary Action” each time they are assigned demerits as a consequence of their actions. This notice will state the number of demerits the boy received for that particular incident as well as the total number of demerits the boy has accumulated. Parents will be telephoned and asked to collect a copy of this notice from the front office to ensure that parents or guardians are aware of their son’s behavioural status. This Discipline Policy is effective for all boys because it reinforces the belief that boys can make appropriate decisions regarding their behaviour.

Each teacher has specific expectations regarding student behaviour in his/her classroom. The following rules, however, apply to every boy on campus:

1. Treat others with consideration, dignity and respect.
2. Respect the authority of ALL adults on campus.
3. Follow the directions of ALL staff members.
4. Respect the property of others.
5. Be punctual and prepared for class.
6. Contribute positively to the learning environment.
7. Abide by the College Dress Code.
8. Abide by all College rules and regulations

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

1. Verbal reprimand from staff member
2. Interviews with and reprimands from Year Heads / Deputy Headmasters / Headmaster
3. Assignment of demerits
4. Parent/Guardian Interviews
5. Teacher-assigned detentions (Level 1)
6. Year Head/Deputy Headmaster/Headmaster’s Detentions (Level 2)
7. Community service
8. Manual Labour detentions
9. Suspension
10. Suspension pending Disciplinary Hearing
11. Expulsion

Extenuating circumstances may create unique situations for which the disciplinary action will be subject to the discretion of the Year Head/Deputy Headmaster/Headmaster.