OUTLINE OF DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

A Guide to Discipline Procedures at Hutt Valley High School

Contents:

Hutt Valley High School expects all students to behave with courtesy, consideration and respect towards adults and each other so that all on the High School campus can work and learn in a safe, positive and encouraging environment.

(HVHS Positive Behaviour Policy)

To further develop the culture of achievement and respect at Hutt Valley High School with a focus on the junior school

(Strategic Priority HVHS 2008)

WHAT TO DO WHEN A STUDENT DOES NOT BEHAVE APPROPRIATELY

The following pages outline the procedures to be followed when certain disciplinary situations arise. If the situation is serious enough it will be referred to the senior management. Each case will be considered in its own context, and the consequences may vary from case to case.

CONSISTENCY OF APPROACH

All teachers should use a consistent approach in the management of students and their classrooms.

The following initiatives have been identified as important steps to achieve this.

ATTENDANCE

“Every student of a registered school who is required to be enrolled at a registered school shall attend the school whenever it is open.”
(Sect. 25 Education Act 1989)
“Every parent of a person who, while enrolled at a registered school, does not attend…commits an offence.”
(Sect. 29, Education Act 1989)

LATENESS

Do not accept students arriving late to class without good reason. They should have a note if they have been seeing a Dean or a senior staff member. Students arriving late during Period 1 should be recorded by their teacher and after three unexplained late arrivals, the teacher should take appropriate action. ie. phone home and issue a detention.

TRUANCY PROCEDURES

Hutt Valley High School requires all students to attend school. Where a student is absent, acceptable written explanation must be provided by the parent/caregiver on the day of the student’s return to school.

Unexplained absence or frequent, explained absence unsupported by medical certificates is regarded as truancy.

Form teachers are responsible for identifying and following up unexplained absences. The form teacher must contact home immediately and inform caregivers after each instance of truancy. The form teacher must also keep a record of each truancy (by number) and their contact with home on the student’s TTSM notes.

The attendance officer is used by Deans, Guidance and Senior Admin when home is unable to be contacted or students need extra monitoring.

Form Teacher

First Truancy

  1. Form teacher takes time to talk through truancy procedures with student and allows student to explain his/her actions.
  2. Form teacher contacts caregivers and issues a school detention.
  3. Dean informed.

Form Teacher

Second Truancy

  1. Form teacher contacts caregivers and issues a school detention.
  2. Student put on form teacher’s report for 5 day.
  3. Dean informed.

Dean

Third Truancy

  1. Form teacher informs dean who contacts caregivers (may include a meeting with caregiver.) This could also include the form teacher / counsellor.
  2. Form teacher gives a school detention.
  3. Student on dean’s report for 5 days.
  4. Truancy letter sent home informing of truancy and dean’s report.

Dean

Fourth Truancy

  1. Form teacher informs dean who contacts caregivers and arranges a meeting with caregiver. This could also include the form teacher / counsellor.
  2. Form teacher gives a school detention.
  3. Student on dean’s report for 10 days.
  4. Truancy letter sent home informing of truancy and dean’s report.

SENIOR/JUNIOR DEAN

Fifth Truancy

  1. Form teacher informs Senior/Junior Dean. Procedure as for 4th truancy. Senior/Junior Dean now dealing with the student.

SENIOR ADMIN

Sixth Truancy

  1. Form teacher informs Senior Admin. Procedure as for 4th truancy. Senior/Admin now dealing with the student.

SENIOR ADMIN

Seventh Truancy

  1. Options considered by senior admin in consultation with guidance counsellors;
    • NETS
    • Educational alternatives
    • Application for exemption from enrolment (under 16) from Ministry of Education
    • Removal from roll (for over 16’s)
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IN-CLASS BEHAVIOUR: CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Students are informed early in the year, through assemblies, that if they have issues with what is happening in the classroom, they need to wait until the end of class to discuss these with their teacher on a 1-1 basis;they are not to confront their teacher publicly. This will be reinforced by teachers in their classes.

Inappropriate in-class behaviour will in the first instance be addressed by the classroom teacher. The student may be placed on a daily report if this is appropriate.

Every significant incident must be recorded on the Pupil Notes on TTSM.

The Hierarchy of Response Beyond the Classroom

The problem is first referred to the subject HOD. The HOD should determine whether the problem relates to curriculum and curriculum delivery or whether it is a more personal matter. If the problem is curriculum-related then the solution should be arrived at by consultation between the teacher and the HOD. These consultations may involve the student.

If the HOD determines that the problem lies outside the curriculum domain then the problem should be referred to the form teacher in the first instance. The mechanisms for resolving the problem are similar in form to those used by an HOD i.e. consultation. A Guidance Counsellor may become involved at this level.

If the Dean and HOD have been unable to resolve the issue, then the matter will be referred to the Senior Administration person in charge of that form level.

The final step in the school hierarchy is a referral to the Principal. Beyond the Principal, the matter becomes a Board one.

WITHDRAWAL ROOMS

Each Department has a withdrawal room nominated for every lesson. These are used when a student’s behaviour is unmanageable at the classroom level and the student needs to be isolated from the rest of the students.

Follow up: The teacher who sent a student to a withdrawal room is responsible for informing the Deans and the HOD and noting the incident on TTSM. The behaviour must be addressed by the time the student returns to that class. Students who are continually being withdrawn will be followed up by the Deans.

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OUTRAGEOUS CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR

It is the right of every student to learn unhindered by others. Outrageous classroom behaviour is wilful, deliberate and makes continuation of a lesson difficult while the student is still present. The behaviour could include:

In such instances the students should be immediately and directly referred to a member of the Senior Administration. The staff member will need to provide written accounts of the incident to the senior administrator as soon as practical after the lesson. The senior administrator will collect a written account from the student in each instance. Some kinds of outrageous behaviour may result in stand-down/suspension.

Likely Action/s Staff Member Responsible
  • Student withdrawn for at least duration of lesson
  • Parents notified
  • Consequences could include: Letter of apology to staff/class. Student to make up missed work; withdrawal from subject lessons for a specified period; community service; detention/s
  • Referral to counsellor/anger management (optional)
Senior Admin.
  • Student withdrawn from subject/classes until contracts behaviour change with staff member making referral.
  • Letter to parent
  • Family meeting (optional)
  • Referral to counsellor/anger management (optional)
Senior Admin.
  • Letter to parent
  • Family meeting re breach of contract and continual disobedience and offer of referral to counsellor/anger management/educational programme where appropriate
  • Student withdrawn from subject/classes until a behaviour management plan is agreed by student, parent and staff.
Senior Admin.
  • Letter to parent
  • Family conference to hear options available including stand-down/ suspension
Principal
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DAILY REPORTS

Form Teacher’s Report

Form Teachers who are concerned about the progress or behaviour of a student can put them on a daily report to get an indication of how the student is performing in all their subjects. This is usually carried out after consultation with teachers, deans and caregivers.

The procedure for any staff member putting a student on a daily report is as follows;

  1. Collect a Form Teacher’s report from the Printing Office. Notify appropriate Dean (an email with name, form, and reason should be sufficient)
  2. Contact the student’s caregiver by phone. This is most important.
  3. Fill in, on the report, when and where the student is to report, and to whom.
  4. Make sure the student understands the procedure and consequences, as explained on the back of each report.
  5. Deal with any offences.
  6. If a student on a Form Teacher’s report offends for the third time, the consequence is being put on a Dean’s report. You will need to discuss this with the Dean.
  7. All completed Form Teacher reports must go to the student’s file in the office.
  8. Professional judgement will determine how long a student stays on report. If a student returns to school after being stood down or suspended, they will be put on a Principal’s report by the appropriate Senior Admin member to monitor their behaviour.

Deans’ Report

Junior/Senior Dean’s Report

Principal’s Report (Senior Management)

  • Meeting with student, caregivers and DP/AP
  • Signed daily by Senior Management, teachers and caregivers
  • Possible internal stand down
  • Possible removal from cultural and sporting activities short term
  • Incomplete or unsatisfactory behaviour may result in an escalation to possible stand down or suspension
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    BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

    All staff members are responsible for enforcing school rules. Infringement of these include:

    Staff may use their discretion in dealing with breaches of school rules inside and outside the classroom. A warning may be an appropriate action. Possession and/or consumption of drugs or alcohol are considered serious breaches of the rules and may result in standdown/suspension.

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    Likely or Possible Action/s Staff Member Responsible
    Consequences could include:
    • Picking up litter
    • Community service
    • Detention/s for being out of school without a pass
    		Teacher
    Principal’s detention
    Contact with parent
    Student enters into contract with Dean (Dean’s Report)     		Dean
    Family meeting re breach of contract and continual disobedience and offer of counselling or educational programme,
    Referral to counsellor where appropriate     		Senior Admin.
    Family conference to consider options available including stand-down/ suspension Principal

    SMOKING PROCEDURES*

    When a student is caught smoking or in possession of cigarettes the process is

    1st Offence. The student is referred to the Dean who makes a phone call to the caregivers and student receives a detention. Incident recorded on TTSM by the Dean

    2nd Offence. The student is referred to the Dean who calls the caregivers in for a meeting at which a letter is given and counselling offered.

    3rd Offence. Deans refer the student to Senior Management. Possible stand down.

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    BULLYING/HARASSMENT

    Hutt Valley High School expects all students to behave with courtesy, consideration and respect towards adults and each other so that all on the High School campus can work and learn in a safe, positive and encouraging environment.

    Bullying/harassment is defined as follows:

    “Bullying/harassment is comprised of direct behaviours such as teasing, taunting, unwelcome or offensive sexual attention, threatening, hitting and stealing that are carried out by one or more individuals against another person. Bullying may also be more indirect by spreading rumours and/or causing an individual to be isolated through intentional exclusion. A key component of bullying is that the physical or physiological intimidation creates an ongoing pattern of harassment and abuse.”

    Staff should be alert to evidence of bullying in the school environment and receive complaints without judgement.

    Staff will convey to students the seriousness with which bullying is regarded both when receiving complaints or when observing possible indications of bullying.

    There is a group of contact staff and students from whom help can be sought. They will give confidential support and advice on what courses of action are available. Posters around the school give their names.

    Hutt Valley High School will not accept bullying behaviour which could include teasing, taunting, unwelcome or offensive sexual attention, threatening, hitting, stealing, spreading rumours, intentional exclusion, to create an ongoing pattern of harassment and abuse, txt bullying (electronic harassment), internet.

    All staff members are responsible for acting on reports or direct observation of bullying without judgement.

    Serious incidents or allegations of serious bullying must be referred to the Senior Management immediately. The matter will be investigated and appropriate action taken by Senior Management.

    Possible Action/s Staff Member Responsible
    • Mediation with follow-up two weeks later
    • Parents of person being bullied notified with student’s consent
    • Bully’s parents contacted
    • Offence noted on bully’s record for one year
    		Form Teacher/ Dean
    • Person being bullied and bully’s parents contacted
    • Details of complaint placed on bully’s permanent record
    • Follow-up with person being bullied and bully
    • Family meeting (optional)
    • Principal and counsellor informed
    • Change of class (optional)
    		Dean
    • Letter to bully’s family
    • Family meeting with offer of counselling or educational programme
    • Details of complaint placed on bully’s permanent record
    • Principal and counsellor informed
    		Dean/Senior Management
    • Letter to bully’s parent
    • Family conference to hear options available including stand-down/ suspension
    		Senior Administration/Principal
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    UNIFORM INFRINGEMENTS

    We are a “Uniform” school and students are expected to wear the correct school uniform.

    The full details of the school uniform are published in the school prospectus and on our school web site (www.hvhs.school.nz). Approved uniform items are available from the school uniform shop.

    One of the most important ways the school can maintain its good reputation and image in the community is for its students to wear the school uniform correctly. In addition our school uniform enables staff to quickly identify intruders on school grounds who could pose a threat to students and school property.

    Important features of the uniform

    Our Expectations:
    All our students are expected to wear correct school uniform from when they leave home in the morning until they return home at the end of the day. Where there is a genuine reason for a student not wearing correct school uniform the caregiver should provide an explanatory note with contact details included.

    Procedures and Consequences:
    Students who are in incorrect uniform and have a note from home must report to the Student Centre between 9.45 am and 10.00am to obtain a Blue Slip (uniform pass). Students wearing incorrect uniform items and have no "Blue Slip" can expect the items to be confiscated. Any staff member may confiscate non uniform items or jewellery. Students who continue to break the school uniform rules are being defiant and this behaviour will lead to more serious consequences.

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    DETENTIONS

    Classroom Detentions
    ‘Classroom detentions’ for poor behaviour may be given by any staff member and these are supervised by the staff who give them, at a time suitable to them. Some departments organise systems within their subject area – check with your H.O.D.

    School Detentions
    School detentions are given when students are not following school procedures, and are issued using the following guidelines;

    consultation with H.O.D in an effort to modify the behaviours of the student
    AND
    - a teacher detention has already been given
    AND
    - Caregivers have been contacted to discuss the issue

    School detentions are held after school every day except Monday. They begin 10 minutes after the end of school and are held in B18. When filling out the detention form, the day the student is expected to attend the detention is the day after it is issued. Eg – If a detention is issued on Wednesday, the student is expected to attend on Thursday.

    Process

    1. Fill out a yellow detention slip. These are available from the duplicating room.
    2. Give the student the bottom part of the slip, and place the top part in the red box in the staff room by 3.45. Students need to be told to present their slip to the person taking detention.
    3. If a student does not turn up to detention, the student will then be placed on a 1 hour Principal’s detention. This is run on Thursday after school and is held in B14.
    4. If a student does not turn up to Principal’s detention, they are referred to either LN/KN/ED/BG/HC/GR. Caregivers will again be contacted with regard to continual disobedience and appropriate action will be taken.

    The Detention spreadsheet is available for staff to look at on the Notices drive. This is useful to see if the detention has been done, and for Form Teachers be alerted to patterns of bad habits/inappropriate behaviour.

    Any concerns or problems in regard to the detention system should be referred to a member of the Senior Management team.

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    Hutt Valley High School, Private Bag 31 909, Woburn Road, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Phone +64 4 566 4584, Fax +64 4 566 7779 Principal Ross Sinclair: