CODE OF CONDUCT
The Code of Conduct is a set of rules that govern the Body of Students at Irene Christian
Independent College. Every student at Irene Christian College should take time to read and acquaint
himself or herself with the Code.
Responsibility for the overall discipline rests with the College Management comprising the Principal
and Deputy Headmasters.
The School endeavours to provide with Christian values and believes in discipline that is firm, fair
and just. It looks to the parents’ body for support in its effort to provide an environment in which
students are secure and safe. In this regard all parties involved will be considered whenever issues
involving discipline are being discussed.
The purpose of The Code of Conduct is
1. To ensure fair and equal treatment of all students
2. To ensure that corrective action is done timeously should there be an act of indiscipline or
unsatisfactory performance
Principles of the Code
a. The Code shall be applicable to all students including the Prefects’ Body.
b. It is the responsibility of all the Staff members, Prefects body and students’ body at large to
uphold the Code of Conduct at all times.
Expectations from Irene Christian College students:
Attendance
All pupils must:
1. attend on every occasion that the school is in session, unless ill, or unless prior permission has
been given. The head will use discretion on discipline for student absence. Students who miss 30 or
more unapproved days will automatically be deregistered with no further discussion.
2. arrive in school no later than 07:30am, unless involved in a supervised College activity;
3. a note, signed by either a parent or a medical practitioner must be submitted to the
Principal/Deputy Headmaster/Form Teacher to explain each and every absence from school.
4. attend all classes, games and activities as shown on individual timetables;
5. remain on the school premises until the end of each school day;
6. if feeling ill during the course of the school day, go to the Administration (going home without
permission from the Principal or Deputy Head is not permitted);
7. if present in school but unable to take part in school Games or Physical Education classes, bring a
letter of explanation from parents/guardian to the Deputy Head
8. request permission from teachers prior to being absent from class;
9. wear uniform in line with School Uniform Regulations at all times when uniform is worn.
Attitude and behaviour
All pupils must:
1. set high standards of behaviour for themselves, whether outside school or inside school and on
the journey to and from school, or when involved in school activities;
2. take responsibility for their behaviour, attitude and appearance at all times;
3. show courtesy and consideration for all other pupils, teaching and ancillary staff, and visitors to
the school at all times;
4. observe and adhere to all safety instructions given to them;
5. arrive in each class on time, with the correct materials and resources and with
all necessary preparatory work and homework completed on time to the best of their ability;
6. follow instructions given by all teachers, ancillary staff and College Prefects at all times;
7. take responsibility for their own possessions and belongings, ensuring that where possible, all are
clearly marked with their name;
8. report any accident or breakage immediately to a member of staff;
9. Dress and haircut regulations as set out will at all times be adhered to.
11 Lower and Upper six students may have a slight and simple shade in the hair cut
12. Not engage in any anti-social behaviour outside the school premises that may bring the College
into disrepute.
13. Not engage or found in inappropriate or compromising situations that involve touching or
physical contact with students of the same or opposite sex which may be construed as indecent
conduct.
14. Follow the covid-19 and any other healthy protocols as stipulated by the health authorities.
Respect
1. In all cases there should be an ethos of “respect for the individual” no matter who they may be or
where they are.
2. Employees of the school are part of the community. They deserve our full respect at all times.
3. At all times it is essential to respect other people and their property or belongings, particularly the
property of the school.
4. Any adult or visitor must at all times be accorded the same respect as that to a staff member. This
applies as fully to any Irene Christian College parent who may in the course of the year be offering
their services at the school or any of its functions.
5. Greet staff and visitors cheerfully and confidently. If you are sitting, stand up to greet someone.
6. Offer assistance to any adult or other visitor to the school in a cheerful and confident manner.
7. Stand up to speak to people, especially staff and other visitors.
8. Do not have your hands in pockets when addressing people
9. If you are wearing a hat, lift it to greet someone or remove it when talking to a member of staff or
a prefect.
10. Causing a disturbance when someone else is trying to concentrate, study or work is a selfish act.
Respect other people’s space and right to work.
11. Arriving late for registration, class, meetings, fixtures, games and practices shows a selfish lack of
regard for others’ time and effort.
12. Apologise when you are in the wrong. Sincerity is the mark of good behaviour.
Classroom Discipline
1. There must be quick movement between classes.
2. There must be orderly arrival and departure from laboratories – line up quietly outside the
laboratories and wait to be called in.
3. If your teacher has not arrived within five minutes of the start of the lesson, a member of the class
must inform a Deputy Headmaster.
4. Stand quietly behind the desk until greetings are over and you are given permission by the teacher
to sit.
5. Sit up straight and pay attention. Messing about in class, fighting, and any form of general
disruption will not be tolerated.
6. During class discussions, put your hand up and wait for your teacher to invite you to speak. Do not
shout out questions or answers or speak out of turn, particularly when your teacher is talking.
7. Neatness and accuracy as well as high levels of presentation must be aimed for.
8. Take pride in your work by ensuring correct dates and headings are used, accurate numbering is
followed, there is a neat layout of notes and work,
orderly correction is undertaken and neat diagrams and illustrations are drawn.
9. Bring the correct books and material to lessons. This requires forward planning and attention to
your timetable before the day starts.
10. If a member of staff or a visitor talks into the classroom, you must stand up and greet this
person.
11. The classroom must be left in a tidy state: pick up all rubbish, straighten desks and push the
chairs in behind the desks. Do not leave any graffiti on the desks
or walls. Do not open or close the blinds unless you are told to do so by your teacher.
12. Remember that the bell is a signal for the teacher and not for you. Wait to be dismissed before
packing up and leaving.
13. Thank your teacher politely for your lesson.
Cleanliness
1. It is the responsibility of students to keep the classes clean
2. Students must clean their homeroom classes before leaving school
3. All books must be tidied and desks correctly and neatly line up in straight rows and columns
4. The floors must be clean and clear of any dirt before students leave.
Dress Code
1. Jewellery
➢ A wristwatch which is conservative may be worn. No fancy watches or watches with internet
access.
➢ Bracelets are not permitted.
➢ No rings to be worn in uniform.
Female students may wear simple and very small black or white conservative earrings.
➢ Nail polish is not permitted in uniform.
2. Skirts
➢ The length of the skirt may reach kneecap. Your skirt should fit smoothly, should hang naturally,
and must not be excessively tight.
➢ Girls’ dresses and skirts have to be just above the knee, i.e. the shortest length.
3. Trousers
➢ The school trousers should be worn with a blazer at all times. ‘
➢ Shorts and Trousers should not be excessively tight
4. Hair
➢ Male students must have there hair neat
Civvies Day
1. No short shorts should be worn on civvies day.
2. Tights should be worn with a long top.
3. See-through tops must be worn with a vest underneath.
4. No spaghetti tops unless one is wearing something inside.
5. No bandanas for boys and girls on civvies.
General Unacceptable Behaviour
Student must not;
1. use offensive language or act in an offensive or violent manner towards any other person;
2. bring into school any item or substance which will contravene school regulations such as alcohol,
illegal drugs or any substance which has an intoxicating or hallucinatory effect (smoking is strictly
forbidden in all circumstances, both inside and outside school and on the way to and from
school and school activities);
3. borrow, use or take away any item belonging to another person without clear permission;
4. intentionally damage College property or that belonging to another person;
5. eat or drink in class, assembly, corridors, locker areas, laboratories or in study areas (pupils are
permitted to drink still water in class only with the permission of their teacher);
6. have mobile phones or any hand held devices brought into the school premises;
7. Use the social networking platforms to circulate any information pertaining to the school without
the consent of the school authorities.
8. record or send an image or sound without the permission of a member of staff and the people
being recorded;
9. Bring into school knives, other weapons or any dangerous items.
10. Leave the campus during school hours without a signed note from a Deputy
Headmaster.
Manuals and Detention
It must be noted that manuals, detention and any other form of punishment, takes precedence over
any other activity. In general:
o Manuals are deployed as punishment for a general disciplinary infringement.
o Detentions are deployed as punishment for poor academic performance, including not doing work
or assignments on deadline.
Functions
1. Attending any social function, such as dances, cocktail evenings, dinners and any other event
hosted by the school is deemed to be a privilege for a student and not an entitlement or a right. As
such attendance is by invitation by the Principal or the Deputy Headmaster and the privilege of
attendance may be withdrawn if circumstances or breaches of the Code of Conduct warrant it.
THE MERIT AND DEMERIT SYSTEM
Merits
Every pupil works more enthusiastically and effectively when the good work they do is recognised.
The most valuable form of praise and encouragement is that offered by a subject teacher. This can
be offered verbally, during or at the end of a lesson, or as part of the marking process.
Merits are issued for:
a. Voluntary community service.
b. Good conduct, helpfulness and leadership. Any reports of good conduct received from the public
in writing will earn merits.
c. Anything a pupil does which sets a new standard for them personally or for others to follow.
d. Merits are awarded at the discretion of the Principal or Deputy Head after the same referral
process as the demerit system. Net balances of merits are accumulated to earn the following prizes
at the end of each term. Merits will expire at the end of each term:
i. 10 merits = certificate
ii. 15 merits = Principal’s award
Demerits
Demerits have been allocated for conduct that contravenes the School’s Code of Conduct. The
number of demerits will be determined by the severity of the incident and will progressively increase
each time a student is referred for the same violation of School rules. Demerits are allocated at the
discretion of the Principal or Deputy Head after the following procedure has taken place:
a. Principal or Deputy Headmaster follow-up on all referrals made by staff members.
b. If, after the Principal or Deputy Headmaster has dealt with these instances of misconduct, a child
persists with his/her unacceptable behaviour, the Principal or Deputy Headmaster may allocate
demerits. The student must be present when this is done.
c. Students will receive a “Demerit Slip” each time they are assigned demerits as a consequence of
their actions. This notice will state the number of demerits the student received for that particular
incident as well as the total number of demerits the student has accumulated.
d. Once a student has been issued demerits, parents will be telephoned and asked to collect a copy
of this notice from the front office. This will ensure that parents are aware of their child’s
behavioural status.
e. After 8 demerits, as student will be expected to stay on Friday afternoon for detention and or
manual.
f. A maximum of 25 demerits will be permitted for all the students in Form 1 to Upper 6.
g. When a student accumulates 15 demerits, he/she will receive a warning letter of suspension. The
child’s parent/guardian will be required to attend a meeting with the Principal/Deputy Headmaster.
h. A child who has accumulated 20 demerits will immediately be suspended from school for a period
of seven days. Following these additional or conditional sanctions may be imposed.
i. Following this suspension, a “Notice of Final Warning” must be issued to the student and his/her
parents. A copy of this letter must be placed in the student’s personal record file.
j. At the discretion of the Principal, a student who accumulates 25 demerits will be asked to leave
the School.
k. Demerits can expire after one term if less than 10 points or after two terms if more than 15 but
less than 20 is accumulated. If a student leaves the School and then returns, previous demerits will
be reinstated.
l. Any 6th form student with more than 4 current demerits will not be eligible for selection to any
School leadership role. A 6th form student who accumulates more than 6 demerits may, at the
discretion of the Principal or Deputy Headmaster, be removed from office either temporarily or
permanently.
m. Team Awards, Half Colours and Full Colours, in addition to any other awards, may be withheld
from students who have accumulated more than 8 demerits. Unacceptable social conduct will not be
tolerated and students who infringe the Code of Conduct will be given appropriate demerits.
Must be read in conjunction with the ICC Classification of Misdemeanours document for full list
of dos and don’ts
