Conduct and Discipline

1. Always accept the authority of the teacher.
2. Enter classroom quietly, sit down and take out books/homework/school diary.
3. Pay attention and work in class to the best of your ability.
4. Speak one at a time and only when teacher directs you to speak.
5. Never speak when the teacher is speaking.
6. Don’t disrupt the teacher or any other student in any way during class.
7. When late or returning from an absence have an explanatory note in your school diary – dated, written and signed by one of your parents/guardians
8. No student should leave class due to illness without the prior approval of his/her teacher.
9. Students are responsible for their own belongings and must label clearly each item of personal property. Keep anything you value in your trousers/skirt pocket.
10. Do not run on corridors around the school. Do not push or jostle other students and avoid loud and unruly behaviour inside and outside the classroom.
11. Chewing gum is forbidden throughout the school.
12. Take pride in your school and its environment. Keep it clean and beautiful. Do not litter or damage it in any way.
13. With the exception of Sixth Years, all other students remain on the premises at lunchtime, bring lunch with them or avail of the nearby canteen facilities.
14. The use of mobile phones is not permitted during the school day. If a student needs to use a mobile phone either before or after school he/she must leave the phone switched off in his/her locker during the day.
15. C.D. players and Walkmans and other electronic devices are not permitted.
16. If a student is being bullied or is aware of other students who are being bullied he/she should bring the matter to the attention of his/her tutor or Principal.
17. Students are only permitted to go to their lockers before class begins in the morning, at break-time, at lunchtime and at the end of the school day.
18. Come to school everyday clean and tidy, wearing the correct uniform. Take pride in your appearance as an individual and as a member of the school community
19. Drugs, tobacco and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited on the school premises, school grounds, while students are wearing the school uniform or attending school events.
20. Each student must be on time for school with the appropriate equipment, homework in order and dressed in school uniform. Students are forbidden to wear runners while travelling to and from school. Runners must be worn when games are being played.
21. If a student causes damage to school equipment or school property, he/she will be held responsible to cover the cost of the damage caused. Students are also requested not to litter the school environment.
22. It is compulsory for students to have their school diary with them in class and it must be signed by parents/guardians on a weekly basis.
23. Give adequate time and effort to your homework. Complete it and present it neatly.
24. Irish is the language of communication and the teaching medium in the school. Students are obliged to speak only Irish among themselves at school, in the school yard, on tour or at any other activities associated with the school. No other language may be spoken with the exception of during other language classes and activities associated with those language classes.

Sanctions

If a student disobeys the school rules, the procedures as outlined below will be followed:

1. A verbal warning
2. A note will be written into the student’s school diary as a record of unsatisfactory behaviour.
3. If a student continues to cause trouble he/she will receive a Penalty Sheet.
4. A student may be put on Weekly Report, detained at lunchtime, detained after school or suspended.
5. If a student receives a Penalty Sheet three times he/she will receive lunchtime detention.
6. Parents/guardians may be informed by letter or by telephone.
7. Parents/guardians may be requested to attend a meeting in the school to discuss an incident or a student’s behaviour.
8. On the recommendation of the Year Head, a student may be referred to the Discipline Committee if his/her behaviour so warrants it. This committee will advise and instruct the student on how to improve.
9. Withdrawal of privileges from a student or withdrawal from class or Weekly Report may be used for specific transgressions e.g. poor punctuality, homework not done, unsatisfactory behaviour on the playing field etc.
10. Detention (lunchtime and after school) will be used for specific transgressions. A letter will be sent home beforehand.
11. There will be cases of indiscipline that will require the Principal to act independently of the above procedures in order to maintain the safety of other student or teachers.
12. The Principal has the authority to suspend a student if this is deemed necessary.
13. In the case of a student who continues to misbehave, the student’s case may be brought before the Board of Management of Coláiste Oiriall or Co. Monaghan VEC.
14. The Board of Management may consider advising Co. Monaghan VEC to permanent exclude a student if the behaviour of the student is preventing teaching and learning taking place on an ongoing basis or if it is a serious once-off offence.
15. All incidents will be recorded on the school’s Disciplinary System.

If a student doesn’t wear the correct uniform:

1. The student will be spoken to by a Teacher, Tutor, Year Head or Principal.
2. If a student isn’t wearing the correct uniform he/she should have a note of explanation, signed by a parent/guardian, in his/her school diary.
3. The student may receive a Penalty Sheet.
4. A student must rent a tie in the office if he/she arrives at school without a one.
5. If the correct uniform is not worn on three occasions the student will receive lunchtime detention and the parents will be informed.
6. If there are repeated breaches of the uniform rule the student will receive detention after school.

If a student breaches the Irish speaking rule:

1. The student will receive a Penalty Sheet and will be given a verbal warning.
2. If this rule is broken three times the student will receive lunchtime detention and parents will be informed.
3. In the event of a pupil repeatedly breaching the Irish Speaking rule, the student will receive detention after school and may ultimately be suspended.
4. The incident maybe referred to the Board of Management or to Co. Monaghan VEC.

Graded System

More than 3 incidents, 3 reports or 3 Penalty Sheets
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Lunchtime Detention

More than 3 Lunchtime Detentions
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After School Detention

More than 3 After School Detentions
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Suspension