Code of Conduct Print version

Applicable to all Students of the Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt (“DSK”)

The School should – according to its Mission Statement – “promote ethical behaviour, independent thought and mutual respect”, and “encourage our students to become critical and independent adults, who are capable of accepting responsibility for themselves and others and thus of making a worthwhile contribution towards an integrated society.”
This code contributes to a partnership between the DSK, the legal guardians and the students.

This code is applicable whilst students are on the school's premises, at school functions or similar occasions. It is also applicable to students in the public domain where they are identifiable as DSK students.

Expected behaviour from students
General behaviour

We expect our students to:

1. at all times conduct themselves in a dignified manner, respecting teachers, fellow students and all members of the school community and set a positive example for others
2. be courteous and well-mannered
3. not disrupt the school routine
4. not bring the school into disrepute
5. greet teachers and visitors
6. always be punctual
7. refrain from unruly behaviour and rough play
8. not use foul language
9. not chew gum
10. adhere to the dress code on the school grounds and on excursions
11. adhere to the school, computer and sports disciplinary codes
12. not crib or cheat in tests, examinations or other schoolwork.

House rules

1.2.1 Entering the school building
Until 7.55 h students may only enter the amphitheatre and the entrance passage up to the glass door. Running and shouting are not allowed in the school building.

1.2.2 Breaks
During the longer breaks (10 minutes and longer) all students must leave their classrooms and stay on their designated playgrounds. After announcement because of rain they have to stay inside the school building. The rooms stay locked, unless there is a teacher inside the room.

Students may only use the door to leave the classroom. For security reasons, windows and windowsills may not be used as seats.
Likewise, climbing trees, sliding down and playing on the slopes, and climbing through or over the fence are forbidden.

The students may only use the following playground areas:
Grades 1 - 4: primary school play ground; grades 5 and 6: jungle gym; grades 7-9: Bolzplatz; grades 10 - 12: Amphitheatre, Tuck shop area, upper tarred area (Von Holten Hall). Only on the sports ground they may play ball if a supervising teacher is present and the pupils behave in a considerate manner. On the primary school play ground, near the jungle gym, and on the Bolzplatz only play with soft balls is allowed.

1.2.3 Leaving the school grounds
The school grounds may strictly not be left during school hours or breaks. School Management will deal with exceptional cases individually.

1.2.4 Rubbish disposal
Rubbish must be placed in the available containers.
Students may be requested to participate in rubbish disposal actions.

1.2.5 Sick room
The sick room is only available to serious cases of illness and may only be opened by the responsible person. After a lesson the student should return to class or be fetched from school.

1.3 Electronic devices and cell phones

Electronic devices and cell phones may only be used outside of lessons. This applies to students and teachers. The school takes no responsibility for damage or loss of these devices or other valuables.
Should such equipment be switched on during the lesson, it will be confiscated by the teacher and generally be retained in the secretary's office for a week.

Photographic, video and sound recording equipment may only be used on the school grounds with the permission of the principal.

The school retains the right to view and copy information that has been stored on electronic devices/cell phones in order to ensure that no undesirable communication, in particular pornography or other material, is distributed or exchanged among students.

Undesirable behaviour of students:
2.1 Lack of respect
A vital aspect of the DSK mission statement is the principle of mutual respect. For this reason we do not tolerate any

- insults and name calling/ verbal abuse
- intimidation or victimization
- mobbing or bullying
- religious discrimination
- racism

2.2 Absence without an excuse
Absence from school or a lesson without permission is unacceptable.
The procedure of excusing in case of illness or leave of absence is regulated separately.

2.3 Dishonesty / Fraud
No form of dishonesty will be tolerated.

2.4 Vandalism
This includes the defacing and damaging of school and/or private property. All damage caused by vandalism will be to the account of the perpetrator.

2.5 Theft
Theft is a criminal offence. Any student found to be involved in, or an accomplice to, an act of theft, will be severely disciplined.

2.6 Pornography
It is prohibited for students to access pornographic material or be in possession of such material.

2.7 Alcohol and smoking
It is prohibited for students to smoke or to drink alcohol, either on the school premises or at any occasion where they are identifiable as students of the DSK.

2.8 Drugs
It is forbidden for students to be associated with drugs in any way. Possession of and dealing with drugs may lead to criminal prosecution.

2.9 Violence and dangerous objects
Fighting or bodily assault will not be tolerated and will be punished. It is a punishable offence for students to be in possession of any kind of weapons or dangerous objects, or to bring such objects onto the school grounds or any kind of school event.

CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM A TRANSGRESSION OF THIS CODE
Disciplinary measures

1.

3.1 Discipline in the school
When conflicts arise among students or between students and teachers, either in or outside the classroom, they should lead to discussions on the causes of the conflict and on appropriate responses aimed at resolving them. The most effective methods involve encouragement and praise, as well as face-to-face or small-group discussions. If necessary, a guidance teacher or school psychologist may be called upon to assist. Parents are to be involved at the earliest possible stage.

Insulting, cynical or demeaning statements and responses as well as collective and corporal punishment are inappropriate and to be avoided.

3.2 Disciplinary methods
Should a student's behaviour present an obstacle to the teaching and educational process, the teacher may resort to the disciplinary measures he/she deems appropriate to induce the student to remedy his/her behaviour. The following disciplinary measures can be implemented by the individual teacher:

3.2.1 Verbal reprimand
3.2.2 Expulsion from the classroom
The teacher may temporarily send a student from the classroom if he continues to disrupt the class after having been warned. This measure should only be taken in exceptional cases and only after all other measures for restoring order in the classroom have been exhausted. The teacher continues to be responsible for the supervision of the student.

3.2.3 Phone call to parents / Discussion with parents
3.2.4 Verbal reprimand with note to parents
This measure should generally be implemented after an unsuccessful warning. The reason for the reprimand and the contact with the parents are to be noted in the student's file.

3.2.5 Written reprimand
The written reprimand is a formal reprimand of the student, which is sent to the parents. A copy of the reprimand remains in the student's file.

3.2.6 Catching up on incomplete work

3.2.7 Additional homework
This should have an educational function and the additional work should not exceed acceptable workload limits.

3.2.8 Extra period under supervision (detention)
After informing the parents, a student may be required to attend extra periods outside the normal timetable, e.g. in the case of repeated failure to complete work. If this exceeds two periods, the principal’s consent has to be sought.

3.2.9 Reparation of damage
Any reparation must fit the misdemeanour and must be realistic in terms of the student's resources and abilities. The school's right to claim compensation from parents remains unaffected.

3.2.10 Performance of specified tasks
These tasks should be related to the misdemeanour or be social service to the community. The principles applying to reparation also apply here.

3.2.11 Exclusion from extra-curricular activities
The student may be excluded for up to half a year from extra-curricular activities. The decision about the length of the exclusion will be taken in conjunction with the relevant extra-curricular teacher.

Corrective measures
4.1 General
The corrective measures are to be distinguished from the disciplinary measures. They are to be implemented when a student is guilty of gross or repeated neglect of his/her responsibilities, particularly when showing undesirable behavioural traits in relation to point 2.

As a rule the corrective measures are implemented successively; in severe cases one or more measures can be skipped.
4.2 Stages of the corrective measures

1. = Written reprimand
2. = Exclusion from school events
3. = Warning of exclusion from class for up to 10 days
4. = Exclusion from class for up to 10 days
5. = Warning of expulsion from the school
6. = Expulsion from the school

Additional to 4: Any tests written during the period of exclusion will be evaluated as 0%. The student will receive work for this period. Any work that has been missed must be caught up by the student himself.
Additional to 3 and 5: The duration of the warning will be determined in each case individually.

4.3 Implementation of the corrective measures
Corrective measures are proposed to the principal. In consultation with the class teacher, and depending on the severity of the violation, he decides who will deal with the case.

- Class teacher: He/She deals with measure 1.

- Class conference: comprises all subject teachers of the class. In the primary school the primary head chairs the conference. They may implement measures 1 to 3.

- Disciplinary committee: comprises the principal, the class teacher, one student relation teacher and another teacher, generally the grade head. This committee can implement measures 1 to 5. The parents of the student are notified at least three days before the conference. The student and his parents may be invited to attend the hearing.

- Full teachers' conference: comprises all teachers of the school together with the chairperson of the School Management Board or a representative of his choice. This conference may implement measures 1 to 6. The student's parents are notified at least one week before the conference and are invited to attend the hearing with their child.

The principal chairs all conferences except the class conference.
The results of the relevant discussion must be minuted and entered into the student's file. The final decision will be sent to the parents together with reasons and the signature of the principal.

4.4 Right of appeal
In the case of disciplinary measure 6, the right exists to contest the decision. The written appeal, containing reasons pointing out mistakes in the substance of the decision or the procedure, must be received by the principal within 48 hours after the announcement of the decision.
The School Management Board chooses a person from the Board, who will decide on the appeal.

4.5 Immediate action by the principal
The principal retains the right as householder to expel a student from the school grounds. In severe cases, if there is danger to the school community, or if evidence might be compromised, the principal may suspend a student with immediate effect. The case will then be investigated immediately.
In cases of drug abuse, the “Guidelines on drug abuse and prevention” will apply.

List of measures
The following measures relate to specific misdemeanours. They are intended to provide teachers with guidelines to ensure educationally equal treatment of all students. Each teacher or conference is to act in accordance with their own sense of pedagogical responsibility, taking account of the specific case at hand. These measures are listed in order of severity, so that repeated misdemeanours can be treated with increased severity. Individual stages can be skipped or combined if the degree of the misdemeanour requires it.

5.1 Repeated violation of the dress code
- Extra period of supervised work (detention)
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

5.2 Gross lack of respect / intimidation / mobbing / intolerance / racism / bodily harm
- Homework /essay
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

5.3 Truancy (for legal and insurance reasons, truancy, where the student leaves the school grounds, is treated with severity)
- Written reprimand and detention with specific exercise(s)
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

5.4 Attempted dishonesty and other forms of dishonesty and fraud
- Work marked 0%
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

5.5 Wilful damage to another person's property or theft
- Repair/Payment of the damage
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

5.6 Possession of pornography / drugs / alcohol / weapons and dangerous objects
- Homework/essay
- Corrective measures 1 to 6

Cape Town, 21 November 2007

H Battenberg
Principal