School Policies

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GREY BOYS 

Sec. 8[2] of the SA Schools Act, 1996, points out that a code of conduct for learners must be aimed at establishing a disciplined and purposeful school environment, which is dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of the quality of the “learning process”.

The Schools Act places the burden on the Governing Body to adopt a code of conduct for learners. However, it is futile to put provisions in the code of conduct that are incompatible with the applicable legislation.

It needs to be mentioned that, according to the Act, learners are obliged to comply with the provisions of the code of conduct. It is advisable to provide every Grey boy and his parental home with a code of conduct, in writing, by means of the school diary.

It must further be emphasized that the purpose of this Code of Conduct and School Disciplinary Policy is not to replace existing legislation, but to supplement the legislation regarding discipline in schools. In the event of any conflict with existing legislation, the legislation regarding discipline in schools shall prevail. This Code of Conduct and School Disciplinary Policy also does not deprive the School and/or the Governing Body of any rights conferred in terms of the existing legislation.

The Code of Conduct shall be applicable to transgressions in the following circumstances:

1. Transgressions committed on the school grounds.
2. Transgressions committed during school-related activities (inside or outside the school grounds).
3. All transgressions out of school which bring the school into disrepute.

PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROPER LEGAL PROCESS

During any disciplinary action, universal principles apply, which must be complied with in every disciplinary situation. The following guidelines may be considered in the contemplation of a legal process:

A person who is charged should be entitled to:

1. A properly formulated charge, which must be served on him;
2. Sufficient time to consider such charge and, particularly in the case of a minor, the assistance of and consultation with the parents and a legal representative, if necessary;
3. A proper disciplinary hearing with an impartial and unbiased chairperson or body;
4. An opportunity to present his side of the matter, fully and without interruption or intimidation;
5. Proper cross-examination and the right to call witnesses if he wishes;
6. An unbiased and objective judgment, and
7. The right of appeal to an impartial and unbiased body.

LEVELS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION

1. Principal, deputy principals, heads of departments, heads of grades, educators and monitors.
2. Educators may summarily allocate debit points for transgressions of 30 or less debit points. All other cases where up to 100 debit points may be allocated, have to be referred to the principal or deputies:

• for allocation of debit points (after investigation) and/or
• for referral to one of the two Disciplinary Committees. (Please note, there are two committees.)

 

3. Disciplinary Committee: Debit Points.

This committee is appointed by the Governing Body to handle the investigation of transgressions by learners where suspension or expulsion is not considered and to impose a suitable punishment for a transgression that brought a learner to 100 or more debit points.

The learner’s previous transgressions and punishment accumulated as a result thereof, are taken into account when determining a suitable punishment.

The Principal may, however, decide at any time that a learner with 100 or more debit points has to appear before the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions. The Disciplinary Committee: Debit Points may also make such a recommendation to the principal in respect of any case serving before the committee. This committee consists of three members, namely:

3.1)   A parent who acts as chairperson (who is a member of the Governing Body);

3.2)  A Deputy Principal/Head of Department;

3.3)   A Head of Grade (of the grade to which the learner belongs).

4. Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions.

This is the committee as prescribed by Provincial Gazette 144 of 4 October 2000 in terms of the Schools Act (84/1996).  The committee can also handle cases where the learner has been allocated100 or more debit points and/or where the alleged conduct of a learner constitutes a statutory or common-law offence.

This committee holds formal, full-blown disciplinary hearings (charges, pleading, leading of evidence, cross-examination, conviction/acquittal, imposition of punishment). This is for serious cases where suspension and expulsion are significant possibilities. 

This committee is appointed by the Governing Body and consists of three members who must all be members of the Governing Body or be qualified to be elected thereto. The chairperson of the committee must be a parent/member of the Governing Body. A prosecutor is designated by the Principal.

5. The Procedure at Disciplinary Committee Hearings (Sec 10: SA Schools Act)

Any person, (including any Grey boy), who witnesses or hears of a transgression, whether of the school rules or otherwise, may submit a complaint to the principal regarding such transgression allegedly committed by a boy. In such an instance the principal shall investigate the complaint and take such disciplinary steps as he may deem necessary.

Before being submitted to the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions, a complaint against a learner must be investigated by the principal/deputy principal, head of grade, (or any person designated by them). The investigating officer gathers all the relevant information regarding the complaint and the personal circumstances of the learner (including information which may be to the advantage of the learner) which he/she regards necessary and relevant. No member of the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions may conduct this investigation.

When a transgression is reported to the principal or a deputy principal/head of grade, or when such person investigates an alleged transgression, he/she will have the right to search the body and/or the property of the person concerned and take possession of any object that was allegedly involved in the commission of the transgression. Such article/s will be retained in safe-keeping by the school until the completion of the disciplinary proceedings against the learner, whereafter the body conducting the proceedings will return it to the rightful owner.

If a learner is guilty of misconduct and transgressions as classified in the paragraph hereunder after school hours or during extra-mural activities, he is liable to disciplinary measures in terms of this disciplinary system.

The Principal/ Deputy Principal/ Head of Grade compiles a report after the investigation. The investigating officer draws a charge sheet in which the charge against the learner is formulated, stating the transgressions committed.

The Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions hears charges against learners, submitted to it by the principal.

1. At least 72 hours before the hearing the principal/deputy principal/ head of grade must inform the learner, in writing, of the charge/s against him, the date, time and place where the hearing will be held as well as the compulsory assistance of the learner by a parent/lawful guardian.
2. A learner who has been charged, must sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the charge and hand it to the deputy principal.

A Charged person may:

• Address the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions to present his case.
• Question the witnesses who testify before the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions.
• Inspect any document relating to the matter.
• Give evidence in defence of his case or in mitigation of the punishment.
• Call witnesses whose names have been submitted to the principal/deputy principal/ head of grade 24 hours before the commencement of the hearing and present any documentary or other evidence in his defence or in mitigation of sentence.
• Address the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions in defence or in mitigation of sentence after all the evidence has been led and before consideration of the findings and sentence.

If a charged learner does not appear in terms of the written notice, the hearing may proceed in his absence.

Appeal:

A learner may file an appeal with the Governing Body within seven days after the judgment of the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions or the Disciplinary Committee: Debit Points.

A learner who so files an appeal must submit his grounds for the appeal, in writing, together with the appeal.

The chairperson of the Governing Body determines a date for the hearing of the appeal. Three members of the Governing Body constitute a quorum for the hearing of the appeal.

The Principal/ Deputy Principal/ Head of Grade hands all documents and minutes relating to the appeal to the chairperson of the Governing Body. The chairperson of the Governing Body determines a date and time for the hearing of the appeal.  At least five days prior written notice of the date of the hearing of the appeal must be given.

The Governing Body may confirm, set aside or vary the decision of the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions and is authorized to impose a heavier sentence than that imposed by the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions.

A learner who has been found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions, has his conviction and sentence noted on his record.

The duties of the chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee –

The chairperson of both Disciplinary Committees determines:

• The procedure and rules of order for the disciplinary hearing in as far as these rules of procedure do not provide therefore;
• Determines the days and times on which the Disciplinary Committee will be in session;
• Convenes the Disciplinary Committees if circumstances so require;
• Selects the Disciplinary Committees for each session at his/her discretion;
• Appoints one of the members to act as chairperson in his/her place when he/she deems it necessary.

DEBIT AND PUNISHMENT SYSTEM

The debit system has been developed in order to address all the well-known elements of criminology, like prevention, punishment, rehabilitation, deterrence etc.

Transgressions have been categorized and debit points are allocated according to the seriousness of the transgression, namely:

Serious transgressions that can result in a Grey boy (with 100 or more debit points) being suspended or expelled from the school. (Please refer to disciplinary rule 11, suspension and expulsion).

• Less serious transgressions, for instance, failure to do homework.

DEBIT SYSTEM 

Debit points are divided into different categories as indicated in the code of conduct.

The process:

• If a Grey boy commits a transgression in the presence of an educator and he/she deems it necessary to punish the boy, the transgression is recorded as soon as possible. By signing the document the learner indicates that the facts of the transgression have been recorded correctly and that he agrees with them. A short description of the event is also recorded. Form D1 is then handed to the head of the grade where he/she then records it. Summary allocation of debit points is only valid in respect of transgressions for which 30 or less debit points can be  All cases of more than 30 debit points must be referred to the deputy principal.
• As soon as a learner has 15 debit points, a copy is sent to his parental home and has to be signed by the parent/guardian.
• If a Grey boy is of the opinion that the debit points have been allocated unjustly, he may note an appeal to the head of the grade who is responsible for the grade in which he is, by completing Form D2 and handing it into the applicable head of grade. This appeal must be noted within 24 hours after the debit points have been allocated. 
• If a Grey boy refuses to sign, two fellow-learners or the class captain who have witnessed the transgression may be requested to sign as witnesses to the fact that the learner refuses to sign. The boy still has the right to appeal and if his appeal fails or if the time for the appeal expires, the debit points are immediately recorded.
• Learners who qualify for detention will receive notice of the said detention on a Tuesday preceding the Saturday (about 4 days before the detention day). The notice contains a tear slip that has to be signed by the parent as proof of notice and has to be returned to the school within two days.
• Heads of Grade of each Grade hand the computer print-out containing the notice to the learner and explain to him to give it to the parents for their notice and acknowledgement of receipt.
• For every additional 10 debit points, a learner has to report for detention and a print-out is sent to the parental home to be signed by the parent/guardian.
• If a monitor has 30 debit points, the learner’s parents are informed thereof telephonically by the Monitors Committee. A meeting is convened between the committee, the deputy principal and the parents/guardians. The parents/guardians receive a further letter and the learner is placed on a remedial program. A combined effort is made to assist the learner.
• If a learner has 50 debit points, his parents/guardians are informed thereof telephonically by the Head of Grade. A meeting is convened between the Deputy Principal, the head of a grade and the parents/guardians. The parents/guardians receive a further letter and the learner is placed on a remedial programme. A combined effort is made to assist the learner.

The school’s debit and punishment system stipulate the following:

• If a Grey boy has accumulated 50 debit points, he will not be eligible for a leadership position and may also be suspended from such position and forfeit certain privileges.
• A Monitor’stie and therefore his leadership may be temporarily or permanently forfeited or suspended. Here the school’s debit system is taken into account and the transgression is recorded.
• If a monitor has 50 debit points, the learner’s parents are informed thereof by the Monitors Committee. A meeting is convened between the committee, the Deputy Principal and the parents/guardians. The parents/guardians receive a further letter, the learner receives a final warning and is placed on a remedial programme. A combined effort is made to assist the learner. The monitor’s tie is taken away and his position of leadership is suspended for 4 weeks.
• If a learner has 75 debit points, his parents are again informed thereof telephonically by the Head of Grade. A meeting is convened between the Deputy Principal, the Head of Grade and the parents/guardians. The parents/guardians receive a further letter, the learner receives a final warning and is placed on a remedial programme. A combined effort is made to assist the learner. If a monitor has 75 debit points, he appears before the disciplinary committee and a sanction is imposed.
• As soon as a Grey boy commits a transgression that brings him to 100 debit points, his case will, at the discretion of the principal, be referred to either the Disciplinary Committee: Debit Points or the Disciplinary Committee: Serious Transgressions for hearing and punishment. (Note that there are two Disciplinary Committees.) If the learner has to appear before the Disciplinary Committee the parents/guardians are notified, in writing, that they have to appear before the Disciplinary Committee with the learner on a specified date. If the parents/guardians are not present, they will receive a written notice of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. 
• If a learner has 100or more debit points, it may lead to suspension or expulsion.

**(Please refer to disciplinary rule 11, suspension and expulsion).

• At 125 and 150 debit points the Head of Grade once again contacts the parents/guardians. The matter is again, at the discretion of the Principal, referred to one of the Disciplinary Committees for further steps.
• Only points accumulated during the fourth term are carried over to the following year. If a learner receives no additional points during the first term of the following year, all the points lapse and such learners begin again with a clean slate.
• Debit points for serious transgressions may be noted on official documents.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

The punishment that may be imposed includes the following, but is not limited to:

1. Allocation of debit points.
2. A learner receives a maximum of two warnings. If he commits the same transgression for the third time, he receives a detention.
3. Bearing a progress report.
4. Detention takes place under supervision at the school every Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00, with a break of 15 minutes.
5. Roll-call will be held at the beginning of the first and second session.
6. The learners reporting for detention must wear their school uniforms. Only the principal or deputy principal may grant a postponement of detention and only once for a specific transgression, provided that the detention must be served at the next opportunity. If a learner does not report for detention without permission, he receives a further 15 debit points, which means that he must do double detention (i.e. two dates).
7. If there is unacceptable behaviour or if trouble arises during detention, the specific learner shall complete the detention and he will have to undergo additional detention.
8. During the detention, the Code of Conduct must be written out because it is this Code that has been transgressed. Alternative instructions are not given because the educator will be punished by having to formulate and mark the instructions. The learner is the one to be punished, not the educator!
9. Prohibition on participation in school activities (e.g. sport) and/or forfeiture of study time.
10. Suspension and expulsion: The SA Schools Act stipulates that a governing body may, after a fair hearing, suspend a learner from attending the school:
11. As a disciplinary measure for a period of no more than one week; or In anticipation of a decision by the Department (Head of Education), whether the learner should be expelled from the school on the grounds of a conviction of serious misconduct. Suspension remains a temporary measure while expulsion is permanent. In the event of suspension, it is and remains the responsibility of the learner to keep up to date with lost academic schoolwork, and not that of the educators.
12. Any other punishment that the Disciplinary Committee regards as suitable in the particular circumstances.
13. The imposition of a monetary fine of up to R500.
14. The recovery of such monetary amount as will be sufficient to compensate for any damage, loss or cost that was intentionally or negligently caused to the school or any other person or thing by the transgressor.
15. The forfeiture of any privileges of a learner as a member of the school, for a specified period.
16. The imposition of a specified task.
17. A combination of the above.

PURPOSE

1. To educate the learners to responsible, independent decision making. In this process, the parental home must co-operate dynamically.
2. To cultivate and encourage a strong sense of duty in learners, since there is a very close relationship between a poor sense of duty, unacceptable behaviour and poor progress at school.
3. This system is implemented, taking into account the requirements of the school and the community. The primary purpose is to create a school environment within which healthy discipline and authority can prevail, through a spirit of co-operation between educators, learners and parents.
4. This system will also help educators to identify potential leaders when 6 new monitors have to be designated at the end of grade 6.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LEARNERS

BEHAVIOUR AND SCHOOL RULES

Every learner must strictly comply with the school hours as determined by the Governing Body:

Foundation Phase: Gr. 1 to 3  – Commences 07:15 and adjourns 13:00.

Intermediate Phase: Gr. 4 to 7 – Commences 07:15 and adjourns 13:30.

• No learner may leave the school grounds without the permission of the P
• A learner who leaves the school grounds, must be signed out by his parents in the register kept for that purpose.
• If a learner is absent, he must provide a letter explaining the absence, signed by his parent/guardian.
• Learners are not allowed on the school grounds over weekends without permission.
• School property may not be damaged.
• No bread, fruit, beverages, sweets or papers may be littered in class rooms, corridors or anywhere on the school grounds.
• No-one may run in the corridors. No ball games are allowed between the class rooms.
• Learners must walk in orderly and disciplined lines when changing classes or going to the school hall.
• No fighting, dangerous games, shoving, bullying or obscene language will be tolerated or allowed.
• Every learner must use the toilet facilities hygienically and leave them in a clean and tidy condition.
• The Learners must accept the authority of learners who have been appointed in positions of authority.
• Bus rules must be complied with.
• All homework assignments must be completed punctually. Strict control must be exercised by educators. Learners who fail to comply with fair instructions, expose themselves to disciplinary measures as are set out later in this document.

APPEARANCE OF GREY BOYS

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The requirements of a school uniform are as follows:

• Grey long or short trousers in summer and only long trousers in winter.
• Matching grey long-sleeved shirt. In summer the sleeves of the long-sleeved shirt may be rolled up to the breadth of three fingers above the elbow. Shirts must be tucked into trousers at all times when wearing school uniforms or school sports uniforms.
• Only jerseys provided by the suppliers may be worn and only if a blazer is worn.
• Grey College tie with or without blazer.
• Smooth black shoes with laces. Laces must be tied in a bow and must be long enough to make a bow. The shoes of all learners must be clean when they enter the school grounds.
• Grey socks, which must be pulled up at all times, and black belts must be worn to ensure neatness.
• The school blazer must be worn on Fridays.
• No Grey boy may appear in public without the full school uniform.
• No other apparel may be worn together with the school uniform and mixing of school uniforms is prohibited.
• The full school uniform and a plain white shirt with a white collar is to be worn on special occasions as arranged beforehand. This step-out uniform or sports uniform is also worn when activities are supported, whether those of the Primary or the Secondary School, for instance during sporting and/or cultural activities.

HAIR

The boys’ hair must be neat, clean and trimmed. Hair may not touch the collar or ears.  No “step” or strange hair styles are allowed. Boys’ hair must be clean and combed every day. No colouring, highlights or gel or anything similar may be used or will be allowed in the hair.

Boys who develop beards or side-whiskers must be clean-shaven every day. Side-whiskers may not be worn lower than the middle of the ear.

JEWELLERY

No jewellery like pendants, bracelets, armbands or accessories are allowed. They will be confiscated immediately. Medical information bracelets may be worn.

If a Grey boy is guilty of wearing prohibited jewellery, it will be confiscated, a debit point form will be completed, a receipt will be issued to the boy whereafter the item will be placed in an envelope according to the prescribed rules and kept in the safe. It will only be returned to the boy at the end of the school term.

Rules regarding the above-mentioned school uniform and appearance must be complied with – even after school Grey boys must reflect the excellent image of the school.

If a Grey boy can be identified as a Grey scholar on the grounds of his school uniform, all rules apply in public just as on the school grounds.

No Grey boy may at any stage remove his tie and/or take off his shoes and/or loosen his shirt buttons on or outside the school grounds unless instructed so by an educator.

HUMAN RIGHTS

All learners must recognise the human dignity of all enrolled learners and the equality of all people and undertake to exercise their rights in such a way that it will not be to the detriment of others.

GENERAL POLITENESS TOWARDS ADULTS

It is expected of a Grey boy to promptly stand up when an adult or educator walks past him and then to greet the person in a friendly and polite manner. If a Grey boy ascertains that the person is a visitor, he must enquire from the person whether he can be of assistance to him/her. If the person is looking for a certain room or locality on the school grounds, the boy must take the visitor to the office so that a staff member can be of further assistance to the person. Politeness toward adults is, of course, also applicable after school hours and out of school.

RESPECT FOR EDUCATORS

All learners must respect the educators as their educators and wholeheartedly promise their co-operation in respect of all reasonable instructions they receive from their educators. Learners must undertake to give their full co-operation and always be polite to them. Impertinence and talking back will not be tolerated. Learners must stand up when a staff member visits the class.

RESPECT FOR NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL

All learners are expected to treat the administrative personnel, assistants and visitors with the necessary respect. It is expected of Grey boys to be well-mannered and polite to each other, the personnel and the public.

RECOGNITION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENCES

The learners must accept all fellow learners as individuals who pursue similar ideals and goals as themselves and respect the differences between people. No learner’s human dignity may be impaired by other learners.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SCHOOL FACILITIES

The natural environment is a gift given from God and learners must accept their mutual responsibility for the conservation thereof. Learners must appreciate the school buildings, classrooms and other physical conveniences that are available to them at the school. Learners must undertake to make use of them in a responsible manner. Intentional damage to school property can result in the parents of the learner involved having to repair or pay for the damage.

OBEDIENCE TO ORGANISATIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL RULES

All learners must abide by the school’s rules of behaviour. Learners must respect the school’s timetable, the authority of the people in charge of order and discipline and subject themselves to the applicable punishment if they transgress.

AUTHORITY

The position of authority of personnel must be maintained and respected at all times. Parents of leaders have the responsibility to support and respect the authority structure. Any deviation from the normal value system by the learners which is experienced from a parental perspective must be discussed with the principal. Children expect boundaries because they create security. Support the boundaries that have been set by the school and you will experience a happy child. Please do not discuss the personnel in front of the children. We do not discuss you with your children.No learner has the right to undermine the authority of a staff member. Problems regarding the conduct of personnel are solved by parents and personnel. You as parent/guardian must not accept the word of the child unconditionally. Please first discuss the situation with the staff member. Children’s rights to self-realization as individuals are recognized and respected if mutual respect is maintained.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

The provisions of the Act regarding children’s rights are respected and accommodated within the reasonable ambit of the school’s organizational culture to which parents of our school community have bound themselves. Personnel must treat and handle learners with respect and human dignity to guide them to adulthood and the development of their full potential. Learners must accept that educators act in good faith to educate and guide them within the school’s ethos and frame of reference.

RIGHTS OF PERSONNEL

The personnel of the school reserve the right to teach, educate, discipline and guide learners to become mature citizens of the country within the framework of the Schools Act.  Personnel deserve to be respected by and to receive recognition from the parents of the school community on the grounds of proven performance and dedication toward the teaching profession, the learners and the school community.

RIGHTS OF PARENTS 

The parents of the school reserve the right to take up with the school any problems they experience regarding the school management, the governing body, personnel or organizational aspects, without prejudice of rights.

GOVERNING BODY

The Schools Act regards the governing body as the representative of the parent community which is legally responsible and has to manage the school’s finances together with the school management. Parents have the right to use the governing body as a mouthpiece on their behalf in the interest of the school, its activities and progress. The realization of learners’ expectations must serve as frame of reference and guideline to reach the final goal.

COMMUNITY

In the interest of education, teaching and training of our learners all role-players must become involved, provide positive inputs and act in the interest of our learners and the school community with dedication and within each one’s ability.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The use of electronic devices such as I-Pods, MP3s, etc. or any other digital devices is not allowed at school, as it interferes with the atmosphere of learning.

CELL PHONES

Due to the lack of control over the use of and access to the internet, obscene, violent and pornographic material, as well as communication with strangers by means of electronic transmissions, no cell phones are allowed at school during school hours.

It is the duty of the Governing Body to protect innocent boys from exposure to the above mentioned obscene, violent and pornographic material.

If a Grey boy is found in possession of or uses a cell phone during school hours, the phone will be confiscated immediately. (The sim card may not be removed by the owner.) A receipt is issued to the boy, the phone is put into an envelope as prescribed and kept in the safe for two weeks, after which it will be returned to the owner.

If a boy becomes ill, the educator in whose class he is at the relevant time must report it to the office.

There are public telephones available at various places on the school grounds, which can be used in emergencies. In such cases messages may also be left with the various secretaries.

MESSAGES

It is important for boys to learn to act responsibly from a young age, hence the following arrangements:

• No class may be interrupted to call a learner to the office to collect any item during class times. Announcements regarding the collection of any item may only be made before the break or at the end of the day.
• Calls from the office will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances or in emergencies and not, for instance, to call a parent about something that was forgotten at home.
• No parent/guardian may go to a classroom or go to speak to a staff member without the requisite permission of the Principal or Deputy Principals.

ABSENTEEISM

On the first day after absenteeism, a letter of explanation from the parent or guardian must be handed to the registered educator. A medical certificate must be provided after an absence of more than two days or absence from a test or exam. Parents or guardians must notify the Principal of absenteeism.

INJURIES OR ILLNESS DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If a learner sustains an injury or becomes ill, it must be reported to the office immediately. No boy may call from a public telephone. Permission to go to the office must be obtained from the relevant educator, whereafter the secretary will call the parents/guardians. Grey boys may only be collected from the office of the Primary School by parents/guardians and must be signed out.

In an event of a serious emergency, a staff member from the school may take the learner to the doctor if the parents cannot be reached.

APPOINTMENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS

Learners may only obtain permission to make or keep appointments during school hours in highly exceptional cases. A letter from the parent/guardian must be signed by the register educator during the REGISTER PERIOD, after the permission of the Principal has been obtained. Such learner must then, before leaving the school, have the letter of consent signed by the educators of his various subjects and then hand it in at the office. Parents must arrange a time with the boy beforehand and then sign him out at the office. No learner will be called over the intercom, since it disrupts instruction. A learner must remain at the school until 09:00 in order to be marked present.

MOVING AROUND BY LEARNERS

Before school:

The boys must move to their register classes timeously and when the bell rings, they must immediately fall into the correct line. No late-coming will be tolerated and transgressors will be dealt with strictly.

Changing classes:

Movements when changing classes between periods must be brisk and quick. Once again no late-coming will be tolerated. Learners have 5 minutes for changing classes. When school adjourns the boys must move in the corridors and down the stairs in orderly rows. Learners report to classes in alphabetical order, whereafter the educator will allow them to move to the next class in an orderly manner.

Forbidden areas before school and during breaks:

• Grey boys may not play or linger in the classrooms, the parking area for cars or the pool area. That is forbidden terrain, as well as;
• The main rugby field, the stands and behind the Grey Pavilion.
• The cricket clubhouse.
• The tennis clubhouse, tennis courts and grass slopes beside the tennis courts.
• The labourers’ quarters.
• Both school halls and entrance-halls.

 

SMOKING, DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

Grey boys who smoke, undermine their own health as well as that of other boys and will be severely punished if they are caught. Learners may not be in possession of matches, lighters or cigarettes.

Any Grey boy who is guilty of bringing onto and/or using alcoholic beverages and/or drugs on the school grounds and/or the distribution thereof, even outside the school grounds, while he can in any way be identified as a Grey boy, whether by any part of a Grey College school uniform or colors, will immediately be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee.

The reference to alcoholic beverages and/or drugs also includes all forms, alternatives and varieties thereof. Transgressions of this Rule will be viewed in a very serious light.

SCHOOL BAGS

School bags must have reinforcements/partitions to protect the books. Only black and navy blue school bags are permitted. Nothing except the name of the owner may be written, painted or stuck to the bag.

LOCKERS

There are locker facilities for the possessions of Grey boys available at the school. The cost is R200 per year and they are allocated on a “first pay, first receive” basis.

THEFT

Every Grey boy must do everything within his ability to help the school to eradicate this evil. However, it is every Grey boy’s own responsibility to look after his property with care. The school cannot be held responsible for any losses. All items of clothing and property must be clearly marked.

VANDALISM

Scratching or writing on desks, walls or any other place is totally forbidden. No damage may be caused to any property on the school grounds. Boys are requested to report any form of vandalism to educators without delay. Everyone is responsible to help combat this problem.

EXTRA-MURAL ACTIVITIES

Learners must recognize the value of extra-mural activities (sport, culture, excursions etc.) and try to be loyal supporters. Appropriate clothing, as determined by the school, is to be worn during such events. Learners must accept that School Rules also apply at such events in the interest of good order.

SAFETY

In the interest of safety, learners must comply with all precautions taken by educators in class for their safety. No dangerous items, equipment, toys or unacceptable literature may be brought to school. No learner may engage in any activity that endangers his own safety or that of others, or can lead to injuries.

APPLICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS

These School Rules apply on the school grounds at all times.

After obtaining the written approval of the Governing Body, these school rules may at any time be amended or adapted by means of a written notice to all the parties involved.

PROMULGATION OF SUB-RULES

The monitors and sports organizers are entitled to promulgate sub-rules to regulate the management and activities of the monitors and sport. Such rules must be approved by the Governing Body.  

CRIMINAL CHARGES

When the conduct of a Grey boy constitutes a criminal offence, the school will not hesitate to report the matter to the relevant authorities and request a criminal prosecution.

1. Fees and Payment

The fees for 2019 are R5400.00 per child for the year and is payable in advance over Three Terms at R1800.00 per term. Unfortunately, the demand is greater than the available facilities, thus the first boys who pay will be accommodated. There are; 40 places for Gr 1 – 2, 40 places for Gr 3 and 4 and 40 places for Gr 5 – 7 available.

 

Payment can be made as follows:

1. TheKarri
2. Credit card or Debit card – at the office.

**No Cash

2. Forms

The parent information form, which also serves as a register, must be completed by the parent/ legal guardian and must be handed in personally, to Mrs.Fincham’s office on the day that payment is made.

No child will be admitted to the aftercare class without this form. It is very important, as this form books your son’s place at aftercare. Mrs. Fincham’s will count the forms and allocate a place to your son.

If a payment was made using the Karri App, the parent’s/ legal guardian’s information and attendance form must be completed and handed in to Mrs. Fincham at the finance office the next day.

3. Food Parcels

Learners must provide their own lunch.

4. Location

Your son goes to room K6 (Gr 3 – 4) and K7 (Gr 4 – 7) from Monday to Thursday. On Friday all the Gr 4 – 7 boys must go to K7 and the Gr 3 learners go to classroom K8 (Gr 1 – 2 Aftercare class). This arrangement is valid for the whole year.

5. Times

Aftercare class begins on the first day of every term until the day before school closes. It is important to note that there is no aftercare class the day before the beginning of a long weekend and before a public holiday.

Aftercare class begins promptly at 14.00pm. From the time the boys get out of school at 13.30pm until 14.00pm they are the general responsibility of the school and not of the aftercare teacher. They have break from 15.00pm to 16.00pm. During this hour he may play on the lawns at the Tuck Shop or work in the class if he has a lot of homework. At 16.00pm the boys go back to class until they go home at 17.00pm.

If your son, for any reason whatsoever, will not be attending aftercare class on a specific day, please telephone the office before 09.00am. The secretary will then notify the staff member on duty. Many learners do not attend aftercare class on Fridays. If your son is one of these learners, please notify us in writing. We will indicate this information on the register so that it will be unnecessary for you to notify us every Friday morning.

The safety of each child is very important to us. Therefore parents will sign a register when collecting his/her child. 

No learner will be allowed to leave the class before 17.00pm without the above-mentioned procedure being followed.

If your son has not been collected by 17.00pm, the remaining learners will walk to the security guard at the main gate (Nelson Mandela entrance). You must collect your son there. Please ensure that your son understands the importance of this rule – it is for his own safety.

It is important to note that the school does not take any responsibility for your son’s safety after 17.00pm.

6. Dress Code

Learners can attend Aftercare in:

• Full school uniform
• Sport clothes
• Winter: Grey Tracksuit

Should a learner wear his school uniform, then they are not allowed to:

• Take off their shoes and ties – not even during break time.
• When they are dismissed at 5 o’clock, they still have to be wearing the full school uniform.
• Learners cannot wear tekkies with school clothes.

Please take note of the above to ensure that the Grey After Care scholars are neat at all times.

I encourage you to please send along comfortable clothes so that he can change before 14.00pm. 

7. Discipline

The teacher on duty needs your help and support in this regard.  Please impress the following upon your child

 

7.1 Discipline Policy and Code:

The disciplinary policy and code of conduct apply to all Aftercare learners. Unfortunately, in the past there have been a few boys whose behaviour was not satisfactory. The staff on duty will be very strict with those not behaving and if your son does not adhere to the policy, we will request that he does not attend aftercare class anymore. You will then be reimbursed for the remaining time.

Warnings will be given (amongst others) for the following:

1. Disrupting the class and disturbing those who want to work.
2. If he plays anywhere else instead of at the Terraces.
3. Damaging or breaking other boy’s possessions.

7.2 He must be punctual. When the school closes early e.g. 11.30am the learners must report immediately to the K7 classroom, as their aftercare starts from then and not at 14.00pm as usual. If the learner wanders around in that time the school cannot be held responsible for his safety, as the teacher will not know about him.

7.3 Learners must hand in an extra-mural roster for the term, to ensure that they don’t wander around on the school grounds.  

7.4 You expect him to do his homework. It is not logical for him to play in the aftercare class and then have to do all his homework at home in the evenings. Please do spot-checks to see if his homework has been completed and see if there are any notes from the teacher on duty.

7.5 He may only play on the lawns at the Tuck Shop. Our school grounds are exceptionally large, and where do we start looking for him in case of an emergency or crisis?

7.6 Under no circumstances may he go and swim without a teacher being present. Only the High School’s hostels may use the pool after official practice times. Aftercare learners may not ask these boys for permission to swim!

8. Medication for injuries

 For slight injuries the teacher on duty will provide the necessary plasters. It is vital that you provide medication  for allergies e.g. bee stings. Please indicate in red on the registration form if his allergies require emergency services to be notified. On the same form please also indicate whether or not he may receive medication.

1. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to promote and regulate regular school attendance by learners in order to prevent unnecessary absences and further to identify and address possible situations that may prevent school attendance for optimal academic achievement.

2. Policy grounds

This Policy was compiled in terms of the Policy of Learner Attendance of the Department of Basic Education, Gazetted on 4 May 2010, read with the National Education Policy Act No. 27 of 1996.

3. Context and rational for the Policy

Learners are absent for various reasons, amongst others financial reasons and circumstances at home, but school attendance is essential for any learner for optimal functioning at school level.  It is therefore imperative that it be given attention and followed up.

 

In terms of the National Policy punctual and regular school attendance are important for the following reasons:

• Each school has the duty to protect the fundamental right of a learner to attend school;
• Enrollment at a school places a learner under an obligation to attend school punctually and regularly unless there is a valid reason for absence:
• A school that successfully curbs absences without a valid reason will most likely improve learner retention and performance.

4. Importance of attendance records

A daily record of  learner attendance is of utmost importance in order to monitor learners’ absence and take appropriate action with both the parents and learner. This information is also provided to District Offices as well as the Department of Education.

 

Records of learner attendance may be required for legal purposes. It is therefore essential that records be maintained accurately. The principal and staff of the school act  in loco parentis, in other words “in place or the parent”.  They therefore have a duty of care towards each learner who is recorded as present.

5. Learner absence

Definition:  A learner is deemed to be absent from school when the learner is not present in class or not participating in a school activity when the register is marked.

6. Valid reasons for absence:

• Physical or psychological illness for which the principal may require communication from the parent that the learner is unable to attend school, or written confirmation by a registered medical practitioner;
• Religious or cultural observances approved by the School Governing Body (SGB) in terms of the National School Calendar Policy;
• Death of a family member: a Copy of the funeral letter or death certificate should be handed in with register teacher;
• Appointment at court, social services or other official agency, for which the principal may require proof and handed in at the relevant register teacher;
• Temporary suspension by the SGB or internal disciplinary committee;
• Act of nature;
• Exceptional circumstances for which, in the view of the principal, a temporary absence from school is in the best interest of the learner or was unavoidable.

7. Responsibilities

The responsibility of the school to promote school attendance:

Many schools have a culture of punctual and regular school attendance. The government’s goal is that all South African public schools will establish and maintain such a culture to ensure quality teaching and learning. This will be achieved if:

• Principals, teachers and district officials show zero tolerance for absence from school without valid reason;
• Schools create a supportive environment for learners who are burdened by serious illness, bereavement and loss, as well as for emotional aspects that may influence school attendance;
• The school community, led by the principal with the SGB is responsible for promoting and monitoring school attendance in order to give learners the best chance of benefiting from their school experience;
• A teacher who has reason to believe that a learner is absent from class for a certain period of the day,  without a valid reason, must report such absence to the school office for further investigation;
• A teacher marks a period register per period.
• The principal may not give permission to a learner to be absent from school for any reason e.g. holiday/private purposes.

8. Class teacher’s responsibilities

The class teacher has the following responsibilities and compulsory procedure to follow with regards to absences:

• A class register must be marked in the class registration period on each school day;
• In the event that a class teacher notices that a learner is absent without a valid reason, it must be noted and recorded;
• If the learner is absent for three consecutive days without a valid reason, it is the duty of the class register teacher to contact the parent or legal guardian to enquire about the absence of the learner;
• If pattern of absences is noted, for example on specific days, it is the duty of the class register teacher to personally take it up with the parent or legal guardian and to record such conversation;
• If a learner shows a pattern of coming late and leaving early, it is the duty of the class register teacher to personally take it up with the parent or legal guardian and to record such conversation;
• If a learner is absent for 6 days or more per term, the class register teacher must report this to the Departmental Head of Learner Support Services.  The matter is then taken up with the parent or legal guardian and the conversation is recorded;
• All the above-mentioned conversations as well as record of conversations are deemed as interventions in order to prevent poor scholastic performance and to act in support of the learner. It is for this reason that records are filed on the Edlab of the learner;
• Should a learner still be absent without a valid reason or comes late regularly, the learner must be charged with breach of the School’s code of conduct, and
• If the learner, after intervention is absent without a reason for 10 consecutive days, he will be removed from the class register and it will be reported to the district office of the Department of Education;
• If a learner is absent during an assessment, written proof with a reason must be submitted to the register teacher as well as the subject teacher;
• If a teacher suspects that a learner is absent unnecessarily with proof of a doctor’s letter, the Departmental Head of Learner Support Servicesmay be requested to investigate the matter and/ or to contact the relevant doctor.

9. Learner’s responsibilities

A learner has the responsibility to attend school punctually and regularly. The National Department of Education depends on the parents, SGB, school management teams, as well as teachers to play their part in ensuring that learners accept and understand this responsibility act accordingly. The example thus set by parents, school management teams and teachers is of decisive importance in building the culture of punctual and regular attendance.

 

• No learner may be absent from school for study purpose.
• If a learner comes late for school he will be marked absent by the register teacher, because he missed the register period. This will result in 5 demerit points. If he is late 3 times, he will sit detention.
• Learners who stay away from classes deliberately will sit detention as this is deemed to be “bunking”.

10. Parent’s responsibilities

A parent or legal guardian is expected to:

• Take the responsibility to ensure that learners attend school daily, on time and for the whole school day unless there is valid reason for absence (as indicated in paragraph 5);
• To ensure that the learner is not taken out of school without valid reason (family holidays are not a valid reason);
• Inform the principal or class teacher if the learner is absent or expected to be absent or to be late for school with valid reason;
• Cooperate with the school in resolving the problem if the learner is absent without valid reason;
• Encourage and if possible, assist the learner to make up for time lost for absence from school.
• It remains the responsibility of the learner to catch up on school work.
• Parents should refrain from making doctors’ appointments during school hours. If this does happen, the parent need to hand in proof of the doctor’s visit to the register teacher.