Gaelscoil Riada
Ráithín, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe Fón: 091 850638.Uimhir rolla:20237T

Is gaelscoil ilchreidmheach í Gaelscoil Riada a aithníonn na héagsúlachtaí agus difríochtaí atá idir páistí agus an gá atá ann le tuiscint agus meas ar na h-éagsúlachtaí seo a chothú.
Déantar é seo a fhorbairt trí úsáid a bhaint as na treoirlínte atá sa scoil maidir le oideachas reiligiúin:’ Ag Foghlaim le Chéile’ agus an chúrsa OSPS (1999)
Is é an aidhm atá ag an gcód seo ná cinntiú go bhfuil freastail a dhéanamh ar aonaracht/tréithe chuile pháiste chomh maith le aithint a thabhairt don cheart atá ag gach pháiste oideachais a fháil i dtimpeallacht atá saor ó réabadh agus conspóid.
I ngaelscoil Riada cuirtear béim láidir ar deá-iompar dearfach a fhorbairt agus a chleachtadh trí spreagadh, moladh agus tacaíocht
Glactar leis go dteastaíonn ard-chaighdeáin co-oibriú idir foireann na scoile, tuismitheoirí agus na páistí chun sár-chaighdeáin iompar a chothú.
Déanfar gach iarracht a chinntiú go gcuirfear cód iompar na scoile i gcríoch i mbealach leanúnach agus cóir i gcónaí.

Gaelscoil Riada is a Multi-denominational Gaelscoil which recognises the variety of differences that exist between children and the need to tolerate and respect difference.
This is developed in our children through the use of the school guidelines for religious education ‘Learn together’ and the Social personal and health education curriculum (1999). The code aims to ensure that the individuality of each child is accommodated while at the same time acknowledging the right of each child to education in a relatively disruptive free teaching and learning environment. Gaelscoil Riada places a strong emphasis on the need to give children every opportunity to develop and demonstrate good patterns of positive behaviour through an encouraging, motivating and caring ethos.
It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation among staff, parents and pupils.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the school code of behaviour is adopted in a fair and consistent manner.

Tá an cód ann chun…

Go gcuirtear timpeallacht shlán Shábháilte ar fáil dár bpáistí
Go mbeidh tuiscint agus meas ag gach dalta orthu féin agus ar dhaoine eile.
Go cothófar suíomh foghlamtha a fhreastalóidh ar fhóbairt phearsanta, acadúil agus shóisialta an dalta

The aims of the Code of Behaviour of Gaelscoil Riada,Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe are..

• To provide guidance for pupils, teachers and parents on behavioural expectations.
• To provide for the effective and safe operation of the school.
• To develop pupils’ self-esteem and to promote positive behaviour.
• To foster the development of a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in pupils based on respect, consideration and tolerance of others.
• To facilitate the education and development of every child.
• To foster caring attitudes to one another and to the environment.
• To enable teachers to teach without disruption.

Implementation

Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour. Rules will be kept to a minimum, emphasise positive behaviour and will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference. Good behaviour will encourage and rewarded. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage.

                        An Ghaeilge mar theanga na scoile.

Is bunscoil lán-ghaeilge i Gaelscoil Riada. As Gaelscoil Riada is a Gaelscoil, it is the wish of all parents that their children become fluent in spoken Irish from an early age. This level of fluency is necessary if the education of the children through the medium of Irish is to be successful. To this the Board of Management and the teaching staff are committed to furthering the all-Irish ethos of the school and to supporting the realisation of the parental wish regarding fluency in Irish.
The teaching staff achieves this on a daily basis through specific instruction and by encouraging pupils to use Irish to the best of their ability at all times at school. The teaching staff also enforce certain rules regarding the use of Irish within the school environment and during all school-related activities e.g. school trips/concerts etc.

Guidelines for positive behaviour.

• In line with the essence of the schools Multi-denominational ethos, Pupils are expected to treat all adults and fellow pupils with respect and courtesy at all times. Behaviour that interferes with the rights of others to learn and to feel safe is unacceptable
• Pupils are expected to show respect for all school property and to keep the school environment clean and litter free.
• Pupils are expected to take pride in their appearance, to have all books and required materials and to be in the right place at the right time.
• Pupils are expected to obey a teacher’s instructions, to work to the best of their ability and to present assignments neatly.
• Pupils are expected to attend every day unless there is a genuine reason for absence, in which case the school must be informed in writing, stating the reason for absence.

Bullying
Bullying is repeated verbal, psychological or physical aggression by an individual or group against others. The most common forms of bullying are aggressive physical contact, name-calling, intimidation, extortion, isolation and taunting. Bullying will not be tolerated and parents will be expected to cooperate with the school at all times in dealing with instances of bullying in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
The children are taught that bullying is not acceptable and that telling someone about bullying is not telling tales.  
‘Gaelscoil Riada is a bully-free zone’

Affirming Positive Behaviour

Positive reinforcement of good behaviour leads to better self-discipline and we place a greater emphasis on rewards and incentives than on sanctions.

Strategies/Incentives

• A quiet word or gesture to show approval.
• A comment on a child’s exercise book.
• A visit to another class or Principal for commendation.
• Praise in front of class group.
• Individual class merit awards, points awards or award stamps.
• Delegating some special responsibility or privilege.
• Written or verbal communication with parent.

Discouraging Misbehaviour

The purpose of sanctions and other strategies is to promote positive and discourage misbehaviour. Sanctions will be applied according to the gravity of the misbehaviour, with due regard to age and emotional development. These may include

• Reasoning with pupil.
• Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve.
• Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to another class.
• Prescribing extra work.
• Loss of privileges.
• Detention during break.
• Communication with parents.
• Referral to Principal.
• Principal communicating with parents.
• Exclusion (Suspension or Expulsion) from school (in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular and Education Welfare Act 2000).

  Pupils will not be deprived of engagement in a Curricular Area, except on the grounds of health/safety

Suspension/Expulsion

Before serious sanctions such as detention, suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised.  Where it is proposed to detain a pupil after school hours, the parents or guardians will be notified.  Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances.

For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour suspension may be considered. Parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case.  Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher or pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the principal.  If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a period.  Prior to suspension, where possible, the Principal may review the case in consultation with teachers and other members of the school community involved, with due regard to records of previous misbehaviours, their pattern and context, sanctions and other interventions used and their outcomes and any relevant medical information. Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.

In the case of gross misbehaviour, where it is necessary to ensure that order and discipline are maintained and to secure the safety of the pupils, the Board may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.

Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with the Rule for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.  Before suspending or expelling a pupil, the Board shall notify the Local Welfare Education Officer in writing in accordance with Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act.

Removal of Suspension (Reinstatement)

Following or during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to have the pupil reinstated to the school. The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school code and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the other pupils or staff. The Principal will facilitate the preparation of a behaviour plan for the pupil if required and will re-admit the pupil formally to the class.

School Rules

School rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community. If a school is to function efficiently, it is necessary that rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently and fairly.

Before/After School
Parents are reminded that the staff of the school does not accept responsibility for pupils before official opening time of 8.50a.m. or after the official closing time of 1.30 p.m. (infants) 2.30 p.m. (other classes) except where pupils are engaged in an extra-curricular activity organised by the school and approved by the Board of Management. Pupils involved in such activities are expected to behave in accordance with school behaviour policy during these times.

Board of Management’s Responsibilities

• Provide a comfortable, safe environment.
• Support the Principal and staff in implementing the code.
• Ratify the code.

Principal’s Responsibilities

•   Promote a positive climate in the school.
•   Ensure that the Code of Behaviour is implemented in a fair and consistent manner.
•   Arrange for review of the Code, as required.

Teachers’ Responsibilities
Support and implement the school’s code of behaviour.

• Create a safe working environment for each pupil.
• Recognise and affirm good work.
• Prepare schoolwork and correct work done by pupils.
• Recognise and provide for individual talents and differences among pupils.
• Be courteous, consistent and fair.
• Keep opportunities for disruptive behaviour to a minimum.
• Deal appropriately with misbehaviour.
• Keep a record of instances of serious misbehaviour or repeated instances of misbehaviour.
• Provide support for colleagues.
• Communicate with parents when necessary and provide reports on matters of mutual concern.

Pupils’ Responsibilities

• Attend school regularly and punctually.
• Listen to their teachers and act on instructions/advice.
• Show respect for all members of the school community.
• Respect all school property and the property of other pupils.
• Avoid behaving in any way, which would endanger others.
• Avoid all nasty remarks, swearing and name-calling.
• Include other pupils in games and activities.
• Bring correct materials/books to school.
• Follow school and class rules.

Parents/Guardians’ Responsibilities
Encourage children to have a sense of respect for themselves and for property.

• Ensure that children attend regularly and punctually.
• Be interested in, support and encourage their children’s schoolwork.
• Be familiar with the code of behaviour and support its implementation.
• Co-operate with teachers in instances where their child’s behaviour is causing difficulties for others.
• Communicate with the school in relation to any problems, which may affect child’s progress/behaviour.

Viewed by Board of Management on        11/ 03/2008                                              

Ratified by Board of Management on       

 Signed            __________________________________________

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