Our Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct Full Policy

Our Vision

Our vision is to foster academic excellence and develop social and extra-curricular growth, which challenges learners and educators to realise their full potential in a secure and caring environment, with the support of the community.

We strive for excellence in all that we do that is of direct benefit to our learners. We realise also that we have to stay relevant and adapt realistically to changing times and circumstances, though without ever condoning what is clearly either wrong or harmful.

Our Mission

To fulfill our Vision by:

  • Facing the challenges which change presents.
  • Updating and improving the learning environment on an ongoing basis.
  • Setting and maintaining high standards in all spheres of school life.
  • Equipping learners with the necessary entrepreneurial and life skills to fulfil their role as responsible and productive members of a healthy society.
  • Inculcating an acceptable value system, which includes honesty, respect, tolerance, self discipline, commitment and good manners.
  • Promoting a culture of reading and research.
  • Embracing technology and seeking to use its possibilities and opportunities to enrich and enhance learning and the learning environment.
  • Maintaining a happy, safe and dynamic teaching environment.
  • Promoting the right of teachers to teach and learners to learn.
  • Realising that we are a community, yet acknowledging and appreciating difference and diversity.
  • Creating opportunities within a holistic, affordable education for the development of the learner\’s full potential academically, culturally, spiritually and in sport.
  • Providing avenues for learners to express and shape their opinions responsibly with regard to the governance of the school.
  • Maintaining a vibrant, dynamic and contented staff team.
  • Developing co ownership and accountability among all stakeholders and encouraging maximum parental support and involvement.
  • Promoting the care of school buildings and other facilities.
  • A sense of pride in BRAND ME and BRAND HENSHILWOOD.

We are committed to ensuring progressive discipline that is:
• Fair
• Reasonable
• Appropriate
• Immediate
• Acceptable and humane
• Consistent
• Followed up/checked
• Clearly explained to the learner.

Discipline will be corrective as well as restorative and its aim will be to effect a positive change in attitude and behaviour. Discipline will be carried out in a mature and altruistic manner and will always take the rights of the child into consideration. Discipline will always be applied justly in line with the Bill of Rights of Children and The South African Schools’ Act 84 of 1996.

Whenever necessary, parents/guardians will be kept informed. The school relies on the sound judgement of parents/guardians in supporting it when it has to impose corrective measures. It should be borne in mind that the child\’s account of the circumstances can be one sided and we recommend that parents/guardians contact the Grade Head to gain clarity on any aspect of discipline.

How to Promote Good Discipline Amongst Leaners

Educators respond well to…

  • … good, non disruptive behaviour, good interactions, well presented work, a learner who does his/her best, is honest, tries hard, has a positive attitude, perseveres and always attempts to do extra work.
  • … all this brings out the best in educators and help to build strong, healthy relationships.

Educators can show their appreciation by…

  • Praising learners;
  • Awarding learners with a positive letter for very good work performance in relation to ability;
  • Sending learners with his/her book to the Grade Head/Deputy Principal/Principal.

You have the right to be treated with respect.

You have the responsibility to treat all members of the school community with respect, kindness and dignity; to greet each other, members of staff and visitors to the school; to be polite and well mannered; not to use racist, sexist or offensive language and not to tease, bully or humiliate other members of this community either behind their backs, publicly face-to-face or in cyber space.

You have the right to a good education.

You have the responsibility to carry out all of your teachers’ instructions, work hard, meet all your commitments, be on time for lessons and school activities and hand in all CAPS assessments on time.

You have the right to be part of a school that has a good name.

You have a responsibility to protect the good name of the school and promote the brand at all times.

You have the right to work in an environment that is clean and well maintained.

You have a responsibility to look after all the school’s facilities and equipment and to keep the school clean and tidy. You will not graffiti any surface.

You have the right to be part of a law-abiding community.

You have a responsibility to follow the school rules and the law of the country, to encourage others to do the same and to take a stand against those members of our community who break the rules and the law.  You thus have the responsibility to report those who are guilty of misconduct.

You have the right to be part of a caring community.

You have the responsibility to show respect for Almighty God and to behave in accordance with the principles espoused by your religion and held in common with other religions.

If learners focus on what is good and positive they will enjoy NH and find it a rewarding experience, and are likely to make a success of school and achieve their goals. This, in turn, will make high school a memorable and happy time in their lives.

Purpose of Discipline

• To instil socially acceptable values and attitudes.
• To develop self discipline.
• To develop responsibility.
• Balance the rights and responsibilities debate.
• To ensure a co operative ethos.
• To correct undesirable behaviour/practice.
• To instil a sense of social order.

Punishment must be fair, corrective and educative (restorative justice).

Rights & Responsibilities

In order to protect the good name of the school and to ensure that the vision for each child is promoted, it is essential that all learners ensure that the rights and responsibilities of their peers (and themselves), as outlined below, are reflected in the way that they conduct themselves on a daily basis.

Non-Negotiables

1. A ttend school regularly and be punctual. Truancy is not allowed.

2. Arrive at school ready to do and complete all work set by the educators.

3. Do not chew gum during the school day.

4. Do not eat in class.

5. Do not disrupt the learning process.

6. Do not have correction fluid (Tippex) in your possession.

7. Wear the correct uniform and be neat in appearance.

8. Greet all adults (teachers, workers, parents, visitors).

9. Do not litter or vandalise.

10. Do not \’tag\’ graffiti onto desks, walls or other physical building structures.

11.Do not steal.

12. Do not engage in physical bullying, fighting, verbal or sexual abuse.

11. Do not have in your possession, use or sell cigarettes, alcohol or other harmful drugs while in school uniform or in any context in which you may be identified as a learner of NHHS.

12. Do not leave money or valuables unattended (even in a school bag) as the school can in no way be held responsible for losses incurred.

13. Do not bring to school, use or have in your possession any form of weapon or instrument which can be regarded as dangerous (including fire works).

14. Do not bring to school, or have in your possession, any electronic devices which have been created to play music (e.g.: iPods)

15. Do not commit acts of plagiarism.

16. Do not use ICT tablets during classroom time for any other purpose but for learning.

17. Do not use a cell phone in the classroom without the permission of the Teacher.

18. Do not use earphones in-between classes/lessons ( i.e. do not walk to the next class with earphones in your
ears.

19. Leave your cell phone with the Teacher when you are permitted to leave the classroom.

Anti-Bullying Policy

Norman Henshilwood High School seeks to provide a safe, secure learning environment for all and does not tolerate bullying. All members of the school community are expected to base their behaviour on respect for others, regardless of difference in age, status, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is a deliberate attempt to hurt, ridicule, torment, threaten, frighten or intimidate someone. Bullying is the misuse of power by an individual or a group. Bullying can be mental, physical, verbal and/or psychological in nature.

Important to Note

    • The contents of this policy must be addressed in the Grade 8 Life Orientation programme by June of each year. Learners joining the school in any other grade are expected to acquaint themselves with the contents of this policy and to ask their Life Orientation teacher, Grade Head or the School Counsellor should they need clarity on any issue contained in it.
    • All forms of bullying should be reported. A learner may report a case of bullying to the Principal, Deputy Principal, Grade Head, an Educator, School Council member, Peer Counsellor or Counsellor.
    • All forms of bullying should be reported. A learner may report a case of bullying to the Principal, Deputy Principal, Grade Head, Educator, School Councillor, Peer Educator or School Counsellor.  A learner may also report bullying on the school’s Anonymous App.  All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
    • Peer Counsellors, Life Orientation Teachers and the School’s Counsellors will be available to assist both the victim/s and perpetrator/s.
    • Records of bullying will be kept on the learner’s personal file.
    • Consequences for bullying are listed in the “Discipline System” section of this Code of Conduct.
    • An Anti-Bullying Campaign will be held annually.

Protocol to Dealing with Bullying

  • Once the incident of bullying has been reported, the Grade Head and/or Deputy Principal will meet with the victim to establish what has been taking place. This meeting should ideally include the parents of the victim, however if the parents have granted permission, the Grade Head and/or Deputy Principal may meet with victim on his/her own.
  • This meeting to clarify the events and also to ensure that the victim understands and is comfortable with the action that the school will take in dealing with the matter and to ensure that the victim will not be placed at further risk.
  • The Grade Head and/or Deputy Principal will then meet with the perpetrator to hear his/her side of the story, to address the matter at hand and to ensure that the bullying behaviour stops immediately. Sanction will be according to the NHHS Code of Conduct.
  • Should the incident warrant a Disciplinary Hearing with the School Governing Body, the matter will be escalated to that level.
  • The parents of the perpetrator will be informed of the allegation and be offered the opportunity to be present at the meeting with the perpetrator.
  • In the event of the allegations of the victim and the explanation of the perpetrator being at odds, the investigating SMT member will mediate a meeting of the two parties concerned.
  • The parents of the victim and the perpetrator will be kept appraised of the school’s actions and approach at all times, without contravening the confidentiality of personal information regarding either child or family.
  • NHHS reserves the right to call a conference of the victim’s and perpetrator’s parents.
  • The same principles and procedures apply when bullying is reported in the anonymous app.
  • To maintain a peaceful environment and prevent any further altercation, a no contact agreement will be signed between both parties.