Code of Conduct

Introduction

This code of conduct aims at maintaining discipline and a purposeful school environment in Asamath’s Institute of Learning, Pretoria, South Africa. It is aimed at ensuring that quality learning and teaching processes are inculcated in an environment that enhances a culture of effective and creative learning and teaching as espoused in the mission statement of the school.

Definitions of Terms

• The learner means the person who applies to be enrolled at Asamath’s Institute of Learning or is already attending school at Asamath’s Institute of Learning.
• The parent/guardian means any or all of the following: father, mother, legal guardian or other person responsible for the enrolment of the learner. These terms may be used both or interchangeably.
• The school means Directorate, Principal, Vice Principal, educators, all staff members and the learners.
• Application/Admission/Registration form – refers to the form completed by the parent upon learner enrolment (these may be used interchangeably).
• Re-registration form – refers to the form completed by the parent for the returning of learner for each academic year.
• Foundation Phase – means grade R – 3
• Intermediate Phase – means grade 4 – 6
• Senior Phase – means grade 7 – 9
• Intersen Phase – means grade 4 – 9
• Suspend – means temporary removed from the school
• Expulsion – means permanently removed from the school

1. School Background

The school was established in May 2016 and opened its doors to its first enrolment in January 2017 and November 2017 in Tembisa. The school is 100% black owned with a wide view of empowering all learners living in South Africa with much needed life skills and academic excellence.

2. School Vision

As Asamath’s Institute of learning, we will always strive to provide quality and affordable education to every child. The school also wants to see itself spreading its wings to all corners of South Africa and beyond in pursuit of empowering learners to their full potential.

3. Mission statement

Our mission statement is to offer learners an inclusive learning environment which incorporates the parent, the educator and the learner being at the centre stage of all the school’s activities.

4. Core values

Asamath’s Institute of Learning upholds the following values:

• High morals and standards of living, always paying reverence to God.
• Highly competitive educators and members of staff.
• Learners as well as members of staff use English as the medium of communication and learning.
• Parents play an integral role in the education of the child
• Creating a safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning to take place.
• Develop the child cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally.

4.7. Promoting values such as:

• Courtesy
• Kindness and tolerance towards others
• Patience
• Empathy
• Honesty
• Respect
• Reverence to God
• Ubuntu

5. Objectives

• Providing relevant, meaningful and challenging education
• Integrating academic and emotional development and social awareness, which seek to develop well balanced future citizens that can be self-reliant in their communities.
• Providing excellent standards of teaching and learning.
• Providing a conducive and well-maintained educational environment.
• Creating and maintaining a warm and welcoming family identity and brand.
• Encouraging parents and/or guardians to take a participatory role in education of their children.

6. Freedom with Responsibility

While it is a learner’s right to receive education, learners are introduced to the concept that freedom carries responsibility. It is important that learners acknowledge their responsibilities to themselves, their fellow learners, their educators and the school.

Asamath’s Institute of Learning will strive to provide the educational opportunity this community has come to expect. By teaching social values and the ability to make choices, children are encouraged to carry out self-discipline. Respect for others is nurtured.

The code of conduct applies not only during school hours but whenever and wherever a learner may be identified as a learner of Asamath’s Institute of Learning.

7. Language of Communication

English is our main language of communication during classes and within the school premises. No learner is expected to use his/her home language or any other language other than English or Afrikaans as a First Additional Language.

8. Language of teaching and learning

• The language of teaching and learning and communication at the school is English,
• To obtain a pass mark at the end of the year, the learner must pass English with a Level 4 or above,
• In order to ensure maximum exposure, experience mastery of English, English will be the only language that may be spoken by the learner and educators in any class,
• The only exceptions to English as language of tuition and communication is Afrikaans,
• Every instance of non-compliance with these language rules is a level 1 offence.

9. Office Operating Hours

The official administration operating hours is between 06:45 am – 16:00 pm Monday – Thursday, Fridays 06:45 – 15:00 pm.

10. School Hours

• Grade R – 2: School starts at 06:45 hours and ends at 13:00 hours from Monday to Friday
• Grade 3: School starts at 06:45 hours and ends at 13:30 hours from Monday to Friday
• Grade 4 - 9: Monday to Friday, school starts at 06:45 hours and ends at 14:00 hours
• The first lesson starts at 08:00 hours
• Learners have a break of 30 minutes as follows:
  • Foundation Phase: 10:30 hours – 11:00 hours
  • Intersen Phase: 11:00 hours – 11:30 hours
• Late coming is not allowed/tolerated
• Learners who come late regularly will face disciplinary by the teacher on duty.

11. Office Visitation

• Parents/guardians are welcome to make an appointment with the principal or educators to discuss any issues regarding the learner. General times to see educators is between 06:45 hours - 07:50 hours & between 14:30 - 15:00 hours.
• Parents are expected to make an appointment to see the principal for any other queries since he/she also has classes for teaching and has other managerial duties other than consulting with parents.
• Parents must not disturb educators and learners during learning hours.

12. Learner Safety

• Parents are requested to leave their children at the gate for the reasons noted by the school e.g. some parents go to classes to beat other learners who might have wronged their children.
• Parents should not to bring children food during the course of the day for the reasons noted by the school, instead parents should give learners prepared lunch boxes from home or give them money to buy from the school tuckshop if there is any.

13. Relationship between the school and parents

• Staff members and educators are oriented to be professionals and respect parents/and all other business partners.
• Parents are expected to respect and abide by the rules of the school.
• Parents are expected to respect the staff members and other learners.

14. Dress Code for Parents

• Although everyone has got freedom to dress the way they please, the school does not expect parents to visit the office or attend school meetings dressed in pyjamas, night dresses, morning gowns & slippers, vests, shorts and tights.
• Parents are expected to dress decently.

15. Tuck shop hours

Learners should not be seen buying from the tuck shop between 06:45 hours – 10:30 hours and between 11:00 hours -13:00 hours in case of the Foundation Phase and between 11:30 hours -14:00 hours in case of Intermediate & Senior Phase.

16. Communication between the school and the parents

All communication from the school to parents will be done through circulars/letters, emails, phone calls and via WhatsApp groups. The school has no control over guardianship of the learner.

17. Learning and support material

17.1. Textbook and stationery

• The school provides lists of all stationery requirements for the school:
• The parent will provide all required learning material listed on the stationery list and any other additional material that may be required during the course of the year.

18. Learner Personal Appearance/Dress Code

Learners who wear inappropriate clothing will have the offensive items being confiscated or be sent home to change into a proper school uniform.

18.1. Uniform

18.1.1. Shirt – Girls and boys

Sky-blue shirt, with school badge - worn from (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Shirt must be completely tucked into the skirt or trousers. (No t-shirts with bright colour or slogans may be worn underneath school shirts). The underneath t- shirt must not show at the neckline and sleeves.

18.1.2. Tie – Girls and boys

Grade R- 6: Stripe grey-maroon tie with school badge
Grade 7-9: Plain maroon with school badge
** these must be worn neatly and worn with correct length from the collar to the trouser/skirt belt.

18.1.3. School trousers/skirt & tunic – Girls and boys

Trousers

Grade R-6: Grey trouser - legs may not be altered, length MUST touch shoes.
Grade 7-9: Maroon trouser – legs may not be altered; length MUST touch shoes.

Skirts

Grade R-6: Grey skirt – length and fitting may not be altered beyond the specified specifications; length MUST be 2 fingers above or 2 fingers below knee.
Grade 7-9: Scotch skirts (supplied by school) - length and fitting may not be altered beyond the specified specifications; length MUST be 2 fingers above or 2 fingers below knee.

Boys 7-9: Maroon trousers must fit properly, be pulled up and sit on the hip bone and fastened with a belt. NO colourful belts only black.

Girls Tunic
Grade R-6 – worn with school shirt and tie (sold from school)

18.1.4. Socks

Foundation & Intermediate Phase:

• Girls - white ankle socks, folded over once.
• Boys - Long plain grey/grey with stripes /knee high

Senior Phase:

• Girls - Knee high maroon stripe
• Black stockings (pulling socks) – OPTIONAL
• Boys - Knee high maroon striped

18.1.5. School shoes

Boys: black school shoes – no boots or 'slip-ons'
Girls: black shoes with single strap and buckle/black lace-up – no boots
No tennis shoes

18.1.6. Jersey/pullover

Grade R-6: Grey red, with school badge
Grade 7-9: Grey maroon with school badge

18.1.7. Blazers

Maroon school blazer must have the school badge and be clean always

18.1.8. Sports - wear (Wednesday – Sports Day)

Green/grey school sports t-shirt with white sports shorts must be worn every Wednesday (no jeans or ¾ trousers)
On this day, learners are expected to wear White Sport takkies

***NO ALL STARS – parents are discouraged from buying expensive branded takkies e.g. NIKE.

18.1.9. School Track suit and Drimac

Tracksuit – green and white
Drimac (Red) grade R – 5
Drimac (Maroon) grade 7 - 9

• Tracksuits may be worn as a uniform i.e. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) – this is worn with school formal blue shirt and school shoes.
• Tracksuits may be worn as sports attire i.e. on Wednesday – this is worn with takkies and green sports t-shirt.

18.1.10. Winter uniform

• Long sleeved formal school shirt worn with jersey or drimac
• Tracksuit (worn as explained above)
• Trousers for boys
• Pants for girls
• No skirts worn with winter stockings (amagusha)
• Beanies (with school logo), scarves (grey), gloves (grey).

** (All items with school logo/badge are strictly supplied by the school – any counterfeits will be confiscated)

18.2. Grooming

18.2.1. Hair – Girls and Boys

• No extreme hairstyles!!!
• No hair colour or bleaching is allowed
• Boys – brush or descent hairstyles are allowed
• Girls - Neatly plaited straight back will be allowed on girls, for singles – these must be tied back into a pony tail.
• length for all hair extensions must be shoulder length
• If a learner has long hair, this must be tied back into a pony tail
• Hair accessories must be plain black
• No decorative hair accessories to be worn at all.

18.2.2. Earrings – girls only

Only one set of studs of silver and gold in the bottom hole (if there is more than one hole in the ear)

18.2.3. Jewellery

No rings, bracelets, chains, string or rubber/plastic bands allowed, except SOS tag or Medic-Alert. Crosses, rosaries and cultural animal wrist bangle (isphandla) and beads, may not be visible. No learner shall wear any facial piercings including tongue rings

N.B. The above mentioned is also applicable in all extra-mural activities. Jewellery will be confiscated. Only one wrist watch to be worn on arm. The watch must be a simple design with no charms, attachments etc.

18.2.4. Nails

• All nails must be clean
• No nail polish, no artificial nails
• Length: nails must be short and may not be extended past the finger tip

18.2.5. Make-up

NONE! – No learner is allowed to wear make-up including lip-gloss during school time. This is also applicable to extra-mural activities.

19. Accessories

Cell phones and other gadgets

Cell phones, radios, Walkman, I-pods, earpieces, MP3 players or toys that are visible and/or used – will be confiscated. These will be kept by the school until the end of the year and can be claimed by the parent.

20. Breaking/vandalising of school property

If a learner recklessly destroys or vandalise school property including chairs, desks, windows etc, the learner will be served with a letter to take it to the parent asking the parent to pay the total cost.

21. Bullying

Bullying and fighting is not allowed at all. If a learner is found to be bullying others in any way, he/she will be cautioned and disciplinary measures will be taken.

22. Disrespect and use of vulgar language

No disrespect will be tolerated and no child is expected to use vulgar language towards his/her teachers, classmates, staff and parents.

23. General Rules and Regulations

23.1. The learner shall:

• Attend school assemblies, and during assembly the learner shall stand in rows according to their register class, quietly.
• After assembly, learners must file according to their classes.
• Keep the classrooms, toilets free of dirt and litter.

23.2. The learner shall not:

• Eat or drink inside the class unless with the permission from the educator
• Trade on school premises
• Have pornographic material, illegal substances, tobacco and alcohol products or weapons for any use.
• Bring phones at school
• Run, bundle, hug or shout in school premises
• Smoke, drink alcohol, gamble when in school premises or while wearing uniform even after school. In general, all these are being discouraged.

24. Rights of the learner

The learner has a right to:

• Tuition in a safe and disciplined environment
• Security of their possession and person
• Tuition in a clean and healthy environment
• Treated with respect by school community
• Punctual and consistent lessons

25. Responsibilities of a learner

• Attend classes and other activities on time
• Bring correct stationery as required.
• Show respect to other learners and school staff
• Uphold school security
• Listen to and be tolerant to others and their beliefs
• Ensure that school premises are kept clean and are not defaced or damaged
• To remain smart and presentable throughout each school day
• Take charge of his/her work and complete, homework, tasks and assignments on time
• Ensure that parents receive all official communication i.e. letters and circulars
• Respect other learners’ and staff’s property and belongings
• Take care of their belongings
• Ensure that letters and circulars from the school are sent to parents and be in good condition.

26. Responsibilities of parents

Parents shall ensure that:

• The learner attends school every day and is punctual. Parents must not plan casual family activities and trips during the school contact time
• Any absenteeism is reported to the school and valid reasons are provide, also supply the school with relevant proof of absenteeism e.g. doctor’s note
• The learner follows the school’s rules and regulations and code of conduct
• The learner is healthy, clean and neat, be dressed in an appropriate dress code and is in the right frame of mind for learning
• The learner does not use abusive language or behave in an abusive way
• The school fee is paid in full and within the stipulated dates
• The learner is supplied with basic resources needed for school work and home work and assignments
• The school authorities are informed about any problem concerning the learner that may affect other children and the staff
• The rights of the learner to learn are upheld
• The school is provided with all the documentation requested upon registration
• Correct information is provided upon registration of learner and must update the school for any changes e.g. change of contact details e.g. cell phone and address
• They respect and honour school rules and regulations
• They respect the educators and all school members of staff
• They co-operate with the school and attend meetings and/or disciplinary hearings concerning the conduct of their children when required to do so.

27. Discipline and punishment

In an attempt to instil discipline amongst the learners the school shall apply measures.

27.1. Discipline measures

27.1.1. Misconduct of a learner shall be classified according to four levels. Disciplinary action shall suit the level of misconduct as follows:

Level 1: Personal Conduct

Level 2: Breaking school rules as in code of conduct

Level 3: Serious violation of school rules

Level 4: Very serious violation of school rules

27.2. Suspension

The principal shall suspend a learner for a maximum of five school days. The parents must be informed of the suspension in writing.

On repetition of level 1 to 3 misconduct, the principal will negotiate a contract to be signed by the learner, parent and principal. Any breach of the negotiated contract will result in immediate expulsion.

27.3. Expulsion

All level 4 offences can lead to immediate expulsion. The final decision lies with the principal. If the learner is not expelled, the principal will negotiate a contract to be signed by the learner, parent and the principal. Any breach of contract will result in immediate expulsion.

27.4. Appeal

All parents are welcome to discuss any situation with the principal or disciplinary committee. All agreements will be signed by all parties. Disciplinary issues will be attended to by the principal from 08.30 to 10.00 and 13.30 to 15.00 on school days.