EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOUR: SCHOOL RULES
OUT OF BOUNDS |BEHAVIOUR | BULLYING | DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY | DRESS AND APPEARANCE | SCHOOL UNIFORM | DORMS | PROHIBITED ITEMS | SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES & SCOOTERS |KETTLES & TOASTERS | TELEPHONING | MOBILE PHONES | CONFISCATED ITEMS | MONEY | BUYING, SELLING, RENTING & BORROWING | BUS STOP
The school rules should be read and understood together with the school ethos, which states our ideal of a school member. If we try our best to live up to this ethos, then we will avoid behaviour that causes difficulties for others.
These rules should be innate – as in most families – however a clear statement of the rules and the consequences of breaking them may be helpful. We aim to encourage responsible self-awareness and to promote loving and collective Sahaja behaviour.
‘Out of bounds’ means not only being outside the school without permission but also not being where you should be. The following are ‘out of bounds’.
>> Not being in lessons, activities, homework, footsoak or meditation without a validated excuse (sick-note etc.)
>> Being outside the dormitory after bedtime.
>> Going outside the school boundary without permission.
>> Going into the kitchen, sick room, staff room or offices without permission.
>> Climbing on the roofs, in or out of windows, or up walls, drainpipes etc..
Gating. The consequence of being ‘out of bounds’ is that a student may be ‘gated’ – ie. having to be signed in by a teacher every half-hour on Saturday and/or Sunday. More serious cases, such as going to McLeod Gang or Dharamshala alone, may result in gating for a month, and receiving an official warning.
Any bad language or disrespectful behaviour to a member of staff or other students will be taken seriously. This includes:
>> Arguments and answering back to the staff.
>> Failing to obey a direct order from a member of staff.
Behaviour towards others that is dominating, physically or verbally unpleasant or malicious is classified as bullying, Extortion (demanding sweets or pocket money with threats) is a particularly serious form of bullying.
Persistent bullying will lead to the perpetrator receiving an official warning, which will be notified to the parents. If a child receives three warnings in any one term, they will be asked to leave the school.
>> Intentional breakages to school property (including school uniform) will be paid for out of children’s pocket money.
>> Anyone damaging or defacing the bedroom cupboards, desks or benches in classroom or anywhere else will have to pay the cost of repainting or repairing the item.
>> Children will also be required to clear up the mess and/or help repair property they have damaged.
>> All students must wear school uniform up until afternoon break from Monday to Friday and up to lunchtime on Saturday.
>> For Pujas, children should wear either school uniform or their own puja clothes.
>> Children’s own clothes should be auspicious, decent and pleasing. They may be colourful and attractive but without being overly fashion-conscious.
The following are not allowed:
>> Tight fitting leggings for girls, unless covered by a long skirt.
>> Make up.
>> Skin-piercing of any kind for boys.
>> More than one earring in each ear for girls and long earrings (except Pujas)
>> Dyed hair.
>> Long hair for boys.
>> Ripped, torn or dirty clothing or school uniform (damaged clothes should be handed in for repair).
School uniform once issued, is individual property. It must be looked after respectfully and auspiciously. Damaged school-issue clothing and foot-wear will not be replaced free of charge. Unwanted items may be returned to the school stores.
All students must wear shoes or sandals at all times when outside the dormitories.
>> Juniors must be in their dorm by 7:30 in the evening. Lights outs at 9pm.
>> Seniors preparing for bed 9:30, lights out at 10pm.
>> Children must make their beds and tidy their belongings every morning before breakfast.
>> On Video nights, children may be in their dorms half an hour later than usual, but lights will go out at the normal time.
>> A hygiene and cleanliness inspection will be held each morning by dorm staff between morning meditation and breakfast.
Children are not allowed to bring the following items to the school:
>> Gameboys and other electronic games
>> Electronic calculators
>> Laptop computers
>> BB guns
>> DVD machines
>> Lighters and matches
>> Bicycles
>> Fixed blade knives (sheath knives) or pen-knives with blades longer than 5 cm
>> Laser pointers
>> CD players/ tape recorders for juniors
>> Audio or video material (CD/DVD/tapes/Ipod/mp3 etc.) with bad vibrations, ie. violent or promiscuous audios/videos and video games.
Prohibited items found with any child will be confiscated and may only be reclaimed by parents at the end of the year.
SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES and SCOOTERS
Children are only allowed to use skateboards, roller blades or scooters at *weekends.
The skating half pipe may only be used by children wearing helmets and protection on knees and elbows.
Senior Children are allowed to use kettles and toaster/grills only at *weekends.
Students may phone out at *weekends via the school ISD phone system. The cost of calls will be deducted from children’s account money.
Mobile phones may only be used at *weekends. During the week the phone must be kept with the dorm-in-charge.
* ‘Weekends’ means between Saturday lunchtime and Sunday bedtime.
Items which are used improperly can be confiscated for a period of time, and shall be kept in the room of the dorm-in-charge, at whose discretion they will be returned. Items temporarily confiscated by other members of staff will be handed over to dorm staff for safekeeping and return.
>> Pocket money is issued every week for all children. Pocket money may be cut for bad behaviour.
>> Parents should deposit an additional Rs. 2000/- per child per term with the school accounts office. Account money will be issued by the school for excursions or authorized trips.
>> Children are not allowed to have other money in their possession. Parents are asked not to give extra money to the children themselves, or to dorm staff or other staff for safekeeping.
BUYING, SELLING, RENTING AND BORROWING
>> Buying, selling and renting of toys, games, comics, etc is not allowed between children.
>> Skateboards, roller-skates and scooters may only be borrowed between members of the same class or dorm.
>> No child in the senior section is permitted to borrow anything from any child in the junior section.
Class 8, 9 and 10 students are allowed to the bus-stop unaccompanied with the Principal’s permission. Other students must be accompanied by an adult and have the Principal’s or Vice-Principal’s permission. Normally permission will only be given at weekends.
The boundaries for visits to the bus stop are:
>> Not past the Shikhar Hotel on the road
>> Not down the track to the river
>> No playing on building sites
Anyone going beyond these boundaries will not be allowed to the bus stop for some time. Severe offenders may be gated.