WOODLANDS INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT

Throughout the world, successful societies set acceptable norms and standards of behaviour.  This enables them to function successfully.  Communities within the society are expected to uphold the norms and standards and behave in a manner befitting that community – and the society to which they belong. As an independent school, Woodlands International College expects the members of the College student community to live up to the professional standards of excellence associated with educational communities of similar standing.

All parents, guardians, staff members and notably students, are urged to study this
Code of Conduct thoroughly in order to understand what is expected of them. 
A positive attitude and spirit of co-operation will enable Woodlands International College to function successfully to the benefit of all concerned.

1. Woodlands International College respects

   • the right of every student to be educated in a safe, happy, orderly and productive environment;
   • the right of each individual to be treated with dignity and to show mutual respect – synonymous with consideration, good manners and caring;
   • the right of each individual to:
   • understand any breach of standards;
   • state the circumstances of his or her case;
   • appear before and be heard by a disciplinary committee;
   • appeal to the relevant Principal and/or College Director.
   • the right to the inherent integrity of all associated with the College.  Dishonesty has no place in the College.  
   • the right that punishment be fair, reasonable, appropriate and consistent. 
   • the rights of other people’s bodies, cultures, backgrounds and belongings.

CODE OF DRESS AND APPEARANCE

SUMMER AND WINTER UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS:

Students should be aware that they are representatives of Woodlands International College at all times and accept the responsibility of this role.  They are instantly recognisable as such when in the College uniform.  Students must wear the correct full and neat uniform appropriate for the season, the occasion or activity.  No mixing of uniform items is permitted.

Parents are asked to mark all items clearly with the student’s name.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

• Students must take care of their belongings and know where they have been left.
• Valuables may be handed in at the College office or to a teacher for safekeeping, e.g.: money, cameras, cassettes, CD’s, cellular phones, etc.
• The College will not take responsibility for the misplacement, loss or theft of any of the above items.

  Please note well – any student who interferes with the belongings of another person without permission, will be considered guilty of theft and may be asked to leave the College.

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND TOYS

• Dangerous substances (drugs, alcohol, chemicals, explosives, fireworks, cigarettes, matches, obscene material etc.) may not be brought to College.
• Prescription drugs and medicines must be lodged with the College secretary with labelled instructions so that they can be administered at the appropriate time.
• Dangerous toys or weapons of any kind (e.g. guns, knives, catapults, dart guns) may not be brought to College.
• The College reserves the right to search any bag or locker either randomly or under reasonable suspicion that a problem may exist.
• The College also reserves the right to conduct a drug test under parental supervision if reasonable evidence exists that a pupil is abusing dangerous or narcotic substances.  Non compliance could lead to removal from the College.

ABSENTEEISM

• When a student is unable to attend College, a parent or guardian must contact the College reception.  The information and reasons why will be passed on to the relevant teacher.
• When returning to College, the student must bring an absentee note from a parent, addressed to the Principal.  This should be handed to the grade teacher and will be attached to the class register.
• A doctor’s certificate is also required when a student is absent during part of or all of test or examination days.
• Appointments to see Medical Practitioners (or for other important reasons) during College hours should only be made by parents if no other opportunity exists or in the case of an emergency.
• In this case the student must report to the College secretary with a note signed by the parent explaining the circumstances and stating the time of collection.
• A “Permission to leave early” slip will be given and this must be handed to the teacher.  This note must be signed by the Principal’s secretary.
• The student will be fetched from the classroom once the parent has arrived.
• Fit students must return to College immediately after the appointment.  Students who are not well, and are not able to return the same day, must present a doctor’s certificate on the day they return to College and the parents must inform the College.

CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS

It is never possible to run any College successfully without the co-  operation of parents. Their input and support is vital and welcomed.  The above Code of Conduct is based on the considerable experience of a number of quality schools together with the professional experience of long-serving, dedicated teachers.

Our vision is that Woodlands International College is among the best of high quality Colleges in the country.  Towards this end, we respectfully suggest the following guidelines to parents:

• Please attend as many Parents’ Days and Parents’ Meetings as possible. This will keep you up to date and enable you to participate in certain College matters and decisions.
• Offer to volunteer for certain activities, however humble.  Your assistance will alleviate the load on teachers and involve you more directly.
• Do not hesitate to contact the Principal for an appointment should you wish to discuss anything in the Code of Conduct or other matters concerning the College.
• Do not contact staff at home on College matters.  They are entitled to privacy.
• Make appointments with teachers at a time convenient to them either before lessons begin or immediately after the final period.  Teachers may not receive visitors during class periods.

If unable to keep an appointment, attempt to notify the teacher in good time.

• Inform the College immediately of any change of address, telephone number, personal details or contacts, however temporary.  The College may need to contact you urgently!
• Inform the College of any trauma or emotional disturbance in your child’s life.  Knowing a problem exists often helps to understand out-of-character behaviour.  Qualified staff members may be able to help.
• If at any time you feel your child has been victimized or treated unjustly, contact the Principal immediately.  Please do not give vent in public before you have all the details.  A wrongful impression is damaging to both the College and the parent body.
• Try not to criticise or undermine a teacher in front of any student.  This will result in a negative attitude and non-productivity.  It is the student who suffers most, not the teacher.  The matter, however trivial it may seem, must be brought to the Principal’s attention, investigated and dealt with in a dignified manner.
• Check and sign homework diaries.
• If there is reason to believe that too much or too little homework is given or your child says often that there is no homework – check with the teacher.
• Be conscientious about providing notes when your child is ill and a doctor’s certificate after an absence of more than three days.

Remember that a note is also required if a test or examination is missed.  Such dates are often written in homework diaries or printed out by the College.

• Personal coaching of your child while taking part in sporting activities is not done.
• Adopt the same positive attitude that you would expect from your child.
• Our goal is to encourage happy, enjoyable participation by pupils, involvement by parents and healthy competition.  Winning is not the primary goal.

GENERAL

• The chewing of gum is not permitted at any time.
• Bullying or intimidating will be seriously dealt with.
• Male teachers will be referred to as ‘Sir’ and lady teachers as ‘Ma’am’ or addressed by name.

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE CENTRE

• The standards of behaviour outlined above will apply at the After School Care Centre and at any sport or cultural activity relating to the College.
• Pupils not involved in the After Care group or co-curricular activities are expected to be taken home and not remain at College.
• Parents will be charged per hour or part thereof for any pupil looked after by teachers after hours.