In a Jesuit school, academic and co-curricular pursuits take place in a strongly moral context. The attitudes and values of this context are those of Christ's radical command to love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34), where this love means putting others first (Mk 9:35), turning the other cheek (Mt 5:39), and going the extra mile (Mt 5:41).

Pupils are taught, encouraged and expected to develop and maintain a strong personal integrity that is truthful, generous, courteous, and considerate of the needs and feelings of others. They are expected to have a positive and purposeful attitude to their studies and school lives and to their relationships with staff and other pupils.

The school's system of discipline rewards good behaviour and commitment to studies and school life, and provides for sanctions against poor behaviour. Pupils who fail to strive to meet our high standards will be called to account. At the same time, the school recognises that pupils do sometimes err and tries to help them learn from their mistakes and so grow in maturity and self-discipline.

The Head Master will, from time to time, prescribe policies, rules and routines which make explicit these goals as they apply to specific aspects of school life. Such detailed rules are necessary for the efficient and harmonious running of a complex institution. The College looks for the support of parents in its expectation that pupils follow the school rules.

Teachers exercise authority over pupils in the conduct of classes and in the maintenance of good order and safety around the school generally. Isolated cases of misbehaviour will be dealt with without parents necessarily being informed. This allows pupils to accept responsibility for what they have done, to serve their punishment and to improve their behaviour and so grow in self-discipline and maturity.

More serious or persistent breaches of discipline will be referred to the Housemaster, or to the Assistant Head Master who has overall responsibility for discipline in the school, and are likely to involve parents. Parents are asked to support the disciplinary arrangements of the school. If parents have reservations about the handling of a particular matter, they are invited to take this up with the Housemaster but to avoid sharing their misgivings with the child.

When a child is admitted to the school, parents sign an agreement accepting the school's disciplinary arrangements. The school does not need subsequently to seek permission to impose sanctions. If a parent prevents a child from accepting punishment, the pupil will be suspended.

Punishment

The attitude and behaviour of pupils at the College is generally excellent, and sanctions are not frequently needed. Many pupils develop a strong sense of self-discipline and maturity and go through their school careers without ever receiving a punishment. However, there may be occasions when punishment is appropriate.

Punishment will be used:

The Senior School uses a staged system of sanctions. Lesser offences attract lesser punishments; more serious offences are dealt with at a higher stage. Repeated or persistent misbehaviour is dealt with at an increasingly higher level.

	Examples of Offences	Punishment
Stage One	dropping litter inattention in class loitering on the streets not wearing uniform correctly	formal verbal reprimand (a formal "telling-off") lines (written punishment)¨ chores (such as litter duty)
Stage Two	breaking school rules disobedience insolence bad language copying homework rowdy behaviour lateness for class without reason failing to register culpably poor work	½-hour detention 1-hour detention
Stage Three	repeated misbehaviour disruptive behaviour in class fighting misbehaving on public transport lying or cheating bullying first offence truanting from class	Saturday detention (9.00-12.00) loss of occasional holidays
Stage Four	persistent misbehaviour gross insolence or defiance physical violence repeated bullying smoking misbehaving on school trips refusal to accept school authority other serious incidents	caution (+ other sanctions) suspension
Stage Five	serious physical assault persistent bullying alcohol or drugs offences persistent serious misbehaviour	expulsion

½-hour and 1-hour detentions are held on Fridays after school for S1-S3 and on Thursdays for S4-S5. Pupils who fail to show up for detention without serious cause can expect to be suspended.

For more serious or persistent offences, pupils may be required to attend at Saturday detention from 9.00-12.00 either at the school or at Millerston, or may lose half-day or whole-day holidays.

A formal caution by a senior member of staff, in the presence of parents, is used as a very serious sanction. The caution will be linked to other punishment(s). A caution is used when an offence borders on requiring a suspension but the pupil's previous good record suggests an intermediate sanction is more appropriate.

Pupils are expelled only in the most serious cases (such as serious physical assault or alcohol/drugs offences) or where, despite repeated warnings and sanctions, behaviour continues to be poor and detrimental to safety, good order or learning.

Pupils who are engaged in persistent misbehaviour, or who continually fail to obey school rules or follow procedures, or who are not working, will be placed on daily report. This requires them to obtain a teacher's comment for every lesson and to report to their Housemaster at various times during the day. Each evening the daily report will be brought home for parents to read and sign.

The usual minor sanctions should not be needed for Sixth Year pupils. Sixth Years who persistently engage in petty misbehaviour can expect to have privileges withdrawn and, if there is no improvement, to be asked to leave the school.