Discipline Policies

The following information outlines procedures in place at St. Peter’s College to deal with students who choose to break major school rules.

Drugs and Alcohol

The use or possession by students of drugs and alcohol is a very serious offence. Investigation will determine if the offence results in a “stand down” or “indefinite suspension” An “indefinite suspension” will involve your presence at a meeting with the Board of Trustees Disciplinary Committee and quite possibly it will end your association with St. Peter’s College.

Physical Violence

Fighting between students is not acceptable under any circumstances. If a fight occurs between students your Dean will initially investigate the incident. Your written report (known as an Incident Report) will then be passed on to the Head of Pastoral Care. If closed fists were used or the incident is deemed to have been as serious as a closed fist altercation, the students are most likely to be “stood down” from school. A more serious fight or repeated fighting will result in “Indefinite Suspension” which will involve a meeting with the Board of Trustees Disciplinary Committee and quite possibly this could end your association with St. Peter’s College.

Students are usually referred to the Pastoral Care Team for Anger Management courses. Peer Mediation may be part of the discipline process.

The above procedures will be enforced for fighting occurring both at school and outside the school grounds.

Truancy

Truancy is any action which results in you deliberately avoiding school, school activities or individual lessons without appropriate authorisation.

First Offence:
Referral to Dean. Make up the lost time in personal time. Parent/s or guardian/s will be informed.

Second Offence:
Parent/s or guardian/s will be contacted and an interview with the Dean, parent/s or guardian/s and the student will be held. The student will be expected to make up lost time and will be warned of being “stood down” if the offence is repeated.

Third Offence:
Student will be “stood down” from school and will be referred to the Pastoral Care Team.

Fourth Offence:
The student will be “stood down” or possibly “indefinitely suspended” following a meeting with the Board of Trustees Disciplinary Committee.

Truanting for an entire day the following procedures are in place.

First Offence:
Referral to the Dean. Parent/s or guardian/s will be contacted and a meeting will be set up with parent/s or guardian/s, the Dean and the student. The student will make up the time lost at school and will be warned of being “stood down” if truanting occurs again.

Second Offence:
Student will be “stood down” and referred to the Pastoral Care Team. Lost time will be made up at school.

Third Offence:
“Stand down” or possible “Indefinite Suspension” after a meeting with the Board of Trustees Disciplinary Committee. Possible referral to an outside agency eg. Truancy Officers.

Theft

Theft of other students’ possessions or school property will be taken very seriously. An investigation will determine what action will be taken. Significant theft will result in being “stood down” or possibly “indefinitely suspended”.

The student will be referred to the School Councillor, Pastoral Care Team or an outside agency after consulting parent/s or guardian/s.

Verbal Abuse

Swearing in the presence or at a staff member is not tolerated. Investigation will determine the punishment. Swearing directly at a teacher will result in a 1-2 day “stand down”.

Smoking

Procedures for a student caught smoking at school, on the way to and from school or at any time whilst representing the school are as follows:

First Offence:
Parent/s or guardian/s will be contacted and will be made aware of future offence procedures. A Dean’s detention will occur.

Second Offence:
Parent/s or guardian/s will be contacted. The student will be “stood down” for a period of 1-2 days.

Third Offence:
Further “stand down” from school and possible “indefinite suspension” from school. The student will have to attend a meeting with the Board of Trustees Disciplinary Committee and attend a formal interview at school with parent/s or guardian/s, the Dean and the Head of Pastoral Care. There may be a referral to an outside agency.

Vandalism

Intentional damage made to the school or other students’ property is not tolerated. Investigation will determine punishment which can include:
• replacement of damaged property
• working during personal time (over the holidays/ weekend/ before or after school) to help pay off the damage
• “stand down” period from school
• indefinite suspension

Continual Defiance

Students who continually repeat offences or continually break school rules in general, will be dealt with in a number of ways. Referral to theDean, the Director of Pastoral Care and the Pastoral Care Team would follow a Parent/Guardian Conference to determine guidance and discipline procedures. Discipline steps would follow normal patterns - detentions, long term lunchtime rubbish duties, daily reports, withdrawal from class, “stand down” from school and “indefinite suspension”. The seriousness and frequency will determine the punishment steps taken.

Harassment (Bullying)

Verbal and physical harassment of students will not be tolerated irrespective of the severity. Investigation will determine the punishment which includes:
• peer mediation
• an apology to the victim and victim’s parents
• referral to Pastoral Care
• counselling
• detention/s
• being “stood down” from school
• “indefinite suspension”