General Health And Safety Rules
Uniform and Appearance
The school insists on high standards with regard to dress/uniform and appearance. When
pupils wear the uniform they are ambassadors for the school in the community. As such they should take pride in their appearance and be aware of the traditions and continuity that they represent.
- Full correct uniform must be worn by every student in school, coming to school, leaving school and on school trips as indicated. Runners are not permitted with the daily uniform.
- For 1ST YEAR, 2ND YEAR & 3RD YEAR PUPILS (including classes B1 & B2), the uniform from Guineys comprises the following: O'Connell School sweatshirt top, wine colour with school crest and three stripes; navy colour polo shirt with school crest; grey slacks; black or brown shoes only. During P.E. classes, the school P.E. jersey with school sports shorts, socks and runners are to be worn. Jewellery (earrings, chains, rings etc.) are not part of the school uniform.
- For 5th YEAR & 6th YEAR PUPILS, the uniform from Guineys comprises the following: O'Connell School sweatshirt top, navy colour with school crest and three stripes; wine colour polo shirt with school crest; grey slacks; black or brown shoes only. During P.E. classes, the school P.E. jersey with school sports shorts, socks and runners may be worn. Jewellery (earrings, chains, rings etc.) are not part of the school uniform.
- Hair should be kept to a reasonable length. Certain hairstyles may be deemed inappropriate. All pupils are required to be clean shaven.
Attendance And Punctionality
Regular, punctual attendance is essential for good progress and academic achievement. Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, the principal is required to inform the National Education Welfare Board when a pupil is absent for 20 days or more in a school year. If you have been absent from school, you must bring a note of explanation in this journal to your form-teacher on the day you return to school. If you need to leave school during the day, you must bring a note of explanation in this journal from your parent/guardian to the school's main office before you leave.
The School Environment And Litter
All pupils and teachers are requested to take responsibility for maintaining a clean and tidy school by using the litter bins provided throughout the school.
Illness Or Accident
If you feel unwell or have an accident you or a class-mate must inform any member of staff immediately. Only the Principal or Deputy has the authority to arrange for your collection and/or to send you home if necessary.
Break, Lunchtime, Food/Drink Consumption
All food and drink should be consumed only in the canteen hall area and/or the school yard during break and lunchtime. No food or drinks are to be consumed in the corridors, school entrance area or classrooms around the school. This creates litter and makes the school a less pleasant place for us all to work in and enjoy. The school authorities expect all pupils to behave responsibly during break and lunchtime.
Care Of Belongings
Every item brought to school should be clearly marked with the pupil's name. Articles of value should not be brought to school. Lost property issues are dealt with in the school office or with the appropriate form-teacher or year-head.
School Trips & Extracurricular Activities
Pupils act as representatives of the school when they are engaged in school-related activities outside the school e.g. day-trips, sports fixtures, school tours. For this reason, they must behave in an exemplary manner, following all the directions of the person or persons in charge. All the school rules remain in force whilst participating in such activities.
School Online/Internet Usage
Pupils should be aware that their in-school on-line activities will be constantly monitored and that they are accountable for their behaviour in this regard. Internet sessions are allowed provided they are monitored by computer room staff. Pupils are not allowed to circumvent any blocking software loaded by the school authorities. Access to any inappropriate and/or pornographic websites is strictly forbidden. In addition, with reference to the school's Anti-Bullying Policy, the school recognises that many of the social networking sites may be used by groups of pupils or individuals to bully and intimidate others within the school community. Any pupils found to be involved in such cyber-bullying behaviour will be referred to the school authorities without delay.
Health And Safety Issues
Smoking, the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs, the inhalation of harmful substances and any attempt to involve others in such actions is strictly forbidden. This applies to situations not only within the school grounds, but at any time whilst wearing the school uniform and/or engaged in any school-related activities. Appropriate sanctions will be applied for breaches of these rules. Pupils are expected to be vigilant at all times to ensure their own safety and that of other members of the school community. Great care must be taken when handling specialist equipment, materials or chemical substances. It is the duty of each pupil to bring any apparent hazards or dangers to the attention of the school authorities. Pupils must always move about the school in an orderly fashion.
Use of Mobile Phones & Other Personal Items of Electrical Equipment
The use of mobile phones and other items of personal electrical equipment (MP3 Players, PSP's etc.) within the school can be very disruptive. All such items must be switched off once pupils enter the school gates. These items should be kept out of sight within a pupil's schoolbag or pocket. If a pupil uses one of these items or forgets to have it switched off, and the pupil is asked to hand over the item to a teacher, the pupil should switch off the item and hand it over as requested. As a confiscated item, it will be placed in a sealed and dated envelope in the school office and will be returned to the pupil at the end of the school day. Repeated breaches of this rule may result in more severe sanctions, including fines, being applied. Refusal to hand up any item of this nature will be dealt with by the year-head and/or school principal and/or deputy-principal.
