Code of Conduct & School Rules


To fulfil its vision, every public school is empowered (by section 8 of the South African Schools Act of l996) to draw up a Code of Conduct. The code explains the rules through which each learner’s rights and corresponding responsibilities are realised. Nothing contained in the South African Schools Act exempts a learner from the obligation to comply with the Code of Conduct of the school attended by such learner.The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to establish a disciplined, safe and purposeful school environment dedicated to improving and maintaining the quality of the learning process.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RIGHTS

For quality learning to take place, certain rights and responsibilities need to be recognised, including the right to:

  1. personal safety and security of property
  2. a clean and functional environment
  3. fair treatment
  4. listen and be heard
  5. undisturbed work and access to knowledge, skills and resources
  6. have progress assessed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

With every right, there is a matching responsibility. To protect the rights of individuals, it is the responsibility of each learner not only to refrain from infringing such rights but to prevent others from doing so.

  1. To maintain a disciplined and effective learning environment, learners are expected to be mature and responsible.
  2. Learners can contribute positively by being honest, diligent, friendly, punctual, neat and courteous.
  3. They must behave in a manner which is respectful to all cultures and the rights of all.
  4. All learners must protect the rights of others.
  5. Commitments must be honoured.
  6. Homework and daily review should be routine and deadlines must be met.

SCHOOL RULES

These rules apply when a learner is on the school premises, at a school function or activity, or in a public place where he or she is identifiable, or likely to be identified, as a learner of the Fish Hoek High School.

  1. A learner shall not use foul, abusive, racist, sexist or blasphemous language.
  2. A learner shall not assault, threaten, bully, harass, abuse, intimidate, victimise or endanger the life or safety of anyone.
  3. A learner shall not possess any weapon, knife or dangerous object.
  4. A learner shall not smoke (nor have cigarettes and lighters in his possession), use any smoking device (e.g. hookah pipes, vapes), use drugs or consume intoxicating liquor, nor may a learner associate himself or herself with any learner smoking, using drugs or consuming liquor as aforesaid. (See Drug & Alcohol Policy)
  5. A learner shall not attend a school function or activity whilst under the influence of drugs or intoxicating liquor.
  6. A learner shall attend school for the whole of the prescribed school hours. In the case of absence, a learner shall, on returning to school, furnish the School (see School Day) with a written note, signed by his or her parent or guardian, explaining the reason for his or her absence.
  7. A medical certificate is required for any absence during examinations and for absence from control tests, orals and other continuous assessment (SBA) work.
  8. A learner may not be absent from a class or leave the school premises during school hours without the permission of the Principal or his or her nominee.
  9. A learner shall not damage, vandalise, deface or soil school property or the property of another.
  10. Learners shall always wear the full official school uniform as specified by the School Governing Body unless permitted otherwise by the Principal or his or her nominee.
  11. The personal appearance and dress of a learner whenever travelling to or from any place as a learner of Fish Hoek High School (whether or not that learner is wearing the official school uniform) shall conform to such standards of decency and propriety as are considered adequate and appropriate by the Principal or his or her nominee in charge of the learner at the time.
  12. No notice, banner or communication may be displayed on the premises without the permission of the Principal or his or her nominee.
  13. A learner may not use a cell phone or other electronic device during school hours, except during breaks, without specific instructions from the Principal or his or her nominee. (see Cell Phone and Social Media Usage)
  14. A learner may not offer or receive outside assistance in tests or examinations or place him/herself in a position which allows them to give or receive outside assistance. Learners may not carry notes or any form of memory aid unless specifically permitted for that examination. No learner may have a cell phone in their possession during an examination. In addition to the penalties for a serious offence, a learner who cheats or is suspected of cheating in tests or exams can get nought for the paper concerned.
  15. A learner may not cheat during any school assessment. (See the SAIC and Assessment Policy)
  16. A learner may not possess or view pornographic or undesirable material.
  17. A phone may not be used to video or transmit fights or socially unacceptable behaviour.
  18. A learner shall not, by way of any conduct or utterance, bring the school’s good name into disrepute.
  19. A learner shall obey, observe and carry out all regulations made and issued by the Principal or his or her nominee and any instructions or directives given to the learner by an educator.

In addition, the following actions, criminal acts and illegal activities may lead to community service, corrective action as envisaged under the Drugs & Alcohol Policy, suspension, or suspension with a view to expulsion.
The list below is not exhaustive – other actions could also be considered very serious.

  1. Socially unacceptable behaviour, hate speech and profanity.
  2. Possession, use, transmission or visible evidence of narcotic or unauthorised drugs, alcohol or intoxicants of any kind.
  3. Theft or possession of stolen property.
  4. Disrespect, objectionable or threatening behaviour, verbal or physical abuse directed at anyone and including insolence directed at teachers or school employees.
  5. Oppressive behaviour such as sexual assault and gender-based harassment/violence.
  6. Possession or transmission of pornography.
  7. Fraud.
  8. Plagiarism.
  9. Repeated violation of the Code of Conduct.
  10. Falsely identifying oneself.
  11. Conviction for a criminal offence in a court of law.
  12. Dishonesty in tests or examinations.
  13. Recording or publishing pictures or videos of antisocial behaviour or publishing material which results in embarrassment or defamation of anyone and/or the school. .
  14. Vandalism.
  15. Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorised access to the school’s computer facilities and systems.

CIRCUMSTANCES COVERED BY THIS CODE

This Code applies while a learner is in school uniform, participating in an activity sanctioned by the School, or when he/she is in any public place where he/she is likely – by reason of any utterance or conduct on his or her part – to be identified by the public as a learner of the Fish Hoek High School.

REGULATIONS

The Principal may occasionally issue directives, instructions and rulings, collectively called regulations, to ensure the efficient running of the School. These regulations include the basic standards of behaviour expected within the school grounds.

MISCONDUCT

Failure to abide by the school rules and regulations and infringing the rights of others constitutes misconduct.

PENALTIES FOR MISCONDUCT

Penalties for misconduct range from verbal warnings and extra work to suspension and suspension pending a decision on expulsion. All punishment must be seen to be fair, reasonable and consistent. Misconduct can be categorised as follows:

Minor misdemeanours may incur demerits, 3 demerits result in detention, and/or confiscation of non-uniform items.

Serious offences may lead to multiple detentions, Daily Report, loss of privileges, being debarred from standing for the SRC, counselling, and various parental interventions.

Very serious offences may lead to community service, corrective action as outlined under the Drugs Policy, suspension, or suspension with a view to expulsion. Criminal activities may be reported to the SAPS.

DUE PROCESS

In all misconduct cases, learners must be clearly informed of the specific offence committed and the sanctions. Demerits are issued for academic and behavioural defaults. Three demerits equate to a general detention. Learners and parents are informed via email and SMS when a detention is generated. Parents can track their child’s outstanding detentions via the Multi portal Communication App. Detention will be on Mondays / Wednesdays and Thursdays (Room 258). Detentions must be served within seven days of this notice.

NOTE: Failure to attend a detention will lead to the issue of additional consequences, including a Defaulters’ Detention and/or a Saturday Detention. Furthermore, serving more than THREE General Detentions in the same term will result in a Saturday Detention.

In the event of learners being charged with a very serious offence which leads to a Disciplinary Hearing, the learner and the parents/guardians will be informed in writing of the charges, the possible consequences of those charges, the date, time and place of a hearing and the learner’s right to representation at the hearing. The hearing will take place at least five days after receipt of the letter unless the learner and parents request it to be brought forward

In the event of a potential expulsion, the request for expulsion needs to be ratified by the SGB and then submitted to the Head of the Western Cape Education Department. The final decision to expel shall be taken by that official.

At the hearing, the rights of the learner and his/ her representative must be made clear to them, including on an expulsion request, the right to appeal the expulsion decision of the Head of the Western Cape Education Department.

AMENDMENTS

Any amendments, excluding minor additions, to this Code shall become operative after publication by the School Governing Body after due consultation with the SRC, Forum, parents and staff. Minor additions to this code, shall be made by the Principal.

Fish Hoek Way – Regulations

The following are intended to reduce the stress experienced in our crowded classrooms and passages and to teach everyone valuable life skills. Manners have to be so well-learned that courteous behaviour is automatic. Courtesy then becomes an effortless aid to friendly relationships.

  1. Keep left.
  2. Move in single file.
  3. Move briskly. Do not loiter, especially at intersections.
  4. Do not run.
  5. Greet everyone, especially adults, at least with a smile.
  6. When waiting outside a classroom, line up in (single file) on the same side as the room, not against the windows..
  7. NEVER sit down until invited to do so, once you enter an office or classroom.
  8. ALWAYS stand up when an adult standing or walking by addresses you, unless they expressly excuse you from the courtesy.
  9. Use “Please” whenever you want assistance and “Thank you” at least as often, including when you leave a classroom at the end of a lesson.

[November 2024]