Mission Statement
St. Mary's College - Mission Statement
St. Mary's College is a Catholic Secondary School committed to creating a respectful, caring, safe, supportive learning environment, rooted in the Christian tradition and having as its aim the holistic education of all its students, encouraging each one to develop her full potential.

Code of Behaviour

School Rules

Laboratory Rules

P.E. Rules

Sanctions

School Uniform

Code of Behaviour

School is a place in which you can expect to be safe, happy and work well. These School Rules have been drawn up to help you achieve this. If you find it hard to remember all the rules, just ask yourself "When I do this, am I interfering with someone's right to be safe? With their property? With their right to be happy and to work? Am I putting myself or someone else in danger? Am I being responsible?"

Pupils - especially senior pupils - are encouraged to take on responsibility for their own learning rather than doing their work because of fear of punishment.

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School Rules
  1. School hours are from 8.55 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (Friday 8.55 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.). No pupil may leave the school premises during these hours without permission.
  2. Pupils are expected to be punctual and regular in attendance.
  3. Pupils who have been absent fom school or are late for school must bring a written excuse to their Tutor. When necessary, Tutors may give permission for medical or dental appointments.
  4. Pupils are expected to behave with consideration towards others at all times. This includes going to and from school.
  5. Bullying is a very serious matter and will not be tolerated. (Please see separate section School policy on Bullying)
  6. Pupils are expected to participate in all activities which constitute the life of a school (e.g. outings, retreats, talks, etc). When a pupil commits herself to an activity, she must fulfill this commitment.
  7. Pupils are expected to wear correct unifom coming to and going from school, and may be excluded from class if not wearing full uniform. Full PE uniform is required during PE classes. All facial piercings, including tongue piercing, are forbidden. Students are expected to be neat and tidy at all times and the School Authorities are the judges of acceptable standards of appearance.
  8. All personal belongings, uniform, etc., should be clearly marked with the owner's name as no responsibility is taken by the school authorities for the loss of money or belongings.
  9. Pupils are requested to keep classrooms and cloakrooms clean and tidy at all times.
  10. Chewing gum, tippex and deodorant/perfume sprays etc. are forbidden in school.
  11. Smoking is illegal on school premises and in school grounds.
  12. The possession of and/or consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden. Any breach of the School's Policy on Substance Use may lead to referral to the Board of Management and expulsion.
  13. The possession of and/or use of illegal drugs and the misuse of harmful substances are strictly forbidden. Any breach of the School's Policy on Substance Use may lead to referral to the Board of Management and expulsion.

Parents are expected to attend Parent-Teacher meetings organised during the school year, in the interest of their children.

Parents are requested to inform the School of any change of address or telephone number, and are requested to give the Principal notice of the withdrawal of their child from the school.

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Laboratory Rules for Pupils

1. Do not enter the Laboratory without permission.

2. Do not use equipment unless permitted to do so by the teacher. Make sure you know exactly what you are supposed to do. If in doubt, ask the teacher.

3. Long hair must always be tied back securely. All jewellery must be removed prior to practical work.

4. Always wear eye protection when instructed to do so.

5. Always check that the label on the bottle is exactly the same as the material you require. If in doubt, ask the teacher.

6. Nothing must be tasted, eaten or drunk in the laboratory. No food or drink may be brought into the laboratory.

7. Any substance accidentally taken into the mouth must be spat out immediately and the mouth washed out with plenty of water. The incident must be reported to the teacher.

8. Any cut, burn or other accident must be reported to the teacher.

9. Any chemicals spilled on the skin or clothing must be washed at once with plenty of water and the incident reported to the teacher.

10. Always wash your hands after practical work.

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P.E. Rules for Pupils

1. NO jewellery to be worn during P.E. class.

2. On the first occasion that P.E.> uniform is forgotten, a warning will be given. A Discipline Slip will be issued on the second and all subsequent occasions in any year.

3. A pupil who cannot participate in P.E. class due to illness or injury must bring an explanatory note from her parent/guardian. A doctor's note will be required on the third consecutive occasion.

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Sanctions

1. Detention arrangements will be made for a pupil who absents herself without permission during school hours.

2. A pupil's name will be entered on a Discipline Slip or on a Detention Slip for misbehaviour:

For Example:

Detention Slip

Giving cheek and insolence to teachers

Damaging Property

Mitching Class

Going out to town at lunchtime without permission

Refusing to sit as per seating plan

Serious misbehaviour in class leading to exclusion from class

 

 Discipline Slip

Talking a lot in class

Running/pushing in corridors

Using unacceptable language

Copying homework

Chewing or eating in class

 

3. Pupils whose names appear on a Detention Slip or on 3 Discipline Slips must go to Detention. Detention will be held on a weekly basis on Friday from 2:00 - 3:00. Parents wil be notified.

4. A pupil who has been on detention twice:

 (a)Will be put On Report for at least a week. This means she will collect a Report Form each morning from reception and return it to the Principal/Deputy Principal each evening. At the start of each lesson, she will inform her teacher that she is On Report. The teacher will write a comment on the pupil's conduct and work.

(b)A letter will be sent to parents asking them to come to the school. They will be given a copy of the Code of Behaviour and informed of the possibility of suspension if the pupil appears before the Discipline Board.

5. The Discipline Board deals with the pupils who have been in detention on three occasions, or who have been referred to the Board for a single grave offence. The Board will have the authority to undertake the following procedures:

(a) Meet the pupil.

(b) Send a letter to her parents/guardian with the Principal's approval and signature.

In the event of a pupil being suspended, the Board of Management will be informed.

When a pupil returns to school following a suspension she must go On Report and may be asked to sign a contract.

6. After a fourth detention a pupil may be automatically suspended by the Principal and the Board of Management informed. Parents will be informed about the suspension. The duration of this suspension will be at the discretion of the Principal.

7. After a second suspension, the pupil and her parent/guardian will be warned that if her name appears more than once in the Detention Book, she may be advised to look for another school in September.

8. Fines will be imposed for smoking (€25) and for chewing gum (€12). In addition, smoking will incur a one-day suspension for a first offence and a two-day suspension for each offence thereafter.

9. Students may be excluded from activities organised by the school for breach of the Code of Behaviour.

 

The Principal and the Board of Management reserve the right to have the final say in all matters relating to Discipline.

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School Uniform

School Uniform

  • Pleated Check Skirt
  • Wine V-neck Jumper with School Crest
  • White Blouse
  • Navy Knee Length Socks/Tights
  • Navy Trousers (optional)
  • Black, Navy or Brown Shoes - in the interests of safety and comfort, shoes should be suitable for wearing all day and while travelling to and from school.
  • Plain Navy or Black Jacket or Coat (absolutely no trimmings/no denim)

P.E. Uniform

  • Navy and Wine School Tracksuit
  • White Polo Shirt with School Crest
  • Sports Runners (non-marking soles)
  • White Socks

We sincerely appeal to you as parents/guardians to see that your daughters are always dressed in School Uniform. Some pupils can be careless in this matter. Please encourage your daughters to take pride in their School Uniform. It is something always stressed in School, but without parental co-operation in this, our efforts are often frustrated.

If, for medical reasons, a pupil cannot wear full School Uniform, a doctor's note to that effect should be presented to the Year Head. Otherwise a pupil not wearing full School Uniform may be excluded from class or be offered a replacement uniform, if available.

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