POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
Codes of Conduct
St. Mary’s School follows the policies set out by the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA). These policies can be found on the CISVA website.
Student Code of Conduct
The staff at St. Mary’s School is committed to ensuring that our school environment is safe and inclusive for all students. The school promotes a culture in which everyone is valued as a unique gift from God and where individual cultures, ethnicity, talents, ability levels, and learning styles are celebrated. All students should be able to learn in an atmosphere free from intolerance, harassment and bullying.
Students are expected to display Reverence, Respect and Responsibility.
- Be an example of God’s loving presence in your thoughts, words, and actions.
- Treat each other and staff members with respect
- Respect the property of others
- Follow school guidelines regarding behaviour and safety
- Take responsibility for his/her own learning
The aim of the school is to encourage the development of self-discipline. Students are expected to behave in a respectful and responsible manner. Incidents of unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with promptly. Expectations for students are consistent but consequences may vary depending on the age of the student, the offense, and the circumstances. Communication with parents and their support is critical. The monitoring of unacceptable behaviour is primarily the responsibility of the teacher directly involved with the student. He/she will take whatever steps are deemed necessary to deal with the specific situation in a manner most suitable for the individual concerned. If the teacher cannot effect a change in the student’s pattern of behaviour the student will be referred to the Principal or Vice-Principal. The matter will be reported to parents either verbally or in writing. It is the responsibility of the parent to support the school in disciplinary matters.
You will be asked to cooperate with the school in finding ways to encourage the student to behave in an appropriate manner. If warranted, a plan will be put in place by the school team. If the unacceptable behaviour persists, despite parent and school intervention, the student may be placed on a school suspension as outline by CISVA Policy 426.
Certain serious student behaviours, such as fighting, theft, vandalism, willful disobedience or disrespect, bullying, purposeful and serious injury to the character or person of others, will result in a suspension for the student for a specific period of time under the CISVA policy of suspension and expulsion at the discretion of the principal. In this event, parents will be notified as soon as possible. The Principal will inform the Pastor and the Parish Education Committee Chairperson. The child will not be re-admitted to classes without a parent/teacher/Principal conference. If the Principal concludes a student's behaviour may warrant expulsion, the Parish Education Committee will meet to consider such action.
