Rights
As a pupil of Galashiels Academy, you have the right to attend school and learn in safety, free from humiliation, oppression and abuse. Research shows that bullying occurs out of the school classroom and in the playground and, if bullies are not restrained, they can create a climate of fear which can affect everyone.
The Buddy System
Every S1 pupil in the Academy has a 6th year 'Buddy'. The role of the 6th year Buddy is to listen to any problems, help out if they can and, when appropriate, let Pastoral Care teachers know about any worries.
P7 pupils will meet their Buddies for the first time during the P7 visit every June. Many 6th year students will have more than one buddy, so a little group is formed.
During the session, Buddies will arrange to meet with the S1 pupils, both formally by attending the S1 Social Education classes, and informally, by for example arranging to meet at break or at lunchtime.
We have found that S1 pupils are delighted to know that they can approach one of the seniors with any concerns they might have - sometimes it's easier to speak to your Buddy than to a teacher.
Responsibilities
The School has 4 school rules which are outlined below: -
- You must arrive punctually to classes.
- You must come to class prepared to work.
- You may only be out of class during class time if they have a permission card.
- Both inside and outside class, you must conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.
Each subject teacher will explain in more detail to you exactly what is expected of you under each heading.
Rewards
An important part of our Behavioural Policy is to recognise, reward and reinforce good work, good behaviour and good attendance. This is done in a number of ways:
- verbal praise by staff
- certificate of Commendation - for non-curricular achievement
- certificate of Academic Endeavour - for high levels of effort in class
- certificate of Academic Attainment - for achieving high grades in subject examinations
- opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities
Breaches of discipline do occur. The school operates the following system of sanctions as consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
Teacher Sanctions
- Verbal Warning
- Punishment exercise
- Move seat in class
- Remove to corridor for a short period of time
- Short Interval Detention
- Temporarily remove to another class
- Confiscation of an item
Principal Teacher Sanctions
- Departmental detention accompanied by letter home
- Departmental behaviour card accompanied by letter home
- Departmental agreement accompanied by letter
- Permanent move to another class in the department and letter home
Senior Management Team Sanctions
- Lunctime detention and letter home
- Invitation to meet with parents
- House behaviour card accompanied by letter home
- Suspension from school activities for a period and letter home
- Modification of timetable and letter home
- Exclusion (in extreme cases)
Looking after the School Environment
As a proud member of the Galashiels Academy community, you will be expected to treat its environment and the environment around the school with respect. One way in which we can do this is by not throwing down litter.
Packaging
It is sometimes difficult to know what to do with the various bits of packaging and wrapping which come with your packed lunches or school meal, but there are plenty of waste bins around the school, which you can use and which are regularly emptied by the janitors.
Litter Bins
Please use these bins so that we don't have to send our hard-working janitors on more frequent litter duties!
Behaviour on School Buses
Galashiels Academy is often judged by the behaviour of its pupils and travelling on a school bus is one way of demonstrating good behaviour and improving our status in the area. There is no regular supervision on buses except by the driver. Occasionally, some routes are accompanied by Community Wardens whose job is to ensure passenger safety. Certainly, bad behaviour not only inconveniences fellow pupils and members of the travelling public, it also gives a bad impression of the school and could lead to accidents.
In extreme cases of poor behaviour, drivers have authority to confiscate bus passes and report misbehaviour to the school. Repeated instances of misbehaviour may result in bus passes being removed for a period of time and ultimately permanently. The school will keep your parents informed if there is a problem regarding your poor behaviour on the buses.
