PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

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Definition of a Professional Learning Environment

 

An effective professional learning community can promote and sustain the training of all professionals and other staff in the school community with the collective purpose of enhancing pupil learning.

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What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)

A school that operates as a Professional Learning Centre engages the entire group of professionals in learning within a supportive community. Teacher and administrator learning is more complex and more fruitful in a social setting where participants can interact, test their ideas, and challenge their interferences and interpretations, and process new information within a group. When new ideas are processed in interaction with others, multiple sources of knowledge and expertise expand and test the new concepts as part of the learning experience. The Professional Learning Centre provides a setting that is richer and more stimulating. Embedded in this Professional Learning Centre is discipline.

 

 

In a professional learning community, there is a focus on learning rather than on teaching. The idea of community is crucial to the success of professional learning communities. Professional learning communities judge their effectiveness based on results. Working together to improve learner achievement becomes the routine work of everyone in the school with the ultimate goal of preparing the learners for life after school.

 

The disciplinary system at Walvis Bay Private School encourages positive behaviour.  However, there is a need to balance it with the reality that all children prosper in an environment where there are boundaries, structures and routines. When a child chooses to cross a boundary, there must be consequences. This enables a child to learn responsibility and respect for authority.

 

 

 

The disciplinary system is a huge and difficult responsibility. To maintain a culture of teaching and learning, there must be a climate of order. The merit system was developed to enhance the disciplinary system at the school and relies on all role-players to make an informed decision to deal decisively, but effectively with the child.

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• Star charts (Grade 1 to 3) - Interviews with a Head of Grade

• Challenge charts (Grades 1 to 3) - Interview with parents/guardians

• Positive reports (Grade 4 to 12) - Internal disciplinary investigation

• Awareness notes (Grade 4) - Isolation

• Parent notifications (Grades 5 to 12) - Written warning

• Study classes - Suspension

• Detention - Disciplinary hearing

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THE VARIOUS LEVELS IN OUR DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM:

• These levels are not necessarily consecutive. The punishment must fit the transgression.

• Parents are encouraged to support, rather than challenge the school’s disciplinary system.

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THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER

• The class or subject teacher is responsible for the behaviour of his/her class. The parents, who are the primary educators, are assisted by the teachers to guide the learner towards being a responsible adult.

• The class or subject teacher spends a great part of the day with the child and in some cases far more time interacting with the child than the parent can. The teacher’s role as a nurturer becomes vital.

• The teacher encourages the learners by issuing stars, celebrating successes, and giving learners positive attention.

• It is sometimes necessary for the teacher to step out of the role of nurturer into that of disciplinarian. The positive attention gives way to disciplinary measures which may include an awareness note, detention, verbal warning, interview with parents and isolation.

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DISCIPLINE IN THE JUNIOR PRIMARY PHASE (GRADE 1 TO 3)

• The learners in the Junior Primary Phase are taught by their class teacher. Thus, a hands-on approach is followed. The teacher can track the learner’s behaviour and emotional well-being throughout the day and week. The classification of transgressions is uniform for all grades in the school, but the consequences are managed differently for Grades 1 to 3. We make use of a star chart.

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STAR CHART

• Each class has a board with three columns: green, orange and red.

• At the beginning of the week, all the learners’ names are in the green column.

• A learner receives 3 warnings for bad behaviour or transgressions, after which the learner will receive an “X”.

• Three ”X’s” and the learner’s name will move from the green column to the orange column.

• Three more warnings, followed by the “X’s”, will move the learner’s name from orange to the red column.

• At the end of each week, the learner receives a star:

• If the learner’s name is in the green column, the learner will receive a gold star.

• If the learner’s name is in the orange column, the learner will receive a silver star.

• If the learner’s name is in the red column, the learner will receive a red star.

• These stars are posted on the learner’s Star chart.

• On Monday the Star chart is sent home for the parents to sign. The learners move back to green, and everyone starts with a clean slate.

• At least 70% of the stars must be gold for the learner to be awarded a Merit button at the end of the term.

• The class teacher keeps a record of the transgressions (“X’s”) for feedback to the parents.

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TRANSGRESSIONS

ORDINARY OFFENCES

GRADE A

• Homework not done / incomplete or unsatisfactory work or homework

• Books left at home

• Coming late / unpunctuality

• Unacceptable language usage

• Disrespectful behaviour or disobedience

• Failing a topic test (under 40%)

• Failing a blitz test (under 50%)

• PT clothes left at home / not wearing the correct uniform (see School Uniform Policy)

• Eating in class/chewing bubblegum

• Not returning a signed document

• Copying work / Allowing work to be copied

• Doing homework in register class

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GRADE B

• Disrupting a class

• Unacceptable appearance or hairstyle (see Hair Policy and School Uniform Policy)

• In possession of a cell phone during school hours (see Cell Phone Policy)

• Unauthorised driving on school grounds, driving a vehicle on the school grounds without a valid license or permission from the principal. (see Vehicle Policy)

• Undermining the authority of teachers, monitors or prefects

• Unauthorised absenteeism from lessons, school or school activities (see Absenteeism Policy)

• Dishonesty

• Cheating during examinations or tests

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CONSEQUENCES

GRADE 4

• If a learner transgresses, an Awareness note is completed and sent home. The parent(s) or guardian(s) sign the document to indicate that they take note of the transgression and send the Awareness note back to school.

• The register teacher will contact the parents and arrange for a consultative meeting if the learner’s behaviour profile is of concern. The Head of Department, the class teacher, the principal and the parents are present at such a meeting.

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GRADES 5 TO 12

GRADE A - ORDINARY OFFENCES

• A parent notification is completed if a learner transgresses with a Grade A ordinary offence.

• The date, the teacher involved and the transgression are noted and both the learner and teacher sign the report. The transgression is entered into the administrative program, Edupac, and the parents receive a notification (via sms) that a transgression took place.

• The SMS that the parents receive only informs the parents about the type of transgression.

• It is expected that the parents and the learner discuss the incident and the learner informs the parents about the details of the transgression.

• Parents are welcome to contact the school if they are unsure of the information they received.

• Homework not done and unsatisfactory work:

• An SMS will go out to the parents that the learner will have to sit study class the next day to do or redo the homework.

• It would have been ideal if the learner could do this study class on the same day as the transgression, but logistically it is not possible.

• A learner can be put in detention after the third negative report in a term.

• A notice is sent out to the parents via SMS, informing them of the date of the detention class.

• If a learner receives detention for the second time in any given term, he/she will receive a written warning. This is sent to the parents.

• This letter must be signed and sent back to the school.

• The Head of Grade will contact the parents and arrange for a consultative meeting if the learner’s academic profile is of concern.

• The Internal Disciplinary Committee will contact the parents if they are concerned about the learner’s behaviour.

• Parents may contact the Internal Disciplinary Committee if they are concerned about the learner’s conduct.

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GRADE B ORDINARY OFFENCES

• The learner is sent to one of the members of the Internal Disciplinary Committee.

• The member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee investigates the transgression and after deliberating on all the available evidence, has an interview with the learner, and if it is deemed necessary, the parents.

• The member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee completes the Ordinary Offence Transgression Report form. This form is sent to be processed on Edupac and filed.

• The member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee may refer the matter to the whole committee if further investigation is needed.

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SERIOUS OFFENCES

• Bullying, stalking, cyberbullying and cyberstalking

 

• Bringing the school’s name in disrepute. This includes harming the reputation of the school and any of the teachers or coaches involved at Walvis Bay Private School. This transgression includes spreading untruths either through gossiping or via cyber platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, etc.

• Possession of pornographic material

• Blatant disregard of examination regulations, pattern of absenteeism, e.g. being absent on test days

• Unexcused absenteeism (for ten consecutive days or ten non-consecutive days over six months, up to a total of 21 days)

• The use and/or possession of alcohol in public and/or on school grounds (see Substance Abuse Policy)

• Under the influence of intoxicating liquor – either in or outside of school

• Smoking during school activities, possession of tobacco products, vaping or possession of electronic cigarettes, or smoking or possession of hookah pipes while wearing school uniform (see Substance Abuse Policy)

• Vandalism (see Vandalism Policy)

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CONSEQUENCES

ALL GRADES

 

• Transgression of serious offences could result in immediate isolation.

• Depending on the nature of the transgression, a learner can be isolated until the investigation of the case is complete. This can be to a maximum of 5 school days.

• The learner will receive notice of an internal disciplinary investigation.

• A meeting will be scheduled with the parents, where the parents will be notified of the disciplinary investigation.

• The Internal Disciplinary Committee may decide, after weighing all the evidence in the investigation, to refer the case to the Board of Directors for a formal disciplinary hearing.

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VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES

• Continuation of serious offences, despite the corrective measures provided by the Internal Disciplinary Committee.

• Dealing in, use or possession of prohibited or dangerous dependence-producing drugs or potentially dangerous dependence-producing drugs. (This includes alcohol and any other drugs like dagga, ecstasy, cocaine, etc.)

  • Forging documents

  • Possession of weapons, including knives, during any school activity

  • Sabotage

  • Fighting (impulsive actions)

  • Physical assault and/or assault by threat

  • Assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. (This is where a learner uses a weapon to assault another, like a knife, shoes, feet, knuckle duster, cricket bat, piece of wood, or anything that is not a bare hand or fist.)

  • Sexual harassment (including being harassed via any cyber platform)

  • Theft

  • Being convicted of any criminal offence.

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CONSEQUENCES

ALL GRADES

• Transgression of any of the very serious offences will result in immediate suspension and a meeting with the parents, where they will receive notice of a disciplinary hearing.

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WE REMIND ALL LEARNERS AND PARENTS THAT:

• The above sanctions are standard responses to particular offences. This school’s application of the standard procedures and sanctions takes place after careful consideration is given to the circumstances of the learner, the nature of the offence and the of the learner’s behaviour effect upon the school community.

• The school reserves the right to refer any incident involving criminal behaviour to the Namibian Police for investigation and possible sanction.

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GRADES 4 TO 12

• All the positive and negative reports, Grade B ordinary offence transgressions and written warnings are entered into Edupac and filed in the learner’s file.

• The file is available to learners and their parents.

• This system teaches the learners to take responsibility for their own actions.

• It enables the Principal, Heads of Grades and Internal Disciplinary Committee and the Head of the Anchor Centre to detect problems early.

• The parents are kept informed about the child’s academic performance.

• The learners know what and where the boundaries are.

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MERIT POINTS

• Each learner starts with 100 merit points each term.

• They earn points for Positive reports, meeting their academic standard, and being a positive ambassador for the school. Any achievement is also rewarded.

• They lose points for Negative reports, not meeting their target marks, transgressions and written warnings.

• At the end of each term, the points are added up. The Internal Disciplinary Committees decide on a minimum number of points that a learner must have accumulated to be able to study at home for the examination.

• The learners receive a letter informing them and their parents whether they are allowed to study at home. This letter must be signed by the parents/guardians and sent back to the school.

• Learners who obtained an above-average number of points (to be determined by the Internal Disciplinary Committees) will receive a merit button. The first button is bronze. If the learner meets the standard for a second button, the bronze button is replaced by a silver button. The learner will receive a gold button for meeting the standard a third time.

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POSITIVE REPORTS

• Learners receive positive reports for meeting their target marks in Topic tests.

• Positive reports are also given to learners for doing their homework regularly or delivering a project of an exceptional standard.

• Learners can also receive positive reports for showing commitment to an activity at school, or for showing a positive attitude towards the school for a period of time.

• The merit system is built around the concept of positive recognition and care must be taken to not use the positive reports as a barter item.

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WHAT IS A TARGET MARK?

• Topic tests are vital to the learner’s continuous assessment each term. The test timetable will be published in the first newsletter of the term.

• If a learner fails a test, he/she will lose 10 merit points. The parents are notified via SMS that the learner failed a test in a specific subject. Learners should receive their test marks no longer than 4 days after the test was written. The pass mark is 40% for all tests written in Grades 4 to 12.

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WHAT IS DETENTION?

• A learner who received 3 or more negatives may be put in detention.

• The learner is notified on Thursday and a letter is sent to the parents which must be signed and sent back. The detention takes place on Mondays from 14h00 until 15h00.

• The parents are notified via SMS on the Friday prior to the detention date. The learner is issued with a detention letter, Edupac Individual Conduct Report, detailing the transgressions. This report must be signed and returned to school.

• The learners are required to do written homework or summaries during this period. They are not allowed to read books or draw for leisure. If a learner has Design and Technology as a subject, the designs may be drawn during detention.

• A teacher will invigilate this detention.

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WHAT IS STUDY CLASS?

• Study class operates for Grades 8 to 12 only.

• It is imperative that the learners do their homework every day.

• If the homework is not done or the teacher is not satisfied with the standard of work done, the learner will receive a negative report about the incident. The parents will receive an SMS informing them about the work not done or not done properly, and that the learner must report for study class the following day.

• Study classes are from 14h00 until 15h00 and are supervised by a teacher. Learners in the study class will be expected to do their written homework during that period.

• A learner who does not report to the study class will be put on detention the next Monday.

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WHAT IS ISOLATION?

• Isolation is a period determined by the Internal Disciplinary Committees. The learner is separated from the classroom environment and required to spend the day at a desk in the Office Area, Anchor Centre or Academic Centre.

• The learner reports to the member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee in charge of the case each morning. Work is set and monitored by the subject teachers. Breaktime is spent isolated from peers.

• This procedure is designed to be a cooling-off period. The learner must use this time to reflect on his/her actions that demanded this disciplinary measure.

• Recommend expulsion to the Regional Director.

• The decision of the Board of Directors Disciplinary Committee is noted in the Disciplinary hearing form, signed by the chairperson of the hearing committee, the learner and the parents. One copy is filed and one is sent to the Inspector. In case of expulsion, a copy, together with all relevant documents, is sent to the Regional Director.

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WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN INTERNAL DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION?

• The parents and the learner receive a written notice about the date and time of the hearing.

• Present at such a hearing are: the Principal, Members of the Internal Disciplinary Committee at the school, the learner and his/her parents. The Head of the Anchor Centre is present when the case requires her expertise. Other persons concerned, e.g. teachers or witnesses, may be invited as well.

• The member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee that handles the case presents the learners' profile and lays out the evidence. The learner is then invited to state his/her case.

• There is often a discussion between the parents and the members of the Internal Disciplinary Committee.

• After the hearing, the Internal Disciplinary Committee may decide to:

• Issue some form of punishment

• Recommend some external treatment or help

• Recommend suspension for a few school days (maximum 5 school days). If a learner is suspended, he/she may not take part in any school activities during that period.

• The learner is, however, expected to keep up with his/her academic program. Any tests or examinations written in that period will be facilitated by the Head of the Anchor Centre.

• Issue a written warning

• Referral to the Board of Directors’ Disciplinary Committee.

• The decision of the Internal Disciplinary Committee is noted in the Internal Disciplinary

• Hearing form, signed by the principal, the learner and the parents. One copy is filed.

• The learner and his/her parents have an opportunity to appeal the decision of the Internal Disciplinary Committee within 24 hours of the Internal Disciplinary Investigation.

• The Internal Disciplinary Committee may, after reviewing all the evidence, refer the case to the Board of Directors’ Disciplinary Committee for a Disciplinary Hearing.

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WHAT HAPPENS AT A FORMAL DISCIPLINARY HEARING?

• The parents and the learner receive a written notice about the date and time of the hearing.

• Present at such a hearing are: two members of the Board of Directors (one member will preside as the Chairman of the Hearing), the principal, the learner and his/her parents and members of the Internal Disciplinary Committee of the school. Other persons concerned, e.g. teachers or witnesses, may be invited as well.

• The member of the Internal Disciplinary Committee in charge of the case presents the learner’s profile to the Board and the learner has the opportunity to state his/her case. The input of the parents is expected and necessary.

• After the hearing, the Disciplinary Committee may decide to:

• Issue some form of punishment

• Recommend suspension for a few school days (maximum 10 school days). If a learner is suspended, he/she may not take part in any school activities during that period. The learner is, however, expected to keep up with his/her academic program. Any tests or examinations written in that period will be handled by the Head of the Anchor Centre.

• Issue a written warning

• Issue a final warning in writing

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WHAT IS A HEAD OF GRADE?

• The Heads of Grades are appointed to assist the learners and their subject teachers in the progress of the academic program. If the learner’s lack of progress is due to some form of emotional distress, the Head of Grade refers the learner to the Head of the Anchor Centre. If the learner’s lack of progress is due to disciplinary or behavioural issues, the learner is referred to the Internal Disciplinary Committee. Feedback to the Head of Grade is expected and imperative.

• The Heads of Grades will decide on the action that should be taken: Interview with the learner, profile form, discussion with parents or referral to the councillors.

• The Heads of Grades circulate learner profiles of the identified learners. One copy of the profile form is kept in the Head of Grade file and one is filed in the learner’s personal file.

• The Heads of Grades act as a link between the teaching staff, the learners and the office.

• They keep the staff informed about specific information regarding learners under investigation.

• The Heads of Grades make sure that the teachers are aware of individual learners’ study difficulties. Parents inform the office which, in turn, will inform Heads of Grades.

• If a teacher has information regarding a particular learner, this information should be given to the Head of Grade, Internal Disciplinary Committee and the Head of the Anchor Centre before it is made available to the staff in general.

• If a teacher has a particular query about a learner, the Head of Grade should be notified, so that he/she can arrange for a learner profile at the next meeting.

• It is important to note that complaints about learners with behavioural and disciplinary problems are dealt with by the Internal Disciplinary Committee.

• Minutes must be taken of all discussions.

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WHAT IS THE INTERNAL DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE?

• There are two Internal Disciplinary Committees at the school: one that functions in the Primary

• Phase (Gr 1 to 7) and one that functions in the Secondary Phase. The Principal is the Chairman of both the committees, and he appoints the teachers who will serve on these committees.

• The Internal Disciplinary Committee handles all matters regarding discipline. All transgressions from Ordinary Offences Grade B to Very Serious Offences. If a learner commits any of these offences, the learner is sent to a member of this committee. It is important that the Internal Disciplinary Committee Report form be completed and processed on Edupac. This committee should meet regularly to keep each other up to date.

• The Internal Disciplinary Committee liaise with the Head of Grade, the Head of Anchor Centre, the register teacher and the subject teachers.

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WHAT IS A LEARNER PROFILE?

• The subject teachers complete a Learner Profile when requested by the Principal or the Head of Grade.

• The Learner Profile makes provision for the teacher to summarise the learner’s academic progress and behaviour in class.