POLICIES

SOUTHERNWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

GENERAL

INFORMATION

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

Educators, Education Assistants, Office Employees And Aftercare

Smart Casual
Uniform Committee
Approved Staff Apparel
No Revealing, Tight or Torn Clothing
Smart Casual Shoes (No Flip Flops)
No Slogans

Support Staff

School Work Clothing
No Revealing, Tight or Torn Clothing
Safety Boots / Shoes
No Slogans

EMPLOYEES

PREAMBLE

We As Educators Acknowledge:

That a sound attitude, dedication, self-discipline and adherence to a code of conduct are the cornerstones of good education.
That on-going training and personal development are crucial factors in the delivery of effective teaching to our learners.
That we will act in accordance with the ideals of our profession, behave in a professional, reputable and becoming manner, adhere to this Code of Conduct and avoid bringing the School or profession into disrepute.
That we recognise the necessity to uphold and promote basic human rights, balanced by adherence to basic human and professional responsibilities.
That we are subject to the disciplinary code and reasonable expectations of the school, and agree to accept such disciplinary structures which we may face in the performance of our duties, as well as any fair and reasonable action instituted against us, should we overstep the bound of common decency, professionalism or the provisions of this Code of Conduct.
That we pride ourselves on being experts in the field of EDUCATION and we commit ourselves to ongoing improvement of our knowledge in this field.

CONDUCT

OUR ACADEMIC CONDUCT

We Accept Our Responsibilities To:

Plan and prepare effectively for our teaching.
Deliver the total curriculum to the best of our ability.
Evaluate regularly our own work and that of our learners.
Tailor our teaching to the needs of the learners and the dictates of the subject syllabi, curricula and policies.
Analyse our performance against accepted norms within the profession, and allow others to appraise it within the limits required to ensure good governance, effective management and personal development.

Our Personal Conduct:

It is not possible to list the behaviour required of staff members in every circumstance. However, it is required of all members of staff to act, dress and see to their personal grooming, and to behave sensibly, decently and in accordance with the codes of behaviour generally accepted as a professional in education. This is so, even if such actions or behaviour are not specifically either required or barred in terms of the other sections of this code. Furthermore, throughout this code, the concept or term “behaviour” includes behaviour or actions in physical, written or verbal form, through signs or gestures, and cyber-behaviour; and both expectations and prohibitions apply equally in cyberspace.

In Pursuance Of The Above, We Undertake To:

Treat our learners with respect, cognisant of the dignity, individuality and rights of each individual.
Respect the dignity and individuality of our managers, colleagues and learners, and to act in accordance with such respect.
Respect and accept the authority and accountability of people vested therewith in terms of the organizational structure of the School.
Use appropriate language and behaviour in our interaction with others, at whatever level they operate, and follow the grooming, behavioural and attitudinal expectations of the school.
Avoid indolence or negligence in the performance of our duties.

PROFESSIONAL
INTERCATION

We acknowledge that we have a professional responsibility, and in this regard undertake to:

Participate in meetings, discussions and forums for debating or formulating school or educational policies and approaches.
Carry out to the best of our ability the expectations of the School concerning our professional development and performance.

CCTV CAMERAS

The School reserves the right to have CCTV cameras installed in any public area (except the bathrooms).
All evidence recorded on these cameras may be used as concrete evidence in any disciplinary action taken against an employee.

SMOKE FREE
ENVIRONMENT

The School provides a smoke free environment within its own premises for all employees and pupils. All staff, parents and visitors are expected to adhere to this policy, as governed by South African legislature.

TYPES OF
OFFENCES

This list of offences is not exhaustive and may be altered from time to time according to the discretion of the employer, subjected to a collective agreement.
The employee will be informed timeously of any amendments.

CODE OF
CONDUCT POLICY

In This Regard, The Following Specific Behaviours Are Expected Of All Staff:

Any criminal action by a member of staff, whether at school or not, will be regarded as a breach of this Code of Conduct, and the school will be entitled to take action against, and impose sanctions on, an employee found guilty of any criminal act.
All members of staff are expected to behave, dress and attend to their personal grooming in such a way that the good name of neither the school nor staff member is brought into disrepute.
Recognise and respect the differing customs and beliefs of the individuals and communities served by our school.
Exercise authority with compassion.
Takes reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the learners.
Refrains from undermining the status and authority of his/her colleagues.
Respects the various responsibilities assigned to colleagues and the authority that arises there from, to ensure the smooth running of the educational institution.
Uses proper procedures to address issues of professional incompetence or misbehaviour.
Promotes gender equality and refrains from sexual harassment (physical or otherwise) of his/her colleagues.
Uses appropriate language and behaviour in his/her interaction with colleagues.
Immoderate social behaviour (including abuse of alcohol or other dependence- producing substances) cannot be condoned in any environment where the member of staff concerned may be identified as a member of staff at Southernwood Primary School.
No member of staff may be in possession of, or use, any of the following on the school premises: drugs, chemical substances, alcoholic drinks, pornographic matter, weapons or other objects which could cause harm or injury. Drug or alcohol tests may be done at the discretion of the SMT. These prohibitions also apply in public, off the school premises and/or outside of school hours, if the teacher can be identified as a member of staff at the School.
Arrive timeously, attend regularly and perform our given tasks diligently for the full duration of each school or working day throughout the year.
The use of slovenly, uncouth, foul, threatening, blasphemous, sexist or racist language is not permitted.
Indiscreet sexual behaviour, bullying, the imposition of any form of corporal punishment or physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, or racist or sexist comments, remarks or actions are not acceptable.
Avoids any form of humiliation.
Except in the instances of emergency, the use of official telephones during working hours, (from 07:00AM to 14:00PM) for private purposes, is prohibited.
FACEBOOK during the school day is prohibited.
Information technology tools such as the internet represent a huge potential for abuse and inappropriate usage. Refrain from using email and the internet where such use:
– May damage the School’s reputation or its relationship with parents
– Is illegal, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, offensive or damaging
– May infringe copyright laws
– May introduce a virus or other malicious software to the School’s network; ·Keep desks tidy and lock away any items that could go astray – it is your responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of cash and valuables;
Southernwood Primary does not allow you to undertake employment or commit yourself to any other job for remuneration whilst you are employed by the school without express permission by the SGB chairperson and the principal.
The School has a no-nonsense attitude towards theft or dishonesty of any nature. Should there be an incident of theft/dishonesty, the School reserves the right to call in the services of a polygraphist to conduct polygraph tests(lie detector tests) on staff members.
The abuse of School resources is not condoned and is not part of professional behaviour.
Under no circumstances are you allowed to give your photostat access pin-code to any staff member/external persons. Should you not comply with the policy in this regard, any prints made on your code, will be charged to your name.
Refrain from inappropriate physical contact with learners and colleagues.
Refrains from any form of sexual relationship with learners and colleagues at the school.
It is required of staff members to carry out lawful and reasonable instructions given by anyone in authority.

minor offences

Intimidation.
Not informing employer of absence from work and expected date/time of resuming of duties.
Reporting late for work.
Leaving work early without the permission of the principal.
Away from workplace for excessive periods.
Taking excessive breaks or breaks that are longer than permitted.
Loafing / idleness.
Failure to produce a medical certificate when necessary.
Abuse of sick leave.
Sleeping at work.
Abuse, derogatory or insulting language.
Any other conduct affecting the business of the employer negatively.

SERIOUS BREACHES
OF THE CODE

Wilful damage of employer’s property.
Wilful endangering of the safety of others.
Assault and fighting in the workplace.
Love relationship with a colleague.
Sexual harassment of a serious nature.
Absent for longer than 3 working days (ongoing) without a medical certificate.
Submission of fraudulent qualifications.
Unauthorized use of property.
Sabotage.
Unregistered educators.
Divulging confidential information to unauthorised persons.
Giving false evidence/making false statements declaration.
Any other conducts which seriously impairs the relationship between employer and employee.
Negligence in performing duties.

SEVERE BREACHES
OF THE CODE

Rape.
Love relationship with a learner.
Under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs while on duty.
Gross insubordination.
Dishonesty (e.g. fraud, theft, corruption, etc).
Corporal punishment.
Serious undermining of colleagues.

conclussion

The code cannot on its own change the behaviour of our people.
We all need to conduct serious introspection of ourselves.
We need to be committed cadres of change and goodwill.
We need to see each other as partners and not as adversaries.

This Code of Conduct of Employees Policy of Southernwood Primary Full Service School is formulated and ratified by the School Governing Body

POLICIES

SOUTHERNWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

GENERAL

INFORMATION

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

EMPLOYEES

PREAMBLE

CONDUCT

PROFESSIONAL
INTERCATION

CCTV CAMERAS

SMOKE FREE
ENVIRONMENT

TYPES OF
OFFENCES

CODE OF
CONDUCT POLICY

minor offences

SERIOUS BREACHES
OF THE CODE

SEVERE BREACHES
OF THE CODE

conclussion

ADDRESS LIST

USEFUL LINKS

Website Developed & Maintained by: The Creative Group, South Africa

GENERALINFORMATION

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

EMPLOYEES

PREAMBLE

CONDUCT

PROFESSIONALINTERCATION

CCTV CAMERAS

SMOKE FREEENVIRONMENT

TYPES OFOFFENCES

CODE OFCONDUCT POLICY

minor offences

SERIOUS BREACHESOF THE CODE

SEVERE BREACHESOF THE CODE

conclussion

ADDRESS LIST

USEFUL LINKS

Website Developed & Maintained by: The Creative Group, South Africa

GENERAL

INFORMATION

PROFESSIONAL
INTERCATION

SMOKE FREE
ENVIRONMENT

TYPES OF
OFFENCES

CODE OF
CONDUCT POLICY

SERIOUS BREACHES
OF THE CODE

SEVERE BREACHES
OF THE CODE