Code of conduct

Rygaards International School is our mutual workplace. So that all of us can thrive, there needs to be a good working climate, characterized by mutual respect between children and adults. This includes respect for another’s culture and property, as well as respect for the school and all that belongs to it, following the school’s Values. 

All students have, in cooperation with the parents, a common goal, which is to aim their efforts towards the school’s goals, vision and mission. In this way, respect, equality and tolerance, in both words and deeds, will help the school to be a safe place, and all are expected to contribute actively towards this.

In practice this means that:

• All should experience respect so that no one is subject to degrading or offensive behaviour.
• A person’s commitment to learning and making the most of the educational opportunities given should not be restricted or impeded in any way by disrespectful or intimidating behaviour by others.
• Everyone accepts responsibility for his/her own behaviour and shows due regard for others, both on and off the school grounds.

Rewards
In the International Primary School, we reward children for outstanding progress in their individual learning. This may include verbal praise, written praise, stickers or star charts etc. Examples of excellent work may be shown in assembly. Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 hand out certificates in assemblies for effort, progress or for modelling the school’s values programme. Our Marking Policy outlines the positive and encouraging system that we have in place for the praise of good work.

In Secondary School, Certificates of Merits are awarded by subject teachers for work that is of a very high standard or for excellent effort. These certificates are presented to the pupils in the closing ceremony at the end of the school year.
A celebration evening is held every year, where certificates are awarded to the graduating Y11 students.
Special projects may also be celebrated by publishing them on the school website.

Events like Sports Day, Theme Week, drama productions, musicals, class church services etc. provide opportunities for many children to experience success and be rewarded for their actions.

Differentiation
The school recognises individuals’ achievements as well as pure academic success. A significant improvement in behaviour or effort is an area which is to be encouraged and will be rewarded.
Progress, effort and improvement is recognised on an individual basis.

Restorative Measures, Sanctions & Interventions
Most cases of misbehavour will be dealt with as they happen – in the classroom, in the playground or on a school trip. In these cases, the teacher on duty will intervene immediately and will follow up with the class teacher. The Head of School may become involved in the more serious cases. Restorative measures may include the child apologising verbally and in writing as well as engaging in conversation leading to an acknowledgement of making better choices in the future. In cases where several students are involved, intervention might be in the form of “Circle Time” for the whole class.

A serious/repeated incident will be reported to the child’s class teacher. If necessary, parents will be informed. Children causing concern are discussed at team meetings and interventions discussed. A plan of action is put in place to monitor the behaviour of the student.
Serious matters, such as bullying, are brought to the attention of the appropriate Head Teacher. Please refer to the Anti Bullying Policy for specific information about bullying.

Exclusion
A pupil’s evasion of the school’s Code of Conduct can lead to:

• A dialogue with the pupil followed by a written warning that is sent home.
• A dialogue with the pupil and the parents together with the leadership, where an agreement is signed.
• Suspension for a shorter or longer period.
• Permanent Exclusion in serious cases.

The school alone decides on the consequence resulting from a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Suspension: A pupil may be sent home by the Head Teacher if they misbehave, usually for no more than a few days. This time should be used by the child to reflect on their behaviour, and to think about how to restore the situation and their relationship with others involved. Before the pupil is actually sent home, the parents will be informed by telephone– giving reasons and saying when the child may return. This will be followed up in writing, and a meeting with the parents will be organised. It is imperative that the parents cooperate with the school in resolving the situation for the sake of their child as well as the other pupils in the school.

Withdrawal of pupil: If this combined effort does not have the desired effect or breaks down, then the parents will be asked to find another school for their child. They will be asked to fill in a notice of withdrawal immediately.

Permanent Exclusion can be carried out only by the Principal, and as a last resort.

All of the above is in accordance with Danish legislation and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

March 2024

APPENDIX TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT AT RYGAARDS SCHOOL

Teachers should sit with their classes for the lunch break. When the bell rings at 11:50 the teacher dismisses the class, opens the windows, and leaves two monitors in the classroom to wipe the tables, sweep, empty the bin and take the milk and food bag back, closing the classroom door as they leave.  At the end of the last lesson, the teacher is responsible for making sure the children have put the chairs up, the monitors have swept the floor, the windows are closed, the lights are switched off and the door is closed.

Pupils

All students should go outside directly at break time (except Y10 and Y11). The children in the Annex remain in the Annex area. Reception class and Y1 have staggered play times, where they use the playground by the New Gym as well as the “Forest”.

 

• Y2-Y5 and the 4^th grades should use the playground by the New Gym, the “Forest,” the court area behind the New Gym and the climbing wall.
• Y6-Y7 and the 5^th-6^th grades should use the “Four square” area and the “triangle” area by MEB.
• Y8 and the 7^th grades should use the small football court and the area on the paths in front of the main building towards the park.
• Y9-Y11 and the 8^th-9^th grades should use the basketball court, the outdoor classroom, and the gravel area in front of the main building by the friendship bench.
• Y10-Y11 and the 8^th-9^th grades are allowed to stay inside during the lunch break.
• Y10-Y11 and the 8^th-9^th grades are also allowed to leave the school grounds during the lunch break.
• No student in the International School may leave the school grounds without a teacher’s permission.

In the event of rain, the bell will ring three times and all pupils should go in except for children in full rain gear who are allowed to stay outside. Teachers on duty should divide into those outside and those on corridor duty.

In the event of snow, children are allowed to play with the snow to make snowmen and so on but not to kick or throw snow at others. Snowballs may be thrown only inside the fence of the Basketball Court.

The Park

• Playing on the grass is allowed during set times of year when the weather permits.
• Everyone should look after the bushes and the trees, as well as the fences surrounding the lawns.
• The park is an area where people should be able to walk safely. Therefore, cycling is not permitted.
• As some children are allergic to animals, pets may not be brought onto the school grounds.

Personal Items

• Bicycles are one’s own responsibility and must be placed in the assigned cycle racks.
• Skateboards, scooters, roller skates and other dangerous toys must not be used at school.
• Hats and caps may not be worn indoors.
• Chewing gum is not allowed anywhere.
• Mobile phones may be brought to school, if necessary, but they must be switched off during school and SFO hours and kept at the bottom of the school bag out of sight. In Y7-Y9, mobile phones are handed to the teacher at the beginning of the school day and locked away until home time.
• Laptops are the responsibility of the owner and should be kept locked in a locker when not in use. Laptops should be used for educational purposes only and be switched off during the breaks.
• All valuables brought to school are one’s own responsibility.

Dress Code

At Rygaards, we have families from many different backgrounds and cultures. Our policy is to practise cultural harmony – caring for and showing respect for each other’s views. This, too, must be shown by the way the students dress. We do not wish to offend anyone’s concept of what is proper or decent. Instead, we wish to strengthen the students’ ability to choose appropriate attire that suits the occasion.

All parents are expected to support the school in upholding this policy.

To gain respect, one needs to show respect.

All rules should be respected, so Rygaards is a lovely place to be for everyone.