Students have a right to:

• a clean, safe and pleasant learning environment
• feel secure from physical, verbal and written harassment
• be treated in a fair, consistent and respectful manner
• receive the best education programme to meet their needs

Students have a responsibility to:

• attend school regularly and on time
• come to school in full uniform
• act safely in everyone’s interest
• accept the consequences of their actions
• practise good health habits
• be honest, polite and obedient
• adhere to school rules
• show respect for the rights, feelings and property of students, teachers, other staff, volunteers and school visitors

Teachers have the right to:

• expect students to relate to them in a co-operative, respectful and attentive manner
• receive support from parents and the school’s administration
• experience a clean, safe and pleasant working environment
• feel secure from physical, verbal and written harassment

Teachers have the responsibility to:

• carry out the duties assigned to them conscientiously
• interest themselves and put into practice the charism of the Franciscan Sisters who run the school
• plan their lessons thoroughly beforehand
• follow the Ministry of Education’s guidelines and expectations
• set good examples by the way that they dress, behave and respect others
• keep parents informed regarding the observed behaviour and academic progress of their child throughout the year
• use a variety of strategies to provide effective educational experiences for students

Parents have the right to:

• expect the best educational programme for their child, in a positive, safe and clean learning environment
• expect the school to be run in an orderly and productive manner
• be informed of their child’s progress and development
• speak to the Senior Management Team or their child’s teacher if and when a problem arises

Parents have the responsibility to:

• work hand in hand with the school’s staff to ensure the best opportunity for their child’s learning and success at school
• speak to the school’s Senior Management team whenever they encounter any difficulties or have any concerns. This stops small problems from becoming large ones
• send their child to school regularly and punctually, and properly prepared with respect to clothing, nutrition, school needs and personal hygiene
• inform the school when the child will be away from school due to illness. Refrain from sending their child to school if he/she is unwell.
• keep staff informed about situations that may affect their child’s learning
• encourage a positive attitude towards learning: instil in their child a desire to learn
• check that homework and study is done
• teach their child, by word and example, respect for the authority of the school and for the rights and property of others

1. Students should come to school in full uniform.  The girls’ hair ought to be tied up while the boys need to have their hair cut short.  All school items should be clearly marked with the child’s name.
2. If a student becomes ill while at school, parents are informed.  If the student has an injury that warrants medical treatment, the child will be taken to the nearest clinic or hospital until the parents arrive.
3. Students need to be kind and respectful in speech and actions.  They ought to speak in a low voice and never raise their voice when speaking to their elders. Courtesy is expected towards all members of the school community, i.e. staff, students, visitors
4. Students must respect school property (building, furniture, resources etc.) It is important that they keep the classrooms, yards, gym and bathrooms clean and make use of the rubbish bins provided.
5. Mobile phones are prohibited

1. Students should participate in all that is done in class. They must do nothing to keep the teacher from teaching and the students, including themselves, from learning.
2. Students need to remember that they are responsible for their own learning.  So they must pay attention during lessons and don’t try to waste their time, or that of others. Failure to demonstrate effort, interest and pride in their work will lead to unacceptable standards of work.
3. Students must do all the work assigned to them, both in the classroom and at home. A regular programme of homework and study is essential. If set homework is not done, a student will fall behind in his/her work.
4. The lockers in the classroom have been provided by the school so that students do not have to carry heavy satchels to and from school.  However they must ensure that they do not leave books in the locker which they will need at home. Each student is responsible in keeping the locker clean and undamaged.  He/she must not leave money or valuables in the locker.One’s locker can be searched whenever the school administration deems fit.
5. When it is necessary to move from one place to another, this should be done quietly and quickly, without any loss of time.

1. The school has adopted a healthy food policy.  Students’ lunches should not include sweets, fruit juices and salty snacks. Instead one  can bring fruit, cereals, a sandwich and water.  Students ought to bring a napkin which is placed on the desk before one starts eating.
2. Students must listen to and follow the directions of the person in charge during break time.
3. One needs to ask permission to enter the classroom during break.
4. While playing, students must use good sportsmanship – fighting is prohibited. Aggressive behaviour is not a responsible way to interact with others. Insults, disrespect and other hurtful acts disrupt the enjoyment of playing together. Students must seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.
5. Students must keep the bathrooms and grounds clean and they should make use of the bins provided.
6. When the bell goes, students must line up promptly and quietly.

1. Students ought to exit the school in an orderly manner:  there must not be any rushing and pushing.
2. Students are not allowed to enter the school premises after school hours without permission.
3. If a student has to leave school early, the Head must be notified before the parents call for him/her.

The Head and teachers of St Francis School respond with zero tolerance to all known acts of bullying.  We are committed to supporting a safe and secure environment.  Zero tolerance means that every  act of bullying will be addressed.  The method of addressing the act will depend on the age of the child and the nature and severity of the incident.  Bullying makes a person feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, offended or scared.  We want our students to know that help is available and they do not have to tolerate these unacceptable behaviour at school or anywhere. Students are encouraged and expected to report all forms of bullying, vandalism and other abusive acts. They must speak up and seek help from someone they trust – a teacher, the Head, the spiritual director, a parent.

Discipline is necessary to assure an orderly environment in which each person may live and learn to his/her full potentiality in harmony with others.  When self-control falters and self-discipline fails, disciplinary forces outside the individual must be imposed to protect the rights of others and to ensure uninterrupted instruction by teachers to students.  When intervention is required to help students follow the Code of Conduct, the following actions may be taken:

• Verbal warning or reprimand.  The teacher reminds the student not to engage in inappropriate behaviour
• separation from others:  the temporary removal of a student from the classroom, or the playground because of any disruption which interrupts teaching or orderly playing
• withdrawal of school privileges: the denial of the student’s right to participate in designated activities
• communication with parents
• in cases of severe infractions, suspension.  Conduct which constitutes good cause for suspension includes:  continued and willful disobedience; open defiance of authority, physical assault, taking or attempting to take money or personal property from another pupil, willfully causing substantial damage to school property.

A circular is issued whenever the need arises.  This is a most important means of communication between school and parents.  However, the school must depend upon students to deliver the circular and for parents to read it and note down any important dates or information.

Two formal parents’ days are held, one in November and the other in the Second Term, after the Half-yearly examinations.  On these occasions parents are able to discuss their child’s progress with his/her teacher.  However, whenever parents are concerned over their child’s progress, arrangements should be made to speak to his/her teacher before school starts. However, parents should not try to contact a teacher in any way after school hours, especially at her residence.  If there is an urgent need to inform themselves about anything that has happened, parents are asked to phone the school, and the Head will then deal with the matter herself.

To help with the integral growth of each one of our students, St Francis has the service of a part-time Spiritual Director, who works on a voluntary basis.  His main duty is to preside over all religious functions.  He also gives religion lessons to each class according to a pre-planned time table.  However he is available to help the students in any difficulty or problem they may encounter.

Church schools are provided with a School Counsellor, Educational Psycologist and Social Worker by the Secretariat for Catholic Education.

These persons are located at the Raghaj it-Tajjeb centre in Tac-Cawla, however, applications for the use of these services should be done through the school. An Early Intervention teacher and a specialist for the Hearing Impaired are also provided by the Directorate.

This code of conduct has been drawn up to help all of us at St Francis school to work and learn in the most healthy environment possible.  Each one of us has to do his/her utmost to contribute towards such a desirable environment.  Thus we can then be proud of being part of St Francis school.