1. Equal Educational Opportunity
No learner can be prevented from participating in any programme solely because of his/her race, ethnic origin or gender. A learner may decide not to take advantage of the educational opportunities at this school. However, no one has the right to interfere with the education of others.

2. Learners respect themselves and others
Learners treat each other with kindness and demonstrate good manners. No learners should be treated unfairly because of their physical appearance or because they find work easy or difficult. Learners speak in a courteous way. They don’t make fun of others or physically or verbally abuse each other. Learners have the right to feel safe and happy at school.

3. Freedom of Expression
Learners are entitled to express verbally, or in writing, their personal opinions provided they do not interfere with the rights of others.

4. Learners show acceptable behaviour
Learners respect those in authority and display good manners. Learners should be co-operative and kind.

5. School Rules
Learners obey the school rules. These rules are designed to allow the school to meet its obligations to educate learners in an atmosphere conducive to learning. They are also designed to provide an atmosphere of safety and security for everybody.

6. Respect of Property
Learners take pride in their school and keep it neat. They take care of books and equipment. Learners don’t damage or deface any area of the school.

7. Learners are prepared for school
Learners attend school daily, unless ill or legitimately excused. Learners must be punctual for school. Learners who enter school after lessons have begun are interfering with the rights of others to learn. Learners must have the necessary supplies, and have completed class/home assignments. Learners must be ready to learn.

8. School Uniform
School and sports uniform regulations are adhered to at all times. Learners should take pride in their appearance.

9. Due Process
Learners will not be punished for breaking a rule or taking someone else’s rights away, without the chance to tell their honest side of the story. There is a difference between telling tales and being a responsible person. It is wrong to expect help when your rights have been violated, but refuse to help others protect theirs.

Golden Grove School Rules

School rules need to be specific for the learner to have complete understanding of what is acceptable and not acceptable at this school. The majority of these rules relate directly to the Code of Conduct and the Learners’ Rights and Responsibilities. The rules are designed to provide a happy and secure educational environment for all.

1. Learners respect themselves and others
1.1 The following activities are not permitted:
Swearing
Skateboarding / Rollerblading
Stone throwing
Smoking
Chewing gum
Use of alcohol
Abuse of habit-forming drugs
Fighting (including play-fighting)
Spitting
Use of electronic toys
The carrying of knives or other dangerous objects
Any behaviour that discredits the school

1.2 Bullying, and physical or verbal abuse towards others is not permitted.

1.3 In all activities after school hours, learners are expected to act as worthy ambassadors of the school.

2. Respect of Property / Safety of Learners

2.1 The staff room, copy room, main front entrance, and maintenance room are out of bounds. Learners may not play in the staff car park. During breaks, the learners must play in the designated play areas.

2.2 An educator must be present, or permission obtained, should any learner need to collect something from the classroom during break, and before or after school.

2.3 Class cleaning is a learner responsibility and it is an expectation that learners will ensure that classes and desks are neat and tidy at the end of the school day.

2.4 There is to be no eating or drinking in the school passages.

2.5 Learners may not shout or run inside the school buildings. The rule of “Keep Left” applies.

2.6 Learners will assist in maintaining a healthy, litter free environment.

2.7 Learners may not climb trees, the fences, gates or walls.

2.8 The playground apparatus is for the exclusive use of the Foundation Phase learners.

2.9 Learners must respect the property of others. Nothing may be borrowed or taken without the consent of the owner.

2.10 A passage slip is required for a learner to move about the building during lesson time.

2.11 Permission for notices / posters to be displayed or distributed must be obtained from the Principal, Deputy Principal or Head of Department.

2.12 The school cannot be held responsible for any money or valuables that go missing on school property.

3. Learners are prepared for school

3.1 Permission must be obtained from the Principal or Deputy Principal for any learner to leave the school grounds during school hours. A letter of explanation must be sent to the school by the parents, should their child need to leave school during this period of time.

3.2 Learners are expected to arrive promptly before school starts and to leave directly after school or an extra-mural activity.

3.3 Homework is to be written down daily in a homework diary, checked and signed by parents in all grades where this is required.

3.4 Sick learners or learners in a contagious condition must not be sent to school.

3.5 Notes of absences are required on the day of return to school. Absences of four (4) days or more for medical reasons, require a medical certificate.

4. School Uniform

4.1 Uniforms must conform to regulations.

4.2 The only jewellery permitted is a suitable watch and Medic-Alert necklace or bracelet. Boys may not wear earrings but girls with pierced ears may wear one small gold/silver stud or small sleeper in each ear and no other form of body piercing is permissible at any time. No dying of hair is permitted.

4.3 Girls with hair touching the collar are required to have it tied back with plain red/black hair accessories for reasons of neatness and hygiene.  Fringes must be clear of the eyebrows and no hair is to hang in front of the ears and eyes.

4.4 Boys’ hair is to be clear of ears, eyebrows and collar, and neatly tapered, and evenly graded.

4.5 Casual clothes worn on special days must be school appropriate. This privilege may be revoked at the discretion of the Principal.

5. The school reserves the right to take action against learners behaving in a manner, which, in the school’s opinion, reflects adversely upon its good name.

Consequences (Depending on the severity of the offence)

1. Learners given a verbal warning.
2. Notification of offence and consequences sent to parents/guardians.
3. Detentions
a) Break/s
b) Mondays & Wednesdays, 14:45 – 15:45 (parents/guardians notified in advance and given reasons for the detention)
c) Saturday Principal’s Detention 10:00-12:00 (parents / guardians notified in advance and given reasons for the detention).
d) Parents/guardians interviewed concerning their child’s behaviour and appropriate action is taken.
e) Learner informally suspended. May return on condition that he/she is prepared to abide strictly by the Code of Conduct and School Rules.
f) Learner formally suspended/expelled. A meeting is arranged with parents / guardians and Board of Governors.