Code of Conduct and School Rules

Code of Conduct and School Rules

Swiss Cottage takes a Character First approach in developing our students. The school wishes to instil positive values in the students so that they can self-regulate, while at the same time affirm the good in every student through various platforms.

SWISS R.U.L.E.S.

As a Swiss student, I will uphold Swiss R.U.L.E.S.:

Respect & Responsibility

• Respect myself and all those working in the school.

• Respect the right of my fellow schoolmates to learn and the right of teachers to teach.

• Respect our school property and the property of others.

• Be responsible for all that we do and say.

Uniform and Appearance

• Wear my uniform as prescribed by the school and not modify the uniform.

• Wear appropriate attire for all functions and events.

• Wear appropriate attire for special classes (e.g., Physical Education and Food & Consumer Education).

• Keep a neat and tidy hairstyle.

Learning

• Work to the best of my ability in our academic endeavours and co-curricular activities.

• Attend all classes with the appropriate learning materials and be prepared for my lessons.

• Be responsible in completing all homework on time and attempt to the best of my ability.

• Follow classroom and school rules.

• Be Ready to Learn, which means that in between lessons, I will help to tidy my classroom, take out relevant learning materials and get mentally prepared for the next lesson.

Environment

• Take good care of my classroom, school grounds and property.

• Conserve electricity when possible, such as by switching off fans and lights when not in use.

• Work together to create a harmonious, friendly and safe learning environment for all.

• Not eat or drink outside the canteen area and during lesson time.

• Not litter all the time.

• Be considerate to my schoolmates who are still having lessons.

Safety & Security

• Act in a safe and responsible manner in school.

• Act in a safe manner while travelling to and from school and during excursions.

• Resolve differences and conflicts by negotiations.

• Keep my school free from tobacco-related products, non-prescribed drugs, undesirable print and non-print materials, weapons and weapon-like objects.

• Keep my school safe from external dangers.

SWISS CODE OF CONDUCT

The Swiss Code of Conduct is guided by two principles:

(1) School Pride and (2) Self-Discipline

All students are required to abide by the following expected behaviour.

1. Social Etiquette

• Greet all members of staff, both teaching and non-teaching staff.

• Speak politely and with respect to your teachers and fellow schoolmates.

• Keep your classes, toilets and the school premises clean and free of litter at all times.

• Do not vandalise school or any public property.

• Do not leave your books, files and other belongings unattended on the school premises.

• Return found items that do not belong to you to the General Office.

• Observe proper social etiquette and conduct yourself well in public.

2. National Anthem and Pledge

• Students who are Singapore citizens must sing the National Anthem and take the pledge. Students will take the pledge with the right fist placed over the heart.

• Students who are non-Singapore citizens are to stand at attention as a mark of respect.

3. Canteen Etiquette

• Consume food and drinks in the canteen only.

• Return your used plates and utensils to the respective receptacles.

• Clear all used disposable cups and other items from the tables and throw them into the dustbins provided.

• Do not enter the premises of the vendors to help them to sell food or drinks.

4. School Attire

• Students are to wear the prescribed school uniform. Modification to the uniform is not allowed.

• Students are to report in full school uniforms on Mondays. Students are allowed to wear the full school uniforms or the official school polo T-shirts from Tuesdays to Fridays.

• Students should purchase uniforms from the authorised supplier. They can be purchased from the bookshop vendor during school term.

For ALL Students

School Tie

• Wear the tie only when directed by the school.

Shoes and Socks

• School shoes and/or sports shoes to be worn.

• Students should choose shoes that are comfortable and safe for their daily activities that include Physical Education.

• White socks to be worn and seen.

Attire for PE lessons

• Wear only PE, house or school approved T-shirt with school PE black shorts.

• Change back into the school uniform after PE lessons.

Attire for Saturdays and non-school days

• Wear your respective CCA uniform, unless otherwise instructed by your CCA teachers.

• Wear only school uniform or T-shirt issued by respective CCA groups for non-uniformed CCA groups.

• Wear only school uniform or school T-shirt if you are in school for activities other than your CCAs.

• Do not wear civilian clothes and inappropriate footwear while in school.

5. Hairstyle

6. General Appearance

Spectacles

• Wear simple single-coloured spectacle frames.

• Do not wear multi-coloured and fanciful spectacle frames.

• Do not wear tinted glasses and coloured contact lenses in school.

Jewellery

• Only girls are allowed to wear one simple pair of ear-stud (not more than ~ 0.5 cm in diameter) on each ear lobe.

• Do not wear jewellery or accessories of any kind.

• No rings or hand/ankle bands should be worn by students.

Fingernails

• Keep fingernails short and clean.

• Do not polish or varnish fingernails.

Miscellaneous

• Do not wear any headgear.

• Wear only plain black, white or dark-coloured sweaters, windbreakers or cardigans in class.

• Do not wear any make-up.

• Do not have any tattoos on your body.

• No coloured contact lenses allowed.

7. Attendance

• Inform your Form Teacher when you are unable to attend school due to illness or urgent family matters by 0715 hrs. You could also inform your class chairman to help relay the information to your form teacher.

• Students should report to the assembly ground before 0730 hrs (0800 hrs on Tuesdays). If you are not in the assembly ground by 0730 hrs (0800 hrs on Tuesdays), you will be considered late for school.

• The school takes a serious view on late-coming and students who are late for morning assembly will face consequences.

• Submit a medical certificate (MC) via the PG Mobile App on the day you are absent from school. The school accepts parent’s note in PG Mobile App from parents/guardians on a case-by-case basis (a maximum of 2 parent’s note per term).

• Students who do not submit MCs or the necessary documents will be marked as ‘Absent without Valid Reason’. The school will thus treat this as a case of truancy, if students are unable to explain their absence.

• Seek the approval of your form teacher if you need to leave the school premises before the end of the last lesson. You will need to sign in the ‘Permission to Leave Early’ slip in the General Office before you leave.

• Your parent or guardian needs to accompany you home if you leave school early.

8. Movement during Curriculum Time

• Seek your teachers’ permission before leaving the classroom.

• Move quietly when moving to the next venue during curriculum time.

• Do not loiter along corridors at any time, including the breaks.

9. Others

• You are not allowed to have in possession any weapon. You are also not allowed to bring any weapon-like item which is used or intended to be used to cause harm to others.

The school would like to develop in all students self-discipline.
The observance of school rules is one of the key pillars to achieve a fruitful school experience.

Hence, to help students learn from and correct negative conduct when they misbehave or break school rules, appropriate consequences will be meted out to the students concerned.

The school wishes all students a successful learning experience.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

1. Rationale for the Policy

This Mobile Phone Policy aligns with MOE’s enhanced measures to:

• Promote healthier screen use habits.

• Reduce digital distractions for a more conducive setting for learning.

• Foster meaningful face-to-face interactions among students.

2. Mobile Phone/ Smartwatches Restrictions

To ensure compliance during school hours (7:30 am to 6:30 pm):

• Usage: Devices are not permitted during any activity, including recess, Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), and after-school programmes. Gaming on any device is strictly prohibited.

• Storage: All devices must be switched off and secured in school bags or classroom lockers using the student's own lock.

• Communication: Urgent messages from parents must be relayed via the General Office; students may use the office phone when necessary. (Dial 6563 7173 for General Office and state your child/ward’s full name and form class)

• Liability: Students bring devices at their own risk. The school accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage.

3. Consequences

For students who fail to comply with these restrictions:

• Devices may be confiscated for the day, and/or

• Parents will be contacted to collect the confiscated items personally.

CONDUCT GRADING AND DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM

The school recognises students who consistently display an excellent conduct and exhibit Honour and Humility throughout the semester. Acts of integrity and self-responsibility are also affirmed and acknowledged by the school.

The school uses a demerit point system to help monitor and assign the Conduct Grades for students. Students who do not uphold any of the rules may be given demerit points, in addition to other appropriate consequences meted out by the Student Discipline Committee.

CONDUCT GRADING

A student’s Conduct Grade, as reflected in the Report Card, is related to the student’s conduct and behaviour throughout the year. The Conduct Grading takes into account the student’s attitude in his or her daily work such as whether there is respect for teachers and whether self-responsibility is exhibited by the student. The student’s attendance, punctuality in school and the number of demerit points accumulated are also important criteria in determining the student’s Conduct Grade.

Students who received a FAIR/POOR conduct grade will face the following consequences:

• They will be barred from representing Swiss in any inter-school/international competitions for the following semester.

• They will be barred from any overseas trips or any other activities at the discretion of the school for the following semester.

• They will be required to attend a Conduct Upgrading programme, ranging from 1 to 5 days at the end of the semester so as to reset the Demerit points to ZERO for the following semester. Students who do not attend the Conduct Upgrading programme will have their demerit points accrued for the next semester.

• Lastly, students who received a FAIR/POOR Conduct Grade at the end of the year do not qualify for Edusave awards from MOE. 

DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM

This table spells out the possible consequences of accumulating the number of demerit points for offences committed in the course of the semester.

Relevant school personnel (School Leaders, Year Head and Level Discipline Teachers) will step in on a case-by-case basis depending on severity of offences involved. 

Offences

There are two categories of offences: Minor and Major.

Note that this list of offences is non-exhaustive.
For major offences, the student may be dealt with by the law of Singapore.

Prohibited Items

• Tobacco products

• Pornographic and other undesirable materials

• Chewing gum

• Weapon or weapon-like objects

Prohibited items found in students' possession will be confiscated by the school.

In building a safe and positive school environment for all staff and students, the school takes a serious view on all offences. In the event of any occurrence of a major offence, the student will face severe consequences from the school and the case may be referred to the Police or relevant authorities based on the school’s prerogative.

The student’s parents will also be informed and a family conference will be held so that there will be a joint partnership in re-educating and helping the student to change for the better.