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Code of Conduct and School Rules

Code of Conduct and School Rules

The Swiss Code of Conduct is guided by two principles:

    1. school pride and
    2. self-discipline
Swiss Cottage strives to build strong school pride in our students.
  • School pride is a love for the school, the feeling that we belong to Swiss Cottage – a special school; the feeling that Swiss Cottage is different from other schools.
  • Students with a deep sense of pride in the school will conduct themselves with respect and responsibility towards the school, the staff and fellow Swiss students. Swiss students should strive to maintain full attendance, a smart appearance, a positive attitude, high aspirations and hence attain satisfying achievements.

Swiss Cottage strives to help students be self-disciplined.

  • A self-disciplined person is a master of himself, knowing how to act with respect and responsibility. A self-disciplined person has the strength of mind to speak and act in ways that are appropriate, and to avoid speech and conduct that are inappropriate. A self-disciplined person has the strength of character to persevere despite stress or set-backs, to press on to balance a heavy academic load, CCAs, other school activities and core commitments to family and friends.

The school will strive to build a positive school environment where students have a strong sense of pride in the school, and develop self-discipline through a firm and fair approach.

Our Swiss R.U.L.E.S

As Swiss students, we will uphold the Swiss RULES:

Respect & Responsibility

  • We respect ourselves and all those working in the school.
  • We respect the right of students to learn and the right of teachers to teach.
  • We respect our school property and the property of others.
  • We will be responsible for all that we do and say.

Uniforms

  • We will wear our uniforms as prescribed by the school.
  • We will wear appropriate attire for all functions and events.
  • We will wear appropriate attire for special classes [PE, Home Econs].
  • We will keep a neat and tidy hairstyle.

Learning

  • We work to the best of our ability in our academic endeavours and CCAs.
  • We attend all classes with the appropriate learning materials.
  • We will be responsible to complete all work set/homework to the best of our ability.
  • We will follow classroom and school rules.

Environment

  • We take good care of our classrooms, school grounds and properties.
  • We work together to create a harmonious, friendly and safe learning environment for all.

Safety & Security

  • We act in a safe and responsible manner in school.
  • We act in a safe manner while travelling to and from school and during excursions.
  • We will resolve any differences by negotiations.
  • We keep our school free from tobacco, non-prescribed drugs, undesirable printed and non-printed materials and weapons
  • We will keep our school safe from external dangers.

General Conduct

  • Greet all staff members of the school
  • Speak politely and with respect to your teachers and fellow school mates.
  • 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 or anywhere in the school premises except in the classrooms.
  • Return any found item that does not belong to you to the General Office.
  • Observe proper social etiquette and conduct yourself well in public.

National Anthem and Pledge

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

Canteen Etiquette

  • Consume food and drinks in the canteen only.   Do not bring food or sweet drinks to the classroom, as crumbs or leftover drinks will attract ants and other
    rodents.
  • Do not enter the premises of the vendors to help them to sell food or drinks.
  • Clear all used disposable cups and other items from the tables and throw them into the dustbins provided.
  • Return your used plates and utensils to the respective receptacles.

Prohibited Items

  • Do not bring any tobacco products or undesirable materials such as pornography.
  • Do not bring and consume chewing gum.
  • Do not bring any expensive items/valuables to school.
  • Do not bring personal items such as soccer balls, guitar and card games of any kind to the school.
  • Any prohibited items found in the student’s possession will be confiscated by the school. 
 Please note that the list of rules in this section is non-exhaustive.  The school will deal with all unacceptable conduct in a firm and fair way. 

Attendance, Punctuality and Others

Attendance

  • Inform your form teacher or call the General Office when you are unable to attend school due to illness or urgent family matters by 0715hrs. You
    could also inform your class chairman to help relay the information to your form teacher. If you did not scan in your attendance by 0730 sharp, you are considered late for school.
  • Submit a medical certificate (MC) to the form teacher on the day you return to the school. The school accepts letters only on a case-by-case basis.
  • 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’ file that is found in the General Office before you leave.
  • Your parent or guardian needs to accompany you home if you leave school early.

Punctuality

  • Be at the assembly area by 0725 hrs and be ready for assembly by 0730 hr sharp. The flag raising ceremony begins thereafter.
  • The school takes a serious view on late-coming and students who are late for morning assembly will face consequences.

Movement during Curriculum Time

  • Seek your teachers’ permission before leaving your classrooms. When permission is granted, you will be issued with a ‘Movement Pass’ which must be worn on the left of the shirt pocket when they leave the classrooms or learning venues.
  • Move as one group quietly, led by the class chairman or vice chairman when changing classrooms during curriculum time. A student councillor will take charge if neither is present.
  • Do not loiter along corridors at any time, including the recess break.

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 Development Committee.

Conversely, the school also recognises students who consistently display an excellent conduct and exhibit PRIDE throughout the semester. Students’ acts of integrity and self-responsibility are also affirmed and acknowledged by the school.  

Offences

There are three categories of offences: Minor, Serious and Major.
Minor Offence (Followed up by
Form or Co-Form Teacher)

Possible
consequences
MISCONDUCT

1. Littering

a. Not returning used utensils after eating during recess

2. Wearing improper attire

a. Altering the uniforms

b. Wearing high-cut shoes or unapproved track shoes

c. Failure to wear school tie during school assembly/function

d. Boys spotting long hair and girls not clipping or tying up the hair neatly

e. Multiple piercing on face or ears

f. Wearing jewellery

3. Not handing in work on time

  

  • 1 -2 demerit
    points
  • Student to
    re-alter uniform
  • Other consequences deemed appropriate by SD com

 
Serious Offence (Followed up by Form or Co-Form Teachers with more persistent/ serious cases referred to the SD Committee)

Possible
consequences
ATTENDANCE

1. Late-coming, e.g. for flag-raising or lesson

2. Skipping classes

3. Leaving school premises without permission

4. Truancy
  • 3 – 12
    demerit points
  • Conduct
    grade to be poor or fair
  • Detention/Suspension
    up to discretion of SD com
  • Caning
  • Other consequences deemed appropriate by SD com

 

 
GENERAL CONDUCT

1. Displaying open defiance and rudeness

a. Behaving in a disruptive manner during lessons

b. Being rude to teachers or classmates

c. Use of expletives /obscenities

2. Bullying/Cyberbullying

3. Willful absenteeism

a. Reporting to school after 07 45 hrs (Singaporeans) or 08 15 hrs (Malaysians who commute to and from Malaysia)

b. Leaving school without permission

4. Truancy

a. Absent from school or school functions without a valid medical certificate.

5. Gambling or Playing of Cards

a. Magic card

b. Poker card

c. Any other forms
of card playing

6. Cheating in tests/examinations

7. Forgery.

8. Illegal entry into school premises
     a. Breaking into rooms
     b. Entering other pupils’ classrooms when the pupils          are not in
     c. Entering other pupils’ classrooms and behaving in          an unruly manner

9. Any other acts of dishonesty.
Major Offence (Handled by SD Committee)

Possible
consequences
1. Fighting

2. Assault

3. Threat e.g. (a) Physical and (b) Verbal

4. Extortion

5. Theft

6. Possession of illegal material e.g. (a) pornographic material and (b) stolen goods

7. Possession of weapons

8. Vandalism

9. Smoking or possession of tobacco products

10. Abuse of substances

11. Illegal access into school computer network

12. Abuse of technology

  

  • ≥5 demerit points
  • Conduct grade to be poor or fair
  • Detention/suspension
    up to discretion of SD com
  • Caning
  • Health Science Authority intervention for smoking
  • Refer to the Police
  • Other consequences deemed appropriate by SD com

For other major offences such as those listed below, the student will be dealt with by the law of Singapore.

Major Offence 
1. Tattoos

2. Gangsterism or threatening behaviour or language

3. Possession of weapons

4. Arson

5. Outrage of modesty

6. Any other criminal offences

In building a safe and positive school environment for all staff and students, the school takes a serious view on all offences, especially the Major Offences. In 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. 

 

The School Uniform

  •  Pupils are to wear the prescribed school uniform and modification to the uniform is not allowed.
  • Purchase your uniforms from the authorised supplier.  They can be purchased from the bookshop vendor during school term.
FOR THE GIRLS FOR THE BOYS

The blouse should
  • be white.
  • have a collar.
  • have one pocket on the left of the shirt, with an embroidered school crest.
  • have short and unfolded sleeves.
  • be properly tucked into the skirt neatly all the time.
  • be worn over white undergarment.
  • be fitting and not oversized.

 The shirt should
  • be white.
  • have a collar.
  • have a collar.
  • have one pocket on the left, with an embroidered school crest.
  • have short and unfolded sleeves.
  • be properly tucked into the pants neatly all the time.
  • be fitting and not oversized.
The skirt should
  • be turquoise-blue.
  • be long enough to reach the knees.
  • have 4-box pleats in front and at the back.
The pants should
  • not be baggy, flared or too tight.
  • reach the shoes.
  • not be worn with a belt or pouch worn around the waist.

For All Students

School Tie

  • Wear the tie during all assembly periods, special school functions and as directed by the school.

Shoes and socks

  • Wear only white, low-cut canvas or white track shoes.
  • Wear Swiss socks only.

Attire for PE lessons

  • Wear only School or House T-shirt with black shorts.
  • Muslim girls are allowed to wear long, black pants.
  • Change back into the school uniform after recess.

Attire for Saturdays and non-school days

  • Wear your respective CCA uniforms, unless otherwise instructed by your CCA teachers.
  • Wear only school uniforms or t-shirts issued by respective CCA groups for non-uniformed CCA groups.
  • Wear only school uniforms or school t-shirts if you are in school for activities other than your CCAs.
  • Do not be in inappropriate footwear while in school.

Hairstyle

FOR THE GIRLS FOR THE BOYS
codeofconduct_clip_image002_0003.jpg codeofconduct_clip_image002_0004.jpg

  • Do keep it neat. No tinting or colouring is allowed.
  • Tie up your hair neatly if it touches the collar of the shirt. Only black, white or grey hair accessories (hair clips/ribbons/elastic bands) are to be used.
  • Do not keep fanciful hairstyles.
  • Clip or tie up the fringe if it covers the eyebrow.

 

 male-hair-front.jpg codeofconduct_clip_image002_0002.jpg

  • Do not tint or colour your hair.
  • Keep it short and neat and ensure that the fringe is above the eyebrow.
  • Ensure that the hair is cut above the ears and collar, with a slope at the back and of an appropriate style that is acceptable by the school.
  • Do not keep a sideburn.
  • Be clean shaven and do not wear a beard and/or moustache.
  • Do not spike or keep a fanciful hairstyle.

General Appearance

Spectacles

  • Do not wear tinted glasses and coloured contact lenses in school.
  • Do not wear multi-coloured and fanciful spectacle frames.

Jewellery

  • Only girls are allowed to wear one simple and round ear-stud (not more than ~ 0.5 cm in diameter) on each ear-lobe.
  • Do not wear jewellery or accessories of any kind.
  • Do not wear chains under the blouses or t-shirts.
  • No rings or hand bands/ ankle bands should be worn by students.
  • If you need to wear a talisman, you must first submit a letter from your parent, explaining the need for wearing the talisman in school. This request is subject to approval on a case by case basis. If approval is given, only a black string or a silver chain is allowed.  Gold chains are strictly not allowed.  The talisman must also not be visible at the neck. 

Fingernails

  • Keep your fingernails short and clean.
  • Do not polish, buff or varnish them.

Others

  • Do not wear any headgear.
  • Wear only black or white sweaters, windbreakers or cardigans in class.
  • Do not wear any make-up.
  • Do not have any tattoo on your body.

The school wishes all students a successful learning experience and as such, views observance of school rules as one of the key pillars for 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.

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 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.
Excellent A student who is excellent in conduct shows keen passion for learning and feels a great sense of PRIDE for the school. The student also embraces a high level of Integrity and is extremely well-behaved all the time.
Very Good A student who is very good in conduct shows passion for learning and feels a sense of PRIDEfor the school. The student also embraces Integrity and is well-behaved most of the time.
Good A student who is good in conduct shows some passion in learning and has some PRIDE for the school. The student exhibits Integrity and is well-behaved generally.
Fair
A student who is fair in conduct needs more passion in learning and needs more PRIDE for the school. The student does not exhibit good behaviour most of the time.
Poor A student who is poor in conduct exhibits very little passion in learning and has no PRIDE for the school. The student does not exhibit good behaviour most of the time and is unresponsive to disciplinary measures.
Students who received a FAIR/ POOR conduct grade will face the following consequences:
  1. They will be barred from representing Swiss in any inter-school/international competitions for the following semester.
  2. They will be barred from any overseas trips or activities deemed as an incentive from school for the following semester.
  3. They will be required to attend a Conduct Upgrading programme, ranging from 1 – 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 accrue for the next semester.
  4. Lastly, students who received a FAIR/ POOR conduct grade at the end of the year do not qualify for any monetary awards from MOE.

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