Visions and Values – The School Rules

The school's Vision is "to give all our young people the best preparation for life". Part of that preparation is an understanding of how best to live and work together as a community of young people and adults.

Our school community is very large – almost 2,000 people work in Bell Baxter. However, no matter the size of the group, there needs to be a set of rules to guide everyone's behaviour and to establish each person's rights and responsibilities. School Rules exist to create a safe, ordered and purposeful environment where each of us can get on with our work, knowing what is expected of us and of others. The rules are based on the school's Values:

To place people first

To provide a safe environment
To seek the highest standards

To make work and learning enjoyable
To learn from others

To promote equality, tolerance and fairness
To review and improve

To celebrate achievement and success.

These Values show how the school will treat YOU. They also show how you should treat others. In playing your part, always keep in mind the following Guiding Principles. If your conduct and decisions are based on these Principles, you will be behaving well and supporting the Values of the school.

Guiding Principles

1. Treat all others and yourself with respect and consideration. Being polite, helpful and honest towards others and their property helps create trust and reassurance. Remember, we are all different. Other people's abilities, learning needs, culture or opinions, should be respected. Never be the cause of upset for others – do not accept others causing upset to you.
   
   
2. Follow the instructions of all members of staff promptly and willingly. Staff are working to help you and it is your responsibility to be co-operative and helpful. If you have concerns about what you are asked to do, these can be raised later with the member of staff or your Guidance teacher.
   
   
3. Behave safely at all times. Nothing is more important that safety. Each of us has a responsibility to act safely and to protect ourselves and others from injury and/or danger. This applies at all times and places – both in and out of school. Please remember too that school rules and standards of conduct apply equally when you are engaged in activities outwith the normal school day, including extra-curricular activities, school social events, representing the school in any capacity, or participating in excursions or residential events at home or abroad.
   
   Also remember that the school is part of a wider community and the laws and rules of society apply to school too. It is school policy to work closely with the Police and other agencies where a pupil has broken the law.

To help new pupils, some specific advice on "do's" and "don'ts" follows. But remember if in doubt, use the Guiding Principles to test your thinking and you won't go wrong.

School Rules and Procedures

In Class

In class your aim should be to work hard and gain most from your teachers' instructions and advice. Follow the Class Expectations which your teachers will discuss with you.

• Arrive on time
• Be prepared for class
• Allow others to work
• Follow the class rules
• Do the best you can

Your Diary/Planner should be on your desk at the beginning of every class. Pay strict attention to your teachers, and if uncertain ask for further help. Outdoor clothing must not be worn in class nor should you eat or chew.

During school hours, other than at interval and lunchtime, mobile phones should be switched off.

Out of Class

In moving along corridors and on stairs, keep to the right-hand side. Movement between classes and buildings should be by the shortest permitted route. Although you should move quickly and quietly, there must be no running or pushing. When waiting to go into class, line up quietly enabling others to pass with ease.

You have access to the school at all times and may remain indoors, in the lower corridors, at intervals and lunchtimes, provided, of course, that you behave in a proper manner. Outwith class times, however, entry to classrooms is not allowed without permission from a member of staff. To avoid disturbance to lessons, no use may be made of social area recreational facilities or playgrounds during normal class times. This restriction also applies during examination periods.

You should apply the following rules to help pupil movement in school.

1. Do not stand in front of the main door or in the school foyer at any time. The main areas inside school for your use outside of class time include the dining room, the social area in the north wing, the blue corridor and social areas (vending machines) in the south wing, and the area between the library and the science wing (toilets).
   
   
2. At the start of the school day, use the nearest entrance to your class. Where possible, apply this rule at the end of interval and lunchtime. Please note, pupils should not use the door at the delivery van area at any time.
   
   
3. At the end of periods 2, 4 and 6 use the fire drill routes to reach the ground floors. Make sure you check these out with your teachers.
   
   
4. There is an entrance/exit to school on Westpark Road (at the back of the huts). When arriving at school you should turn onto Westpark Road (opposite the Police Station). Taking this route will avoid unnecessary use of the main road.
   
   
5. When travelling between Carslogie Road and Westport you must use the Crossing Patrol Person at the Westport Building. Crossing Patrol is provided for your safety.

Care of Property

All steps should be taken to avoid causing damage to equipment or property. If damage does occur, it should be reported at once. In this way suspicion of vandalism will be avoided. When damage is caused simply by lack of care, pupils will be expected to make good the damage. Deliberate damage to property will, of course, be regarded as a serious breach of discipline. To extend their useful lives, all books issued by the school should be covered for their protection. Book covers and jotters should be kept in good condition and not written on. Every effort should be made to keep the school and the town clean and tidy, in particular by making use of the litter bins. A tidy school is obviously a more pleasant place in which to work.

You are responsible for taking care of your own money or valuables. These may be deposited for safety in the school office or in a locker. Locker and Byke Bins can be rented from the school office. It is unwise to bring to school large amounts of money or expensive items of equipment. Wherever possible add your name and class to your property. This will enable its prompt return if lost. School bags should be taken to all classes and not left lying unattended in corridors etc. during class time. Money, watches or other valuables should never be left unattended in school bags or in the cloakrooms or changing rooms. When property is found, it should be taken at once to the school office. Similarly, details of property lost should be reported immediately.

Out of Bounds

1. The building site areas.
2. The Westport building except when attending classes.
3. The school lifts (except with pass).
4. Car parks and bus parks except for access to transport.
5. The shrubs and trees facing the rear of the Science Block and the grass circle at the top of this area.
6. Cupar Library except to pupils who have obtained a library pass.
7. The Cricket Club Pavilion and surrounding areas at Duffus Park.

Pupils should not leave school premises at morning interval unless travelling between buildings.

Health and Safety

1. To encourage good health and promote safety, a complete ban is placed on the bringing of smoking materials to school. Any pupil found carrying cigarettes, matches etc. will have these confiscated and face disciplinary action. For similar reasons a complete ban on alcohol and drugs also exists. Attempting to participate in school social functions or activities having consumed such substances is totally unacceptable.
   
   
2. In view of the dangers associate with fireworks, it is forbidden to have fireworks in school or on the way to and from school.
   
   
3. Gambling also is not permitted. Playing cards etc. should not be brought to school.
   
   
4. To avoid damage to clothing and property, chewing gum is not permitted within the school and the school grounds.
   
   
5. Mains electrical items are not permitted in school. Battery operated items such as Walkmans may be used in Social Areas, but not when moving between classes. Equipment requiring to be plugged into the mains electricity is not permitted.
   
   
6. When travelling between buildings or into the town, keep to the pavements, leaving sufficient space for members of the public. Do not walk along the road. When crossing the main road use one of the controlled crossing points.
   
   
7. Cycling within the school grounds is not permitted except for direct access to Byke Bins/cycle racks by the designated Safe Route. Pupils who wish to park cars or motorcycles within the school grounds must register their vehicles with the Office and park only in the parking area adjacent to the bus stances.
   
   
8. Security
   See School Uniform below.
   
   
9. Buses
   Safety must be the first consideration.
   
   Pupils should queue behind the barriers and not move forward until the bus has stopped. When boarding buses, most of which will be at their stances at 3:35, courtesy and consideration should be shown to others. There should be no pushing.
   
   Pupils who board their buses at buys points away from the school should always show consideration to members of the public and leave sufficient space for them to use the pavement.
   
   
10. Building Work
    During the next two years building work will be completed at Carslogie Road. Such work will require changes to be made from time to time in how we use the Carslogie Road building. Specific instructions will be issued when necessary. However, all pupils are advised that extreme care must be exercised when moving in the vicinity of building operations. All warnings and instructions must be heeded.
    
    
11. School Uniform
    All pupils are expected to wear uniform when attending school or participating in school organised events, other than those requiring special clothing, e.g. hillwalking expeditions. When representing the school at formal events of a non-sporting nature, white shirt and tie must be worn. When representing the school at sports or playing in a school team, pupils will travel in uniform and wear official school kit. School Uniform requirements are given in the Diary Planner.

It is not possible, or desirable, to provide here a note of every single rule of procedure. You should aim to become familiar with the school rules by reading the Prospectus where additional information – e.g., on return of Absence notes – is given, and by paying attention to what you are told particularly in Social Education classes. Above all, common sense and the three guiding principles given above will provide the framework for a safe, secure and pleasant environment.