Student expectations & discipline

In short

Discipline at KSIM is aimed at changing behaviour, not punishing it — the stated goal is to develop respectful, caring and responsible students. Every student is dealt with individually, actions escalate with severity and repetition, and the school keeps a written record. Corporal punishment is never used.

The purpose

Discipline is the name of the school process for changing unacceptable student conduct to acceptable behaviour through the use of reasonable and just consequences. The goal is to develop respectful, caring and responsible students.

When student behaviour or actions are inappropriate, corrective actions are necessary. Each student will be dealt with on an individual basis. Parental involvement may be necessary to support school discipline procedures.

At all times, teachers and administrators use their professional judgement in applying consequences, and the school keeps a written record of any disciplinary actions taken.

Students are expected to become familiar with these procedures and to ask their teachers about anything they do not fully understand.

The range of actions available

The progression of actions may include, but is not limited to:

• Informal conferences
• Risk assessment
• Removal of privileges
• Time-out, which may mean the student is removed from the activity but allowed to observe; excluded from the activity and not allowed to observe; or removed from the activity area, placed in a separate and safe room, and supervised
• Parent conferences
• In-school suspensions
• Suspension or expulsion
• Student relocation to another school
• Involvement of external services and supports

What suspension and expulsion mean

Suspension means to remove a student from school, from one or more class periods, courses, educational programs, school activities, or from riding in a school bus or on a bus chartered by the school, for no more than five (5) school days after the date of the suspension.

Expulsion means to remove a student from school, from one or more courses, educational programs, school activities, or from riding a school bus or on a bus chartered by the school.

Behaviours that may lead to suspension or expulsion

The Handbook lists these as examples of serious topics of concern:

• Defiance, threats and disrespect
• Open opposition to authority
• Bullying, including cyber-bullying
• Physical harm or assault
• Personal and/or sexual harassment
• Weapons in schools
• Drug, alcohol and tobacco product use by students
• Extremes of student dress
• Inappropriate use of mobile phones or other personal electronic devices
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Unacceptable student conduct on buses

Physical restraint

No form of corporal punishment will ever be used. However, on rare occasions, if a student poses a danger to themselves or those nearby, it may be necessary for staff to physically restrain the student.

The four levels

The detail of how behaviours are categorised, referred and sanctioned is set out in the progressive discipline plan.

Academic misconduct is handled separately — see academic honesty.