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Lough Allen College Mission Statement

Lough Allen College provides a learning environment which aims to nurture and support each individual with respect for their needs, talents and abilities.
In partnership with the whole school community, we aim to provide equality of opportunity for all students while fostering a spirit of service, responsibility and self-discipline.

 

Code of Positive Behaviour

A positive code of behaviour is a fundamental part in the provision of a holistic education to all students in a school-based environment. Our goal is to promote good behaviour and thus good relationships between teachers and students in the college. It is our intention to respond in a fair and appropriate manner to inappropriate behaviour. We see our code as fair and balanced. As a precursor to this code it is the considered belief of the staff of Lough Allen College that, as part of the normal school day it is the right of all students to be educated in an atmosphere and environment, which is conducive to good and productive teaching and learning. It is the right of a teacher to teach in this environment and their responsibility to create such an environment. It is the right of the student to have such an environment and their responsibility to contribute positively to its maintenance. It is the responsibility of all students not to engage in any deliberate behaviour which will interfere with the development and maintenance of this learning environment. With this in mind and under the direction/facilitation of school management, it is our desire to undertake a review of Lough Allen College’s existing policy and procedures on a regular basis. The following procedures have been discussed at length by staff and agreed in full. They have been placed before our parent’s association and student’s council for consultation. Both these groups have discussed the structure and details or our code and have given there approval. The code has been sanctioned by Lough Allen College Board of Management. It is intended to review this code on a yearly basis.

 

School Trips and Outings

It is the policy of Lough Allen College that this code of Positive behaviour extends to cover all students while on any business where they are representing the school either visually (by their wearing of the school uniform) or by their attendance at an event under the supervision of any teacher in the school either during or after the school day – for example at a sporting event in which the school is participating.

 

Uniform

It is the policy of Lough Allen College that all students must wear a school uniform while under the care of the school. It is not permissible under any circumstances to wear jackets of any sort while in class or while inside the school building. Any teacher may at any time request a student to remove any scarves, hats or gloves or any outer item which is not part of the school while they are in school. It is permissable to wear a jacket where necessary during outdoor activities. The wearing of a school uniform ensures balance and equity among all students as well as providing students with a sense of identity. Our school uniform consists of ;

  • Green Jumper with School Crest
  • Cream Shirt
  • Black School Trousers
  • Uniform Skirt or Black School Trousers
  • Black Shoes (No Boots /Trainers)
  • Uniform Jacket (optional)


Lough Allen College reserves the right to alter this uniform in the future. In doing this a process of consultation will be established and any change will be introduced on an agreed and phased basis.

 

Jewellery

The wearing of jewellery in the school is limited to one pair of studded ear rings. For reasons of health and safety students are not allowed to wear any “dangling” ear rings. No other visible facial piercings are allowed in Lough Allen College.

 

Hair length

Lough Allen College requires that hair length be such that it will not pose an issue for health and safety especially for practical classes. Long hair (below the shoulders) must be tied up for this reason.

 

Make-Up

For the healthy development of our young people the wearing of standard basic make-up is not encouraged but not prohibited. However the wearing of non skin coloured/toned make up of any sort, lipstick, or any facial designs using make up is not allowed.

 

 

STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES


The School Journal

All students will be provided with a “School Journal”. The school journal will be the primary means of communication between the teacher and the parent / guardian. The journal serves many other purposes also. It is a means by which students can record their homework and will provide other valuable information for students regarding points for college etc.

When a student is absent due to illness or for any reason a note written in the students journal will be required on the day of the students return to school. No other form of note save doctors, dentists or any other medical professional certs will be accepted. If prior notification is being provided of students pending absence from school this note must also appear in the student’s journal. If a student asks to leave class for a toilet break or to carry out a task for a teacher, the teacher will place a short note in the journal to this affect. Students are not allowed to go to their lockers except during the assigned breaks. In exceptional cases a teacher may allow a student to go to their locker during class time. In such a situation a note of permission must be placed in the student’s journal.

If this journal is lost a replacement will be provided at a cost of €15. This cost is subject to review on a yearly basis. This journal is to be signed on a weekly basis by the parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the journal is signed.
All Years have a “Yearhead”. The function of the yearhead is to monitor discipline and keep records of student’s behaviour. The yearhead will inspect the journal on a weekly basis.

The journal must be kept neat and tidy (free from defacement) in the possession of the student at all times with the following exceptions;
If a student is playing sport
If a student is not on the school premises
During break times

 

Journal Entries

The Principal, deputy principal or any teacher may inspect the journal at any time during the school day. If there are 3 negative entries placed in the journal or 3 late stamps or any combination of same, detention will be given initially for a period of 1 (one) day. This detention is compulsory and must be served in full. Failure to complete this period of detention will be taken very seriously by school management and will incur further detention or possibly suspension.

 

Detention Explained:

Detention will take place of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. One day’s notice placed in the school journal will be given to any student serving a detention. The students are recommended to bring a pre-packed lunch. Detention is for a period of 40 minutes (10 minutes lunch and 30 minutes written work) Students on detention are not allowed to leave the school premises for any reason including lunch. A teacher will supervise detention.

 

Suspension

The sanction of suspension is regarded as a very serious one in Lough Allen College. It will be the prerogative of the Principal (devolved from the BOM) following detailed discussions with the year head(s) to suspend a student. (Acting principal if the Principal is absent). All suspensions will be notified to the Board of Management and form a permanent part of the students record. Parents /Guardians will be notified initially by phone and later in writing of the students pending suspension. As per the Education Welfare Act 2000 parents have a right to appeal any suspension to the Board Of Management.

 

Students may be suspended immediately for any one, or combination of the following reasons;

Use of foul or abusive language to or about a teacher while in class or on the school premises
Continuous insolent or disruptive behaviour towards a teacher in or outside a classroom.
Refusal to carry out direct instructions from a teacher
Behaviour which continually disrupts the teaching environment
Any act within our outside a classroom which contravenes the health and safety of that student, teacher or another individual.

In our code of discipline there are two possible types of suspension:

  • In-House
  • Non-School Based


In-House Suspension:
A student placed on in house suspension will not be allowed take part on any school activity sporting or otherwise. For the period of the suspension the student will be placed in the supervision of a year head or combination of year heads during the school day. They will remain on the school premises for the whole school day and will attend detention during lunchtime. They will not be allowed attend any of their normal classes or be allowed to associate with their class or friends. They will complete an appropriate amount of pre-assigned work during their suspension. This work will be given by each of the subject teachers. Upon returning from suspension a student must catch up on work (class and home), which they have missed during their suspension. Students will be given an appropriate amount of time and help to do this. The length of time given will be decided by the teacher in conjunction with the parent /guardian / student.


Non School Based Suspension:
A student suspended out of school must leave the school for the period of their suspension. Upon suspension parents/ guardians will be informed both by writing and by phone where possible. It is the responsibility of the parent/ guardian to attend the school to collect the suspended student. The student may remain on the school grounds until they are collected by a parent/guardian or return home in the normal way which ever occurs first. The suspended student must not enter the school premises without the explicit permission of the Principal (or Acting Principal) at any stage during their term of suspension. A student on external suspension must recommit in writing to abide by the school rules. This will be done on a “return to school form” supplied by the principal. A meeting with the Principal, Parents, Student and Yearhead (where possible) will be arranged at the convenience of the school management before a suspended student will be allowed return to normal classes. Suspended students will be expected as part of the condition of their return to complete in full class work and/or homework missed during the term of their suspension. Appropriate time and help will be given to the student for this to happen.

 

Removal of Suspension

A suspension may be removed if the BOM decides to remove the suspension or if the V.E.C decides the removal of the suspension is warranted.

 

Expulsion

Expulsion is the ultimate sanction for all students. It is a sanction which Lough Allen College reserves the right to use. Co Leitrim VEC holds the ultimate power of expulsion and has the right to devolve such power to the Board of Management of Lough Allen College. The board will regularly review their policy of expulsion.

Expulsion will only be taken in extreme cases of unacceptable behaviour or in such cases where all other sanctions or attempts by management to correct or to promote a positive behavioural change have failed. Such attempts would include all or some of the following

Meeting with parents/guardians and the student
Making sure the student understands the consequences of their actions
Ensuring that all other possible options have been tried
Seek the assistance of support agencies (NEWB, NEPS, HSE, NBSS etc.)


The Board of Management reserve the right to the use of “Automatic Expulsion”. This is an extreme measure and will only be used where the Board decide that the behaviour in question warrants such a sanction. The board will however follow due process and fair procedures in all cases.

 

First Offence Expulsion

Expulsion for a first offence will not be the norm in Lough Allen College save in the following circumstances;

  • There is or has been a serious threat of violence against another student or member of staff
  • There has been actual violence or physical assault
  • Supplying illegal drugs to students in or in the environs of Lough Allen College
  • Sexual Assault

In the expulsion of any student the Board will follow the guidelines and factors to be considered as laid out in the N.E.W.B guidelines. In general the following will be the procedure for expulsion of a student.

 

  • A detailed investigation will be carried out by the Principal and a recommendation will be made to the Board of Management by the Principal.
  • The B.O.M will hold a hearing and consider the Principals report
  • The BOM will outline its recommendations and the next steps it considers appropriate including procedures for consultation with the Education Welfare Officer.
  • Conclusions and decisions to be conveyed to the parent/ guardian (or to the student themselves if over 18 years of age) including procedures for an appeal.

 

Security Cameras

Lough Allen College is equipped with 14 colour security cameras located in a variety of common areas in and without the environs of the school grounds. These cameras record visual images and do not record sound. The purpose of these cameras is;

  • To act as a deterrent in the prevention of vandalism or any other form of criminal action/intent against the school building or persons located on/in the school grounds.
  • To aid school management in the detection of offences on/in the school grounds.


Lough Allen College reserves the right to use information gathered by these cameras in the administration of our code of Positive behaviour. We further reserve the right to store such information on the security hard drive system. The school will if requested by the Gardaí make this information available to the Gardaí. At all times parents will have the right to view any such footage stored on our security system pertaining to their sibling and parents will be supplied with a copy of these footage if requested.

 

Discipline Structure

There are 4 main stages in our discipline structure within Lough Allen College

  1. Class Teacher (Responsible for general class discipline and the establishment of a positive teaching and learning environment. May use the sanction of detention if necessary or refer a student to a year head, or the deputy principal for severe discipline issues)
  2. Year Head (Monitor student behaviour, check diary for teacher notes and/or late stamps, administer discipline sanctions as laid out in schools code of discipline)
  3. Deputy Principal (Deal with individual teacher or year head referrals of complaints of a very serious nature. These complaints will be in written form. At this point parents / guardians of the student will be contacted with a view to discussing their child’s behaviour. The student may be removed from all classes at this point until the situation is corrected to the schools satisfaction)
  4. School Principal. Failing all previous efforts at correction and in the case of continuous or repeated unacceptable behaviour students will be suspended from all school activities. All suspensions will be notified to parents / guardians in writing stating the reason for the suspension and the length of suspension. Suspension may be external (students removed from school grounds) or in-house (suspension served in the school under the supervision of the school). All suspensions will be notified to the Board of Management and will form a permanent part of the student’s school record.

Note: Depending on the severity of the offence a teacher may elect to skip any stage of the stated procedure



Student Referral

When a student is referred to a year head or deputy principal (using the prescribed written complaint form), for a serious offence, this student may be referred to our guidance counsellor Mr. Paul Toal. This referral is designed as a means by which the student is provided with the opportunity in a personal, non-judgemental environment to explain their behaviour. It is meant for students where such offending behaviour is not characteristic of the individual concerned or where this behaviour is a manifestation of extreme personal stress on the student. It will be the prerogative of the Yearhead or deputy principal in consultation with Mr. Toal to suspend sanction in some cases where it is felt this behaviour is not likely to occur again or where there were extenuating circumstances, which contributed to this uncharacteristic behaviour. Confidentiality will underpin this service and teachers, year heads and student alike accept this.

 

Merit System

Lough Allen Colleges encourages positive behaviour among all its students. As part of our code of positive behaviour our school uses a system of merits. When a student is observed carrying out an action or behaving in a manner, which is positive, and a credit to them, a teacher is encouraged to give this student a merit. A merit is a cert given to a student on the spot or at a time of the teachers choosing after the action is observed. All teachers are provided with a book of merit certs. At the end of the school year the school will reward students with the most merits. Merits may also be given to any student for excellent academic achievement. The merit system however is meant to reward students according to their behaviour and runs in conjunction with the students own academic ability.

 

Class Tutors

All classes have been provided with a class tutor. The role of the tutor is to care for the pastoral needs of students in their class. Time will be allocated periodically for class tutors to meet with their group to discuss issues of concern and other pastoral care issues pertaining to students. The class tutor does not have a discipline role but in the course of their pastoral work may be instrumental in the prevention of discipline issues arising.

 

Assembly

Assembly will be convened for 10 minutes on Mondays. The purpose of the assembly is to provide an opportunity for Year Heads to check student diaries, follow up on notes and disseminate information as requested by the Principal.


 
Landscaped surroundings

 

Lough Allen College Facilities

  • Music/Art, Craft & Design Room with Kiln, several PCs and a data projector
  • Science Laboratory and Preparation Room with PC and Data Projector
  • Computer Room with Data Projector
  • Home Economics Room with Data Projector
  • Woodwork/Construction Studies Room and Data Projector
  • Metalwork/Engineering Room with PC, Data Projector and Interactive White Board
  • Technology/Drawing Room with student laptops and Data Projector
  • Science & Geography room with Data Projector, Visualizer and Interactive White Board
  • History, Religion & General subjects classroom with Data Projector and Interactive White Board
  • Geography & Maths room with Data Projector, DVD player with widescreen monitor
  • Irish & French room with Data Projector
  • French & English room with Data Projector, DVD & video cassette player
  • English & Religion room with Data Projector, DVD player with widescreen monitor
  • Careers/Guidance Office
  • Resource Room with several PCs and Data Projector
  • General Purpose Area
  • School Library
  • Meeting Room

 

  • Outdoor Basketball/Tennis Courts
  • Wide Screen TV & DVD / Video Recording and Playback Equipment
  • Lockers available to all students
  • Breakfast Club
  • Tuck Shop
  • First Aid room
  • Supervised Evening Study

General Purpose Area (G.P.)
woodwork room

 

Pastoral Care

The staff at Lough Allen College is dedicated and committed to the holistic education of each student. Lough Allen College prides itself in its academic success and helping students to reach their full potential. The pastoral care structure which exists in the school strives to
Each class group has one of its subject teachers appointed as a Class Tutor who is responsible for initial pastoral care of the student. Each year group has a senior teacher appointed as a Year Head. The Year Head monitors the progress of the students through regular assembly and checking the student journal which in turn is signed by the parents. The Class Tutors and Year Heads will be aware of any issues or problems which may arise during a students time in Lough Allen College and may liaise with the pastoral care co-ordinator. The guidance counselor provides a counseling service on a one-to-one basis where necessary. The school also collaborates with the North Western Health Board where the services of a Home-School Liaison Officer are offered.


Career Guidance and Counselling

Lough Allen College has a fully qualified Guidance Counsellor to provide educational and personal counseling as well as vocational career guidance. Advice and direction is available to all students along with information on career opportunities and college courses.

The Career Guidance Service offers:

  • Assessment
  • Aptitude Testing
  • Advice on Subject Choice
  • Third Level Presentations
  • Attendance at Careers Exhibitions

 


Corridor with student lockers
Computer room

 

Classroom & Anti-Bullying Guide

Anti Bullying Reminder

Rights

I have a right to be:

  • Physically safe
  • Expect my property to be safe at all times
  • Free from all forms of bullying
    - Physical
    - Verbal
    - Emotional
  • Free from extortion
  • Free from any hurtful remarks regarding person, ethnic class, religion or culture

 

Responsibilities

I have a responsibility to ensure that:

  • Others are physically safe
  • The property of others is safe
  • Others are free from all forms of bullying
  • Others are free from extortion
  • Others are free from any hurtful remarks regarding person, ethnic class, religion or culture

 

Classroom Rules:

Be on Time for Class

Bring all appropriate materials

Do your work:
• Well
• Neatly
• On Time

Be Attentive

Let others work without interruption

Leave your classroom tidy….It is nicer for us all

One voice at a time

Participation in class is encouraged and expected

Be Polite At All Times

 

Home-School Communication:

The most regular form of communication between Lough Allen College and home is through the student journal. A full record of homework is kept in the journal by the student. Notes may be written by teachers or the Year Head to alert parents to other issues which may arise. The journal is checked at assembly at least once a week and should be signed by a parent.

- Parent-Teacher Meetings

- Informal Meetings

- Talks for Parents

- Written Communications

- Telephone Contact

- Formal School Reports

- School Newsletter

- Parents Association

 

 


Mobile Phone and Electronic Device Policy

The misuse of mobile phones / personal media players has a disruptive effect on classroom teaching and learning. There are also inherent dangers associated with the misuse of camera/picture phones. Staff and pupils must be protected from any invasion of privacy or harassment associated with the misuse of mobile phones. Nevertheless, Lough Allen College recognises that mobile phones do have a positive aspect and can be helpful as a communication tool in emergencies. The school policy attempts to balance the positive against the negative and encourages the responsible use of mobile phones / personal media players.


Policy

- Phones/Media players are allowed in the Lough Allen College

- Usage of these items is limited to break times as well as before and after school (8:55 and 15:50 -14:00 on Fridays)

- Phones must be turned off at all other times

- If a student uses a phone (or media device) during class or if either sounds during class it will be confiscated. The item will be stored in the Principals office and returned at the end of the school day.

- If this happens a second time the item will be confiscated for 3 days

- On the third occasion the item will only be returned after 5 days and can only be collected by a parent/guardian upon giving a written guarantee that it will not be misused again.

- Further incidents of the contravening of this policy may lead to suspension or any other sanction which the management of the college decide is warranted.

- Using mobile phones to take pictures is strictly banned unless under the strict supervision of a teacher. This would be for the purpose of projects for school work.

- In the event a mobile phone is used in any way as a means of intimidation or bullying of any kind Lough Allen College management will respond appropriately in such cases and will have the full range of sanctions open to them. In such cases the phone will not be returned until the incident has been dealt with to the schools satisfaction. The pupil will lose the privilege of having a mobile phone in school.

- Teachers are not allowed to use a mobile phone in class (calls or texts) except in the execution of their teaching duties.

- Lough Allen College reserves the right to use a school owned mobile phone at any time for the purpose of school administration or to contact a parent or guardian via call or text (phone or web based)

- Lough Allen College reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.

 


Engineering Room Equipment
Engineering room with student projects on show
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