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Parent and Learner Policy

Purpose of this Document

This document contains various pieces of practical information and describes the principles and values that Palm Tempelton subscribes too. These values and principles guide the interaction of our staff with learners and parents. In turn we expect parents and learners to use this as the guide for their interaction with Palm Tempelton and its staff.

Further to this, it also describes our actions for specific circumstances. This document should be read in conjunction with the Enrolment Agreement and other published Palm Tempelton Policies.

  1. Behaviour Goals
  2. Regular school and class attendance
  3. Punctuality, tolerance, acceptance and good will
  4. Courtesy respect for individuals and property
  5. Co-operation and participation
  6. Reasonable decision-making
  7. Constructive critical thinking
  8. Diligence in study
  9. The pursuit of excellence
  10. Trustworthiness and honesty
  11. Respect for the whole environment

4.2.    Unacceptable behaviour

At all times Palm Tempelton learners are expected to act and dress in a way that brings credit to themselves, the centre and the wider community.

  • Learners are expected to exercise sound judgement about appropriate behaviour at all times.
  • At no time may a learner indulge in behaviour that is regarded as unacceptable at Centre, such as the following acts:
    • Assault
    • Drugging
    • Consumption of Alcohol
    • Sexual Activity
    • Smoking
    • Bullying
    • Insolence
    • Vandalism
    • Theft
    • Repeated misbehaviour
    • Carrying of weapons
    • Initiation
    • Use of offensive language
    • Gender, religious or other discrimination
    • Dishonesty
    • Malicious damage to property
    • Transgression of the specific rules that apply in library and other specialist facilities and in the computer centre as referred to in the IT Computer Users Agreement.

 These behaviours apply while at school and when it is possible to associate the learner with the Centre.

 4.3.    Judgement about Behaviour

 Final judgement rests with the principal, who may involve management, staff members and student representatives as consultants in reaching fair judgement in serious cases. The principal may delegate responsibility for judgement, where appropriate, in certain matters, to Phase or programme leaders, class educators, other educators and / or learner representatives.

4.4.    Consequences

 No corporal punishment or other unjust punishment is allowed.

 In less serious cases, the consequence for inappropriate behaviour, as ruled by the Educators must be appropriate to the offence.

 Consequences could include:

  • Detention, community service and repair of damage caused. Notification of a detention must be served with 24 hours warning.
  • Parents must accept that this may inconvenience them by having to fetch their children at a later time.
  • Costs of repairs may be levied on the Centre accounts. In line with the current practice in labour law, first warning can be of a verbal nature, followed by first, second and third written warnings. The warning letters will be placed on the learner’s file, for a period commensurable with the nature of the offence.

 In serious cases, a final warning may be issued without any previous warning having been given.

 In more serious cases, the consequences of unacceptable behaviour will be that parents will be called in, and / or the suspension of the learner from the school for a period, and / or the expulsion of the learner from the Centre.

 The principal, or delegated staff will keep a record of serious offences and letters of warning will be sent to parents, if appropriate.

 In very serious cases, the principal may summarily expel a learner without any warning having been given. Parents of an expelled learner have the right of appeal to Palm Tempelton directors.

 4.5.    Celebration Policy

  • We maintain a neutral position; therefore no holidays, Christian or otherwise will be celebrated.
  • We do not have birthday celebration either, but have made provision of having a day selected by the teacher to allow students to bring snacks limited to cupcakes, cold drink and chips only once a year per student to celebrate them as student.
  • Year-end class parties may be held. A letter will be issued to this effect.
  • Days such as Spring Day, P J Day (appropriate attire), Hat Day etc. may be held and must be supported. This is to develop creativity and must be created by the student.

 4.6.    Discipline Process: Individual

 While Palm Tempelton will dispense justice within our Principles and Values we will also do so with compassion, integrity and respect.

 This section outlines the procedures that will be followed by the centre when taking disciplinary action.

 4.6.1. Minor Infringements

 Infringements that are not considered serious, or do not require formal disciplinary action in the opinion of the relevant educator, will be dealt with directly by the educator. These informal disciplinary measures may be implemented by educators without reference to a Phase or Programme Leader or the principal.

4.6.2. Serious Infringements

 When a more serious infringement occurs or is alleged, the educator concerned, and the phase or programme leaders or principal if appropriate, should investigate the complaint in order to determine the appropriate disciplinary procedure to be followed. At this stage, before the validity and details of the complaint have been established, the centre will not necessarily advise the parents or guardian of a learner that a complaints is being investigated. The parents or guardian will be informed if the matter is to proceed further.

 The Centre shall, in exercising discipline over learners, act according to the principles of natural justice particularly if expulsion is a possible sanction.

 If the circumstances warrant it, the infringement will be noted on the learner’s record and / or the learner’s parents or guardian advised of the misconduct.

 Where necessary, a written notification of a disciplinary hearing will be given to the learner and to his / her parents or guardian. The centre reserves the right to suspend the learner pending the hearing in appropriate circumstances.

 All suspensions will be preceded by an informal meeting involving the representatives of the centre (not the person who is to preside over the disciplinary hearing) and the learner’s parent/s or guardian where reasonably possible, and at which representations, if any, on whether to suspend the learner, will be heard.

 The notification of a disciplinary hearing must:

  • State when and where the hearing is to be held.
  • State the name of the person chairing the hearing.
  • State the nature and substance of the complaint or complaints against the learner.
  • Advise the learner and his / her parents or guardian that they are expected to attend the hearing as their non-attendance may prejudice their case and result in the hearing being held in their absence.
  • Whenever possible the learner and his / her parents or guardian should be notified of the hearing at least two work days before the scheduled date.
  • The principles of natural justice will apply to both parties at the hearing, including that all parties can lead evidence, by calling and cross-examining witnesses.
  • Legal representation is not permitted at a disciplinary hearing as of right, although if any wishes to be legally represented they may address a motivated written request to the chairperson prior to the hearing’s commencement. The chairperson’s ruling in this regard will be final.
  • The disciplinary hearing should be chaired by a senior representative of the centre. If the centre deems it necessary, it may engage the services of a suitable qualified or experienced third party to conduct the injury.
  • A disciplinary hearing is an informal inquiry in which the formal rules of evidence are not strictly applicable.
  • The chairperson will have a broad discretion to determine the manner in which evidence is led and in which manner the proceedings are to be conducted.

This guidance should be followed in order to ensure a fair hearing:

  • The chairperson should act impartially, and as far as possible should not have been involved directly in the events which form the basis of the complaint(s) or have taken any part in the investigation.
  • The chairperson’s findings should be based only on evidence and argument presented at the hearing.
  • The proceedings should be conducted with due regard to the rights to dignity and privacy of all concerned.
  • The learner and his / her parents or guardian must be placed in a position to properly understand the complaint(s) before the commencement of the hearing.
  • The learner and his / her parents or guardian must be presented with all the relevant facts and information relating to the complaint(s).
  • The learners and his / her parents or guardian must be allowed to challenge the evidence presented in support of the complaint(s), to present their own evidence in relation to the events and to explain and / or defend the learner’s action.
  • If they choose to do so, they may lead evidence or make arguments in support of the learner’s defence.
  • At the conclusion of the evidence on the merits, the chairperson must determine whether the learner is guilty of the misconduct alleged in the notification of the disciplinary hearing. No finding of misconduct should be made in respect of infringement for which prior notice was not given or where there was not a proper opportunity to challenge the allegations. In the case of such a secondary complaint(s) either a second hearing, conducted in the same informal manner and subject to the same principles as the first, should be held to determine the appropriate sanction for that complaint, or the secondary complaint/s must be added as a charge/s in the initial hearing and if necessary the parties afforded an opportunity to prepare in relation to such further charges.
  • If the chairperson returns a finding of guilty on any one or more charges, they shall announce this and then call for further submissions (or evidence) from the centre and thereafter the learner and / or his or her parents or guardian in relation to an appropriate sanction.
  • The chairperson must then impose a sanction.
  • After the completion of the disciplinary hearing, the findings made and any sanction imposed should be communicated in writing to the learner’s parent/s or guardian by the chairperson.
  • If the learner is found guilty of any misconduct, the chairperson must briefly state the reasons for the finding and the sanction imposed.
  • In the event that the sanction is expulsion, this notification must include a reminder that the learner has the right to appeal to the principal in writing within five school days of the hearing’s outcome being communicated. An appeal will be conducted by a person or person appointed by the Chairperson of the Board.
  • The chairperson must ensure that a record summary of the evidence led at the inquiry is kept.
  • The centre must keep copies of the record and all documentation used at the inquiry for at least six months after the conclusion of the hearing.
  • If the learner has been suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing, he/she will remain suspended until the end of the disciplinary enquiry.
  • If the learner has been suspended pending the completion of the hearing process, the submission of an appeal will not affect the suspension which will remain in place until the appeal has been concluded, unless the chairperson of the hearing rules otherwise at the time of imposing sanction.
  • The appeal should as far as reasonably possible be conducted within a further seven centre days of receipt of the appeal and accompanying motivation.
  • The motivation must detail which portion/s of the finding and / or sanction are appealed and the reason/s therefore. This motivation will serve before the appeal chairperson and the centre shall be permitted if it so chooses to deliver written representations in response thereto within a further two centre days of receipt of the appeal motivation.
  • When a decision has been made by the appeal chairperson after giving due consideration to the matters raised in the appeal, the written finding must be provided to the parent/s or guardian of the Leaner within a further five centre days of the finding having been made.
  • The decision of the appeal chairperson is final and binding on the parties and is not subject to any further appeal or review.
  • In the event of their appeal being overturned, the parents/guardians may be held liable for any legal costs incurred in the appeal process.

4.7.    Discipline Process: Group

 4.7.1. All infringements

 The above disciplinary procedure is principally designed to deal with instance of misconduct by individual learners. Allegations of misconduct by a group or groups of learners, or involving several alleged infringement of a similar nature, constitute collective misconduct.

 Collective misconduct may be dealt with effectively on a collective basis. A single investigation and disciplinary hearing may then be held, subject to the principles set out above, adapted where necessary for the context.

 In a collective disciplinary hearing, individual learners will be given the opportunity to state or testify that their circumstances differ from the rest of the group.

 The centre reserves the right to adapt either individual or collective procedures as it deems appropriate in the circumstances.

 4.8.    Anti-Bullying Policy

 Children are made aware of their rights and responsibilities and will be empowered through assertiveness training to expose bullies.

 All children have basic rights:

  • To an education
  • To feel safe in the school environment
  • To human dignity
  • To be respected by other learner and educators
  • To be valued as individuals

 All learners have basic responsibilities:

  • To respect the right of others
  • To allow uninterrupted learning to take place

 4.8.1. Types of bullying

Bullying involves an initial desire to hurt and this desire is expressed in action; someone is hurt; the action is directed by a more powerful person or group; it is without justification; it is typically repeated; and it is done with evident enjoyment – Ken Rigby (1998).

 4.8.1.1.  Physical:

 Inflicting physical pain of any form

  • Taking using or damaging any article belonging to another without permission
  • Making / forcing another to do something against his / her will
  • Any other physical action which may diminish the dignity of another

 4.8.1.2.  Verbal:

 Diminishing the dignity of another using verbal attack which includes: threats, teasing, mockery, racial slurs and hate speech, foul language and name calling.

  • Writing hurtful, damaging things about another.

 4.8.1.3.  Psychological:

 Intimidation, rumour-mongering, ostracising, manipulation and domination. Any other action which psychologically diminishes the dignity of another.

 4.8.1.4.  Cyber bullying:

 If this bullying happens during centre hours the centre will follow the same procedure to protect the children from this kind of bullying.

 4.8.2. Procedures on dealing with bullying

 Procedure may differ according to ages or the phases/programmes within the centre.

  • Bullying behaviour needs to be identified and addressed pro-actively.
  • If a bullying incident is reported, all parties and witnesses will be interviewed and all incidents or allegations of bullying will be fully investigated and documented.
  • Parents will be contacted if the educator feels it is necessary.
  • An internal support process for both bullies and victims will be initiated.
  • Observation of bully and victim/s for a period of 2 weeks.
  • If behaviour occurs again, a follow-up report will be issued, a parental interview will be initiated and behaviour modification will be outlined.
  • Professional counselling, regular report-back and an improvement in behaviour will be required if the child is to remain in the centre.
  • If the behaviour does not improve, suspension and possible dismissal from the centre may occur.

 4.9.    Dispute Resolution Policy

 4.9.1. Purpose of the policy

 To provide a transparent process for the efficient resolution of issues that may arise from time to time between parents, staff and centre management.

 4.9.2. Principles Governing the Policy

 A conflict is an issue that should be addressed regardless if both parties involved agree that the dispute is valid. However, most issues should be dealt with in a professional, mature manner using common sense between the parties that are affected.

 Early intervention and open communication are key to effective and efficient resolution. Ideally issues should be resolved through Informal Resolution.

 4.9.3. Procedure to be followed

4.9.3.1.  Informal Resolution:

 THE EDUCATOR: Make an appointment to see the person or persons concerned about the issue, and attempt to resolve the matter informally. Either party may request that a facilitator be present at the meeting. The facilitator may only be another staff member of the centre.

4.9.3.2.  Formal Resolution

 Should the issue not be resolved through an informal meeting, a dispute should be registered in within a week of the Informal Resolution meeting.

 The details of the dispute should be emailed to the Centre Leader and MUST include the following information:

  • Name of the person initiating the dispute
  • Date of the alleged incident
  • Names of all parties against whom the dispute is alleged
  • Names of all parties who might be involved or act as witnesses
  • Detailed and final description of the dispute
  • Details with regard to the Informal Resolution meeting:
    • When did it happen
    • Who was involved
    • What was the outcome
    • What the desired resolution of the dispute is
  • The Centre Leader will acknowledge receipt of the request for a Formal Resolution by email.
  • In the receipt email he / she will indicate when the Formal Resolution meeting will be held. This should typically be within 7 working days but will depend on the nature of the dispute and the number of parties involved.
  • The Centre Leader will attempt to arbitrate a final resolution to the satisfaction of all parties.
  • The process and outcome of this meeting will be minuted and recorded in writing or by electronic means.

4.9.3.3.  Final Arbitration

 If one of the parties still does not believe that the issue has been resolved, all records (written and electronic) must be forwarded to the Centre Directors.

  • The Centre Directors may, at their discretion, either;
    • Attempt to facilitate a final resolution to the satisfaction of all parties
    • Establish an ad hoc Dispute Resolution Committee. Such a Committee will consist of important members possibly not directly associated with the centre.
    • The time frame for this final meeting will be within 15 working days.
    • The findings of the Directors, either directly or by the Dispute Resolution Committee is final.
    • The findings will be made available in writing to all parties within 2 working days of the meeting.

4.10.   Learner Language Policy

All official languages enjoy equal status and respect and home language will not be used to refuse entry to Palm Tempelton. However in the Centre stream:

  • The language medium of instruction for Palm Tempelton is English, but we also offer Afrikaans, French and Tswana as additional languages.
  • The learner must be able to read and write in English to a level that is comparable to their peers for the level that the learner is at.
  • The learner must be able to both understand and express themselves clearly in English.
  • Naturally, language subject will primarily be taught in that language with assistance provided in English.

 We also lend ourselves to assisting those of other languages to follow a remedial stream until the language can be mastered. This is at the discretion of the Center principle and the child’s ability to fit in with their peers.

4.11.   Safety Policy

 We believe that the safety of the children in our care is central to our educational philosophy. We endeavour to make our centre a safe place for learner, parents, staff and guests.

 We aim to make children, parents and staff aware of safety issues and to minimise any potential hazards or risks to enable the children to thrive in a safe environment.

Please see our Safety Policy for more details.

4.12.   Curriculum Policy: Palm Tempelton Centre

 Palm Tempelton makes use of the Brainline, MobyMax and GED®, CAPS aligned curriculum. Palm Tempelton believes that the curriculum listed above supports the philosophy by:

 Focusing on thinking skills and problem solving

  • Not linking academic achievement directly to age
  • A curriculum that takes a complete view of learning and build on itself from one year to the next
  • Allows for greater flexibility with respect to learner’s preferences and learning styles
  • Empower educators to teach and focus on application and not knowledge transfer
  • International standardization
  • Qualifications that are recognized both in South Africa and Internationally

4.13.   Communication Policy

 We make every effort to keep parents well informed at all times. Record keeping and communication is key to having a well-run and functional centre. We use a variety of methods to ensure that all information reaches parents in time. Team work is a team effort. We take responsibility for providing and publishing information you may need to assist your child’s centre. We except parents to follow through on the information given via these methods. Likewise, we require parents to keep us updated with events at home that might impact your child emotionally, physical and academically.

4.13.1.    Supported Communication

Palm Tempelton recognises the following communication channels:

  • Centre diary
  • Email sent from the centre
  • Telephone
  • WhatsApp group messaging

Palm Tempelton recognises the following channels of communication for parents to contact the campus:

 Telephone

  • Emergency SMS number – 076 463 0666
  • Diary
  • Email
  • Direct WhatsApp message with relevant educator or admin person

General email: info@palmtempelton.co.za

Finance: finance@palmtempelton.co.za

Teachers: teacher@palmtempelton.co.za

4.13.2.    Responsibility of parents in Communication

 Read and respond to notices

  • Ensure that the centre has your most recent email address and telephone numbers
  • Ensure that Palm Tempelton emails are not in your SPAM folder.

4.13.3.    Meetings

 We have set meetings and dates please ensure you attend all. THIS IS MANDATORY

  • Parents are encouraged to communicate with their class educators on a regular basis.
  • Verbal communication to pass on information about your child should be done in the morning before normal centre hours.
  • Should you require longer than 5 minutes to talk to the educator please make an appointment after centre hours.
  • Please email front office if you have any questions and it will be passed on to the teacher and respond will afterwards.
  • Parents are also welcome to meet with the principal, however we request that you make an appointment for such a meeting by contacting the receptionist.

4.14.   Food Policy

 Food more specifically nutrition plays a vital part in the development of the brain. Incorrect nutrition will detrimentally affect your child’s ability to perform academically and function effectively.

 Lunch box Tips

You are your child’s role model: model a healthy lifestyle and it will be easier for the rest of the family to follow. You need to plan ahead so that you buy the correct foods for making snacks and lunchboxes.

 Resist the easy option to buy cold drinks, crisps and chocolate bars – in the long run this is going to ruin your child’s health.

 Restrict your child’s demands and manipulation for snacks, high in oil and fizzy cold drinks. Remember that children are different from adults – they have a much smaller stomach capacity, so the need regular snacks and some children have a much bigger energy level because they are more active than adults. Water is an essential part of our DAILY routine here. Please ensure your child has clean water packed every day.

Some ideas for healthy snacks

 Include a healthy fat, either avocado, nuts or coconut oil snack

  • Protein
  • Natural, unflavoured yoghurts for those who can tolerate lactose
  • Health bars (Sugar free)
  • Nuts, raisins, dried fruit
  • Sandwiches with cheese/meat and salad
  • Dinner left overs (if you had a healthy dinner – we have a microwave they can use to warm food. Please send eating utensils)

 Centre Tuck Shop

Please check with your centre to determine on which days the tuck shop is open, items and pricing.

 4.15.   Illness Policy

 When does my child stay home:

 Your child is running a fever

  • Has a runny tummy
  • Has a contagious disease (please advise us in this event by way of a doctor’s note so we can warn or keep an eye on the other students and staff).

 If your child gets ill while here:

 We will call you to collect them ASAP.

  • We will not issue medication.
  • If necessary your child may be taken to hospital for care via ambulance.

4.16.   Exam Policy

 All students are expected to attend as per normal hours during exams.

  • ONLY SENIOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR (ages 14 and up) may be given time off – having met goals – and at the discretion of the centre leader or principal. This may include leaving once exams are done.
  • POST MATRIC students: They attend daily for the first term of PM and then 3 x a week second term and then mornings only last term (they will follow a different holiday to others).

4.17.   Uniform Policy

Although we may not have an official uniform as yet we would like to suggest you make this a cost effective exercise. Buy a bottom and a top for at least five days and use this as the “uniform”.

We may request a certain colour T-shirt in the event of outings. We will advise when and if we implement any uniform.

 However the following applies (included but not limited to):

  • Dressed inappropriately (short “hot pants”, short skirts, low open blouses or T-shirts, provocative clothing, see thru pants showing underwear etc.) will be as asked to go home to change.
  • No black lipstick, eye shadow, Cutex
  • No short and crop T-shirts
  • No foul language on T-shirts slogan

4.18.   Hair & Jewellery Policy

 Both boys and girls hair must be neat and not be a distraction to themselves or others.

  • Without being prescriptive, jewellery needs to be appropriate, tasteful and respectful.
  • It remains the prerogative of the centre to ask a learner to remove any jewellery deemed offensive or inappropriate.
  • NO extreme piercings allowed.

 4.19.   Late Arrivals, Late Collections and Absenteeism Policy

We serve as role models to our children every second they spend time with us. Punctuality and commitment to agreement are just another way of guiding our children to become responsible adults. Children need to be at the centre at the starting time 7:30 am. If you arrive after starting time and it becomes a pattern (we consider a pattern twice a week), then educators will engage with you. What works for us is that you share with us when you are late and / or call in advance to let us know that you will not be making it to the centre on time. In your sharing please ensure to check what the impact is and share with us how things will be different in the future and / or request support from us on ideas of how to be on time.

Should you know that you are either going to be late to drop off or late to collect your child please contact the centre ASAP. This is a great help for educators and admin staff that are looking after the welfare of your child.

 Please note that the Ad Hoc Aftercare fee will apply should your child not be collected within 15 min of the end their centre day.

 If your child is going to be absent from the centre for illness or any other reasons please inform the centre that morning at 08:00 am.

When your child returns to the centre, please include a signed note in the diary explaining their absence, sick note or other.

4.20.   Policy on cell phones and other personal technology devices

  • Palm Tempelton is not responsible for the safekeeping of children’s cell phones or personal technology devices (including laptops, cameras, iPads, tablets and any other personal electronic devices.
  • Cell phones are not allowed to be used during centre time and should be handed in at 7:30 to the educator who will then hand it into the front office for safekeeping.
  • Phone calls to parents must be made through the office. If the student is found on their cell phone it will be confiscated and a warning will be issued.
  • If laptops or any personal technology device is brought to the Centre to be used by the children for class work, the centre does not accept any responsibility for the safekeeping thereof.
  • NO games may be played on the laptops or personal technology devices. Parents are responsible for ensuring the correct safeguarding and parental controls are in place.
  • NO you tube music videos or other videos are allowed.
  • Children found to be in possession of a cell phone or personal technology device during tests or exams face disciplinary procedures.
  • Children found watching any pornographic or derogatory videos or other will face disciplinary procedures.

4.21.   Traffic and Parking

Palm Tempelton takes the safety of your children very seriously. This means that children are under adult supervision at all times with educators and security guard on gate duty before centre, during break and after centre.

  • As part of our safety policy all children need to be dropped off inside the premises.
  • Please familiarize yourself with the traffic flow of the centre to avoid a bottled neck or traffic builds up.
  • Be on time and don’t rush to and from centre as we are a community conscious organization and we would like our parent to respect our neighbours.
  • Considerate and patient will have considerate and patient children.
  • Please move through and don’t chat during pick up or drop off times. If your child is taking a while please exit and enter again.
  • Please sign out the student daily.
  • Please advise your child’s transport of these regulations.

Traffic is a SERIOUS matter and we request that all parents co-operate to help manage our traffic. This includes:

  • Obeying the traffic laws outside the centre – DO NOT SPEED SPEEDING KILLS OUR CHILDREN.
  • Please do NOT block other parents. It never takes a second to get a 7 year old with his bags into or out of the car!
  • Please do NOT reverse into incoming traffic.
  • Please LOOK OUT for children at all times.
  • Please look carefully when exiting the driveway to ensure everyone’s safety.
  • Do not park on or damage our neighbours’ paving areas.
  • For a meeting please park IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS so as to ensure traffic flows smoothly.

4.22.   Emergency Plans and Evacuation Procedures

 Emergency plans will be adhered to in terms of the instructions posted in each classroom. These plans include fire emergency, hostage situations and explosives scares (bomb and gunshots).

All staff members are familiar with the centre fire drill procedure. These fire drills are held regularly to ensure that the children have a good understanding of the procedure.