Code of Conduct

1. HVHS is a Restorative Practice school. Click here to learn more.

2. Click here for our Student Behaviour Management Plan

3. Code of Conduct

As revised by the Board of Trustees on 9 May 2018

1 1.1 In order to create a safe and positive learning environment, the school needs clearly understood expectations and requirements for student conduct. This code of conduct presents the expectations and requirements applicable to students enrolled at Hutt Valley High School.

2 GENERAL CONDUCT

2.1 Students are expected, at all times, to conduct themselves in a sensible, responsible manner while at school, attending school functions, or when representing the school at other venues.

2.2 Students’ conduct should reflect the school’s values and:

show respect, care, concern, and consideration for others
show respect for school property, and the property of others.

2.3 Students are required to co-operate with all staff members. This includes giving one’s name, form class and other reasonable information to a staff member when requested, and acting in accordance with instructions issued by the staff member.

2.4 Unacceptable behaviour includes bullying, offensive language, racist or homophobic remarks, cyber bullying and sexual harassment. These behaviours will not be tolerated.

2.5 There is a total ban on cigarettes, vaping paraphernalia, alcoholic drinks, solvents, solvent-based glue, and other dangerous or narcotic substances (including “legal” synthetics) at school, school functions, school related events such as sports, cultural or subject trips; while travelling to and from school; and at any other time where identification with Hutt Valley High School is possible.

2.6 When conduct falls short of the school expectations, the school will attempt to restore the situation using restorative practices and strategies designed to help the students (and their families) understand what they did, what the impact was on others, what is needed to make things right, and how they might guarantee there will be no repeat of the problem.

2.7 Serious misconduct may lead to a stand-down or suspension from school in terms of the Education Amendment Act (No 2) 1998; where a student’s gross misconduct or continual disobedience is a harmful or dangerous example to others. Serious misbehaviour can involve: theft; constant defiance or disobedience of instructions or rules; acts of violence (physical or verbal) against others; acts of vandalism - including actions which threaten the integrity of the school computer network; any narcotic substance use, consumption of alcohol, smoking tobacco, or solvent sniffing, or knowingly being in the presence of others who are so involved; contravention of other clauses of the Code of Conduct.

3 ATTENDANCE

3.1 School classroom hours are from 8.45 am to 3.15 pm, except Wednesday, which commences at 9.50am following staff professional development time. Students must attend all classes between these hours. Senior students (Year 12-13) have NCEA call-back spells on Tuesday and Friday at the start of the day, and are excused if not required to present themselves for assessment. Year 11 students have a similar call-back spell on Tuesday only.

Outside of these hours, parents are responsible for their children – including travel to and from school. However, the school reserves the right to impose sanctions on students outside of these hours if the reputation of the school is at risk through inappropriate student behaviour.

3.2 Absence from school for family or medical reasons should be accounted for by caregivers in advance (where appropriate); or with a written explanation, medical certificate, or other communication within 24 hours of the student returning to school.

3.3 Students whose attendance falls below 85% are not eligible to represent the school for any activities. This figure does not include legitimate absences for sanctioned activities, or for medical reasons (doctor’s certificate is required for over 3 days absence).

3.4 It is expected that all students will attend all classes on time.

3.5 With the exception of Year 13 students during study periods, students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day (including interval and lunchtime) except:

with a lunch pass to go to their own homes for lunch (issued after express written permission from caregivers to the school)
in the case of sickness, dental or medical appointments, provided prior approval has been obtained from the student office or senior administration
for any other reason with the prior approval of senior administration who will have issued an EXIT pass.

4 HOMEWORK

4.1 Homework is an integral part of courses offered at Hutt Valley High School. Students should expect to work at home on set written work, revision of work covered in class assignments, research or reading.

5 MOTOR VEHICLES

5.1 Students may not park motor vehicles on school grounds.

6 PERSONAL PROPERTY

6.1 All personal property must be clearly named.

6.2 Students are NOT permitted to bring to school:

cigarettes, tobacco, vaping paraphernalia, matches, lighters, pipes (including home-made pipes), alcohol, dangerous or unlawful drugs/substances, chewing gum, solvents, solvent-based glue, aerosol cans/sprays, water or stink bombs
fireworks, knives, weapons of any description (including imitation weapons), or any dangerous or potentially hazardous material or items
broad-tipped permanent markers
offensive written and/or pictorial material, including material saved to electronic devices.

6.3 We encourage the use of mobile devices for learning. Use of such devices is guided by the school’s Digital Citizenship Agreement.

6.4 Parents may be required to reimburse the school for damage done to school property by their children.

6.5 The school accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property and electronic/mobile devices should be covered under home insurance policies.

7 SCHOOL TRIPS AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

7.1 Students are required to wear the designated uniform on all school-related trips, unless the supervising teacher has determined that it is clearly inappropriate for the activity involved.

7.2 All trips and social functions that occur in association with school activities (such as dances and dinners) are subject to the Code of Conduct pertaining to general conduct, including the ban on cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, solvents, solvent-based glue, and other dangerous or unlawful drugs/substances.

7.3 The school is unable to accept responsibility for the transportation of students to and from sporting venues.

8 UNIFORM AND DRESS CODES

8.1 Every student is expected to wear correct, full school uniform. This applies to students who are:

attending school
travelling to or from school, or identifiable as Hutt Valley High School students in a public place
at a school function where the wearing of school uniform has been specified.

8.2 These uniform and dress codes are specified in the school uniform/dress regulations and apply at all times unless especially exempted by the Principal or Associate Principal. Exemptions would be granted only to comply with the Human Rights Act on grounds of religion, cultural practice or where there is a medical reason for a variation.

8.3 Points to note are:

Shoes: plain black school shoes with a back, or plain black sandals with a back.
Simple stud or sleeper earrings and a small nose stud are permissible. Necklaces and one bracelet (including fundraising) ones are fine. No other facial piercings.
Discreet/unobtrusive make-up only is allowed.
Extreme hairstyles are not permitted. Dyed hair must be in a natural colour range
Students are to be clean-shaven
The only jackets permitted with the uniform at school and travelling to and from school are a plain black jacket (including puffer style) or HVHS blazer.

Code of Conduct

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