Code of Conduct and School Rules

Swiss Cottage takes a Character First approach in developing our students. The school wishes to instil positive values in the students so that they can self-regulate, while at the same time affirm the good in every student through various platforms.

SWISS R.U.L.E.S.

As a Swiss student, I will uphold Swiss R.U.L.E.S.:

Respect & Responsibility

Respect myself and all those working in the school.
Respect the right of my fellow schoolmates to learn and the right of teachers to teach.
Respect our school property and the property of others.
Be responsible for all that we do and say.

Uniform and Appearance

Wear my uniform as prescribed by the school and not modify the uniform.
Wear appropriate attire for all functions and events.
Wear appropriate attire for special classes (e.g., Physical Education and Food & Consumer Education).
Keep a neat and tidy hairstyle.

Learning

Work to the best of my ability in our academic endeavours and co-curricular activities.
Attend all classes with the appropriate learning materials and be prepared for my lessons.
Be responsible in completing all homework on time and attempt to the best of my ability.
Follow classroom and school rules.
Be Ready to Learn, which means that in between lessons, I will help to tidy my classroom, take out relevant learning materials and get mentally prepared for the next lesson.

Environment

Take good care of my classroom, school grounds and property.
Conserve electricity when possible, such as by switching off fans and lights when not in use.
Work together to create a harmonious, friendly and safe learning environment for all.
Not eat or drink outside the canteen area and during lesson time.
Not litter all the time.
Be considerate to my schoolmates who are still having lessons.

Safety & Security

Act in a safe and responsible manner in school.
Act in a safe manner while travelling to and from school and during excursions.
Resolve differences and conflicts by negotiations.
Keep my school free from tobacco-related products, non-prescribed drugs, undesirable print and non-print materials, weapons and weapon-like objects.
Keep my school safe from external dangers.

SWISS CODE OF CONDUCT

The Swiss Code of Conduct is guided by two principles:

(1) School Pride and (2) Self-Discipline


Swiss Cottage strives to build strong school pride in our students.	School pride is a love for the school, the feeling that we belong to Swiss Cottage – a special school. The Swiss values of Honour and Humility, govern the way we Think, Care and Lead. Students with a deep sense of pride in the school will conduct themselves with respect and responsibility towards the school, the staff and fellow Swiss students. Swiss students should strive to maintain full attendance, a smart appearance, a positive attitude, high aspirations and hence attain satisfying achievements.
Swiss Cottage strives to help students be self-disciplined.	A self-disciplined person is a master of himself who knows how to act with respect and responsibility. A self-disciplined person has the strength of mind to speak and act in ways that are appropriate, and to avoid speech and conduct that are inappropriate. A self-disciplined person has the strength of character to persevere in spite of stress or setbacks, to press on to balance academics, CCAs, other school activities and core commitments to family/friends.

Swiss Cottage strives to build strong school pride in our students.

School pride is a love for the school, the feeling that we belong to Swiss Cottage – a special school. The Swiss values of Honour and Humility, govern the way we Think, Care and Lead.

Students with a deep sense of pride in the school will conduct themselves with respect and responsibility towards the school, the staff and fellow Swiss students. Swiss students should strive to maintain full attendance, a smart appearance, a positive attitude, high aspirations and hence attain satisfying achievements.

Swiss Cottage strives to help students be self-disciplined.

A self-disciplined person is a master of himself who knows how to act with respect and responsibility. A self-disciplined person has the strength of mind to speak and act in ways that are appropriate, and to avoid speech and conduct that are inappropriate.

A self-disciplined person has the strength of character to persevere in spite of stress or setbacks, to press on to balance academics, CCAs, other school activities and core commitments to family/friends.


The school strives to build a positive school environment where students have a strong sense of pride in the school and develop self-discipline through a firm and fair approach.

All students are required to abide by the following expected behaviour.

1. Social Etiquette

Greet all members of staff, both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Speak politely and with respect to your teachers and fellow schoolmates.
Keep your classes, toilets and the school premises clean and free of litter at all times.
Do not vandalise school or any public property.
Do not leave your books, files and other belongings unattended on the school premises.
Return found items that do not belong to you to the General Office.
Observe proper social etiquette and conduct yourself well in public.

2. National Anthem and Pledge

Students who are Singapore citizens must sing the National Anthem and take the pledge. Students will take the pledge with the right fist placed over the heart.
Students who are non-Singapore citizens are to stand at attention as a mark of respect.

3. Canteen Etiquette

Consume food and drinks in the canteen only.
Return your used plates and utensils to the respective receptacles.
Clear all used disposable cups and other items from the tables and throw them into the dustbins provided.
Do not enter the premises of the vendors to help them to sell food or drinks.

4. School Attire

Students are to wear the prescribed school uniform. Modification to the uniform is not allowed.
Students are to report in full school uniforms on Mondays. Students are allowed to wear the full school uniforms or the official school polo T-shirts from Tuesdays to Fridays.
Students should purchase uniforms from the authorised supplier. They can be purchased from the bookshop vendor during school term.

FOR THE GIRLS	FOR THE BOYS
The blouse should · be white. · have a collar. · have one pocket on the left of the shirt, with an embroidered school crest. · have short and unfolded sleeves. · be properly tucked into the skirt neatly all the time. · be worn over white/beige undergarment. · be fitting and not oversized.	The shirt should · be white. · have a collar. · have one pocket on the left, with an embroidered school crest. · have short and unfolded sleeves. · be properly tucked into the pants neatly all the time. · be fitting and not oversized.
The skirt should · be turquoise-blue. · be long enough to reach the knees (no less than 2 cm from the knee). · have 4-box pleats in front and at the back.	The pants should · not be baggy, flared or too tight/tampered. · reach the shoes. · not be worn with a belt or pouch worn around the waist.


FOR ALL STUDENTS School Tie · Wear the tie only when directed by the school. Shoes and Socks • School shoes and/or sports shoes to be worn. • Students should choose shoes that are comfortable and safe for their daily activities that include Physical Education. • White socks to be worn and seen. Attire for PE lessons · Wear only PE, house or school approved T-shirt with school PE black shorts. · Change back into the school uniform after PE lessons. Attire for Saturdays and non-school days · Wear your respective CCA uniform, unless otherwise instructed by your CCA teachers. · Wear only school uniform or T-shirt issued by respective CCA groups for non-uniformed CCA groups. · Wear only school uniform or school T-shirt if you are in school for activities other than your CCAs. · Do not wear civilian clothes and inappropriate footwear while in school.

FOR ALL STUDENTS

School Tie

· Wear the tie only when directed by the school.

Shoes and Socks

• School shoes and/or sports shoes to be worn.

• Students should choose shoes that are comfortable and safe for their daily activities that include Physical Education.

•       White socks to be worn and seen.

Attire for PE lessons

·       Wear only PE, house or school approved T-shirt with school PE black shorts.

·       Change back into the school uniform after PE lessons.

Attire for Saturdays and non-school days

·       Wear your respective CCA uniform, unless otherwise instructed by your CCA teachers.

·       Wear only school uniform or T-shirt issued by respective CCA groups for non-uniformed CCA groups.

·       Wear only school uniform or school T-shirt if you are in school for activities other than your CCAs.

·       Do not wear civilian clothes and inappropriate footwear while in school.

5. Hairstyle

FOR THE GIRLS	FOR THE BOYS
· Do keep it neat. No tinting or colouring is allowed. · Tie up your hair neatly if it touches the collar of the shirt. Only black, white or grey hair accessories (hair clips/ribbons/elastic bands) are to be used. · Do not keep fanciful hairstyles. · Clip or tie up the fringe if it covers the eyebrow.	· Do not tint or colour your hair. · Keep it short and neat and ensure that the fringe is above the eyebrow. · Ensure that the hair is cut above the ears and collar, with a slope at the back and of an appropriate style that is acceptable by the school. · Must be clean shaven. Beard, moustache or long side-burns are not allowed. · Do not keep a spiky or fanciful hairstyle.

6. General Appearance

Spectacles

Wear simple single-coloured spectacle frames.
Do not wear multi-coloured and fanciful spectacle frames.
Do not wear tinted glasses and coloured contact lenses in school.

Jewellery

Only girls are allowed to wear one simple pair of ear-stud (not more than ~ 0.5 cm in diameter) on each ear lobe.
Do not wear jewellery or accessories of any kind.
No rings or hand/ankle bands should be worn by students.

Fingernails

Keep fingernails short and clean.
Do not polish or varnish fingernails.

Miscellaneous

Do not wear any headgear.
Wear only plain black, white or dark-coloured sweaters, windbreakers or cardigans in class.
Do not wear any make-up.
Do not have any tattoos on your body.
No coloured contact lenses allowed.

7. Attendance

Inform your Form Teacher when you are unable to attend school due to illness or urgent family matters by 0715 hrs. You could also inform your class chairman to help relay the information to your form teacher.
Students should report to the assembly ground before 0735 hrs (0800 hrs on Tuesdays). If you are not in the assembly ground by 0735 hrs (0800 hrs on Tuesdays), you will be considered late for school.
The school takes a serious view on late-coming and students who are late for morning assembly will face consequences.
Submit a medical certificate (MC) to the form teacher on the day you return to the school. The school accepts letters from parents/guardians only on a case-by-case basis (a maximum of 2 letters per term).
Students who do not submit MCs or the necessary documents will be marked as ‘Absent without valid reason’. The school will thus treat this as a case of truancy, if students are unable to explain their absence.
Seek the approval of your form teacher if you need to leave the school premises before the end of the last lesson. You will need to sign in the ‘Permission to Leave Early’ slip in the General Office before you leave.
Your parent or guardian needs to accompany you home if you leave school early.

8. Movement during Curriculum Time

Seek your teachers’ permission before leaving the classroom.
Move quietly when moving to the next venue during curriculum time.
Do not loiter along corridors at any time, including the breaks.

9. Others

You are not allowed to have in possession any weapon. You are also not allowed to bring any weapon-like item which is used or intended to be used to cause harm to others.

The school would like to develop in all students self-discipline.
The observance of school rules is one of the key pillars to achieve a fruitful school experience.

Hence, to help students learn from and correct negative conduct when they misbehave or break school rules, appropriate consequences will be meted out to the students concerned.

The school wishes all students a successful learning experience.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Rationale

We recognise that many students own a mobile phone, and that some parents/guardians request that their child/ward to bring a mobile phone to school for safety and accountability purposes. To ensure a conducive environment for our students, unnecessary distractions or disruptions should be avoided. Hence the school encourages responsible usage of mobile phones.

Rules and Responsibilitities of Student

• All mobile phones must be switched to silent mode during curriculum hours.

• Mobile phones can be used anywhere before the official reporting time.

• Mobile phones can only be used in the library, canteen or at the foyer after curriculum hours (Recess, lunch breaks and after last timetabled lesson).

• Students are responsible for their mobile phones and strongly encouraged to lock their mobile phones in their individual lockers during curriculum hours.

• Mobile phones are used for educational and communication purposes.

Gaming is not allowed.

• Mobile phones brought to school are entirely at students’ own risk.

• The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

• Students should not be capturing and uploading any materials on social media with their mobile phones when they are in school.

• Mobile Phones can be confiscated for up to 3 working days if students do not adhere to the rules.

However, if there is a need for students to use their mobile phones outside of the stipulated guidelines, it may be allowed on a case-by-case basis by the school authorities.

Consequence

It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones to school to abide by the rules outlined by the school. The decision to provide a mobile phone to their child should be made by parents/guardians. It is the duty of the parents to understand the potential use and/or misuse of mobile phones.

Mobile phones will be confiscated for up to 3 working days if students do not adhere to the rules. Confiscated phones will be switched off and kept in a safe at the General Office.

In cases of emergency, the general office contact number remains a vital and appropriate point of contact.

CONDUCT GRADING AND DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM

The school recognises students who consistently display an excellent conduct and exhibit Honour and Humility throughout the semester. Acts of integrity and self-responsibility are also affirmed and acknowledged by the school.

The school uses a demerit point system to help monitor and assign the Conduct Grades for students. Students who do not uphold any of the rules may be given demerit points, in addition to other appropriate consequences meted out by the Student Discipline Committee.

CONDUCT GRADING

A student’s Conduct Grade, as reflected in the Report Card, is related to the student’s conduct and behaviour throughout the year. The Conduct Grading takes into account the student’s attitude in his or her daily work such as whether there is respect for teachers and whether self-responsibility is exhibited by the student. The student’s attendance, punctuality in school and the number of demerit points accumulated are also important criteria in determining the student’s Conduct Grade.


Excellent	A student who is excellent in conduct consistently displays positive dispositions in character, learning and leadership. He or she shows HONOUR by making decisions with integrity, treating others with respect and creating a culture of honour consistently. He or she also shows HUMILITY by seeking personal improvement, taking into account the needs and challenges of others while embracing the world with open-mindedness consistently.
Very Good	A student who is very good in conduct largely displays positive dispositions in character, learning and leadership. He or she shows HONOUR largely by making decisions with integrity, treating others with respect and creating a culture of honour most of the time. He or she also shows HUMILITY largely by seeking personal improvement, taking into account the needs and challenges of others while embracing the world with open-mindedness most of the time.
Good	A student who is good in conduct displays some positive dispositions in character, learning and leadership. He or she shows some HONOUR by making decisions with integrity, treating others with respect and creating a culture of honour sometimes. He or she also shows HUMILITY generally by seeking personal improvement, taking into account the needs and challenges of others while embracing the world with open-mindedness sometimes.
Fair	A student who is fair in conduct is developing positive dispositions in character, learning and leadership. He or she is developing HONOUR by attempting to make decisions with integrity, treat others with respect and create a culture of honour. He or she also is developing HUMILITY by attempting to seek personal improvement, take into account the needs and challenges of others while embrace the world with open-mindedness.
Poor	A student who is poor in conduct needs to display more positive dispositions in character, learning and leadership. He or she needs to show more HONOUR by making decisions with integrity, treating others with respect and creating a culture of honour. He or she also needs to show more HUMILITY by seeking personal improvement, taking into account the needs and challenges of others while embracing the world with open-mindedness.

Students who received a FAIR/POOR conduct grade will face the following consequences:

They will be barred from representing Swiss in any inter-school/international competitions for the following semester.
They will be barred from any overseas trips or any other activities at the discretion of the school for the following semester.
They will be required to attend a Conduct Upgrading programme, ranging from 1 to 5 days at the end of the semester so as to reset the Demerit points to ZERO for the following semester. Students who do not attend the Conduct Upgrading programme will have their demerit points accrued for the next semester.
Lastly, students who received a FAIR/POOR Conduct Grade at the end of the year do not qualify for Edusave awards from MOE.

DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM

This table spells out the possible consequences of accumulating the number of demerit points for offences committed in the course of the semester.

Number of Demerit Points	Possible Actions Taken
5 Demerit Points or more	Level Discipline Master/Form Teachers will counsel student and parents will be informed.
8 Demerit Points or more	Year Head will counsel student and parents will be informed. Suspension from school and other appropriate consequences meted by the school to educate the student.
10 Demerit Points or more	Family Conference with School Leaders. There will be implications on conduct grade and eligibilities for school trip and awards. Student might need to attend a Conduct Upgrading programme. Other appropriate consequences meted by the school to educate the student.

Relevant school personnel (School Leaders, Year Head and Level Discipline Teachers) will step in on a case-by-case basis depending on severity of offences involved.

Offences

There are two categories of offences: Minor and Major.

Offence Type	Minor Offence	Major Offence
Attendance	Latecoming	Leaving School Grounds Without Permission
Attendance	Skipping Classes	Truancy
Misconduct	Improper Attire & Grooming	Bullying
	Littering	Cheating In Assessments/Tests/Exams
	Not Doing Assignments	Disruptive Behaviour
	Using Vulgar Language	Defiance
		Forgery
Other Serious Offences		Alcohol Abuse
		Assault
		Drug Abuse
		Fighting
		Gambling
		Gangsterism
		Inhalant Abuse
		Pornography
		Possession Of Weapons/ Weapon-like object
		Sexual Misconduct
		Smoking
		Others · Illegal entry into school premises · Public display of affection · Threat · Extortion< · Abuse of technology · Possession and/or distribution of prohibited items
Theft/Damage Of Property		Arson
		Theft
		Vandalism

Note that this list of offences is non-exhaustive.
For major offences, the student may be dealt with by the law of Singapore.

Prohibited Items

Tobacco products
Pornographic and other undesirable materials
Chewing gum
Weapon or weapon-like objects

Prohibited items found in students' possession will be confiscated by the school.

In building a safe and positive school environment for all staff and students, the school takes a serious view on all offences. In the event of any occurrence of a major offence, the student will face severe consequences from the school and the case may be referred to the Police or relevant authorities based on the school’s prerogative.

The student’s parents will also be informed and a family conference will be held so that there will be a joint partnership in re-educating and helping the student to change for the better.