Policies

The school has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of bullying. This includes verbal, physical, emotional and threatening abuse towards any member of our school community.

We firmly believe that every member of the school community, irrelevant of rank or status, is to be treated kindly and with respect. One’s dignity is sacred and is to be respected at all times and with no reserve.

When bullying occurs, help and support is given to the victim and his/her parents/guardians. If need be, professionals are roped in so as to maximise on appropriate help and support. The anti-bullying team is consulted when the bullying instance is a severe one.

The perpetrator is also given support to be able to identify whether there are underlying reasons leading to bullying.

In accordance with national guidelines, St. Francis School Birkirkara encourages ongoing school based assessments. Various assessment forms are used by teachers, to meet the variety of learning styles among students.

Teachers choose a number of assessments to report on our virtual learning environment. Towards the end of each term, these assessments are published, for all parents to view.

Each and every subject is assessed, not only core subjects, as we believe that each and every subject helps in the holistic formation of our students.

School attendance is important for the development of our children. Furthermore, regular attendance is compulsory, as per national governmental regulations. All absences of students require notification and justification.

School starts at 7:40am with an assembly and finishes at 13:10. Punctuality is of utmost importance. Parents/guardians must email the Head of School for permission, for their children to be released before the official time. In such circumstances, parents/guardians are always to report to the reception desk so as to sign a specific sheet, as proof that they have taken their child before the end of the school day.

When a child is sick, parents/guardians are to fill in the online absentee form and mark it accordingly. If the child is sick for three days or more days, a medical certificate will need to be attached to the absentee form. The medical certificate needs to clearly state when the child is fit for school. Every medical certificate needs the stamp of a certified doctor. Children are marked sick when a note or a certificate prove the sickness. When absence is unauthorised, however, the child is marked as absent on the daily class attendance record. Persistent and regular absence is duly reported to authorities, as per governmental regulations.

When a child has a hospital visit, the hospital paper is to be sent as proof of the visit. In such cases, children are marked as excused on the daily class attendance record.

When a child needs to miss school due to personal reasons, the online absentee note needs to be filled in as well. Parents/guardians are to fill in the necessary information accordingly. In such cases, students may be marked as excused on the daily class attendance record.

When a student is sick no homework is sent home, since new work would need to be explained by the class teacher prior to it being worked out. Upon the child’s return, the class teacher will gradually explain the missing work and the workload will be given gradually, not at one go.

Going abroad during school days is highly discouraged, as learning is interrupted. In the event that this cannot be prevented, permission is to be sought from the Head of School via email, with both parents/guardians in copy. A copy of the flight ticket or boarding pass is to be attached in soft copy format, as per governmental regulations. When abroad during school days, students are still marked as absent on the daily class attendance record. Should students miss examinations due to holidays abroad, the exams missed will not be repeated. In the case that students experience a drop in their grades due to regular absence or travelling over an extended period, neither the school, nor the teacher will be held responsible.

Good behaviour includes the student's respect for oneself, respect for others, respect for the school and local community, and respect for the environment. Given that students have a right to be in an orderly and safe learning environment, they are expected to behave, both inside the school premises as well as on school buses, in a friendly and orderly manner and to show respect for all persons and property. Good conduct reflects the attempt by the whole school community to present a positive image of itself as a caring, learning community.

Students are encouraged to act responsibly towards all members of the whole school community. Teachers record and celebrate such behaviour to ensure that achievement in this regard is clearly recognised and differentiated from academic performance. The main aims of such an approach are to create and nurture a climate in which all students, irrespective of their academic abilities, act positively, and to create an ethos where positive and considerate behaviour becomes the norm.

Reinforcement of good behaviour takes place when it is recognised, acknowledged and supported. Such a system is not just a matter of issuing merits. It is a question of sensible use of language in one's everyday interactions with students and of communicating the value one attaches to good behaviour. Positive reinforcement practices used in our school include verbal and written praise, certificates or rewards from teachers and the SLT to recognise and affirm students' good efforts and achievements, announcements and celebrations during assemblies regarding in-school or out-of school achievements, an annual Award Day recognising good behaviour and other positive values, a display of students' work in classrooms and prominent places on the school premises as well as recognition of whole class efforts by the SLT.

The school has a non-punitive approach. In accordance with our ethos, we educate students holistically and we help them grow into responsible citizens. Hence, when a consequence is deserved, this consequence is related to the grievance committed (ex. a child who tears a book is asked to spend some time arranging books in the school library; when a child hurts another in any possible way, be it emotionally or physically, he/she will be asked to repay this grievance via a kind act towards the victim).

Unacceptable behaviour is dealt with in a fair and consistent way. Any response to disruptive behaviour is never directed to the person but to the action. Unacceptable behaviour includes repeatedly disrupting the class, shouting, leaving the class without authorisation, showing disrespect for teachers and other students, lingering, failure to do work to the best of one's ability, fighting, using inappropriate language, playing rough, behaving disrespectfully towards others, throwing objects at others, bullying someone and indulging in acts of vandalism.

The Head of School, the Designated Safeguarding Officer and the Guidance Teacher address serious behaviour issues and liaise with parents/guardians, whilst offering them the necessary support to be able to work collaboratively towards solving the behavioral problem. When necessary, professionals, such as Counsellors, Play Therapists or Psychologists are referred to.

When bullying occurs, help and support is given to the victim and his/her parents/guardians. The perpetrator is also given support to be able to identify whether there are underlying reasons leading to bullying.

All items brought to school are to be visibly labelled.

School bags should be comfortable and big enough to hold all the child needs. More than one bag is highly discouraged. Trolley bags are strictly prohibited.

Metal drinking bottles are strictly prohibited.

Mobile phones are strictly prohibited.

Electronic equipment is strictly prohibited, unless it is a school tablet/laptop used in class.

Money is prohibited unless a dress down day or activity is taking place, in which case, the correct amount of money is to be sent in a labelled purse/wallet/envelope.

St. Francis School Birkirkara is a Church school, on which premises is the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. Hence, the building deserves the utmost respect. For this reason, all stakeholders, staff and parents/guardians alike, are to dress appropriately at all times, even if no children are on the premises.

Students are also to wear their uniform with pride, as the uniform symbolises the school. Parents/guardians are encouraged to adhere to the school’s uniform requirements and to follow uniform rules diligently.

Watches are only to be worn by students in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. No smart watches are allowed.

The only jewellery items allowed on students are small ear studs. No other jewellery item is allowed.

Index:

During Annual exams, students have an index number instead of their name and surname written on the exam paper. This ensures anonymity, especially in view of the fact that students could be the children of members of staff.

Correction:

Annual exam papers are corrected by year group teachers. Each teacher corrects a language paper for both classes, and a Maths/Science paper for both classes. This ensures uniformity and consistency when correcting and avoids subjectivity between correctors as much as possible.

Guidelines when correcting:

The school is following the national guidelines for corrections in all subjects.

Health and Safety are promoted at our school through daily, good, healthy habits and also through curricular practices, as we recognise that both are imperative and that the well-being of every stakeholder in our community should always be at heart.

Each and every stakeholder is encouraged to respecting one’s personal health as well as that of others, be it physical health and mental health. To this effect, the school discourages communication outside school hours and on weekends, so as to allow time for self and family.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to provide the school with information about their child's medical history, so as to make sure that their health and safety are safeguarded.

Healthy eating is a priority at school. Children's lunches are encouraged to be in line with healthy food principles and water only is allowed to be drunk at school. The school supplies potable water for all members of its community. Sweets, confectionery items, salty snacks and sweetened drinks are not allowed, unless on a particular celebratory activity. On students’ birthdays, plain muffins are encouraged.

The school promotes good personal hygiene practices, through school cleanliness and routine procedures. Regular spot checks are done to ensure a high level of cleanliness and orderliness. Classes are equipped with small brooms, pails and dustpans, to encourage children to keep a clean and orderly environment and to encourage them to clean up their own messes; we believe that this will help them be independent, responsible adults eventually.

No medicines are administered at school, unless these are needed by a student with particular medical needs. In such cases, a medical specialist’s authorisation is to be given and only first aiders will be authorised to administer such medicines.

Parents/guardians are discouraged from sending their child to school if s/he is sick or unable to participate in daily activities. If a child contacts a communicable disease, s/he needs a clearance certificate from the physician stating that the child is fit to attend school once again. If a child falls ill while at school, parents/guardians are contacted and asked to collect the child.

Should an accident occur on school premises during school hours, the educators on duty are to alert a member of the SLT. A First Aider is to be promptly called and first aid is to be administered. If a student needs to be taken home, or to hospital/polyclinic, due to illness or accident, parents are to be notified as soon as possible. Should hospitalisation be necessary and a parent/guardian fails to answer calls, a member of the SLT will accompany the child to hospital. Once an injured child is helped, the educator on duty and the first aider who saw to the case, are to fill in an incident report form and file it.

In the event that the school receives a threat, the school will follow without hindrance instructions from the Police and/or Civil Protection Unit according to established procedures. If evacuation is necessary everyone should leave the building and directed to a safe location. Random fire drills are conducted periodically and the emergency procedures instructed by the SLT are practised.

A health and safety officer is called on school premises frequently to make sure that the school is always conformant to the latest health and safety national requirements.

Child protection is another main responsibility of the school. Abuse of minors disrupts the growth and development of children and their capacity to grow, learn and be happy. It affects children negatively and can harm them for life. All school staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are instructed to report any suspicions to the Head of School. The Head of School and the DSO will duly report to authorities when necessary. Meanwhile, all staff members are regularly trained on safeguarding procedures, as per Church Entities regulations.

Substance abuse harms students, threatens the safety of the environment and disrupts the educational process. It is the duty and obligation of school staff to take all necessary measures to prevent, curb and eradicate substance abuse in schools. When a student on the school premises is found in possession of an illegal substance or substance-related paraphernalia, the Head of School and DSO will immediately inform the relevant authorities. Parents/guardians will be promptly notified about the incident and asked to come to school immediately. Disciplinary measures will be taken by the school in line with the Education Act, Substance Abuse Policy.

Bullying, including all forms of verbal and physical behaviour that is meant to hurt, intimidate or jeopardise the integrity and the dignity of a person is strictly forbidden. Name calling, ridiculing, taunting, threatening and use of physical violence are all forms of bullying. The Head of School and DSO will take the necessary measures in line with the Anti-bullying Policy Document to prevent and stop such acts.

Pornography, indecent behaviour and corruption of minors are strictly forbidden and action will be taken immediately. The Head of School and DSO will immediately refer to the relevant authorities, in accordance with the national Child Protection Procedures.

Parents/guardians and a supportive home environment play a crucial role in shaping attitudes that produce good behaviour in schools. It is therefore important that parents/guardians are aware of the aims, values and the nature of expected behaviour of the school. For the smooth running of the school and for good behaviour and effective discipline to be properly exercised, the school encourages parents/guardians to be partners. Parents/guardians are supported by the school and feel that they are important stakeholders in their children's education. For this purpose, home-school links are established through a variety of means such as frequent activities that involve parents/guardians in educational matters. On their part, parents/guardians need to regard the establishment of home-school collaboration as a parental responsibility.

Parents/guardians who sincerely wish to practise positive discipline with their own children must endeavour to become a positive role model in their children's life. Such role modelling extends to their behaviour on or near the school premises. The school expects parents to show respect towards administration, teaching staff and other staff working in the school by being decently dressed and by using proper language as these are an expression of respect to oneself and to all the Catholic community. They are expected to request an appointment from the Head of School, Deputy Head or teacher prior to showing up at school; refrain from speaking to teachers before or after school hours and refrain from contacting SLT members and educators at home or through social media after school hours. They are to discuss specific complaints with the Head of School only and not in the presence of students and use a respectable tone when addressing teaching staff, administrative or other personnel. They are encouraged to cooperate with the school by reading announcements regularly and by adhering to school policies. They are to refrain from smoking both while accompanying children to school as well as on the school premises or the close vicinity of the school. Parents/guardians should avoid threatening behaviour at all costs; police protection can be sought in circumstances requiring such intervention. Non-custodial parents should not press the school for visitation access at the school.

Furthermore, parents/guardians are encouraged to pass on to the school detailed information of home and work addresses and contact telephone number/s, as well as emergency ones. All changes in addresses, home or work telephone numbers, as well as emergency contact numbers, must be immediately communicated to the school office to ensure that information is correct at all times. Parents/guardians are to authorise another adult to collect their child via email to the Head of School, sending the I.D. card scan of the adult collecting the child.

Parents/guardians are invited to actively participate in social, educational and curricular planning activities that support, promote and nurture the school ethos, such as PTA activities and other school activities and they are encouraged to be part of the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

Parents/guardians are to label all the student's belongings and return anything that does not belong to their child; assist their child at home with any difficulties s/he might encounter while doing H.W, do regular revision work with their child throughout the scholastic year, find time for reading together, prepare study plans for their child before examination periods, encourage and support their child to participate in school and out of school based projects and be an exemplary model for their child when being online and using social media.

Summer Uniform:

• Navy blue skorts for girls (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue shorts for boys (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Yellow school polo-shirt (from Pace’s Valletta)

Summer P.E. kit:

• Navy blue skorts for girls (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue shorts for boys (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Yellow cotton school t-shirt (from Pace’s Valletta)

Winter uniform:

• School tracksuit (from Pace’s Valletta)
• School yellow turtleneck, to be worn under tracksuit on colder days (from Pace’s Valletta)
• School yellow polo-shirt, to be worn under tracksuit on warmer days (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue school anorak (from Pace’s Valletta)

Winter P.E. kit:

• School tracksuit (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Yellow cotton school t-shirt, to be worn under tracksuit on PE days (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue school anorak (from Pace’s Valletta)

Accessories:

• Navy blue school beanie cap (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue school scarf (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Plain navy blue gloves
• Navy blue school cap (from Pace’s Valletta)
• Navy blue head bands/rubber bands/scrunchies/hair clips

Shoes:

• White running shoes

Socks:

• Plain white socks

Students are expected to maintain high standards in their personal appearance. This is part of being proud of themselves. Students should wash everyday and be clean at all times. The uniform, shoes, school bag and lunch bag should be clean. Students should wear their uniform smartly. Nails should be kept short and varnish is strictly prohibited. Hair should be clean and checked from time to time. It should be tied neatly, kept simple and appropriate for school.

No jewellery is allowed, apart from small ear studs. Watches can be worn from Year 3 onwards. No smart watches are allowed. The school will be not held responsible for any loss of valuable jewellery.

Students in our school are encouraged to learn about and apply life enhancing skills as self-control, conflict management, problem-solving, decision-making, and effective intra-/inter-personal communication. Students learn to appreciate that negative behaviour has its consequences and that good behaviour shapes the desired community environment.

The school expects students to cooperate fully with the administration, staff and parents/guardians as a sign of respect towards authority and to show respect towards administration, teaching staff and other staff working in the school by using appropriate behaviour, language and manners. They are to fully execute their school duties. School work and homework are a means of continuous assessment and gauge students' progress. Students must work to the best of their ability. Failure to demonstrate effort, interest, and pride in one's work results in unacceptable standards. Assignments and homework should be completed on time. If, for any valid reason, such work is not presented on time, students are expected to produce a note from their parents/guardians and to make the necessary arrangements with the teachers for extra help or extra time, if absolutely necessary.

Students must work their paper during assessments and examinations using their own effort. Cheating by looking at another student's work, copying from other sources or similar cheating is not tolerated. The invigilator will take the student's paper and write down any remarks he/she deems necessary, besides signing the paper. Copying carries an automatic expulsion from that particular exam.

Students are expected to demonstrate self and class discipline between lessons and when travelling between the three school buildings. The teacher always accompanies his/her class to ensure constant supervision. Translocation should be done quickly and quietly. No lingering should take place and students are expected to abide by school rules. It is also the students' responsibility to have all the necessary materials and equipment at hand before the commencement of lessons.

Students are expected to behave well wherever they might be and respect others during break-time, which is a time for socialisation. They are encouraged to watch out for students sitting on the buddy-bench during break, and invite them to join in playing with them. They are to perform academically to their best ability, so as to ensure a profitable learning experience. Students are encouraged to take the responsibility to write all their HW diary, without phoning classmates after school hours to compensate for any negligence at school.

They are to take good care of their personal property as well as school property and return any property that does not belong to them and to leave the classroom tidy before they go home, pick any litter and throw it away. They should also rearrange the desks and chairs in the way they have found them at the beginning of the day.

Students are encouraged to become actively involved in school committees such as Ekoskola and Student Council. They are urged to report all forms of bullying, vandalism and other abusive acts to a trusted member of staff. They are to be fully responsible for personal belongings, such as bags, books, lunch boxes, bottles, stationery items and uniform items and respect school property at all times and be proud of their school.

Policy for the Admission of Students Beyond Ballot Years at St. Francis Schools

Kindergarten 1 in Birkirkara, Cospicua and Msida

According to the Admission Regulations of the Secretariat for Catholic Education.

www.thechurchinmalta.org

Kindergarten 2 in Birkirkara, Cospicua and Msida

Children in KG1 proceed automatically to KG2. Remaining places are filled in according to the Admission Regulations of the Secretariat for Catholic Education.

www.thechurchinmalta.org

Primary: Year 1 in Birkirkara, Cospicua and Msida

Children in KG2 proceed automatically to Year 1. Remaining places are filled in according to the Admission Regulations of the Secretariat for Catholic Education.

www.thechurchinmalta.org

Secondary: Year 7 in Sliema

In Year 7, girls from St. Francis Birkirkara, Cospicua and Msida proceed automatically to Sliema Secondary school. Remaining places are filled in according to the Admission Regulations of the Secretariat for Catholic Education.

www.thechurchinmalta.org

St. Francis Schools admit students through the ballot process organised by the Secretariat for Catholic Education. Classroom population in our schools follows guidelines set by MEDE and MUT agreements. In the eventuality that students opt to pursue their education at other educational institutions, and vacancies are created, our schools can admit students to fill these vacant places. In these cases, the admission process is as follows:

1. Throughout the course of the year, each school receives letters of intent from parents who would like their child to be admitted to one of our schools should a vacancy arise.
2. All letters of intent should be addressed to the Head of School and include:
   1. The Name and Surname of the child in question
   2. The intent for admission
   3. The date of birth of the said child
   4. Contact details of the parents
   5. In the case of SEN children, a copy of the latest psychological report is to be attached too.
3. Both electronic and hard copies of letters of intent may be sent, although electronic copies are preferred. All letters will be acknowledged by the Head of School or by someone on her behalf via e-mail.
4. These letters are each signed by the Head of School and her witness, and if possible, by the parents too, before being kept in file. Each letter is dated to respect the order of receipt. The date of birth of the child serves to indicate the year cohort in which he/she would be admitted should a vacancy arise.
5. As per the charisma of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus, St. Francis Schools embrace the commitment to serve the most vulnerable. Hence, the schools reserve the right to give precedence to genuine humanitarian cases, such as loss of a parent resulting in lack of educational means; mental health problems of parents resulting in lack of appropriate care of minors; and traumas such as homelessness and severe illnesses.
6. Hence, the schools will distinguish between the following hierarchical criteria as per normal regulations of admission:
   1. Grave Humanitarian Cases (as per no. 5 above)
   2. Children from Children’s homes
   3. Children of School employees
   4. Siblings
   5. Other applicants.
7. Two separate lists are kept: one for students following a mainstream curriculum, and another for students with special educational needs.
8. In the eventuality that more than one student qualifies for possible admission, a public ballot will be drawn amongst the interested parties.
9. In accordance to the Franciscan ethos, St. Francis schools accept students irrespective of their religious orientation and beliefs, as long as these individuals respect the schools’ right to exhibit religious symbols and to impart religious knowledge to their students.
10. A registration fee of €25 will be asked for upon admission.

These criteria help all St. Francis schools abide by the set regulations issued by the Secretariat for Catholic Education and assure correctness, conformity, compliance and clarity.

All policies shown on this page are included in full within the sections above.