Independent Christian School in Tzaneen, Limpopo

Admission

The Rock will admit learners in Grade RR in the year they turn 5, Grade R in the year they turn 6 and in Grade One in the year they turn 7 of all races and genders.

The Parents/ guardians will have to fill in an application form, submit all requested documents for registration and pay an annual registration fee before the learner is admitted at the school. School fees must be paid on the first day of each month, over twelve months.

The Rock is an English medium school offering Afrikkans as a first additional language and Sepedi/ Xitsonga as a second additional language(optional). The children registering for grade 1 and higher grades will have to pass a basic English test, as to not lower the standard of education of the current learners.

Documents Required for Admission:

1. Transfer letter from previous school
2. Progress report if the child is from another school
3. Completed enrollement form
4. The child ‘s birth certificate
5. The child ‘s clinic card
6. Salary advice or 3 months bank statements from the person responsible for payment of school fees.
7. Copies of each paret/ Guardians ID
8. All children must be evaluated to determine enrollement.

The child will not be enrolled if all documentation is not handed in.

General School Rules

1. No bullying of any kind will be tolerated.
2. All learners must stand if seated when greeting adults whether visitors or staff.
3. Learners must offer help to adults who may be in need of assistance. e.g., with the carrying of items or with directions.
4. Learners are to use the rubbish bins provided. Littering is against the rules and is a punishable offence.
5. Eating and drinking is not permitted in any formal teaching venue. The chewing of gum is not permitted at all.
6. There must be no wastage of water or electricity at all. Taps and lights must not be left on when not in use.
7. Follow class rules set by educators.
8. No smoking either at the school, public places or any school functions.
9. No theft, vandalism, dishonesty, swearing, illegal substances, pornography or any other misbehaviour will be allowed.
10. The discipline system will be followed strictly.
11. No cell phones will be allowed at school.
12. No children will be allowed in classrooms without permission before or after school. No child may enter a classroom without a teacher present.
13. Any misconduct that might not be mentioned above and identified by staff will be managed through the Discipline Policy.
14. No learner may exit the school premises without authorization.

School Dress Code

Clothing:

The Rock Primary School school uniform:

• Navy blue short in summer/ Navy track suit pants in winter
• Navy Golf shirt with school logo ( available at the school)
• Tracksuit for winter (available at the school)
• Navy rain coat ( optional) may be worn only when it rains or extremly cold weather
• Black or Navy takkies
• Short white socks for the girls / Short grey socks for boys 

The learners have to be neat  at all time, no revealing or inappropriate clothing will be accepted, whether the learner dress code is appropriate or nor will be the teacher and principal final decision

Hairstyles & Accessories (girls/boys):

• If hair hangs below the collar, it must be tied up neatly in a ponytail.
• Bleached and tinting of hair is not permitted.
• Hair must always be tidy, no hair may be over any part of the ear or hang in the face.
• No outrageous styles are allowed, as determined by the school.
• Hair fasteners without decorations are allowed.
• Alice bands and head bands are allowed.
• Hair fasteners or rubber bands with artificial hair are allowed only if it is the same colour as the natural hair.
• Hair fasteners or rubber bands with artificial hair are allowed only if it is the same colour as the natural hair.
• Hair extensions: Must be the same colour as the colour of the natural hair. No dread” or “Rasta” styles are allowed for boys or girls.
• Fingernails must be short, clean and neat. Nails may not be painted.
• Jewelry: Girls may wear neat earrings e.g., sleepers or studs. No gemstones, or studs with decorations e.g., hearts, stars or crosses are allowed.
• Boys are to wear their hair very short.

Suitcases, Writing Utensils, etc.:

• Bags/suitcases must be brought to school every day and clearly marked with your child's name.
• The bags must have fastenings that can be easily opened by the child.
• No graffiti or decoration of the case is permitted.
• Cases must be left in a place of safety and not block the flow of pedestrian traffic. (e.g., left on the steps or verandas).
• No children may touch / or look in another child’s case / pencil bag etc without permission.

NOTE: The Rock Primary is a Christian Institution therefore all children will have Bible and devotion each morning.
 
Transport on Arrival at School

• Learners are accepted at the school with the understanding that they are transported to and from school including extramural activities at the correct time without being left unattended on the school grounds for any length of time.
• All learners are to be on the school premises at 7:15 am in the mornings.
• If late, report to the office.
• Learners depart from school at 14.00
• Transport is the parent’s responsibility.
• Children are to be collected by 14:00, there will be no supervision after 14:00. Please parents, our children’s safety is our no 1 priority, please let it be yours as well

Daily Routine

• In the morning, on arrival, the children must report to their registered classrooms.
• Learners late for registration for any reason must report first to the office.
• Learners who have been absent are to present to their register teacher an explanatory letter signed by their parents/guardians on the day they return to school.
• In the event of learners being absent for 3 or more consecutive school days, a medical certificate must be provided.
• Whenever possible, parents/guardians must inform the school telephonically of the reason for absence when it occurs. This does not cancel the necessity for a signed excuse note being brought to schoolupon the learner recovery.

Lessons

• Learners are to attend all the lessons on their time table with all the necessary stationary, textbooks, notebooks ans wriing implements including a homework book.
• Learners must have completed all the necessary homework, preparation, projects, etc by the next lesson or specified deadline.
• Homework may not be copied from other learners.
• Behaviour during the lessonis to be that neither the lesson in progress or any other learner is disrupted in any way whatsoever.
• Learner will only be released from a lesson in order to go to the toilet in the case of dire emergency. Learners must use the toilet at breaks.
• Each classroom must be tidied at the end of the day.
• Between lessons, when the learners will be moving from classeroom to classeroom for various subjects, learners have to move quietly ans in single file.

Breaks

• Classerooms are out of bound unless a member of the staff is present.
• Learners may not leave the school ground during breaks.
• Learners may not meet with friends from outside of school at breaks.
• Parents who wish to see their children may arrange this through the office.
• Learners may not congregate inthe toilets.
• Learners must immediately move to their class when the bell rings.

Use & Abuse of Toilets

Toilets should be used properly so they are never an embarrassement to the school or those using them.They must be left clean and tidy.Toilet paper is an expensive commodity and must not be wasted. Any leaking taps. Flooding, block drains, unservieable systems, etc must be reported to the office immediately.

End of the day

• Learners are to be collected or to leave the premises as soon after the close of school as possible. We willnot take responsability for children whose transport is late.
• All buildings are out of bound after school hours
• Learners are not allowed to bring or collect money at school for an event that is not indicated on a letter from the school.
• No learner is allowed to collect money, at school, from other learner unless the school has given permission to do so.
• Whilst waiting for transport, learners are to behave themselves impeccably and not do anything whatsoever to discredit the school. Loitering is not permitted in front of the school or any other place.
• The school is not responsible for children staying behind after school unless they are attending a school event. Children waiting for transport are to be waiting inside the school grounds.

Breakages & Vandalism

Any property whatsoever that is broken, damaged or lost by a learner must be replaced at the expense of the parents or guardian of that learner. E.g. Broken windows, broken furniture, scraped desks and graffiti on furniture, broken toilet fittings etc.

Contravention of School Rules

Learners found to have broken the school / classroom rules will be punished accordingly.

General Behaviour

By nature, punishment is negative and disturbing, our aim therefore there should be no need for the issue for any punishment. Learners who behave sensibly, responsible and with consideration toothers with the respect of themselves and their school in mind will seldom be in any need of punishment. It is hoped that these rules will be
seen as a guide to achieving that aim.

School Fees

Our school Policy is very strict on payment of school fees before the 1st of every month. If arrangements are not made before the due date, parents will be contacted. After this attempt the school will be forced to close accessibility. The school is a Private Institution and cannot provide your child with a proper education if school fees are not paid.

Money must be deposited into the school bank account. Discount for siblings is available on prior arrangement. Annual payment upfront carries a 10% discount if paid before the 31st of January. All fees must be paid monthly in advance, for 12 months of the year into the school bank account, payment need to be made on the 1st of every month, ensure that the learners’ number is used as a reference when payment is made. We prefer that a debit order is signed upon enrolment.
School fees do not cover meals nor transport to school.

Understanding the Discipline System

Disciplinary measures:

When learners misbehave and break school rules, disciplinary action, in accordance with the seriousness of the misconduct, will be taken.

Disciplinary Procedure: Demerit System:

• 3 x demerits = break detention
• 9 x demerits = Friday afternoon detention
• 2 x Friday detentions = See Principal
• 3 x Friday detentions = Parent interview.

1 Demerit:

1. Homework not done
2. Lack of essential stationery
3. Failure to hand in work
4. Failure to return forms
5. No absentee letter
6. Failure to stick work in
7. Disturbance in class
8. Breaking classroom rules
9. No PE kit
10. Chewing bubble-gum
11. Not bringing project materials
12. Answering back
13. Making a noise/running on corridor
14. Going out of bounds
15. Incorrect uniform/bag
16. Incorrect hair style
17. Pulling a face at a teacher
18. Failure to follow an instruction immediately
19. Incorrect use of cell phones
20. Staying after school without a letter

2 Demerits:

1. Destruction of school property

3 Demerits:

• Stealing
• Bringing weapons to school
• Fighting
• Lying
• Cheating
• Swearing, threatening, hitting a teacher
• Inappropriate behaviour

Understanding the Reward System

Description of system:

1. The learner gets a yellow slip from his/her educator for good behaviour.
2. These slips add value as follows: .5 points for a true Character Trait, 5 -15 points for academic achievements, 3 points for good work and being presentable.

The student that had the highest points for yellow slips will receive a reward prize at the end of the year.

Rewards list:

1. Ten minutes extra break.
2. Removal of any slips for the day.
3. Privilege awarded by teacher.
4. Fifteen minutes free time. The educator will choose the suitable time.
5. Reading for fifteen minutes. The educator will choose the suitable time.

Merits are given for the following behaviour:

1. Producing a good piece of class-work.
2. Producing a good piece of homework.
3. Showing good character and Christian traits.
4. Putting hand up when asking a question, more than once.
5. Well-prepared reading.
6. Full marks for a test.
7. Any action/performance deserving appraisal.

Homework

• All students in The Rock Primary School will receive homework.
• It is the responsibility of the parent to monitor homework and support their children if needed.
• Homework is essential to enhance the standard of your child’s education and teach them responsibility.
• Children will receive project’s twice a year. The result of the projects are important since it will make up 15% of the child’s percentage. Please support your child with the assignment given.
• Homework books are used as the communication medium between parents and staff. Please write notes in the homework book if needed. Newsletters are pasted at the back of the book. please check the homework book daily
• Feel free to contact teachers in connection with homework.

Text Books & Writing Pads

• The school has been blessed to purchase our own text books/writing books. Books are very costly.
• We are an independent institution, if students damage or lose text books/writing books, they must be replaced at Parent’s cost.

Parent Interviews

• Parent Interviews are twice a year in the first and second term. Appointments to be made telephonically. These appointments will be made when it suits the teacher. Parents are not allowed to arrive at school without an appointment.
• It is essential that parents attend the interviews. This will enable you to sort out problems that might exist and comment on the school’s programme.
• Parents will have the opportunity to see the child’s work and discuss the child’s progress.
• The most important reason for you to attend the appointment is to demonstrate to your child your interest and support.