General Information
1. School Hours:
08: 00 - 15:00. First bell 07:45. In class by 08:00. Lessons should end by 14:45 followed by some optional extra time.
Variations in closing times occur, for example:
- School may close early on one day in the cycle (currently, every second Tuesday);
- During examinations school usually closes at 13:00 for non-writers and as soon thereafter as possible for writers, unless there is an afternoon examination.
- School closes at 11:00 on the last day of term.
2. Telephones, cell phones and other electronic devices.
Contacting parents: Since calls to cell phones are expensive, parents will only be contacted this way in an emergency. Please assist communications by providing land-line numbers wherever possible and / or by subscribing to the SMS service. Forms for the SMS service should be available from the Secretaries in January each year.
Pupil's phones & gadgets. Please note that the use of electronic devices is banned during school hours. During the day, including breaks, these devices must be off and out of sight.
Pupils who ignore this regulation will have their cell phone/device confiscated, after which parents will be contacted. It will then be up to the parents to collect the confiscated item during school hours (08:00 - 16:30). Parents collecting the confiscated items must be able to satisfactorily identify themselves to the office staff, please.
Parents should actively discourage their children from bringing these devices to school for the following reasons:
- Young people are often mugged in the streets for their phones.
- Cell phones etc may be stolen at school.
- Camera phones may result in the invasion of privacy and ultimately in legal action. They also seem to encourage unscrupulous pupils to incite playground fights.
3. Public Transport
The School is a 20-minute walk from Fish Hoek Station. Buses run from the surrounding areas before and after school. There is a cycle track from Sun Valley to the High School.
4. Absence from school
The only reasons accepted for absence from school are family emergencies or MEDICAL. After an absence, a letter signed by the parent/guardian explaining the child's absence, must be produced on the day the learner returns to School. Please print your child's full name, class and dates absent. After an absence of three days or more, a medical certificate must be produced. Under the policy of Continuous Assessment all marks are taken into account for term marks and hence promotion at the end of the year. A medical certificate is required if a learner is absent for any test, examination or activity for which marks are assigned. If during the year a learner is away for a total of 10 non-consecutive days, then for each further day's absence a medical certificate may be required. If a child is absent for 50 or more school days he or she may be removed from the School's roll or barred from writing exams.
A pupil's attendance and punctuality record may be reflected in reports and on the testimonial that the Headmaster may issue to school leavers.
5. Latecomers
Learners who arrive at School after 08:00 must report to the late-comers entrance to be issued with a "late slip" by the SRC. Learners who arrive after the end of register must report to the secretaries' office to get their "late slips". On the very next school day latecomers must hand a note explaining the late-coming from parent / guardian to the teacher on duty in the late-comers' entrance. Please note that failure to comply with these requirements will result in a detention.
Punctuality is prized and repeated late-coming will not be permitted.
6. Medical and Dental appointments
These should be made, as far as possible, after school hours, including extra-mural activities. Where an appointment can only be made during school hours, please notify your child's teachers in advance.
7. Illness
Where a learner suffers from a permanent or recurring illness, please inform the School so that staff may be forewarned. It is also imperative that the school has your family doctor's name and telephone number.
Please note that the School may not supply any medication other than plasters. In the event of an emergency the School is able to call on services of the Cape Medical Response, thanks to the generosity of Mr Ron von Til of Central Mica Hardware.
8. Change of Address
Please inform the School in writing immediately of any change of address or telephone numbers (home and work).
9. Communications
Letters and notices written to parents will be given to the learners to take home on Thursdays. Please make your child aware of the importance of this duty, which is fundamental to effective education and administration. The system for distributing reports is under review. The present plan is that parents will be asked to collect the reports personally.
Newsletters, entitled the The Big Fish, are sent home twice a term.
Please use the reply slips that accompany many communications from the School.
10. Homework, "prep" and daily review
The following hours of study at home are recommended:
- 1½ hours per day for Grades 8 and 9.
- 2 hours per day for Grade 10 increasing to 3 hours for the Matrics.
This time should be spent not only completing specific homework set but also on revision, consolidation and preparation. Learners should plan their afternoon activities and recreation. All learners should possess a homework diary in which all homework should be recorded. Parents are asked to encourage regular study habits and review of work done each day.
11. Merit system
Positive reinforcement is used as far as possible. Staff members are encouraged "to catch pupils doing something right". Merits are not reserved for the high-achievers, for whom the Colours system and academic prizes cater. Merits may be awarded for success, service and desirable behaviour in any area of the School's life, whether academic or extramural.
Certificates, badges, colours scrolls and prizes are awarded to pupils who accumulate merits.
12. Sanctions
(Refer also to the Penalties for Misconduct in the Code of Conduct.)
Academic and Behavioural Detention classes are held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Deliberate absence from detention will be dealt with severely.
Detention must be done on the first available detention day (Wednesday, Thursday or Friday) of the offence. Relaxation of this requirement may only be negotiated with the Grade Head. Very little latitude will be given to learners who accumulate a number of detentions.
From time to time it is necessary to hold a Saturday detention class, usually between 14:00 and 16:00. Absence from Saturday detention will be viewed very seriously indeed.
Learners who default three times on detentions in a term will be referred to an internal disciplinary interview. If there is no improvement a Disciplinary Hearing of the Board of Governors will be called.
13. Books & cases
While the WCED will provide some books (for the languages, Science and Mathematics) textbooks, exercise books and stationery are not provided by the School. As a service, however, orders for exercise books are processed, but the bookroom has been closed. Parents and learners are encouraged to trade second-hand textbooks independently at the end of the year.
A sturdy school case or briefcase should be used to carry books. Cases or haversacks may not display graffiti.
14. Valuables
The School cannot be held responsible for any valuables lost and parents are advised to discourage their children from bringing such items to School. Uniform items and other possessions should be clearly marked with the family name.
15. Lockers
The Board of Governors has invested in lockers that may be leased. Learners are informed of details such as contracts, deposit, rental and spare keys at the start of each year.
The deposit is refunded when the locker has been cleared by the learner at the end of the year.
16. Physical Education
Physical Education classes are a compulsory part of Life Orientation. The intention is to encourage physical well-being. Please ensure that your child has the appropriate clothing.
17. Tuck shop
The tuck shop is a useful fund-raiser. Parents are asked to volunteer to assist with this important service.
18. Uniform Shop
The School presently runs a very successful shop where clothes and sports equipment may be bought and sold. Any garments for sale must be laundered or dry-cleaned before being handed in at the School. All garments must be clearly marked with the name and telephone number of the owner.
The Shop is usually open for an hour after school in Fridays.
New uniforms can be purchased at the uniform shop at Fish Hoek Primary School.
19. Religious Policy, Bible Education and Devotions
The High School upholds a Christian ethos, reflecting the dominant religion of the community of Fish Hoek. In all interactions the School encourages tolerance and respect for all religious beliefs.
Bible Education is currently offered to all Grade 8s unless parents indicate in writing their unwillingness for their children to attend these sessions. In these cases, parents are requested to arrange for appropriate devotional work for their children to do in the library during these lessons.
Devotions at assemblies are usually from a non-denominational Christian perspective. Staff and students of all religious backgrounds are encouraged to take a turn to lead devotions. Again, parents may request in writing that their children be excused from devotions on grounds of conscience.
20. Motor Cycles and Cars
All parents who permit their children to drive themselves to school should inform the Headmaster of their decision by means of a letter. Please include details such as the registration number of the vehicle to be used. The learner will then be issued with a suitable sticker to be displayed on the vehicle.
21. The Right to Search
In terms of the Regulations for Safety at Schools of the SA Schools Act 1996, any person who enters the School's property may be subjected to a search.
22. Withdrawal
Unfortunately, from time to time, pupils have to move on. Please note, that with the exception of the grade 12s, a simple form must be completed when a pupil is withdrawn from the School. The form is necessary in order to inform the bursar of the withdrawal and to ensure that textbooks and equipment on loan are returned and other outstanding matters are resolved. The form must be signed by the parent or guardian as well as several members of staff.