FOR PARENTS

Parents are to ensure that their child/ward adhere to the rules of the school as disciplinary action will be taken when rules are broken.

PARENT COMMITTEES

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Admission into The Girls High School (GHS) is done by CPEA result and Transfer.

1. 1.Requirements for students accepted through CPEA:

• -Two passport size pictures.
• -Copy of Birth Certificate
• -CPEA Result slip

2. 2.Students that are being transferred will need letter from Ministry of Education granting transfer and a transcript from previous school emailed from the school (not hand delivered by Parent/Guardian or Student).

Requirements for students that are transferred in:

• -Two passport size pictures.
• -Copy of Birth Certificate
• -Last report

GAMES UNIFORM

• 1.The games uniform consists of a round neck white jersey (which can be purchased at the school) and navy blue shorts. Shorts must be made from cotton material, e.g. Poplin. Dark brown, black or navy blue tights may be worn under games shorts but must not replace them.
• 2.White sneakers and white socks are to be worn for games.
• 3.The games uniform is to be worn only during the games period, or on special occasions such as sports. The games uniform must not be worn through the streets.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

SCHOOL COLOURS The school colours are white and navy blue. Students are expected to wear the full uniform of the school at all times except where special permission is given by the Headmistress.

• 1.Skirts: Navy blue with 1” knife pleats all round, with waist band and pocket. Skirts must be fastened with a zip on the left hand side and a button on the waist band. The skirts must be mid-calf in length.
• 2.Blouses: White with pocket on the upper left and a broad band at the bottom. It is worn outside the skirt. The undergarment and or brassiere must be white or black and must not be revealing nor of a T-type.
• 3.School tie: Must be purchased at the school and must be worn at all times with the school uniform, crest showing.
• 4.Shoes: Must be low-heeled, laced-up shoes and solid black. There are to be no adornments of any kind, no flashes of any other colour. Laces are not to be covered by flaps.
• 5.Socks: Navy blue half-length socks. Socks must be worn neatly folded above the ankle.
• 6.Jewelry: No jewelry or fancy accessories except for a watch with a black or navy blue band and a pair of small plain gold or silver bob earrings may be worn with the school uniform. Earrings must be worn in the lower lobe of the ear. Other adornments will be confiscated if worn.
• 7.Hairstyles & Accessories: Only plain black, and navy blue hair accessories are allowed. No gaudy, fussy, hair accessories such as claws, Chinese sticks or butterflies are permitted.
• 8.Hairdos must be kept simple. Students must not wear hair piled up on the crown of the head, nor loose and flowing. No tints or weaves are permitted. Braids must be appropriately groomed in accordance with safety regulations. They must not be bulky, very long nor of a colour other than the student’s natural hair colour.
• 9.Nail polish & Make-up: Nail polish and make-up must not be worn with the school uniform.
• 10.Other appendages: No bandanas, caps, or other symbolic appendages are allowed with the uniform. These will be confiscated.

PUNCTUALITY

• Students are expected to be in school in time for the first bell of the morning (8:15 a.m.) and afternoon (12:55 p.m.) sessions.  Unavoidable tardiness must be explained by a written excuse from the Parent/Guardian.
• This excuse must be presented to the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistress who then allows the student to go to the classroom. Students are not to leave the compound once they have arrived at the school.
• Late passes which are issued from the Headmistress’s office are required for entry into one’s form room should a student arrive after registration has been completed, or be late for a class during the day. Late students must not proceed to the classroom until they have reported to the Office.
• Repeated late coming will be punished by detention in the first instance and suspension where the problem persists.

ABSENCE POLICY

A student who is absent from school must present to the Form teacher on the first day of her return to school, a written excuse signed by her Parent/Guardian indicating the reason for her absence and the day or period when the student was absent.

The excuse may be addressed to the Principal or Form Teacher. No student will be allowed to go shopping or to the bank during school hours. Should a parent require her daughter to go to the doctor or dentist during school permission must be sought in writing.

LEAVING THE COMPOUND

No student is to leave the compound without the permission of the Headmistress or a Gate pass. This will be granted ONLY on the written request of the Parent or Guardian.

EXCUSES/REQUESTS

The school will not accept communication on folded notepaper. Excuses must be brought in on the 1st day of the students’ return to school. All written excuses or requests addressed to the Principal or Form Teacher must be properly presented, that is, on full sheets of writing paper and placed in an envelope.

HOMEWORK

All students will have daily homework – though not always in every subject – as well as a required number of books to read. Home work is an important extension and reinforcement of classroom teaching and Parents/Guardians must ensure that homework and assignments are properly done and handed in on time. If no homework is set then students are expected to revise the taught work.

Failure to do Homework: Students will be placed in detention and sent home where the problem persists.

GHS POLICIES

VIRTUAL TEACHING AND LEARNING GUIDELINES

Netiquette (network etiquette) refers to the code of polite behavior and respect that is expected when interacting online, whether it's in emails, social media, forums, or any other digital communication platform. Practicing good netiquette helps create a positive and respectful online environment.

Here is a list of netiquette rules:

• 1.Be respectful and kind: Avoid using offensive or inappropriate language. Respect others privacy: Don’t share someone else’s personal information, messages, videos or photos without permission. Avoid posting anything that could harm your reputation or that of others. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• 2.Don’t share your personal information: Protect your privacy by not sharing details like your address, phone number, or passwords online.
• 3.Fact check before posting: You shouldn’t share inaccurate information—no matter where it originated. Make sure you’re sharing content from factual websites and articles.
• 4.Don’t participate in or encourage cyberbullying: Stand against any form of online harassment. Report inappropriate behaviour to an adult or school authority.
• 5.Use proper grammar and spelling: Write clearly and concisely. Avoid using too many abbreviations or “text-speak”; in formal online communication. Avoid all caps: Writing in all caps is perceived as shouting.
• 6.Cite your sources: If you’re sharing content that isn’t yours (such as quotes, images, or articles), always give credit to the original author.
• 7.Don’t abuse chat boxes: Avoid idle chat.
• 8.Be a responsible group member: Respond in a reasonable amount of time when participating in online discussions or group work, especially for school projects or assignments. Read through previous discussions before writing your own response as you may be able to add to someone’s answer instead of reposting what was said.
• 9.Represent yourself well: Since so much of your online communication is based in text, pay attention to the content of your posts. It can be tempting to post inflammatory comments on a message board or in a chat room, but the Internet is forever.

10.Be a role model: Make sure you model good behaviour online so that your peers can follow your example.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

The discipline of students in breach of the school’s dress code follows a three-step model that ends with a list of consequences for students depending on their form level.

Step 1

The student is inspected and given five (5) days to correct the offence and a letter is sent to her parents/guardians.

Step 2

If the student corrects the infraction(s) within five days, the case will be closed. These infractions will not be kept on the student’s record.

Step 3

If the student refuses to address infractions, it will be logged in the book of infractions and will lead to the implementation of the consequences listed below. Should the student’s name be recorded three or more times throughout their school career, consequence number 3, 4 and 5 from the ‘Form 5 List’ holds indefinitely.

N.B. Please note that if students are unable to purchase (with just cause) a new article of clothing to correct the infraction provisions will be made for them.

LIST OF CONSEQUENCES

FORM 1-4

• 1.Students will not take part in any pay-and wear/ spirit week activities
• 2.Students will not be allowed to attend class/school fun events and outings
• 3.Students will not be allowed to represent the school in an official capacity
• 4.Students will be unable to hold school offices (house captains and vice captains, probationary prefects )
• 5.Students will be suspended from all in-house clubs

FORM 5

• 1.Students will not be allowed to attend class/school fun events and outings
• 2.Students will not be allowed to represent the school in an official capacity
• 3.Students will not be allowed to attend the Graduation Ceremony and Ball
• 4.Students will be unable to hold school offices (house captains and vice captains, probationary prefects )
• 5.Students will not be eligible for any social awards at the Graduation Ceremony.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES INFRACTIONS

At GHS we are cognizant of the importance of technology in teaching and learning and the academic development of our students. We aspire to inculcate the responsible use of technology among our girls to protect them and their peers from the dangers technology may pose.

INFRACTIONS

• 1.Using a device without the permission of a teacher during a lesson.
• 2.Accessing, and displaying pornographic material on the school compound.
• 3.Inappropriate texting or emailing with abusive or discriminatory language.
• 4.Inappropriate netiquette and abuse of social networks for non-educational purposes.
• 5.Playing music and watching videos without permission during class time.
• 6.Hacking
• 7.Unauthorized video recording of students, teachers and administration.
• 8.Creating videos displaying illegal and or lewd acts.
• 9.Unauthorised wearing of earbuds during class time.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

The discipline of students in breach of the school’s Information and Communication Technology policy has three tiers beginning with a first offence.

First offence

Warning letter issued at time of offence, device confiscated and held until the end of the school day. The offence will be logged to ensure repeated offences do not evade the consequences.

Second offence

Warning letter issued at time of offence, device confiscated and held until the end of the school term. The offence will be logged to ensure repeated offences do not evade the consequences.

Third Offence

Warning letter issued at time of offence, device confiscated and held until the end of the school year during which time the student will not be allowed to bring any further technological device to school. The offence will be logged.

GENERAL MISCONDUCT

Students are expected to conduct themselves and be guided by the ethical and moral values and principles of the school. They are not, in any way, to bring disrepute to themselves or the institution. Misconduct in any form will not be tolerated and girls will be held responsible for their actions.

Girls found guilty of aiding, abetting, instigating or coercing misconduct will also be held accountable for that action unless the mitigating circumstances outweigh the aggravating circumstances, in which case the disciplinary action will follow the disciplinary schedule of the level below

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

All general misconduct will be logged in the book of infractions. Yellow, Orange and Red Cards will be used as a means to discipline students for misconduct at school.

Yellow cards will be issued for infractions committed from Level One.

Orange cards will be given for infractions committed from level two.

Red cards will be given for infractions committed from Level Three.