Policy

Learner Code of Conduct

HCA sets clear conduct expectations so learners can grow in character, learn safely, and help build a respectful, orderly, Christ-honouring school environment.

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Purpose and scope

The Code of Conduct protects learner dignity, keeps teaching and learning effective, and gives staff, learners, and parents a shared standard for behaviour.

The code applies on school premises, during school transport, on excursions, at school events, and whenever a learner represents HCA.
It also applies to off-campus or online behaviour that substantially affects the school environment, learner safety, or the school's reputation.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

Learner rights

To learn in a safe environment.
To be treated fairly and with dignity.
To be protected from bullying and discrimination.
To be heard in disciplinary processes.

Learner responsibilities

To obey lawful instructions from staff.
To respect learners, staff, visitors, and families.
To care for school property and the property of others.
To attend school, participate, and complete work honestly.
To tell the truth and accept correction when behaviour falls short.

Parent or guardian role

Support the Code of Conduct and reinforce it at home.
Partner with the school early when concerns arise.
Attend meetings, respond to communication, and help the learner follow agreed support or correction steps.

Core values

Respect and courtesy
Honesty and integrity
Diligence and responsibility
Kindness and self-control
Peacemaking and reconciliation

Daily routines and safety rules

School hours are 08h00 to 14h00, Monday to Friday. Learners may be received from 07h30.
Learners must be handed to a staff member on arrival and collected promptly at the end of the school day.
No learner may be left at the gate unattended or leave the premises without permission.
Parents must notify the school in advance when someone else will collect a learner.
Learners with contagious infections must stay home until cleared to return.
Healthy food is expected. Chips and sweets are not permitted during the school day.
Toys may not be brought to school unless specifically approved.

General behaviour rules

These rules apply to all learners unless a specific arrangement has been approved by the Principal.

Attendance: arrive on time, attend regularly, and provide a written explanation from a parent or guardian after absence.
Uniform and appearance: wear the prescribed uniform neatly; grooming must be safe, modest, and not disruptive.
Respect: do not use rude, discriminatory, humiliating, threatening, or sexually inappropriate language or behaviour.
Learning: do not disrupt lessons; complete schoolwork honestly; cheating and plagiarism are serious offences.
Property: do not vandalise, steal, borrow without permission, or damage property; intentional damage must be made right.
Safety: do not fight, threaten, intimidate, or enter out-of-bounds areas; follow staff safety instructions immediately.
Bullying: physical, verbal, social, sexual, and cyber bullying are prohibited.
Substances: tobacco, vapes, alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of medication are prohibited.
Weapons: weapons and dangerous objects are prohibited.
Devices: cell phones and electronic devices may not be used during the school day unless specifically authorised; authorised devices must be handed in and collected as instructed.
Public conduct: when in uniform or identifiable as an HCA learner, conduct must honour the school and the learner's Christian witness.

Anti-bullying commitments

Bullying harms learner dignity and safety and is incompatible with Christian character. HCA responds promptly and consistently.

Learners must report bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or abuse to a staff member or the Principal as soon as possible.
The school will support the learner who was harmed and take steps to prevent repeat harm.
The response may include restorative meetings, loss of privileges, detention, suspension, and, in serious cases, a formal hearing.

Positive discipline and support

The school corrects behaviour to protect learners, teach better choices, and restore relationships where this is safe and appropriate.

Correction aims to teach better choices, restore relationships where possible, and protect the learning environment.
Staff may use verbal correction, reflection tasks, restitution, supervised time-out, loss of privileges, detention, counselling referral, or parent meetings.
Corporal punishment is prohibited. Staff may not use humiliating or degrading treatment.

Levels of misconduct and responses

Level	Examples	Typical response
Level 1 (Minor)	Talking in class, late homework, minor uniform issues, minor disrespect.	Teacher correction, warning, reflection task, recorded note, and parent communication if repeated.
Level 2 (Moderate)	Repeated Level 1 behaviour, deliberate disruption, dishonesty, minor bullying, damaging property.	Grade Head or Principal review, parent meeting, detention, restitution, or written warning.
Level 3 (Serious)	Theft, significant bullying, assault, serious defiance, vandalism, harassment, or cheating in assessments.	Formal disciplinary hearing, possible suspension, and a behaviour contract.
Level 4 (Critical)	Weapons, drugs, serious violence, sexual misconduct, or serious threats.	Immediate safety response, possible SAPS or child protection reporting, Board hearing, and possible expulsion.

Disciplinary procedure and due process

For serious misconduct, HCA follows a fair process that informs the learner and parents of the allegation, allows a response, considers evidence, and records the decision.

Minor concerns are usually managed informally by staff.
Level 3 and Level 4 matters may require a disciplinary hearing.
Parents or guardians receive written notice of a hearing and may attend.
The learner and parents have an opportunity to respond before a decision is made.
Decisions and reasons are recorded. Appeals may be submitted in writing to the Board within the time stated in the notice.

Suspension, expulsion, and safety escalation

Suspension may be used for serious misconduct or as a precaution where safety is at risk during investigation.
Expulsion is a last resort and generally functions as termination of enrolment after a fair process and Board decision.
Where there is reasonable suspicion of a prohibited item, staff may require the learner to hand it over or conduct a limited search consistent with dignity and safety.
Prohibited or dangerous items may be confiscated and returned only to a parent or guardian, or handed to authorities where required.
Illegal drugs, weapons, serious violence, sexual misconduct, or serious threats are escalated immediately and may be reported to SAPS or child protection services.

Reporting concerns

Learners are encouraged to speak up early. Reports of bullying, harassment, abuse, safety risks, or serious misconduct should be made to any staff member or the Principal. In an emergency, staff will act to protect learners and contact parents or guardians.

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