Support For Pupils

There is in place in Monifieth High School a Guidance system which ensures that every pupil is well known to at least one member of staff, and a Support For Learning policy designed to support every pupil in the school and classroom.

Guidance

Allocation to a Guidance teacher at the beginning of S1 is likely to be random, unless a pupil has brothers or sisters elsewhere in the school in which case we shall try to allocate the same Guidance teacher. We cannot overemphasise the importance of the Guidance team in supporting, advising, and monitoring the progress of, each pupil in the group. Parents should regard the Guidance teacher as the first point of contact with the school in the event of problems or requests, and should never hesitate to seek an appointment.

The Guidance system is tied into our House system. We have three Houses, Balmossie, Dalhousie and Panmure, each headed by an Assistant Rector. Each Assistant Rector has three Guidance teachers in the team, each of whom is responsible for one class in each year group.

Health Care

Children who feel unwell during the school day should report to Mrs Laing, the School Auxiliary, who will also attend to any minor injuries sustained. If it is felt that the pupil should return home, or medical treatment is needed, the school will make contact with the parent or the emergency contact. It follows that it is extremely important that our records of emergency contacts are accurate and up-to-date, and they will be verified on an annual basis.

If a pupil requires to take medication it is important that a note is provided which clearly indicates the quantity, frequency, method of administration and any other relevant information. This is equally necessary whether the medication is to be self-administered or given by the school, and whether it is a one-off event or a regular occurrence. Please note that a young person of sixteen years and over may provide this written information.

Attendance

If a pupil is absent through illness or any other reason it is important that a letter of explanation is brought to school on return. If the absence is expected to last more than three days parents are asked so to notify the school by telephone (the absence details should still be confirmed in writing on return). We are obliged to keep accurate records of attendance and therefore where an absence remains unexplained after three days we will contact the home to ascertain the reason.

Occasionally a parent will seek permission to keep a youngster off school to participate in a family holiday. While we recognise that some families are forced through work commitments to make exceptional arrangements for holidays we have to underline the obvious drawbacks for the young person, in missing work and teacher input and having to catch up on return. In all the circumstances we have to recommend that this course of action be avoided if at all possible.

Discipline

We pride ourselves in having a well-ordered community in which every child is encouraged to work to the best of his or her ability and to have consideration of other pupils in the class. A simple, clear and positive code of conduct has been agreed and is included in the Student's Planner, and this complements a new set of school rules which are the minimum we believe we require in an institution of this size and complexity. Misdemeanours are dealt with as firmly as is considered necessary, and parents are contacted as soon as possible if problems seem to be developing.

The School Board has endorsed our revised discipline policy and will join us in seeking the support of all parents in implementing it.

Bullying

The school has recently restated its anti-bullying policy, a copy of which we are happy to send to any parent who wishes one. What follows is a brief statement which we hope conveys the seriousness with which we treat this topic.

The school abhors all forms of bullying and we will do all in our power to eradicate it. We will not treat any allegation of bullying as trivial. We will make it very clear to any person guilty of bullying conduct that their actions have been unacceptable, and we will at the same time work with them and their parents to persuade them that they have caused harm and offence.

We are anxious to know of any incident of a bullying nature and we will support youngsters and parents through what we all know is a very difficult time. There is a well-established Peer Support Group comprising trained senior pupils who have volunteered to be available to any younger pupil who is experiencing difficulties. The latter often find it embarrassing or difficult to discuss such a matter, and sometimes do not want staff to be involved ; and it is the task of the Peer Support Group member to help a youngster to gain the confidence to talk openly and honestly, and to show that it is appropriate to seek the assistance of a member of staff.

Child Protection

It is right that there is continuing public concern about the subject of child abuse, and recent changes in the law now require us to report any incident where we think that a child has come to harm as a consequence of possible abuse.

Mrs Anne Milburn, Depute Rector, has been trained in these matters and is the designated Child Protection Officer for the school. She will be pleased to meet anyone who wishes to talk further about this issue.