School Policies
In order to ensure a smooth, safe, and productive year for everyone at Concordia International School, please familiarize yourself with the following polices.
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1.0 ATTENDANCE
All students must be in regular attendance to be eligible for promotion/graduation. A student who is not in regular attendance may not be offered a position in the School in the next term. A student is not in regular attendance if the sum of excused or unexcused lates and absences exceeds 5% of the total days in the Term. If students are repeatedly arriving late, without any positive change, then they are essentially telling the School that they have other priorities. Please make sure your son/daughter arrives on time, every day and benefits from the tuition fees you have spent. It is a fact that school is not for everyone. Therefore we will put our time and effort towards students that want to be improving themselves at school. Other students should not be attending this School and should make plans to occupy themselves doing something else, someplace else.
Students who plan to be away during regularly scheduled classes must first complete the proper form and seek approval from the Principal before any travel plans are made. Only once the Principal is satisfied that adequate plans have been made for missed school work, will approval be granted. Parents are asked to make such plans only for serious reasons. Such time will be counted against the 5% of sessions that students are allowed to miss each Term. Students who have poor attendance will normally not be granted approval to miss more classes.
It is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to make sure that the School is contacted when the student will be late or absent for that day. This should be done by contacting the School on 2789-9890 between 8:00 to 8:15 a.m. or 1:00 to 1:15 p.m.
Please note that students are expected to remain at School and review their day’s work during the Tutorial sessions. This is an excellent opportunity for students to seek individual help from teachers on specific homework concerns. If students have completed all assignments, then they should be reading books of their choice or monitoring current affairs/news from the Internet. It is important that students develop a daily habit of monitoring major international events. That too, is part of their education. Thus, no student should leave the School before 3pm. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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2.0 HOMEWORK
Each course designates a certain part of the course grade to homework, usually 25%. Homework that is not complete, not done, or done poorly carries consequences. All teachers want to see students do work of outstanding quality for which the student could be proud. Aiming low (i.e. just to complete something), is usually a waste of time for both the student and teacher. Developing a regular habit of reviewing the day’s work, in a quiet, uncluttered space, can bring the student greater academic success and personal satisfaction.
Students who do not do homework may be assigned a detention by their subject teacher. It is a serious offense to miss an assigned detention and will normally result in a meeting with the Principal. A student could be given Demerit Points (see section 5.0 ‘Demerit System’) if the situation does not improve.
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3.0 SCHOOL FACILITIES
Students must take care when using School facilities and equipment. If a student damages School equipment or facilities they must immediately notify the teacher or Principal of the damage. Repairs will be made and a bill for the costs involved will be issued to the Parent/Guardian. In the event that the damage exceeds HK$ 3000, the student would be expected to pay the full amount for any damage within one week after the damage has occurred. Students are required to report any damage they become aware of, to the main office.
Students are responsible for School equipment and materials that they sign out from the Principal’s Assistant. If borrowed equipment is lost or damaged, the student responsible for signing the equipment out will be charged for replacing the loss.
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4.0 CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Students at Concordia pay fees and thus have the right to expect to be able to hear the teacher and other classmates who are participating in the lesson. Students must behave in classrooms in a way that promotes the learning of other students. This means that there should be no disruptive behavior in class. Specifically, if the teacher clearly asks a student to be quiet or to stay in a particular seat or to refrain from certain actions, then the student must follow this direction by the teacher.
Students who do not follow clear and realistic instructions by their classroom teachers can expect the following sequence of discipline: a first warning by the teacher; a final warning by the teacher; a detention issued by the classroom teacher; a dismissal from class and being sent to see the Principal. The Demerit System (see below) will then come into effect. In the most serious cases, a student might be suspended or expelled from the School.
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5.0 THE MERIT / DEMERIT SYSTEM
Concordia International School operates on a merit-by-default system; that is all students are viewed as responsible, diligent, and self-disciplined individuals. However, sometimes this is not the case. Therefore Demerit Points are applied when student behavior is less than satisfactory. The table on the following page serves as a basic guideline. It is applied by the Principal in collaboration with the teachers. Only in unusual circumstances will Demerit Points be assigned. Generally most students will not be affected by this system. If a student does get a Demerit Point it is taken very seriously. A record of the Demerit Points will appear on the student report card.
However the Demerit Points can also be removed by a student-initiated project/plan to improve the School environment. This gives students time to reflect on past mistakes while providing an opportunity to do something positive. The Demerit-Point system only comes into effect when the Principal becomes involved in the situation. Most discipline situations will be handled directly by the teacher, through conferences and/or detentions.
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DEMERIT SYSTEM |
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After a teacher has repeatedly warned a student, and has applied detentions, etc., then he/she refers the student to the Principal. The student can then expect the following: |
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The first meeting with the Principal |
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A second meeting with the Principal |
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A third meeting with the Principal |
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A fourth meeting with the Principal |
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REMOVING EXISTING DEMERIT POINTS |
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The Student initiates the process |
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6.0 RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER STUDENTS AND STAFF
Concordia is a small school and students get to know each other very well. It is important that students act in ways that enable everyone to learn as much as possible. Everyone should enjoy going to school. Each student at Concordia has the same basic rights as any one else in Hong Kong. To promote a positive environment in the School students must treat each other with respect. This means there should be no swearing; no physical or verbal intimidation of other students; and no comments or actions that harms another student.
Fighting in School is strictly prohibited and will lead to Demerit Points and/or immediate suspension/expulsion of a student. Serious disagreements should be reported to a teacher or the Principal who will then assist with a resolution. In no case should a student attempt to resolve difficulties with another student through the use of force or intimidation of any kind.
Three Positive Goals for everyone to aim for at Concordia International School:
Students who attend Concordia International School will grow stronger in their character; becoming more mature, responsible, and self-disciplined. Sometimes this process is not easy, but nonetheless, it is worthwhile. The staff at Concordia International School (in collaboration with Parents/Guardians) will help to positively guide students as they move towards becoming young adults. In this regard, everyone at Concordia International School will be encouraged to embrace the following three goals:
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RESPECT
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RESPONSIBILITY
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SELF-DISCIPLINE
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7.0 SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Students at Concordia are strictly prohibited from using alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs on School property or while on any school trips. Concordia has a zero tolerance for drugs: This means that any student caught possessing or using drugs at School or away from School at any School event will be expelled from the School.
Smoking is not allowed on School premises. Every year, Concordia International School will make efforts to remind students that Smoking physically harms the smoker and others. Even outside of the School, students should be making the choice not to smoke, in favour of a healthier lifestyle. Students are not to smoke in close view of the School. We want all of our students to remain healthy and lead a full life.
In the event that the School suspects a student is taking illegal substances, the School reserves the right to demand that the student undergo a drug test with a school-designated doctor. Failure to agree to undergo a drug test will result in immediate suspension until such time as the required test is taken. Should the results of a test prove positive it is School policy to immediately expel the student. Parents/Guardians should understand that under such circumstances there will be no refund of School fees.
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8.0 PAGERS, PHONES, iPODS, PDAs, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ONLINE GAMES and PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS
Helping us to communicate or distracting our attention?
Today modern society encourages people to be technologically “Networked”. This trend can ensure that it makes it easy to reach people anywhere and at anytime. Such a phenomenon can improve human communication, or not. For example, ‘text-messaging’ or listening to iPODS requires some attention. But if it happens while a student is in class, during lesson time, then any benefits of the electronic devices start to diminish. Though we understand that many of our students have mobile phones/devices and that they like to keep in contact with their parents and friends, the School strictly forbids the student to have these turned ON while in the classroom or hallways. The same rule applies to electronic entertainment devices like iPODS or portable electronic games. If a mobile phone or electronic device is not turned OFF in class, the classroom teacher will take possession of the device and keep it until the end of the day. Repeated violations of this rule will result in the student losing the device for increasingly longer periods of time. At some point, the Principal will become involved in helping the student to become more self-disciplined. No one should lose self-control or harm their own educational opportunities when using technology. A ‘balanced’ use of technology is a wise approach to development.
Students are permitted to contact their families using mobile phones during break periods. This may be done quietly at designated location(s) in the School. Students may use mobile phones/portable devices at the front of the School, or alongside the northeast wall of the School.
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electronic devices should be kept in the student’s locker until the student
leaves the School premises. Students are required to give the School the contact
number for any phone they bring onto School property and must inform the School
of any changes in numbers that occur as the year goes on. The School is not
responsible for any mobile phone that a student brings to School.
Please note, that over the past couple of years, some mobile phones have gone
missing at School. Concordia aims to have a community of trustworthy / honest
individuals and it does not tolerate any kind of theft. However, the reality is
that students are putting their valuables at risk when mobile phones/portable
devices are left alone in classrooms or outside.
*ONLINE GAMES (New Policy):
As of September 2006, the School will no longer allow students to play online games at School. Breaktime, lunchtime, and afterschool sessions should not be consumed by obsessive online game playing. Lunchtime, in particular, should be an enjoyable time to socialize and relax in the Cybercafe. New board games like Chess and Scrabble are available.
As a place specializing in a formal education, Concordia International School needs to guide students towards a more intelligent use of computers and changing technologies. Students should be reading more, writing more, questioning more, and generally being more proactive towards improving their academic opportunities. Things like starting a club, having debates, and doing academic research through the Internet, are productive things to do after school. After a short break students should use the time after school to seriously tackle homework; doing it in a way that is meaningfully and of a high-quality standard. Teachers are available after school during the tutorial period – it is an excellent opportunity for students to engage the teachers in greater academic challenges and seek assistance with homework.
Students caught playing online computer games (or abusing their computer rights), will have their computer passwords blocked for a ˝ day, a day, or possibly longer. Consequently, students would not be able to use any computers at the School during this time. This too is part of the “Self-discipline” goal we are all striving to develop.
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9.0 THEFT AND LARGE LOANS
Students are not encouraged to bring large sums of money (i.e. in excess of HK$ 500) to School unless absolutely necessary nor should they lend other students large sums of money. Concordia can bear no responsibility for recovering any money that has been loaned. If students wish, they can leave large sums with the Principal’s Administrative Assistant for safekeeping. Students should not share lockers.
If a student becomes aware that their property or money is missing, it is very important that this be reported immediately to the Teacher or Principal. It is very important that all cases of theft be reported no matter how late after the event. If the student suspects another student, this matter should be reported to the classroom Teacher or Principal first. The suspected student should not be confronted directly; rather, the Principal has the responsibility of investigating the matter.
Students should not leave money or valuables in the classroom at any time. Students are encouraged to remove the risk of becoming a victim of theft by safeguarding their personal property. Everyone should carry their valuables with them or, better still, leave the valuables at home. No one has ever lost a wallet or mobile phone at Concordia that kept it with them at all times.
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10.0 PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
All students at the School must have a parent or guardian that can be contacted in the case of emergency or any other school-related issues. Please clearly understand that students will not be kept at the School nor will they be offered future places in the School if no adult can be contacted for the student. Concordia is not a place where students can be ‘dumped off’ and left for the School to worry about. Concordia expects and appreciates the cooperation of all parents and values the working relationship the School has with the various families. Students must clearly understand that if a problem should arise and the School cannot contact a parent or guardian, the student will be suspended until such time as a responsible adult can come into School to discuss and resolve the issue.
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11.0 SCHOOL UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE
Students in all grades are admitted with the understanding that they will wear a school uniform as outlined in the information sheets given to the parents on or before the School year begins. If a student does not meet the dress requirements of the School, the student may be asked to return home and will not be allowed to continue their studies until the dress code is met.
Students must be clean and tidy at all times. Students are encouraged to present their positive self-image to others. While it is difficult to predict every variation of the uniform, the Principal, at his discretion, reserves the right to determine when a student’s dress is considered inappropriate for a student attending Concordia. Things like wearing a tie undone, or wearing running shoes instead of dress shoes, will only aggravate the situation and draw unnecessary attention to the student. Failure to meet the changes in dress will result in Demerit Points and/or suspension until the change is effected.
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12.0 EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS
To evaluate the performance of its students, teachers, and programs of study, Concordia reserves the right to require its students to sit external exams of the School’s choice (i.e. SAT I, SAT II, TOEFL). Students and parents must understand that if a student does not sit the required external exam, the School reserves the right not to promote the student.
SAT / TOEFL Classes: All senior students must attend the special SAT / TOEFL classes offered after school. Whether a student needs a SAT / TOEFL score does not matter – the classes are still required. Concordia’s Administration believes that all students will benefit from the generic skills required to write these English examinations. Consequently, no student will be exempt from attending these important after-school sessions. The only exception would be if students have enrolled in a private tutorial centre specifically preparing for one of these tests – appropriate documentation is required in such circumstances.
All students intending to graduate from this School must have SAT and TOEFL scores for their academic records. Excuses such as illness or travel problems will not be accepted for any external exams that are missed.
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13.0 CHEATING AND/OR PLAGIARIZING
Students who cheat during exams or tests or who submit material that has been copied from sources without specifically referring to the author and source, are subject to zero grades for the exam or material involved. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the Principal may deem it necessary to apply Demerit Points and/or a suspension. If a student is unclear about what constitutes plagiarism it is the student’s responsibility to clarify such issues before submitting any material. We encourage students to engage in research and investigative studies; such activities require proper citation and referencing of sources. Learning good research techniques early can benefit students who plan to attend university.
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14.0 ENGLISH LANGUAGE POLICY
Students are strongly encouraged to speak English everywhere in the School at all times. Anyone who wants to improve in a ‘new’ language must use it. Concordia provides a safe environment in which students have many opportunities to improve in their English language skills. Almost 100% of our students are learning English as a second or third language. Everyone is working diligently at improving their English in this School; thus no student should feel shy or isolated when using English. Making mistakes with English is a necessary part of this learning process. A student’s determination to improve their English language skills will carry them far. Our teachers have designed highly interactive programs and expect student participation; these are essentially invitations for students to become confident and fluent users of English. Students should proactively ‘switch their channel’ to English when in the School. Students should understand the truth of the simple rule: If you want to improve your English language skills, then you will need to use it as often as possible.
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15.0 STUDENT INFORMATION
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the School of any changes in student information that occur. For example, if a student is given a mobile phone or pager, this number should be reported to the School.
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16.0 CREDITS FOR CORE SUBJECTS
A student at Concordia has to pass the 4 core subjects (defined as Mathematics, Science, English, and Social Science/Studies courses) in both terms of the school year and obtain full credits from these courses before he/she could be promoted to a higher grade or to graduate. A student passes a course studied in a school term if he/she obtained an overall grade in the course of 50%. A 0.5 credit will be granted for each course passed at Term 1 or Term 2 when a student is in regular attendance (as defined by rule 1.0). At the discretion of the Principal, students who have not failed more than 2 core subjects may be allowed to write a supplementary examination for the subject failed. Supplementary examinations are granted as "pass/fail" only in school's record and credit may be granted for a pass. Students need to understand clearly, that supplementary examination results will be strictly used to determine student progress, especially as it applies to promotion to a higher grade, continuation of studies at the School, or graduation from the School.