Student Behaviour

Student Dress Code

Students Right to Search

Lockers, desks or storage places provided for students use are for the school and remain at all times the property of Divine Wisdom International School. These property and their contents, therefore, are subject to a random search at any time, in pursuant of school policy. Administrators are authorized to conduct reasonable inspection of school property or of students and items brought to the school.

Student Discipline

Discipline is necessary for the welfare of the student, as well as, the entire school. Proverbs 12:1 tells us that if “ we love discipline we love knowledge.” Learning does not take place in a classroom where there is no discipline.

Students are reminded to adhere to a code of good conduct not only for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well as partners in Christian education, DWIS expects cooperation from both students and parents.

This guideline in the class is shared with the Spirit of love. In Divine Wisdom International School there is a great sense of commitment and love toward the students and families we serve. Individual teacher will administer discipline according to the DWIS Classroom Management Plan.

When the teacher’s corrective measures have not achieved the desired outcome, the parent’s co-operation and assistance will be sought to achieve acceptable behaviour. If the child’s behaviour does not change after these actions, the principal may deem it necessary to send the child home until the school is assured that the student will comply with class and school guidelines. The school reserves the right to suspend or expel any student for repeated violations of classroom or school rules.

The following are examples of reasonable classroom expectations:

1. Be on your seat promptly with materials before class begins.
2. Speak with respect to everyone – classmates and teachers,
3. Keep hands and feet to yourself.
4. Respect other people’s property.
5. Show consideration to others’ opinions.
6. No talking in class without being recognized (raise your hand).
7. Do not leave your seat without permission.
8. Be kind in what you say to other students and your teachers
9. Accept and obey any instruction or discipline from a teacher.

However, the following constitute serious offence in the classroom.

• Mimicking others
• Laughing at the mistakes of others
• Back-talking or arguing with any teacher
• Making facial or non-verbal expressions of disrespect/contempt
• Whispering or passing notes in class
• Failing to pay attention in class or sleeping while others are learning.

The basic steps used in the School discipline process for a violation of class or school rules will usually be as follows:

1. A verbal warning
2. A phone call is made to the parent.
3. Deprive the student from going on break.
4. Corporal punishment
5. Suspension
6. Expulsion

NOTE: Damage to class property is the responsibility of the offender. Parents may expect to be notified of the incident and the reparation costs.

Students Illegal Items

The use of lasers, radios, recorders, combat toys,CD, MP3 and tape players, pagers, cellular phones, jewelry and electronic games, etc., is prohibited and should not be seen or heard of; from the time a student arrives the campus, until he/she goes back home. Violation of this rule will result in disciplinary action and confiscation of the item(s) and will never be returned to the owner. Students may also be assigned school discipline.

Student Morality

All students will sign and abide by a 24/7 morality statement that lines up with the beliefs of DIVINE WISDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. Students will pledge to uphold the school’s standards against cheating, using indecent language, taking alcoholic beverages, using or encouraging the use of marijuana or narcotics. Students will abstain from sexual activities and maintain Christian standards in courtesy, kindness, morality, and honesty. They will strive to be of unquestionable character in conduct and in other areas of life and will act in a very orderly and respectful manner.

In order to maintain the integrity of the school, students must understand that if they engage in any act not in line with the DWIS Standard of Conduct, such will be asked to leave the school.
Students must agree to abide by the above standards of conduct and other regulations expected of each student enrolled in the DWIS educational programme while attending the school. Students will not give the impression to other students, parents, or staff that they are not in harmony with the goals, aims, and standards of DIVINE WISDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL.

Students Offences

The actions set forth below will be considered as routine disciplinary measures for each category and occurrence of offense. It is intended that the penalties delineated below shall be considered the standard penalty to be imposed for the offences described.

In incidents where extreme violations occur, the specified actions may be waived by the school authority in favour of stronger measures such as longer suspensions, expulsion or other appropriate action. Similarly, the school authority may at the hearing consider matters in mitigation of the routine disciplinary measures.
It is the expectation of Divine Wisdom International School that all students uphold the biblical standard of conduct and behaviour while both on and off campus. Students will pledge to uphold the school’s standards against cheating, using indecent language, alcoholic beverages as well as abstain from sinful sexual activities. Students will maintain the Christian Standards in courtesy, kindness, morality, and honesty.

Students of DWIS will uphold the code of conduct 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The student’s conduct should be in line with biblical standards. Anything outside of these standards will result in probation or dismissal from school.

Discipline will be conducted in an orderly manner and will coincide with biblical standards and beliefs. Teachers will reference scripture when dealing with disciplinary issues in order to instruct students from a biblical perspective. The image a school portrays is often determined by the behaviour of its students and the physical appearance of the building. We all: students, teachers, administrators, support staff and community members must show pride by doing our share to make the school a better place to learn and work. One of the main goals of the school staff is to develop self-discipline in all students.

The rules in this Handbook apply while in the school premises, in school bus, during school activities, away from school or off the school grounds if the situation is initiated by the school.

Any student’s conduct that would constitute criminal action is also a violation of the Code of Conduct. The rules also apply to any form of student misconduct directed at any employee or the property of an employee, at any place, at any point in time.

A violation of any of these rules may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to:

1. Suspension
2. Expulsion
3. Compensatory payment of damages
4. Depriving from going on break
5. Corporal punishment
6. Assigned work related to the offence
7. Loss of other privileges

The following are the actions that are prohibited and the consequences that will result from the student's decision not to abide by the school policy:

1. Disruption of school programme: Students must not, by the use of violence, force, coercion, threat or any other means, cause disruption or obstruction to the normal operation of the school activities.
2. Harassment: Students must not harass other students, school employees, persons that are guests of the school or persons conducting business for the school. This category also applies to remarks or actions of a sexual, racial, ethnic or religious nature that are deemed offensive.
3. Threats: Students must not, through verbal, written, technological or any other means, make statements that, physical or emotional harm may come to another person or to the institution.
4. Use of obscene language/materials: Students must not use obscene, vulgar or profane language or make inappropriate gestures or possess vulgar materials.
5. Attendance: Students must not fail to comply with school attendance laws including, but not limited to, truancy or tardiness to a specific activity. No student shall leave school premises or an assigned educational location once he or she has come under the supervision of a school employee, prior to specified dismissal times, without official permission
6. Forgery: Students must not falsify a signature on any document.
7. Damage to Property: Students must not cause or attempt to cause damage to school property. Students shall not touch or handle another person’s property without their authorization. Students must pay for any damages they cause to school equipment, materials or facilities and may be subjected to additional disciplinary action.
8. Assault: Students must not act or threaten to act in such a way as to cause physical injury to other students, school employee or other persons.
9. Insubordination/Disrespect: No student should fail to comply with any lawful instructions or requests of teachers, student-teachers, principals or other authorized personnel during any period of time when he or she is properly under the authority of the school personnel. No student should fail to provide information, or supply false information, when it is requested
10. Dangerous Weapons And Instrument: Students must not possess, handle, transmit or conceal any dangerous weapon or instrument within the school, in the school vehicle or during any school-sponsored activity. School policy requires that hostel administrators recommend the expulsion of students in violation of the said policy. Should a student have knowledge of a weapon or dangerous instrument within the school, in the school vehicle or at any school sponsored activity and does not report it to a school employee, the student may be held to the same disciplinary measures as that of the perpetrator.
11. Malpractices/Plagiarism: Students should not give or receive unauthorized information regarding class work, assignment, test, projects, examinations, misrepresent the results of researched or laboratory assignments, or give or receive unauthorized assistance on assignments or in examination hall.
12. Unauthorized or Unsupervised Areas: Students should not be in areas for which they have not been authorized or areas that are unsupervised.
13. General Misconduct: Students shall refrain from throwing objects, or being abusive or excessively disruptive in their behaviour. Respect the rights and feeling of others.

Disciplinary definitions and discipline process in the classroom

1. Cheating – taking information from some source other than the student’s own mind and presenting it as if it came from his/her own thinking; this involves stealing and lying. The following are major categories of cheating as defined by Divine Wisdom International School’s policies: Cheating during-
2. Assignments- The use of someone’s work instead of completing the assignment individually; this would include anything from daily Assignment to major research papers. Unless specified by the teacher, it is to be assumed that all work is to be completed individually.
3. Tests/Exams- This would include the use of information brought to class, sharing of information during class or the sharing of information about the test with students who have not yet taken the test.
4. Plagiarism- The use of information from a source (text, internet, research information) without documentation
5. Class Disruption- Any act whereby the student causes commotion, distraction or interrupts the teacher or classroom atmosphere to the extent that the learning process of other students is hampered.
6. Direct Disobedience- The act of not carrying out a directive when specifically given by a teacher or staff member.
7. Horseplay-Play fighting, pushing, tripping, snapping towels or any act that may cause injury to any student.
8. Lying- Deliberate deception by not telling the truth or withholding any part of the truth in any given situation.
9. Stealing- Taking or hiding items of clothing or personal possession, or material that does not belong to you.
10. Truancy– Failure to be in attendance in class or school.
11. Tardy- Being late to school or activity.
12. Harassment- Any form of unwanted touching, suggestive speech, sexual mannerisms or literature, physical or verbal conduct that make another student or staff member uncomfortable, demeaned, degraded, fearful or physically hurt.
13. Vandalism- Malicious or ignorant destruction or defacing of school property.
14. Bullying- Any variety of negative acts carried out repeatedly over time involving a real or perceived imbalance of power, with the more powerful child or group attacking those who are less powerful.
    Bullying can take three forms:
    1. Physical - Hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing, taking personal belongings
    2. Verbal - Taunting, malicious teasing, name calling, making threats
    3. psychological - Spreading rumours, encouraging social exclusion, extortion, intimidation
15. Hazing or Initiations: Initiations or hazing are those activities into which students are coerced in order to become part of a group or activity.
16. Gross Misconduct: Repeated violations of the code of conduct

Sporting Activities

Participation in sporting activities at DWIS provide opportunities for students to develop their skills and talents and to grow in their walk with God by experiencing struggles, failures, successes, and relationships in the context of a Biblical framework. We believe our well-rounded athletic programme offers positive values, attitudes, and inspiration for every area of a student's life. We offer athletic opportunities for students at all levels of their ability.

It is our desire for all of our athletes to be eligible to play for their respective house.

We encourage them at all times to maintain excellent academic standard in the classroom and to live lives that glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The following guidelines are in effect not only for athletics, but for all extracurricular activities. Students who failed test or examination in any class at the time of progress reports will be suspended from all games, practices, rehearsals and performances, starting from the day progress reports are issued.

Students may regain their eligibility as soon as he/she improve on his/her grade. Students with poor grade at the end of the grading period will be suspended from all games, practices and rehearsals. Therefore any student who wants to participate in sports must be ready to work hard in his/her academics in order to avoid being suspended from sporting activities

Student Conduct

1 Timothy 4:12 exhorts young believers to be examples to other believers in “speech, life, love, faith, and moral purity.” Good behaviour must come from a heart of love and obedience to Jesus Christ and to those He has placed in authority over us. In this spirit of obedience to authority and to Christ, the following conduct should be observed:

1. Respect for others and those in authority are virtues we appreciate seeing in our students.
2. Addressing adults by “yes ma’ or “no sir” is proper and expected. (1 Peter 5:5-6).
3. Positive, honest, encouraging, and affirming speech are virtues we strive for at dwis. vulgarity, profanity, gossip, crude and demeaning comments, and lying have no place in a christian school and will not be tolerated at dwis. The use of slang is improper and will be corrected through discipline (Colossians 3:8-9; Ephesians 4:29).
4. Since self-control and humility are character traits we want to practice at DWIS, boisterous action or talk, bullying, fighting, or picking on another student shall not be tolerated. Hands and feet should be kept to one’s self (Galatians 5:22-23).
5. As stewards of the property God has given us, wilful destruction of property that belongs to the school, a fellow student, or a staff member will not be tolerated. Damaged property must be repaired or paid for by the student. If a student causes damage to school property, the expenses will be added to his/her school fees.
6. Honourable conduct with one another is emphasized at DWIS. In relation to the opposite sex; students must avoid any situation that might compromise the integrity of boy-girl relationship. Therefore, these basic guidelines exist to protect students from unnecessary problems. A boy and girl should refrain from holding hands, embracing, being alone or sitting together anywhere on campus, or touching in such a way as to raise question on purity of motive.
7. In keeping with the mandate from Christ to honour God with our bodies as the temple of the holy spirit, students are to refrain from tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, sex, cheating, and wearing objectionable clothes (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).
8. Every attempt will be made by the DWIS staff and administration to encourage students to honour God with their conduct. Any act of wilful defiance or disrespect will be addressed by the policies outlined in this handbook. It is understood that DWIS will take the appropriate action in dealing with any student concerning conduct and attitude.