We will develop all the children who join Spring Grove to their full potential, academically, socially, physically and emotionally in a supportive, caring and friendly community. Within a beautiful rural setting our school is small enough for us to know every child and their family and encourage them to support the school motto of “Always Do Your Best”.
Essentially, we follow two simple golden rules:
o Look after your neighbour.
o Show common sense at all times.
A child who lives by this above code will become a positive role model for others at Spring Grove. Ten further specific rules (which form an expansion of the above two rules) apply to various areas of school life:
Golden Rule 1: Look after your neighbour - rules concerning other people
1. Be friendly, polite and courteous to those around you.
2. Accept that everyone is different but equally important.
3. Think about what you say: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?
4. Behave in a way that is not aggressive or deliberately annoying and avoid using language that might offend.
Golden Rule 2: Show common sense at all times - concerning behaviour at school
5. Care for your environment and respect each others’ property.
6. Work hard and do not disrupt others.
7. Eat and drink a healthy diet whilst at school.
8. Make sure that you wear the correct uniform smartly. Hair should be kept neat and tidy. Jewellery must not be worn (see uniform policy).
9. Pay particular attention to safety around the school especially in the car park.
10. Never leave the school site unaccompanied and / or without permission; certain areas of the school remain out of bounds to the children.
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. All reasonable steps will be taken to promote safe practices and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.
Praise forms an integral part of our teaching methods. From start to finish the children receive praise for a job well done, for politeness shown, for consideration shown to others. From a simple "well done" to an award presented in assembly, all children receive praise which provides the necessary stimulus to progress.
Stars
These are awarded for something outstanding that the pupil may have done within the classroom, on the sports field or specifically to do with Music, Art or any of the numerous clubs and activities on offer. The teacher can determine how many stars the pupil should receive for the outstanding piece of work or effort. A box of 10 stars (a “Sticky” star) or two boxes may be awarded for outstanding acts of courtesy or achievement. After being awarded 100 stars the pupil receives a Headmaster’s Star which is handed out during a Friday Assembly. (Stars only apply for children from Form 1 to Prep 6).
Citizenship Points
A citizenship point is awarded to a pupil for each Headmaster’s Star earned. On attaining 10 citizenship points a pupil receives a bronze citizenship badge; on attaining 20 he/she will receive a silver citizenship badge and on attaining 30 they will receive a gold badge.
Gerry the Giraffe
Gerry the Giraffe is the House Mascot that everyone wants! Every Friday the Giraffe is awarded to the House that has earned the most stars during the previous 7 days. Chaucer holds the present record of 263 stars in one week! Underlying this friendly competition is the encouragement that is given to the children to do their best for their Houses, for each other and for themselves.
SG Challenge Award Scheme
The Spring Grove Challenge forms an integral part of the Year 5 and 6 experience. The children will collect SG Credits for their commitment to service around the school, their excellent work and their effort in all areas of school life.
The prime aims of the scheme are:
a. To foster pupils’ confidence, independence and a breadth of interest as individuals
b. To create a stronger sense of identity as a whole community and of responsibility for younger children.
c. To develop pupils’ sense of responsibility for their school environment and for society as a whole.
d. To encourage, within the context of a small school, children to be involved in a wide range of activities both in and out of school.
The scheme will operate in Years 5 and 6 and will draw together many existing strands of school life to provide a framework supporting these ideals. Pupils will work towards a Bronze (10 SG Credits), Silver (20 SG Credits) or Gold Award (30 SG Credits) over the two years. This will not involve them in doing more than they are already doing in their busy day, but may encourage them to do everything they undertake with more thought and a greater sense of purpose.
Our discipline system encourages children to think about the consequences of their actions; to think about what they could and should do in any situation and then make the right choice.
We use a yellow and red card system that enables the child to see when behaviour crosses the line of acceptability. The yellow card is a warning that the child needs to correct their behaviour; the red card will be given only after a suitable warning is given. A detention is given as a result of a red card.
Our form teachers carefully monitor and record all instances of antisocial behaviour and also work closely with parents when a child requires help.
