General Policies and Rules

ABSENTEEISM

Parents are kindly requested to advise the College before 08:00 of absence due to illness. This can be done either telephonically or via email to reception@darlingcollege.org.za. Please note that it is the learner’s responsibility to catch up on work that has been missed.

EXTENDED VACATION

The request for extraordinary leave of absence should be presented timeously to the principal. Please bear in mind that a child’s prolonged absence may later place an academic burden on the learner and the teacher/s concerned.

APPOINTMENTS

Please arrange all appointments, (medical, dental, therapy), after school hours where possible.

Please make an appointment to see a teacher or the principal to discuss any matter relating to your child. These appointments must be made for after school only. Teachers may not be disturbed before school or during classes.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS

Should you have a school related problem, we kindly request that you stick to the following procedure:

  1. Problematic issues or matters pertaining to teachers should be kept private and not discussed openly or in front of learners.
  2. There is a policy in terms of access to teachers and staff.
  3. An appointment must be made, through the school secretary, or directly, via email, to see the teacher concerned.
  4. This appointment must be made for after school, as the teachers are busy in the morning finalising the day’s activities.
  5. Please advise the secretary briefly about the problem so as to allow the teacher to prepare beforehand on the matter.
  6. Under no circumstances must teachers be confronted in front of other parents, learners etc.
  7. Sensitive matters must not be discussed openly.
  8. Always report to the office when visiting the school.
  9. Under no circumstance should a child be fetched directly from a class. Please report to the office from where your child may be collected.
  10. Teachers may not be telephoned or disturbed during contact time.
  11. We request that teachers are contacted telephonically after school, before 15:00, or a message should be left with the school’s secretary.
  12. If the matter could not be resolved satisfactorily by the teacher, an appointment must be made with the Principal.
  13. If the matter cannot be resolved by the Principal, it will be referred to the Governing Body. The final resolution of the issue then rests with the Governing Body.
  14. We assure you that we aim to do our best in order to resolve matters satisfactorily. Thank you that you would handle the matter with respect and maturity.

DROP-OFF ZONE

For safety reasons, only staff and school transport vehicles are allowed on the school grounds. Parents should please drop off their children in the parking area of Jacaranda Street, outside the school, and not in the road. Children must please be fetched as arranged as they get very worried if parents do not arrive to pick them up on time. All calls to parents by learners will be recovered at R5 per call.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

Darling College is a smoke-free environment. Thank you for not smoking on the school grounds.

DRESS CODE

Personal appearance is an aspect of excellence. Therefore, parents are strongly encouraged to support the College by ensuring that the uniform is worn correctly and with pride at all times. Pupils are readily identifiable by their uniform. Boys’ hair must be cut above the ears and eyebrows and not touch the collar.  Girls’ hair that touches the collar must be tied up at all times and pinned back off their faces.  Nails and hair must be clean at all times.  Book cases must please also be navy blue with partitions inside.  Book cases with wheels are not allowed. Track shoes must be white and have laces.

Damaged uniform items need to be replaced.  Learners will be reprimanded if they do not comply with the dress code. Please mark all school clothes, etc.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The uniform items are available at school. Some items are available from PEP Stores (see dress code). Order forms are available at the office and are to be completed and handed in on/before Mondays, at the office, together with payment (NO CLOTHING WILL BE ISSUED BEFORE PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED). Orders may be collected on Tuesdays.

TUCK SHOP

There is a tuck shop on Fridays during break. Please make sure your child eats breakfast daily and provide them with a healthy “lunchbox.”

TELEPHONE CALLS AND CELL-PHONES

Learners are not allowed to receive phone calls or make phone calls in the office; exception will only be made in an emergency situation.

Parents will be held responsible for the payment of these calls.

Cell phones will only be allowed at school under special circumstances. They must be accompanied by a letter from a parent and be handed in at the office during school hours. The phone may be collected from the office after school. Cell-phones used during school hours will be confiscated. The school will not be held responsible for loss or damage to cell phones.

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

We follow a cross-curricular syllabus, implying that our learning material add to the curriculum and policy assessment, as prescribed by the Western Cape Education Department. Assessment is done on a daily basis across all grades. Feedback is given during personal meetings with parents in the first three terms. During these individual meetings the parent receives the learner’s report.

Grade 4 – 7 write examinations in June and November.

Grade 1 – 7 also write an external test one a year whereby we measure standards.

Grades 1 – 7 write Triathlon tests that test maths and language skills.

Grade 1 – 7 also write a computer skills test at the end of each term.

Grade 1 – 7 also take part in Conquesta.

TEXTBOOKS AND STATIONERY

Gr. 1 – 3 does not use textbooks yet, but would need a dictionary.

For Gr. 4 – 7 textbook orders will be done by the school. Parents will only be able to receive the textbooks once payment has been made.  Parents are advised to make contact with learners in the next grade to negotiate buying the necessary textbooks second hand.

Stationery lists from Waltons are distributed in the third/fourth term. It is the prerogative of the parents, however, to acquire the necessary stationery items from other suppliers. Please ensure that all stationery items are clearly marked. It is of the utmost importance that learners have received all textbooks and stationery items when the new school year commences.

HOMEWORK

Homework is given to consolidate the work that was done during the school day. Homework is given daily and must be completed in each instance. Parents must support teachers by signing homeworkbooks daily. Projects and speech topics are given ahead of time. Subsequently no excuses would be accepted if assignments are not handed in timeously. Grade 6 and 7s do get homework and small tests over a weekend.

All homework assignments Gr. 4 – 7) are written on the board and it is the responsibility of the learner to record it in their homework books.

Gr. 1 – 3 receive a weekly homework schedule.

RELIGIOUS POLICY

Darling College is a non-denominational school. In line with the Constitution, we respect all religions. We teach Christian values and encourage the children to grow spiritually and be God-fearing.

Algemene Skoolbeleid en Reëls

AFWESIGHEID

Ouers word vriendelik versoek om die Kollege voor 08:00 te skakel om u kind se afwesigheid aan te meld. U kan dit telefonies doen of ‘n e-pos stuur aan reception@darlingcollege.org.za Neem asseblief kennis dat dit die leerder se verantwoordelikheid is om werk in te haal.

VERLENGDE VAKANSIE

‘n Versoek vir ekstra dae verlof weens buitengewone omstandighede, moet betyds aan die skoolhoof gerig word. Hou asseblief ook in gedagte dat langdurige afwesigheid ‘n akademiese las op die leerder en onderwyser/s kan plaas.

AFSPRAKE

  1. Maak asseblief alle afsprake, (medies, tandarts, terapie), na skool-ure indien moontlik.
  2. Maak asseblief ‘n afspraak indien u ‘n onderwyser of die skoolhoof wil spreek.
    Hierdie afspraak moet asseblief vir na skool-ure gemaak word. Onderwysers moenie voor skool of gedurende klastye gesteur word nie.

GRIEWE PROSEDURE VIR OUERS

Indien u ‘n skoolverwante probleem ondervind, versoek ons u vriendelik om die volgende
prosedure te volg:

  1. Probleme of ander sake rakende onderwysers moet privaat gehou word en nie openlik of voor skoliere bespreek word nie.
  2. Daar is ‘n beleid betreffende toegang tot onderwysers en personeel.
  3. Maak ‘n afspraak met die sekretaresse, of direk, via e-pos, om die betrokke onderwyser te sien.
  4. Hierdie afspraak moet asseblief vir na skool-ure gemaak word, aangesien die onderwysers soggens die aktiwiteite van die dag finaliseer.
  5. Meld asb. ook kortliks aan die sekretaresse waaroor u met die onderwyser wil gesels sodat sy/hy vooraf aangaande die kwessie kan voorbereidings tref.
  6. Onder geen omstandighede moet onderwysers voor ander ouers, leerders ens. gekonfronteer word nie.
  7. Sensitiewe gesprekke moet binne die vier mure van die klaskamer plaasvind en nie openlik bespreek word nie.
  8. Meld asseblief altyd by die kantoor aan as u die skool besoek.
  9. Onder geen omstandighede mag u u kind by die klas gaan haal sonder geskrewe toestemming nie. Meld altyd eers by die kantoor aan.
  10. Onderwysers mag nie tydens skoolure gepla word nie.
  11. Ons versoek u vriendelik om die onderwysers na skool en voor 15:00 te skakel, of laat ‘n boodskap by die sekretaresse te laat.
  12. Indien u en die betrokke onderwyser nie die saak bevredigend kon oplos nie, moet u asb. ‘n afspraak met die Skoolhoof maak.
  13. Indien die Skoolhoof nie die saak bevredigend kon oplos nie, sal die saak na die Beheerliggaam verwys word. Die finale oplossing van die probleem berus by die Beheerliggaam.
  14. Ons verseker u dat ons ons beste sal doen om sake bevredigend op te los. Dankie dat u die gesprek op ‘n volwasse wyse en met respek sal hanteer.

AFLAAIPLEK

Om veiligheidsredes, word slegs personeel en skoolvervoer voertuie op die skoolterrein toegelaat. Ouers moet leerders asseblief in Jakarandastraat se parkeerterrein aflaai en nie in die pad nie. Leerders moet asseblief betyds afgehaal word, soos gereël. Hulle raak redelik bekommerd as hul ouers laat kom. Alle oproepe na ouers deur leerders sal verhaal word teen R5 per oproep.

ROOKVRYE OMGEWING

Darling Kollege is ‘n rookvrye omgewing. Dankie dat u nie op die skoolgronde rook nie.

KLEREDRAGKODE

Die persoonlike beeld wat ons uitdra deur ons kleredrag is vir ons belangrik. Leerders word aan hul skooldrag uitgeken. Ons versoek dus dat u as ouer ons op hierdie gebied sal ondersteun en sal sorg dat die kleredragkode streng nagevolg word. Leerders moet hul skoolklere met trots dra. Skooltasse moet donkerblou wees met afskortings binne-in.  Tasse met wieletjies word nie toegelaat nie. Tekkies moet verkieslik wit wees en kan toeryg. Merk asseblief alle items en skoolklere. Stukkende uniforms moet vervang word. Leerders sal vermaan word as hulle nie aan die kleredragkode voldoen nie. Hare van seuns moet netjies bo die ore en wenkbroue geknip wees en mag nie aan die kraag raak nie. Hare van meisies moet vasgemaak wees as dit aan die kraag raak. Naels en hare moet skoon en netjies wees teen alle tye.

SKOOLUNIFORM

Skooluniforms is by die skool verkrygbaar. Sommige items is verkrygbaar by PEP Stores (sien kleredragkode). Bestelvorms is by die kantoor beskikbaar. Die bestelvorm moet voltooi word en op Maandae teruggestuur word kantoor toe tesame met betaling. (GEEN KLERE SAL SONDER BETALING DAARVAN GEGEE WORD NIE). Bestellings kan Dinsdae afgehaal word.

SNOEPIE

Daar is `n snoepie op Vrydae tydens pouse. Maak seker dat u kind daagliks ontbyt eet en pak asseblief vir hulle gesonde kospakkies in.

TELEFOON- EN SELFOONGEBRUIK

Leerders mag nie oproepe by die kantoor ontvang of maak nie. Dit sal slegs in noodgevalle toegelaat word. Ouers sal verantwoordelik wees vir die betaling van hierdie oproepe.

Selfone sal slegs onder buitengewone omstandighede toegelaat word. Dit moet vergesel wees van ‘n brief deur die ouer, en moet by die kantoor gedurende skoolure ingehandig word.

Die skool aanvaar geen verantwoordelikheid vir verlore of beskadigde selfone nie. Selfone sal gekonfiskeer word indien dit tydens skooltyd gebruik word.

AKADEMIESE KURRIKULUM

Ons volg ‘n kruis-kurrikulêre sillabus, bedoelende dat ons leermateriaal byvoeg by die kurrikulum- en assesseringsbeleidsverklaring soos voorgeskryf deur die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement. Assessering word op ‘n daaglikse basis in alle grade gedoen. Terugvoering word tydens persoonlike onderhoude aan ouers gegee in die eerste drie kwartale.  Tydens hierdie persoonlike onderhoude ontvang die ouer die leerder se rapport.

Graad 4 – 7 skryf eksamen in Junie en November.

Graad 1 – 7 skryf ook een maal per jaar ‘n eksterne toets waaraan ons ons standaarde meet.

Graad 7 Driekamptoetse, wat Wiskunde- en Taalvaardigheid toets.

Gr. 1– 7 skryf ook ‘n rekenaarvaardigheidstoets aan die einde van elke kwartaal.

Gr. 1– 7 neem ook deel aan die Conquesta.

HANDBOEKE EN SKRYFBEHOEFTES

Gr. 1 –  3 gebruik nog nie handboeke nie maar sal wel ‘n woordeboek benodig.

Vir graad 4 – 7 sal die handboekbestellings deur die skool gedoen word. Ouers sal slegs die handboeke kan ontvang indien betaling gemaak word. Ouers word wel aangeraai om kontak te maak met leerders in die jaar bo hul kind om te onderhandel om die nodige handboeke tweedehands oor te koop.

Skryfbehoeftelyste van Waltons word in die derde/vierde kwartaal versprei. Dit staan wel die ouers vry om hul skryfbehoeftes by ander verskaffers te bekom. Maak asseblief seker dat alle skryfbehoeftes gemerk is.

Dit is uiters noodsaaklik dat kinders alle handboeke en skryfbehoeftes met die aanvang van die nuwe skooljaar het.

HUISWERK

Huiswerk word gegee om werk wat bedags gedoen word, vas te lê. Huiswerk word daagliks gegee en moet te alle tye gedoen word. Ouers moet die onderwysers ondersteun deur die huiswerkboekies daagliks te teken. Projekte en mondeling onderwerpe word lank vooruit gegee. Daarom sal geen verskoning aanvaar  word as take nie betyds ingehandig word nie. Graad 6 en 7’s kry huiswerk en klein toetsies oor ‘n naweek.

Alle huiswerkopdragte (gr. 4 – 7) word op die bord geskryf en dit is elke leerder se verantwoordelikheid om die huiswerk in hul huiswerkboekie aan te teken.

Gr. 1 – 3 leerders ontvang ‘n weeklikse huiswerkskedule.

GODSDIENS BELEID

Darling Kollege verkondig nie die beleid van ‘n spesifieke kerkverband nie. Getrou aan die
grondwet van die skool, respekteer ons alle godsdienste. Ons onderrig Christelike waardes en moedig die leerders aan om geestelik te groei en Godvresend te lewe.