03 477 5527
[email protected]
  1. Home
  2. Our School
  3. School Rules

School Rules

The school rules outline the school’s expectations in terms of the behaviour and personal presentation of students. They must be complied with at all times and serious or repeated breaches may result in disciplinary action, up to and including exclusion/expulsion. At all times students’ behaviour reflects on the school and students should always act and behave accordingly.


These rules are a guide and are not intended to be a comprehensive statement or exhaustive list. The school reserves the right to amend/replace these rules from time to time at its discretion and all students are expected to know the rules and comply with them at all times.

Basic School Rules

Students ARE deemed to be under Authority of the School while:

(a)  present at school during an official school day.
(b)  representing the school at any time whether it be in sport, cultural pursuits or any other activity.
(c)  attending any school related event, social function or activity identifiable as a student of our school.
(d)  on a school trip whether or not a parent or guardian is also present.

Students MAY BE deemed to be under Authority of the School:

(e)  on the way to and from school.
(f)  at any time they are wearing school uniform.
(g)  Identifiable as a student of OBHS in an online environment.

1. Student Commitment

(a)  General Conduct

(i)    Students are expected to display a high standard of behaviour, courtesy and manners.
(ii)   Students must not act in a manner that brings, or potentially brings, the school into disrepute.

(b)  Attendance

(i)     All students are full-time students.  Part-time enrolments will not be accepted at any level.
(ii)    Attendance on all school days is compulsory.
(iii)   Students are required to attend all classes. 
(iv)   The school day begins at 8.50 am and concludes at 3.05pm, or when school obligations have been met.
(v)    Senior students may have the opportunity to undertake courses outside the school eg University, Gateway or Secondary Tertiary Pathway. Any costs involved must be met by the student, and school rules apply when on these courses.
(vi)   All students will be required to take part in other school events and activities eg assembly, annual prize giving, ANZAC service, athletic sports and cross country.
(vii)  All students will have the opportunity to sit examinations. It is expected all students will sit external examinations where the course provides them. Where internal assessment is offered all students must complete the work to meet the 100% completion policy.
(viii) All students will be encouraged to take part in the wide range of extra-curricular sporting and cultural activities offered by the school. They must ensure the correct uniform is worn and that financial commitments are met.
(ix)   Travel to and from school: No student has permission to be a passenger in a vehicle driven by an OBHS student unless specific written permission from the parents/caregiver has been granted and the driver has a full licence.
(x)    After school: Students choosing to wear school uniform outside school hours must meet the grooming standards of the school.

2. Behaviour in class: 

(a)  Students are expected to behave in a courteous manner at all times, as outlined in the Above the Hoops Code.
(b)  Students may not eat in class.

3. Uniform and Grooming

(a)  Jewellery such as rings and ear studs must not be worn. Bracelets and necklaces must not be visible.
(b)  If a student wishes to display items for cultural reasons they must communicate with the Rector. Permission will be given at the discretion of the Rector.
(c)  Students must be clean shaven. Unshaven students will be asked to shave at school with razor and shaving cream provided. Where for cultural reason facial hair is appropriate, they must seek the permission of the Rector. Permission is not automatic and will be given at the discretion of the Rector.
(d)  Hair must be neat, not dyed and appropriate for school. Hair longer than the collar must be tied back.
(e)  The standard school uniform consists of:

(i)   Junior - a grey shirt, OBHS junior tie, grey shorts, school jersey or a school jacket with school crest and colours, OBHS school socks worn just below the knee. Black leather lace-up shoes.
(ii)   Senior - school blazer, white shirt, senior tie, long grey pants, V-neck school vest (optional). Black leather dress shoes. Senior students can wear an OBHS Ie Faitaga as part of school uniform, with grey school socks and black sandals.
(iii)  Correct school uniform must be worn on the way to/from school. Seniors must wear a blazer to and from school.
(iv)  Jackets - in wet weather, students may wear an appropriate raincoat, ideally the school jacket, to and from school.
(v)   For PE, ALL students must wear their school PE top and shorts and suitable footwear. In colder weather students may wear polypropylene under their top.

4. The school grounds 

Students must be within the boundaries of the school site during the school day. Out of bound areas are:

  • Town Belt
  • Area behind MacLachlan block beside Arthur Street School
  • Driveway by the Rectory, the Rowing Shed, Robert's Park and the Tennis Courts and all workshops and laboratories unless a teacher is present.

5. Leaving the school grounds

(a)  Students are expected to remain in the school grounds throughout the school day.
(b)  Students who need to leave the grounds, prior communication from the parent(s) or relevant authority must be communicated to the School Office to obtain an exeat pass. On return to school students must sign in at the Student Office.
(c)  Only Year 13 students may leave the grounds without a lunch pass at lunch time.
(d)  Only in exceptional circumstances will students receive a lunch pass.
(e)  Students attending the Mosque, must sign out before they leave.

6. Absences and lateness

(a)  Parents/Guardians are requested to inform the school by 8.30am at the latest each day, if a student is going to be late or absent from school. Phone 477 5527 ext 257 and leave a message. (This is a 24-hour service.)
(b)  Any student who is absent from school for five or more consecutive days due to illness may be requested to provide a doctor’s certificate. They will require one if they have missed an NCEA assessment or require an extension. See the School NCEA Assessment policies.
(c)  Students who arrive at school late must go straight to class. The teacher will decide if the explanation is justified.

7. School Detentions 

(a)  Class detentions are organised by class teachers and at a time convenient for the teacher. These may be morning tea or lunchtime.
(b)  Deans’ detentions are held every lunchtime and the student is required to attend the lunchtime detention closest to the infraction. Senior Management detentions are held during lunchtime, or after school from 3.10 to 4.10pm. At least 24 hours’ notice of an after-school detention will be given.
(c)  Rector’s detentions are held on Saturday mornings 9am-12.30pm. 24 hours notice will be given.
(d)  Detentions take priority over all other activities e.g. sports practices, band rehearsal.

8. Motor vehicles (including E-Scooters, Scooters and Mopeds)

(a)  Students driving to school must:

  • have an appropriate license.
  • obey traffic laws (following speed limits, traffic signals, lane markings, and other road rules).
  • avoid distractions (refraining from using cell phones, eating, or engaging in other activities that take focus away from driving).
  • be aware of surroundings (being vigilant of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and potential hazards).
  • use seatbelts (this is crucial for both the driver and passengers).
  • drive a roadworthy vehicle with current registration and warrant of fitness.
  • avoid impaired driving (this includes driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while drowsy or fatigued).
  • not carry passengers unless in possession of a full license and permission has been granted through the school (as per Rule 1 b (ix)).
  • not park in the staff carpark at the tennis courts/school grounds.

(b)  Vehicles are parked at the owner's own risk and the school cannot be held responsible for any damage.

9. Bus students

(a)  Conduct on buses will be of the same standard as in classrooms. Complete school uniform will be worn on buses.
(b)  Students must wait for buses at the appropriate place and in an orderly manner.

10. Damage to school property 

(a)  must be reported to the Property Manager. 
(b)  Students will be required to pay for damage caused by carelessness or vandalism.

11. Emergency drills

All students must immediately follow all the directions from staff members. 

12. Information Technology

(a)  Cellphones/mobile phones/headphones or earbuds are not permitted to be used at school during school hours. This means from arrival at school until leaving school, Archway to Archway.
(b)  Cellphones/mobile phones are not permitted in a student’s trouser pocket, blazer pocket etc, even if switched off. Phones must be kept in school bags and switched off.
(c)  Students who abuse this will be required to surrender their device:

  • 1st offence- device surrendered until end of school the following school day.
  • 2nd offence- device surrendered for the week.
  • 3rd offence- device ban for the remainder of the term.

(d)  Students are not permitted to engage in any activity such as creating, capturing, displaying or distributing images, including the use of AI or sending messages that may offend or harass another person. (For the avoidance of doubt, this prohibition includes any ‘cyber bullying’ of other students.)
(e)  Students are not permitted to create, send, save or share material that may bring the School or a member of its community, into disrepute.
(f)  Students are not permitted to be involved with any form of ‘Electronic Vandalism’ such as the transfer of malicious software.
(g)  IT resources cannot be used for personal amusement by engaging in activities such as playing games, using online forums not related to the prescribed curriculum or making use of social networking platforms.
(h)  Students may not access or make attempts to access any material that maybe objectionable or is unlawful, for example pornography, or engage in any activities that are unlawful under New Zealand law. Such activities may include, but are not limited to fraud, electronic crime (hacking, spamming, identity theft) and harassment.
(i)  Students must respect every individual’s right to privacy and must understand that doing so 'out of school' is likely to result in action inside the school.
(j)  All students must sign the Student ICT Acceptable Use Policy before accessing the school network or using school computers.

13. Illness

(a)  Students with injuries/illness should report to the main office.
(b)  The school will make every attempt to contact a student's parent/guardian before sending a student home or obtaining medical treatment.
(c)  No student will be sent home to an empty house without the knowledge of a parent/guardian.
(d)  Students will follow all rules and advice given by the school in relation to an infectious diseases outbreak or other serious community medical event.

14. Other Items

(a)  Skateboards, roller blades, e-scooters and similar products are not permitted to be used at school. If they are brought, they must be locked away for the day.
(b)  Students are not permitted to bring to school items that may harm another student or that may be deemed to be a risk to health and safety. These may include such items as knives, cigarette lighters, imitation firearms, paint ball guns.

15. Prohibition on Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Vaping

(a)  No student shall consume, sell, purchase, supply, have in his possession or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, whether or not lawful under the law of New Zealand, while under the authority of the school.
(b)  No student is permitted to have in their possession any drug, or alcohol paraphernalia while under the authority of the school.
(c)  No student shall smoke tobacco, supply tobacco to other students or have tobacco in his possession while under the authority of the school.
(d)  No student shall vape or have vaping paraphernalia in his possession while under the authority of the school.
(e)  A disciplinary committee of the Board of Trustees is authorised, in its sole discretion, to determine, in any particular case before it, whether a drug or pill is prohibited by Rule (a) above.

16. Theft, Truancy, Bullying, Fighting, Assault and Repeated Disobedience 

(a)  No student shall steal.
(b)  No student shall bully, assault, fight with, or intimidate another student or staff member.
(c)  No student shall be in possession of, or use, knives or other weapons.

 

Notwithstanding any statement made in these rules, the Rector may decide that an individual breach of any school rule constitutes a sufficiently serious offence for immediate action to be taken. Each case will be considered against all relevant circumstances.