School Rules
The rules and expectations for students at Otago Boys’ High School are below. There are times when students may be unclear about what the exact rule is regarding one of the topics below and this is designed to make the rules and expectations clear. If students are clear about the rules then they know what is expected and they cannot offer excuses. It is a requirement of all students that they familiarise themselves with these rules and ask their class teacher, form teacher or Dean if they are unsure. These rules and boundaries are in place to create a safe and orderly environment for all students and staff at Otago Boys’ High School.
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
Students are under the 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) Loud or offensive behaviour or loitering in public places is not permitted.
(iii) 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. Any costs involved must be met by the student.
(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 sit school examinations.
(viii) All students in Years 11, 12 and 13 will have the opportunity to sit external examinations. It is expected 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.
(ix) 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.
(x) 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.
(xi) 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.
(b) Students may not eat in class.
(c) Students will stand when the Rector enters the room.
3. Uniform and Grooming
(a) Jewellery such as rings and ear studs must not be worn. Bracelets and necklaces must not be visible. Body piercings and tattoos must not be visible.
(b) If a student wishes to display jewellery for cultural reasons they must seek the permission of 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
(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. Students can wear an OBHS Ie Faitaga as part of school uniform.
(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, 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, 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 must bring a note of explanation from their parents 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.
6. Bicycles
(a) Bicycles must be wheeled (not ridden) inside the school grounds.
(b) Bicycle stands must be used. Bicycles should not be left against buildings or fences.
(c) Cycle helmets must be worn at all times.
7. 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) Letters explaining absence from school can be shown to the Form Teacher. Any student who is absent from school for three 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 report to the Office on arrival and obtain a student late slip. This must be presented to their Class and Form Teacher as appropriate.
8. 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’ and Senior Management detentions are held during lunchtime or after school from 3.10 to 4.10pm. At least 24 hours’ notice 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.
9. Motor vehicles (including E-Scooters, Scooters and Mopeds)
(a) Students require approval from the school to use a motor vehicle, e-scooter, scooter or moped to drive to and from any school related activity. Activities include extra-curricular practices and fixtures at school and at other venues.
(b) Approval will be given to Year 11, 12 and 13 students once an application form has been completed.
(c) Approval is given to the named student only. Passengers are not permitted unless approval is granted from parents/caregivers and the driver has the correct licence.
(d) Student vehicles are not permitted on the school grounds during the school day.
(e) Pillion riding on motorbikes is not permitted.
(f) Offences against traffic regulations may result in the removal of the right to bring the vehicle to school or to use it for any other school activity. The matter may be referred to the police.
10. 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.
11. Damage to school property
(a) must be reported to the Property Manager.
(b) Students will be required to pay for damage caused by carelessness.
12. Emergency drills
All students must immediately follow all the directions from staff members.
13. Messages
can be delivered to students during class time. Messages must go through the office and will be given when appropriate.
14. Information Technology
(a) Cellphones/mobile phones are not permitted to be used at school during school hours. This means from arrival at school until leaving school.
(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 bag and switched off.
(c) Students who abuse this will be required to surrender their device. They need to see Deputy Rector for restorative conversation to get it back.
(d) Constant issues may mean a disciplinary action from the school - 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.
(e) Students are not permitted to engage in any activity such as displaying images or sending messages that may offend or harass another person. (For the avoidance of doubt, this prohibition includes any ‘cyber bullying’ of other students.)
(f) Students are not permitted to create, send, save or share material that may bring the School or a member of its community, into disrepute.
(g) Students are not permitted to be involved with any form of ‘Electronic Vandalism’ such as the transfer of malicious software.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
(j) Students must respect every individual’s right to privacy and must not make or distribute audio or video recordings or take photographic images of an individual without his or her explicit permission.
(k) All students must sign the Student ICT Acceptable Use Policy before accessing the school network or using school computers.
15. 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.
16. Other Items
(a) Skateboards, roller blades, e-scooters and similar products are not permitted at school, nor are they allowed to be used by a student in uniform.
(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.
17. 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, R18 legal drugs or party pills, 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.
Policy It is the Rector's policy to treat very seriously a breach of this rule. The Rector would review all the circumstances and consider suspension, as a serious disciplinary option.
18. Policy relating to 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.
Policy It is the Rector's policy to treat very seriously a breach of this rule. The Rector would review all the circumstances and consider suspension, as a serious disciplinary option.
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.
