Policies
Drugs
1.1 Learners and parents must be made aware of:
1.1.1 the school policy regarding learners consuming drugs;
1.1.2 that specific learners may be bodily searched and/or their cupboard and rooms (at
the boarding house) may be searched for the possession of drugs;
1.1.2.1 such searches will be carried out strictly in accordance with the rights to privacy as
stated in the SA Constitution’s Bill of Rights Paragraph 14 and with the limitation of
these rights as stated in Paragraph 36;
1.1.2.3 such searches would necessitate a valid reason (for example, simple suspicion of
possession of drugs would be an insufficient reason unless there were valid
reasons for being suspicious);
1.1.2.4such searches would necessitate learners participation (i.e. the learners concerned
would be present during the search), learners permission (i.e. refusal to give
permission could only be over-ridden by a sufficiently valid reason); and the
presence of a witness (i.e. a third party would be present to verify the correctness of
the search process);
1.1.2.5 such searches would necessitate appropriate confidentiality (i.e. the results of such
searches would be shared only with appropriate persons);
1.1.2.6 such searches would necessitate appropriate closure for the learners concerned
(i.e. either appropriate disciplinary action would be carried out, or a clear and
appropriate apology would be given);
1.1.3 And that specific learners may be asked to undergo tests for the presence of drugs.
1.2 The school undertakes to educate learners on the dangers of drugs, and this education
should, wherever possible, be based on real-life (e.g. talks from rehabilitated addicts) and
should allow for personal questioning and interaction.
1.3 1.3.1 The school must be extremely vigilant about identifying drug-taking and should not
allow a suspected drug-taker the benefit of doubt – he should be tested.
1.3.2 This vigilance must extend to drug-taking out of school. Suspected drug-takers
should be tested.
1.4 All learners and incidents are always handled on an individual basis, but the generally
applied guidelines regarding taking and supplying of drugs are as outlined in 1.5 and 1.6
below.
1.5 The procedure when a learner is suspected of drug-taking should be as follows:
1.5.1 The parents should immediately be called in and their co-operation asked for: they
must undertake to have their child tested, and the doctor involved must report in
writing directly to the school.
1.5.2 If the urine test is positive, then the following procedure should be followed:
1.5.2.1The parents must agree to expert counselling for their child (and possibly for
themselves). They should be able to choose the counsellor, but a written
record of the counselling must be forwarded to the school. If cost is a factor,
then they must use the facilities of the Child Guidance Clinic.
1.5.2.2The parents must agree to monthly urine tests for their child, until the school
feels that these are no longer necessary.
1.5.2.3The parents must be informed in writing that a second positive urine test will
result in their child’s immediate expulsion.
1.5.2.4Punishment appropriate to the incident should be implemented. The most
suitable punishment is the immediate implementation of Red Card. A learner
on Tier 1 or Tier 2 would therefore immediately be demoted. A learner’s
awards on the Incentive Scheme would therefore immediately be affected. A
learner on the School Council should be required to resign immediately. A
learner in any other position in the school where they set an example to
younger learners, should be required to resign from that position – examples
of such positions would be house or sports or club leaders.
1.5.3 If the procedure in 1.5.2 has been carried out and, sometime later, the learners is
again suspected of drug-taking and a urine test establishes that the learners has
indeed been taking drugs, then the learners will be immediately expelled.
1.6 If there is sound evidence (i.e. more than simple suspicion) that a learner is supplying
drugs to others or influencing others to take drugs then they will be expelled immediately.
Alcohol
2.1 Learners and parents must be made aware of the:
2.1.1 The school policy regarding learners consuming alcohol;
2.1.2 that specific learners may be bodily searched and/or their cupboard and rooms (at
the boarding house) may be searched for the possession of alcohol;
St Andrew’s School, Welkom
Policy regarding Learners Consumption of Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, updated by Mr G Hinrichs: August 2019
2.1.2.1 such searches will be carried out strictly in accordance with the rights to privacy as
stated in the SA Constitution’s Bill of Rights Paragraph 14 and with the limitation of
these rights as stated in Paragraph 36;
2.1.2.2 such searches could be bodily searches and/or searches of possessions (such as,
but not limited to, bags rooms, cupboards, drawers, cell-phones, computers,
books);
2.1.2.3 such searches would necessitate a valid reason (for example, simple suspicion of
possession of drugs would be an insufficient reason unless there were valid
reasons for being suspicious);
2.1.2.4such searches would necessitate learners participation (i.e. the learner concerned
would be present during the search), learners permission (i.e. refusal to give
permission could only be over-ridden by a sufficiently valid reason); and the
presence of a witness (i.e. a third party would be present to verify the correctness of
the search process);
2.1.2.5 such searches would necessitate appropriate confidentiality (i.e. the results of such
searches would be shared only with appropriate persons);
2.1.2.6 such searches would necessitate appropriate closure for the learners concerned
(i.e. either appropriate disciplinary action would be carried out, or a clear and
appropriate apology would be given);
2.1.3 and that specific learners may be asked to undergo tests for the presence of alcohol.
2.2 The school undertakes to educate learners on the dangers and illegality of alcohol, and
this education should be based on real-life (e.g. talks from rehabilitated alcoholics) and
should allow for personal questions and interaction.
2.3 The school must be extremely vigilant about identifying drinking and should not allow a
suspected drinker the benefit of doubt – he/she should be warned.
This vigilance must also extend to drinking out of school. Suspected learners -drinkers
should be clearly and firmly warned.
2.4 All learners and incidents are always handled on an individual basis, but the generally
applied guidelines regarding drinking and supplying of alcohol are as outlined in 2.5 and
2.6 below.
2.5 using alcohol (or supplying anyone else with alcohol) at school, or while in school uniform,
or on a school trip, whether against the law (i.e. under-age) or within the law (i.e. over-age)
should be handled in the following manner:
2.5.1 The parents should be called in, written notification should be given to them and a
signed undertaking should be given by the learner that he/she will not involve
himself in another drinking incident.
2.5.2 Punishment appropriate to the incident should be implemented. The most suitable
punishment is the immediate implementation of Yellow Card. A learner on Tier 1 or
Tier 2 would therefore immediately be affected. A learner’s awards on the Incentive
Scheme would therefore immediately be removed. A learner on the School Council
should be required to resign immediately. A learner in any other position in the
school where they set an example to younger learners should be required to resign
that position – examples of such positions would be house or sports or club leaders.
2.5.3 If the learner breaks his undertaking not to be involved in another drinking incident,
then he/she should be immediately expelled.
2.6 using alcohol (or supplying anyone else with alcohol) while not at school (i.e. in public or at
private parties) without the parents’ supervision or without the supervision of an adult
delegated by the parents, should be handled in the following manner:
2.6.1 If the learners is under-age (i.e. if the incident is against the law) the procedure will
be as outlined in 2.5.
2.6.2 If the learners is over the legal age (i.e. the incident is within the law) the procedure
should be as follows:
2.6.2.1If the alcohol is responsibly carried out, not carried to excess, and not in the
company of or influencing in any way any under-age learner, then the school
would take no action.
2.6.2.2If this is not responsibly carried out, or is excessive, or is in the company of
under-age learner, or influences any other learners , then the procedure
should be as outlined in 2.5.
Tabacco
3.1 Learners and parents must be made aware of
3.1.1 the school policy regarding learners smoking tobacco.
3.1.2 that specific learners may be bodily searched and/or their lockers (at school), and their
cupboards and rooms (at the boarding house) may be searched for the possession of
tobacco;
3.1.2.1 such searches will be carried out strictly in accordance with the rights to privacy as
stated in the SA Constitution’s Bill of Rights Paragraph 14 and with the limitation of
these rights as stated in Paragraph 36;
3.1.2.2 such searches could be bodily searches and/or searches of possessions (such as,
but not limited to, bags rooms, cupboards, drawers, cell-phones, computers,
St Andrew’s School, Welkom
Policy regarding Learners Consumption of Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, updated by Mr G Hinrichs: August 2019
books);
3.1.2.3 such searches would necessitate a valid reason (for example, simple suspicion of
possession of drugs would be an insufficient reason unless there were valid
reasons for being suspicious);
3.1.2.4such searches would necessitate learners participation (i.e. the learner concerned
would be present during the search), learner permission (i.e. refusal to give
permission could only be over-ridden by a sufficiently valid reason); and the
presence of a witness (i.e. a third party would be present to verify the correctness of
the search process);
3.1.2.5 such searches would necessitate appropriate confidentiality (i.e. the results of such
searches would be shared only with appropriate persons);
3.1.2.6 such searches would necessitate appropriate closure for the learners concerned
(i.e. either appropriate disciplinary action would be carried out, or a clear and
appropriate apology would be given);
3.2 The school undertakes to educate learners on the dangers of smoking tobacco and the
fact that there is a legal minimum age, and this education should if possible be based on
real-life and should allow for personal question and interaction.
3.3 The school must be extremely vigilant about identifying smokers and should not allow a
suspected smoker the benefit of doubt – he/she should be clearly and firmly warned.
This vigilance must extend to smoking out of school. Suspected learners -smokers should
be warned.
3.4 All learners and incidents are always handled on an individual basis, but the generally
applied guidelines regarding smoking are as outlined in 3.5 and 3.6 below.
3.5 Smoking at school, or while in school uniform, or on a school trip should be handled in the
following manner:
3.5.1 The parents should be given written notification of the incident and a signed
undertaking should be given by the learner that he will not involve himself in another
smoking incident.
3.5.2 Punishment appropriate to the incident should be implemented. Possible
punishments are a number of manual labours, other community service, or
homework class every afternoon until 1700 for a set time. A learner on Tier 1 or
Tier 2 should immediately be demoted to Tier 3. Learner’s awards on the Incentive
Scheme will be affected immediately. A learner on the School Council should be
required to resign immediately. A learner in any other position in the school where
they set an example to younger learners should be required to resign that position –
examples of such positions would be house or sports or club leaders. Demotion
from Tier, removal of Incentive Scheme awards, or resignation from School Council
or from any other position of leadership would be for a period of at least one term,
after which the Headmaster may, if it is appropriate, re-instate any or all such
positions.
3.5.3 If the learner breaks his undertaking, not to be involved in another smoking incident,
then his parents should be called in and they should be given written notification
that another such incident will result in their child’s expulsion from the school.
3.5.4 Punishment appropriate to this extreme lack of co-operation should be
implemented. The most suitable punishment is the immediate implementation of
Yellow Card. A learner who has worked his way back on to Tier 1 or Tier 2 should
immediately be demoted to Tier 3. Similarly, a learner who has regained awards on
the Incentive Scheme should have these removed immediately. Any status or
position which may have been re-instated by the Headmaster would immediately be
reversed.
3.5.5 If the learner involves himself in a third smoking incident, he/she should be
immediately expelled.
3.6 Tobacco use while not at school (i.e. in public or at private parties) without the parents’
supervision or without the supervision of an adult delegated by the parents, should be
handled in the following manner:
3.6.1 If the learner is under the age when tobacco products may be legally purchased,
the procedure would be as outlined in 3.5.
3.6.2 If the learner is over this “legal age” the procedure should be as follows:
3.6.2.1If the smoking is responsibly carried out (i.e. not in the company of or
influencing in any way any under-age learner) then the school will take no
action.
3.6.2.2If this is not responsibly carried out (i.e. is in the company of under-age
learners or influences any other learner) then the procedure should be as
outlined in 3.5.
Female Hair policy
- Elastics/Ribbons: Must be the school colours of blue, red or white. The colours black and brown are also accepted.
- Hairbands: May not have any sort of decorations and must be a solid colour either red, white, blue, black or brown. Hairbands may also not be any wider than 5cm.
- May not dye their hair unnatural colours such as pink, purple, orange, etc.
- Hair colour may only be one shade lighter than their natural colour.
Ethnic Females: - Ethnic braids may not be thicker than 2cm or a 20c coin. Once the braids touch the collar they must immediately be tied up.
- Dreadlocks may not be loose and must be tied up.
- An Afro must have a constant length over the whole head and may not exceed the length of 5cm. 2cm is better – 4,5cm at the most.
- Braids must only be one colour. NO two-coloured hair pieces.
Caucasian Females: - May not have full headed ethnic braids or dreadlocks.
- Hair must be tied as soon as it touches the collar.
Male Hair policy
- May not have any patterns shaved/cut into their hair.
- May not have a Mohawk, dreadlocks or dye their hair unnatural colours. (Blue, green, etc.) • Hair colour may only be one shade lighter than their natural colour.
Ethnic Males: - May have a Low Taper hairstyle which is a hairstyle with more hair on top of the head than on the sides and at the back.
- The Low Taper hairstyle must fade from where the hair is most to where it is least. (No clear step allowed)
- The highest the hair may be at the top is 2cm. • May be bald. • May have an S-Curl. (An S-curl is short hair that is curled with a type of gel.)
- May have hair on their entire head but at a constant length. (2cm max) • May have plain corn braids but the braids may not touch the collar.
Caucasian Males: - Low Taper hairstyle can have a clear division of not more than 3mm. The length of the hair on the sides and length on top of the head may not be more than 3 clippers difference with the hair on the top of the head being a maximum of 5cm or less.
- Hair with a consistent length must be maintained and may not touch the collar or grow over the ear lobes.