School Rules

As with any organisation, it is necessary to have a set of rules and regulations in order that all are able to co-operate and interact beneficially. School rules are intended to establish a disciplined, purposeful and safe environment to facilitate effective teaching and learning at Fairmont.

A formal set of rules and regulations is usually unnecessary for the majority of our learners who conduct themselves sensibly and in a manner that is mutually advantageous. However, there are learners who need the guidance of rules and regulations and instructions.

A number of unwritten procedures apply from time to time. These are always announced and explained at the School and form part hereof. All rules are subject to annual revision.

We are satisfied that all our rules, regulations and instructions are educationally based and as such we expect all learners to co-operate with ALL of them. Nothing shall exempt a learner from complying with the school rules.

Any learner organising, planning, or being involved in a contravention of Regulations and Rules, will face the appropriate consequences.

1. Participation in the School Programme

1.1 A learner shall participate in the educational programmes as prescribed by the Education Department, unless exemption has been granted by the Department.

1.2 When a learner has joined a co-curricular school activity, he/she shall fulfil his/her obligations and carry out his responsibilities in that connection, unless he/she is granted exemption by the headmaster/teacher for the duration of the season. As a Fairmont learner participating in a sport offered by Fairmont, your first loyalty is towards your school.

1.3 Learners may not enter school premises before or after school hours, or use any of the School’s facilities and equipment, including those for sport, before or after school hours without permission.

1.4 It is encouraged that all learners, particularly grades 8 and 9 learners, be involved in a summer and winter activity – either sport, cultural and/or society.

1.5 Appropriate action will be taken in the case of conduct that discredits the School in any way in the eyes of the community and the greater community. Learners may not say or do anything that will discredit themselves or the school.

1.6 Hitchhiking while in school uniform is not allowed.

2. Appearance

Learners’ general appearance directly influences the way in which a school is perceived in terms of the norms and standards advocated and upheld by that institution. It creates an undeniable sense of entity within the School context and contributes positively towards issues such as discipline, orderliness and goal-orientated academic and sport achievement.

All learners are expected to wear the uniform with pride. Uniforms should be kept neat and tidy, clean and in good condition at all times.

2.1 Boys’ Hair

Hair must at all times be neat.
Hair must be clear of the collar.
Length:
- Hair from any part of the head may not cover any part of the ear.
- Hair must be above the eyebrows, even when combed forward.
- Hair must be evenly graded.
- Sideburns may reach no longer than halfway down the ear. Fashionable or exotic hairstyles or any hairstyles likely to cause comment/distraction are unacceptable within the School context.
No excessive colouring of hair that looks unnatural will be allowed.

2.2 Girls’ Hair

Hair must be clear of the collar.
Hair that is collar-length or longer must be tied up and may not hang loose or down the sides of the face and head.
Hair that hangs down to cover the eyes and down the side of the face and head, must be tied up or clipped back with hairclips or an Alice band.
The following different kinds of hair bands are allowed:
- Plastic white or brown Alice bands
- Elastic bands (thin elastic or towelling) - white or brown
- Clips/combs - white or brown
- Brown or white ribbons one centimetre in width
Fashionable hairstyles or any hairstyles likely to cause comment/distraction are unacceptable within the School context.
Natural singles/braids (with or without extensions) are allowed, provided that they are a maximum of 10mm in diameter. Singles/braids must be the same length and must be the natural colour of the girl’s hair and held neatly at the back of the head (fancy or unusual styles are unacceptable).
No excessive colouring of hair that looks unnatural will be allowed.

2.3 Adornments

Jewellery, with the exception of standard watches, will not be allowed.
Medic-alert discs may be worn.
When girls have pierced ears, plain 15mm gold or silver sleepers or round gold or silver studs, may be worn. Not more than one stud or sleeper may be worn in each ear lobe. Studs/sleepers must be worn in the lower part of the earlobe only. Boys may not wear earrings or have any visible piercings.
No nose rings/studs, tongue bolts, eyebrow studs/rings, visible retainers or other visible piercings are allowed.
No visible tattoos are permitted.

2.4 Learners may not:

wear plain nylon stockings in summer
use make-up (this includes base)
wear coloured nail polish, or grow their nails longer than their fingertips – only transparent nail polish is permitted.

No exceptions will be made for any learners involved in modelling.

3. Bounds and Behaviour

Learners are both encouraged and expected to display behaviour in accordance with the school values: respect, integrity, service and excellence.

3.1 No learner may in any manner bring the name of the School into disrepute. The School Rules apply to all school-sponsored activities such as school bus transportation, tours, excursions, dances, meetings etc. Behaviour on buses and in public places must be such that no inconvenience is caused to others. The School has the right to take action whenever a learner is wearing the School uniform or part of it and his/her behaviour is such that it will bring the School’s name into disrepute.

This will also apply when learners are not in uniform, but are in school parties or groups where they may be readily identified as leaners of the School.

The School reserves the right to take action against learners who attend private parties or gatherings and by their behaviour bring the School’s name into disrepute.

Appropriate action will be taken in the case of conduct that discredits the School in the eyes of the community and greater community.

3.2 Learners are restricted to certain areas.

3.3 No unsupervised ball games are allowed during breaks and before school.

3.4 Bullying in any form (verbal, physical, group, cyber, other) is forbidden.

3.5 Only the downstairs bathrooms may be used after school.

3.6 Where a learner damages school property (e.g. breaking a window), he/she will be expected to pay for the repairs and must report such damage to Reception or to one of the Deputy Heads.

3.7 Fighting is prohibited and will be punished.

3.8 No learners may come to the staffroom during second break.

3.9 Curtains and the projection screen are not to be touched or adjusted by learners, unless authorised to do so by the teacher in charge.

Permitted Areas

Learners must be in their respective classrooms during academic time/lesson time. Learners may only leave classrooms once permission has been granted from their respective teacher.

Before school, during breaks and after school learners may be in the following areas:

Café Monty
The Hillcrest Field
The hall veranda facing the fields, extending to the counsellors' office and, but not including, the student centre stairs.
The paved area around the Multi-Purpose Centre (upper and lower level).
The terraced seating area overlooking the Fairview field.
The Memorial Quad and the veranda outside the hall.
The Senior Quad
The ground floor passages; however it is preferred that learners be outdoors when the weather permits.
The second floor passages only when it is raining.
The school library
The relevant computer lab when it is open at second break.
The DCR as well as the corridor outside of the staffroom for legitimate purposes.
The reception office window for specific reasons.
The MPC foyer
The hall foyer for legitimate purposes.

Any area not listed above is out of bounds, unless accompanied or granted permission by a teacher/coach. Areas which are otherwise out of bounds before school, during breaks or after school include but are not limited to:

The embankment
The third floor
Both sets of stairs leading from the hall foyer to the gallery
The Clive Wigg Hall
The Sound and Lighting Room and the catwalks
The stage
The Students’ Centre and both levels of the Multipurpose Centre

Note: The car park and access road behind the art and engineering graphic rooms opposite the Student Centre, the Past Pupils Square as well as the area around the swimming pool are out of bounds unless entering or exiting the school premises.

Grade Seating Areas

During breaks, learners are to respect the seating areas of various grades. Learners from any grade may sit or participate in ball games on the Hillcrest Field, excluding the section extending from the Fairview sign to the rugby terraces, during breaks. The seating areas of each grade work as follows:

Grade 12

1. The area directly outside of Café Monty, surrounding the stairs leading to the upper MPC.

2. The upstairs balcony of the MPC facing the Hillcrest Field.

3. The MPC foyer

4. The rugby terraces

5. The Hillcrest field extending in width from the ‘Fairview’ sign to the rugby terraces, and in length down toward the shotput throwing circle.

Note: Grade 12 areas, excluding area 1, are grade 12 privileges and are not absolute; the matric grade head or assistant grade head may revoke these privileges.

Grade 12’s may not use the stairwell facing the swimming pool to access or exit the designated area of the upstairs’ balcony.

Grade 11

3/4’s of all benches on the hall veranda facing the Hillcrest field.

Note: Grade 11 benches extend from Café Monty down toward the counsellors' office. The remaining benches may be used by learners from any other grades.

Grade 10

The Senior Quad

Grade 9

The Senior Quad

Grade 8

The Memorial Quad

The veranda outside the hall facing the Memorial Quad.

Note: This area is for the exclusive use of the grade 8's during break times. Only the prefects on duty are permitted access to the Memorial Quad and the veranda during breaks.

Cycles, Motorbikes and Cars

4.1 Vehicles, including bicycles, motorbikes and motor vehicles, must be ridden at a safe speed (20 km/h or below) when on school property.

4.2 Learners making use of a bicycle must park it in the bicycle rack at the front gate, but do so at their own risk. Learners are advised to chain, lock or otherwise secure their bicycle to the rack.

4.3 Learners wishing to park on the school premises must provide the school with a certified copy of their driver’s license in order to receive permission to park in the form of a parking disc.

4.4 Learners may not park in staff designated parking spots.

5. Use of facilities

5.1 Learners must treat all school facilities with respect.

5.2 Leaners may not touch or adjust teachers’ computers, curtains or projection screens, unless the teacher has granted them permission to do so.

5.3 Learners may not remain in classrooms before, during breaks or after school without the permission of a teacher.

5.4 Learners are expected to respect the library. Learners must: be reasonably silent, return books on-time, and refrain from bringing food/beverages into the library.

5.5 Learners who are found writing on or scratching on doors, tables or chairs will be punished.

5.6 Learners who damage school property (e.g. breaking a window) will be expected to pay for the repairs and must report such damage to Reception or to one of the Deputy Heads.

5.7 Learners may not come to the staffroom during second break.

5.8 The front foyer is out of bounds for learners from 07:00 – 15:30, unless permission from a teacher has been otherwise granted.

Note: Prefects, RCL members, and matric council members may pass through the front foyer in order to carry out their duties.

5.9 Learners are expected to be reasonably quiet when in the library and computer labs.

5.10 Book bags and cases must be placed in the designated areas and no eating or drinking will be allowed in the library and computer labs.

5.11 Learners are encouraged to keep the buildings and grounds free from litter. Litter must be placed in the receptacles provided.

5.12. Where recycling receptacles are provided, learners are expected to use these facilities.

5.13 Quads, passages, verandas and fields must be free of litter at all times.

6. Sport

6.1 Learners who commit themselves to play for a sports team must attend all practices and sports matches, including those held during exams.

6.2 Learners are expected to honour their commitment for the full sports season.

6.3 Learners must be punctual and wear the correct Fairmont sports uniform during all practices and matches.

6.4 Leaners who are unable to attend practices or matches must liaise with their respective coach in order to receive permission to not attend.

7. Displays of Affection

Learners may not engage in displays of affection such as kissing, embracing, holding hands or other indiscreet behaviour that violates the norms of good taste.

8. Initiation

No form of initiation is allowed.

9. School-Sponsored Activities

The School Rules apply to all school-sponsored activities as stated in paragraph 3.1.

10. Health and Safety: General Duties of Learners

Every learner shall:

10.1 Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions;

10.2 Not obstruct any staff member in the carrying out of their duties;

10.3 Carry out any lawful order given to them, and obey the health and safety rules and procedures laid down by the Headmaster or by anyone authorised thereto by the Headmaster, in the interest of health or safety;

10.4 If any situation which is unsafe or unhealthy comes to their attention, as soon as possible report such situation to the Headmaster or to a member of staff, as the case may be, who shall report it within twenty-four hours;

10.5 If the learner is involved in any incident which may affect their health or which has caused an injury to themselves, report such incident to the Headmaster or to a member of staff as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the particular school day during which the incident occurred, unless the circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not possible, in which case the incident shall be reported within twenty-four hours;

10.6 Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything that is provided in the interest of health or safety e.g. fire extinguishers;

10.7 All learners need to be aware of all uneven surfaces, drain coverings and wet floors;

10.8 If learners encounter a stranger on the school grounds during the school hours, they must notify reception/staff member immediately.

11. Announcements

Learners are expected to listen attentively to all announcements and respond appropriately.

12. Fireworks

Being in possession of or discharging fireworks on the school premises is prohibited.

~~Circular~~

The Fairmont Focus is produced every Friday during the school terms. These circulars are sent home electronically and appear on our website every Friday. Hard copies are given to learners, on request, who do not have access to the internet. All information contained therein or notices of amendment to any Rule, Regulation or Policy shall apply to all members.