Discipline Philosophy & School Rules

Discipline Philosophy

Radin Mas Primary School believes in the importance of inculcating strong values and a sense of personal responsibility. The school is committed to guiding all our students through a journey of self-discipline, graciousness, and kindness to imbue a culture of respect for self, peers, and all school staff.  These values and dispositions serve as the school’s pillars as we Work Hard, Play Hard and Make A Mark.

Our School Rules

As a student of Radin Mas Primary School, I pledge to always do the right thing, at the right time, and uphold the school rules. I pledge to be a good ambassador of the school.

Our School Expectations

I WILL BE RESPECTFUL AND GRACIOUS.

• I will be neatly and properly attired for school. 

• I will be punctual. 

• I will behave in an orderly manner at all times.

• I will be responsible for my own decisions and actions. 

• I will treat others with respect.

I WILL TAKE CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.

• I will handle school property with care.

• I will keep the school building and its environment clean. 

DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS

• Students must be neat and properly attired in their school uniform at all times.

• Students must wear white shoes and plain white socks or the Radin Mas Primary School white socks. The length of the socks shall cover the ankles.

• Students are allowed to be in their PE attire only on days when they have PE/CCA/PAL lessons.

• Placement of school crest and nametag on the school uniform and PE T-shirt are as follows:
  

  

• Fingernails must be kept short and clean with no nail varnishes.

• Jewellery, ornaments or accessories, including fanciful watches, are not allowed.

• For Girls:

  • Hair must be kept neat.  Forehead must not be covered by long fringe. Hair that reaches the uniform’s collar must be tied up.    

  • Hair accessories must be either black or dark blue.

  • Hair is of natural colour. Dyed/coloured/highlighted hair is not allowed.

  • Only one pair of identical stud earrings is allowed.

• For Boys

  • Hair must be kept short and neat.

• Forehead must not be covered by long fringe.  Hair is sloped and does not touch the collar at the back.  Hair must not cover ears at the side. 

• Fanciful hairstyles, such as dyed/coloured/highlighted hair, or the undercut, in which hair near the top of the head is longer while the back and/or sides are buzzed very short and spiky, are not allowed. Students are not permitted to perm their hair.

Use of Mobile Phones and Smart Devices

To ensure a conducive learning environment for all, students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones and/or unauthorised electronic devices, including smart watches to school.  However, should your child need to bring any of these items, he/she would be bound by the following rules:

• Mobile phones or the electronic device must be switched off during lessons, recess and/or other school activities.

• Use of mobile phones to make calls to parents or caregivers is only allowed at the canteen or the school foyer after curriculum hours and must be switched off after use.  Use of other electronic devices is strictly prohibited in school.

• Use of mobile phones is restricted to only voice calls and messaging.  Capturing of sounds, photographs or videos is not allowed. Students are not to upload videos/photographs of themselves, or friends donned in school attire on any online platform.

• Inappropriate use of social media and chatgroups may be considered an offence.

• Mobile phones and electronic devices, which are brought to school, are the sole responsibilities of the owners. The school bears no responsibility for any loss and investigation may not be conducted. 

For urgent matters, parents can contact their children by calling the school’s General Office. 

 Students who do not abide by the expectations above may be subjected to the following consequences:

Device may be confiscated.  Parents will be notified to personally collect the item from teachers after an appropriate time interval which will be determined by the school. 

The item may be subjected to investigations by school staff for offences including inappropriate use of social media and chat groups.  In the instance where criminal laws may have been breached, the device may be turned over to the relevant authorities for investigation.

Students who have their mobile phones or unauthorised electronic devices in their possession during examinations and tests will be considered as having the intention to cheat.  This will be regarded as a serious offence. 

Subsequent requests to bring a mobile phone may not be considered for students who did not comply with the rules.

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance in school is compulsory. Students are expected to assemble by 7.30 am every day for flag-raising at respective venues.  Arriving at the venue after 7.40 am will be considered late.

Students who are Singapore citizens must sing the National Anthem and take the Pledge. Students will take the Pledge with the right fist placed over the heart.

Students are expected to attend all lessons, CCA training, school events and functions as required. They should report punctually for all activities and lessons.

Absence from school must be covered with a valid reason.  The Medical Certificate, MC must be issued by a certified medical practitioner who is registered with the Singapore Medical Council.  If a MC has been submitted but student has not fully recovered from his/her illness, the school will allow parents to furnish the reasons for sick leave to be extended by another day or two, up to a maximum of three times per semester. 

The MC or reasons from parent/guardian must be submitted within three working days.  Otherwise the absence will be considered as absence without valid reasons. 

Reasons for absence which are not valid include visiting relatives or taking family holidays overseas during school days.  

Students who are absent without valid reasons or are repeatedly late may receive an adverse conduct grade at the end of the semester. Reasons for absence which are not valid include visiting relatives or taking family holidays overseas during school days.

Disciplinary Action Against Inappropriate Behaviour

The school is like a second home.  It is a safe space for all to learn and grow.  Students who have made mistakes and/or not lived the school values well will have consequences meted out for learning. 

OFFENCES

At Radin Mas Primary School, all students and staff treat each other with respect and graciousness. The school takes a firm stance against all forms of hurtful behaviours.  In general, an offence may be deemed to be committed when school expectations, rules or values are not upheld.  This section details some examples of offences and the possible consequences which will be meted out to the student concerned. 

Offences include, but are not limited to persistent punctuality or attendance issues, improper attire and grooming, littering, not doing or handing in assignments, bringing inappropriate items to school, misuse or unauthorised use of mobile and other electronic devices, inappropriate or under-age use of social media or online misconduct and skipping school activities.

An offence may be considered serious when a student:

a) causes serious harm and/or disruption to self, whether physical, psychological or social¹; and/or

b) causes serious harm and/or disruption to others, whether physical, psychological or social²; and/or

c) causes serious damage to property or resources³; and/or

d) shows defiance against authorities⁴.

Examples of serious offences:

1. Use, possession or purchase of prohibited tobacco or related products and vapes, substance abuse, vaping, pornography, leaving school without permission, truancy, cheating/attempting to cheat in tests/exams including forgery of signatures.

2. Use of vulgar language or gestures, insensitive acts or remarks, assault, bullying, fighting, gangsterism, sexual misconduct, disruptive behaviour, assisting or attempting to assist others to cheat in tests/exams.

3. Arson, cybersecurity violations, trespassing, vandalism, theft, shoplifting, scams and frauds, gambling.

4. Open defiance to school staff, actions or behaviour that are disrespectful to national symbols.

All students are not allowed to have in their possession any weapon. They are not allowed to bring any weapon-like item which can be used or intended to be used to cause harm to others. 

For serious offence which also involves a breach of the law (e.g., Substance Abuse, Vaping, Theft, Possession of Weapons, Scams and Frauds), it will be reportable to the relevant law enforcement agencies, as per prevailing law.  There may be school-based consequences, in addition to the consequences meted out by the authorities. 

CONSEQUENCES

These serve to correct and teach. Students must be guided to understand their behaviour and impact on others, perform acts of restitution where needed, and restore relationships affected by their actions. The school will mete out consequences it deems appropriate and befitting the severity of the offence.

Range of consequences include but are not limited to the following.  These are not presented in any particular order:

Verbal warning; formal warning letter; corrective work; reflection essays; pledge of good behaviour; research and presentation to classmates/schoolmates on harms caused; ineligibility for awards, leadership appointments, overseas trips, school team representation; suspension of privileges including time-out from class, CCA, school activities and/or recess play; detention and/or suspension of one or more school days; caning; conduct grade adjustments; private or public apology.