WINDOW OF SAFETY’

(Guidelines for the behaviour

expected of a Learner at Curro
Hillcrest)

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1. PREAMBLE
Following a most successful lead management training course, it has been decided
that the process of formalizing school behavioural guidelines in the high school
should take the form of a “Window of Safety”.

2. WHAT IS A “WINDOW OF SAFETY”?

This is a policy whereby a set of desired effective behaviours are established. A set
of consequences for failing to adhere to the set of behaviours is in effect. This
document is school specific and is to be read in conjunction with the Curro Code of
Conduct.

WHO DETERMINED THE “WINDOW OF SAFETY”

The Grade 8 learners of 2013, management and staff attended an Orientation Camp
in the first week of the year where all parties had equal opportunities to discuss,
create and agree upon the contents of the ’Window of Safety’. A Parents’ Committee
was established to review the proposed ‘Window of Safety’. Once all partners
agreed, the policy became effective.

The ‘Window of Safety’ was drafted within the legislative framework of, amongst
others:
• CURRO Code of Conduct
• Constitution of the Republic of South-Africa
• South African Schools Act No 84 of 1996
• National Education Policy Act No 27 of 1996

Please note, since the beginning the ‘Window of Safety’ has been an organic
document. As the High School develops, the ‘Window of Safety’ will be subject to
positive and effective discipline amendments. However, before an amendment
becomes effective, both parents and learners will be notified timeously.

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 CURRO HILLCREST MERIT SYSTEM
Our merit system encourages our learners to make positive choices and to create a
positive climate for learning. Curro Hillcrest will use a merit and demerit system to
address behaviour. The system below will provide merits and demerits, in the form of
different coloured slips. Rewards will be given for positive behaviour and consequences
for negative behaviours. This system is intended to assist our learners in making good
choices thus producing quality character. Our goal is to develop learners who are self-
disciplined and great community representatives. Our teachers and administrators are
expected to handle minor discipline incidents in the classroom as well as in common
areas of the school. While verbal admonishments are usually appropriate and sufficient
to correct minor misbehaviour, some incidents may be disruptive enough or persistent
enough to warrant interventions such as demerits, which lead to appropriate
consequences.

MERIT & DEMERIT SLIP SYSYTEM

MERITS

• A learner will be awarded, a green slip for taking the initiative in demonstrating
exceptional manners, doing a good deed, or any other meritorious activity deemed
by a teacher.

DEMERITS

• A learner who fails to uphold the behavioural guidelines specified in the ‘Window
of Safety’ and/or the ‘Code of Conduct’, will receive a yellow slip, and/or other
sanctions as specified.
• A learner who receives 4 yellow slips will receive a red slip.
REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES
REWARDS

• A learner who receives a green merit slip will be entered into a lucky draw and
stand the chance to win a reward. A lucky draw takes place termly and yearly.

CONSEQUENCES

• TWO yellow slips: Break detention

• FIRST red slip. Meeting with Grade head and ONE hour of afternoon detention.
• SECOND red Slip. Meeting with Head of Discipline or Head of Girls’ Discipline
with Service to school/Community service, maximum 6 hours, a written warning
may be issued, as well as TWO hours of afternoon detention.
• THIRD red slip. Meeting with Head of High School and Head of Discipline and
parents. Service to school/Community service, maximum 12 hours, a final written
warning may be issued, as well as THREE hours of Saturday detention.
• FOURTH red Slip. Further disciplinary action/disciplinary hearing.

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 APPEARANCE
GENERAL APPEARANCE BOYS & GIRLS
Expectation
1. CURRO hats may only be worn during break times and at sporting events.
2. TWO blazer buttons are always required.
3. Boys’ and girls’ shirts to be always tucked in.
4. It is compulsory for boys and girls to wear a tie for Winter Uniform: 1 May – 31 Aug.
5. Top button to be always fastened, when wearing a tie.
6. Knot of tie to cover the shirt top button always.
7. Blazer sleeves may not be rolled up the forearm.
8. NO alteration/defacing of any kind may be done to school shoes. (For example: Typex
markings)
9. NO temporary tattooing of the body with any type of marker whatsoever.
10. Finger and toenails for boys and girls to be kept short. (Girls when holding up hand
towards teacher, showing palm towards teacher, the nails should not stick out past
the fingertips)
11. No highlights of hair. Learners are not allowed to change their natural hair colour,
for both boys and girls.
12. NO Necklaces, rings or any type of bracelet may be worn.
13. No bristles or any other object (plasters) may be worn over or in any piercings.
14. Watches. NO smart watch may be worn during a formal assessment.
CONSEQUENCES:
• Any learner who fails to meet the expectation for the above appearance
expectations will receive a yellow, demerit, slip.
• Any hair infringement will also require immediate rectification.
• Any nail infringement will require immediate rectification.
• Jewellery will be confiscated for a period of three weeks.

APPEARANCE GIRLS
Expectation
1. Girls Skirt length: No more than 10cm, measure from a flat surface when girl is
kneeling.
2. Girls may not roll up skirts at the waist.
3. Socks up / down – girls DOWN 2 folds
4. Only clear nail varnish may be worn on finger and toenails. Grade 12 girls can have
French Manicure (short nails).

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5. Girls are allowed only ONE earring in each ear, positioned at bottom of each ear lobe.
It may be a small stud type earing or a ring earing no larger than16mm in diameter
(the size of a 10-cent coin).
6. NO small pearl earrings for girls, except for Grade 12 girls.
7. No facial make-up. Eyebrows: no coloured/tinted eyebrows or unnatural additional
definition.
8. Girls hair accessories: allowed to only wear navy blue, black or clear accessories.
(Grade 12 girls are allowed to wear white accessories)
9. Girls hair to be out of the face and tied back unless it is above shoulder length. No
eccentric hairstyles. Hair is to be neat, conservative, and tidy.
CONSEQUENCES:
• Any learner who fails to meet the expectation for girl’s appearance will receive a
yellow, demerit, slip.
• Any hair infringement will require immediate rectification.
• Any nail infringement will require immediate rectification.
• Incorrect earrings will be confiscated for a period of three weeks.

APPEARANCE BOYS

Expectation
1. Hair to be Neatly styled and combed.
2. Clean shaven face with sideburns no longer than mid-ear
3. No wax, gel or any hair-styling product may be used.
4. Hair may not be more than 6cm’s, and no less than 2cm’s, in length
5. No eccentric hairstyles. This includes: ‘mullets’,’ Mohawks’, shaved partings, ‘step’
haircuts, or any other eccentric hair style of that nature. Hair needs to be conservative,
neat and tidy.
6. Boy’s hair must be short in appearance – not to hang over ears, shirt collar or eyebrows.
Rather short back and sides with hair tapered in length.
7. Boys, Only CURRO specified socks may be worn.
8. Belts must always be worn. Only CURRO specified belts may be worn.
CONSEQUENCES:
• Any learner who fails to meet the expectation for boy’s appearance will receive a
yellow, demerit, slip.
• Any hair infringement will require immediate rectification.

CIVVIES DAYS

1. Clothing must be neat, clean and appropriate for a school setting.

2. NO vulgar print on clothing is permitted.

3. Underwear should not be visible. In other words, err on the side of modesty!

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4. Shorts should be mid-thigh in length or longer. (To measure, extend arms straight on
sides, where the finger tips rest on thighs, is the minimum length.)
5. Jewellery is permitted.

6. Hats or beanies are permitted.

7. NO blankets or slippers are allowed.

8. All shoes are allowed – NO bare feet.

9. Ripped jeans are allowed as long as ‘ripped part’ is on the knees and/or below knees.

GIRL SPECIFIC:

a) Skirt/ dress length must be the length of the school skirt (10cm above knee).

b) NO cropped tops may be worn. The midriff must be covered.

c) Shirts/blouses may not have plunging necklines.

d) NO see-through pants, tops and skirts.

e) Make-up that maintains a natural look maybe be worn. NO make-up that radically
enhances the skin tone or complexion may be worn.
f) Nails must be worn as per Window of Safety requirements – NO nail varnish.

g) Girls’ hair may be worn down if it is kept off the face and tidy.

BOY SPECIFIC:

a) Boys must be cleanly shaven.

b) Vest tops must be modest in appearance. No stringer gym vests may be worn.

h) Trousers / shorts must be worn around your waist. Waistline of trousers / shorts must
stay in contact with hip.

GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

DRUG TESTS
The school reserves the right to carry out urine-based drug tests (as per policy document
CURH14PO) on learners suspected of, or who have given a cause for concern of, the
use of drugs. Parents will be notified of the results therof.
VAPING
Vaping is not permitted on school property, or in school uniform or when representing the
school in any event. Anybody caught vaping, or in possession of a vape, may be
subjected to the maximum consequence as per the Code of Conduct.

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CELL PHONES
All cell phones must be handed in to the Connect teacher upon arrival at school and
returned at the close of school day.
A Learner, who is granted permission to use their cellphone during the school day, must
do so in the presence of an educator.
EARPODS/EARPHONES/HEADPHONES
No music listening devices may be used during the school day. All listening devices must
be handed to the Connect teacher upon arrival at school and returned at the close of
school day.
TABLETS LAPTOPS AND SIMILAR DEVICES
Devices may only be used during class on teachers’ instructions. These need to be easily
accessible to the teacher once in use for the teacher to be able to see what is being done
on the device. No games or other activities may be done on the device during lesson
time.
AFFECTION
There is to be no romantic displays of affection on school campus. This includes, but is
not limited to, kissing and overly long/close hugs.
MOVEMENT AROUND SCHOOL: Under no circumstance may a learner be on the
corridors of either academic blocks, before school (unless briefly retrieving work from a
locker), during break times and after school from 15:00 onwards.

LEARNERS LEAVING EARLY:

Any learner who needs to leave school early for a valid reason (sick, going to doctor etc)
must first collect an exit form from reception. This exit form needs to be taken to the
relevant Grade Head who will sign the learner out and the exit form must be returned to
reception. Learners need to be collected from reception when leaving early.

VEHICLES
Learners may not bring vehicles onto school property without obtaining permission from
their Grade Head.
In addition to a form that needs to be filled in;
Learners must be 18 or older and have a valid South African license to bring their own
four wheeled vehicle onto campus.
Learners must be 16 or older and have a valid South African license to bring their own
motorbike/scooter onto campus.
Learners who are 17 and have obtained a valid South African learners license, may
drive a vehicle on campus whilst a fully licensed 18 years or older person is in the
vehicle.
A valid South African licence must be produced on demand.
All vehicles must travel within the required speed limit.
No loud music may be played in any vehicle whilst on the school premises.
Motorcycles must always have two wheels on the ground.

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SPORTSMANSHIP: Always, uphold the Christian ethos of CURRO Hillcrest. The utmost
respect for the opposition player/s, opposition coach/s and match official/s is required
regardless.
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY: Be truthful always (includes completion of academic tasks,
academic attendance) remembering that if a dishonest act was witnessed and not
reported, the witness is equally at fault.
CULTURE OF HONOUR: How you interact with others – stand and greet with eye
contact, speak positively about others etc.
Respect all members of the school community (includes peers, teachers, grounds staff,
visitors).
ATTENDANCE (late arrival): School is compulsory and is to be attended for the entire
duration of each school day. Transgression in this category includes late arrivals in the
morning. School starts at 7:25. Absence from class/ school without valid reasons is
considered bunking.
PREPAREDNESS: Every lesson has specific requirements. Know what they are and
arrive at each lesson prepared for the work at hand.
WORK ETHIC: Be on time with task completion (this includes homework) and work
neatly.
ASSESSMENT COMPLETION: Projects and Practical Assessment Task completion
must be completed timeously. A learner will lose 10%, of their achieved mark, for every
day a task is late.
DISRUPTING THE LEARNING PROCESS: Any negative behaviour that disrupts the
learning process. Consequence depends on the severity or nature of disruption.
PLAGIARISM: Presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without
their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. and / or
knowingly providing your work to another learner for the purpose of their using it in order
to complete the task.
SPORT AND CULTURAL: Each learner is required to participate in at least one sport or
cultural activity a term. This is compulsory.
ABSENTEEISM: Any learner who has missed a practice or match and/or any cultural
commitment must provide a letter from parents/guardian to validate the absenteeism.
OTHER: Any other misconduct considered to be serious enough to justify a demerit.

CONSEQUENCES:
Any learner who fails to meet the expectation for general behaviour will receive at least
ONE yellow, demerit slip. Including:
Cell phones and music listening devices. Confiscated for a period of THREE weeks.
Plagiarism. 0% for task.
Disrupting the learning process. The consequence will depend on the severity and
type of the disruption.

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SERIOUS AND VERY SERIOUS MISCONDUCT:
If a learner’s conduct falls within the serious and or very serious misconduct, categories,
as outlined by the CURRO Learner Code of Conduct, will be subject to the relevant
sanctions outlined by the document.

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