PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Being a parent or guardian of a student enrolled at Highlands Christian School involves the following responsibilities:

  1. Support of the school and staff with your prayers, cooperation and financial faithfulness;
  2. Setting a Godly example in your home, in church attendance and involvement in service;
  3. Encouraging your children in he areas of respect, obedience, responsibility, orderliness, punctuality and a positive attitude;
  4. Providing adequate and nutritious meals (including breakfast each morning), as well as ample sleep and rest;
  5. Participation in your child’s education – both at home and by volunteering to help at school where and when possible;
  6. Always supporting the policies and discipline of the school – addressing concerns through the proper channels and never in the presence of children.

Financial

ADMISSION

Upon acceptance of a child, the registration and first month’s fee must be paid to confirm his/her place at HCS.  If the child is to start at the beginning of the next school year, the parent will be notified of the due date for the amount payable.  If the child is starting during the school year, the amount is payable by the first day the child is to begin class at HCS.
School fees
School fees payments must be made monthly over the 10 months from January to October.  The preferred method of payment is by Debit order unless alternative arrangements are made with the Bursar.
Payments  are due in advance by the fifth (5th) of each month.

OUTSTANDING FEES

All fees outstanding for more than 30 days will be charged a late payment fee of 20% per month.  If there is a financial emergency that will interfere with the payment of school fees, the parent/guardian must contact the school office to make the necessary arrangements (in writing) for the payment of the fees.  Where an arrangement is made, all penalties will be waived.

WITHDRAWAL OF A CHILD

One month’s notice is required when withdrawing a child from HCS.  Parents are liable for the school fees for that month, even if the child is to be withdrawn immediately.

Attendance & Tardiness

ATTENDANCE POLICY

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Regular attendance is required.  Consistency in school attendance is vital to students’ progress and success in their studies.

Pre-school begins at 07:20 and finishes at 13:30 for half day and 17:00 for full day attendance.
The primary and high school days begin at 07:20 and end at 13:10

ARRIVAL

  • Children should not arrive at school before 07:00.
  • Pre-school children arriving between 07:00 and 07:20 should go to their classrooms
  • Primary school students arriving between 07:00 and 07:15 should first put their bags in the line-up area.  They may wait there or play on the playground.  On cold mornings they will be allowed to wait inside.
  • Line-up is from 07:15 until 07:20.  Students must line up quietly and listen to any announcements and instructions.
  • Primary school students who arrive after 07:20 must report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.

DISMISSAL

  • Pre-school children may be picked up from their classrooms between 12:00 and 13:20.
  • Pre-schoolers and students in Grades 1 to 4 must go to Waiting Class until an older sibling or parent/guardian collects them.  They are not allowed to wait outside or to walk home by themselves.
  • If children are not collected from Waiting Class by 13:30, parents will be charged $10 per hour or part thereof until the children are picked up.  If parents, in the case of an emergency, are only able to pick up their children from Waiting Class after 13:30, please notify the office in advance and no charge will be levied.
  • Students in Grades 5 to 10 may wait outside, in front of the church doors.  They are not allowed to wait on the steps or outside the wall.  If they are supposed to walk home they must leave as soon as school ends.

TARDINESS

Primary school students arriving after school begins at 07:20 are considered tardy.  When a student is late, he/she is to report to the school office and receive a tardy slip, which should then be presented to his/her class teacher. A parent must accompany students who arrive after 08:00.

EARLY RELEASE OF LEARNERS / APPOINTMENTS

If a student must leave school early (before 12:00 for pre-schoolers, before 13:10 for all the grades), the parents must notify the class teacher in advance and collect the child from his/her classroom.  The teacher must also be informed if someone other than the parent or guardian is to collect the child.

PREARRANGED ABSENCES

Any prearranged absence or holiday must be approved by contacting the school office in advance (preferably one week before the student is to leave). All class assignments and homework must either be obtained from the teacher before leaving or caught up after the absence (due date/s to be decided by the teacher).

ABSENTEESISM

In the event that a child will be absent from school, the parent should contact the school before 08:00.

Excused absences are those due to personal illness, illness or death in the family or for special circumstances approved by the administrator.  In all cases students are expected to complete all work or assignments missed.  A reasonable time for make-up work will be given.  Parents/guardians should collect the assignments/homework from the teachers.

Absences due to doctor’s or dental appointments will be excused for the time of the appointment only.  Learners with such appointments should bring a note verifying the appointment, including the name of the doctor and the time of the appointment.  Parents are encouraged to arrange for routine appointments (such as doctors) at times other than school hours.

If a student is absent for more than one day consecutively, a written excuse from a parent or a doctor’s certificate is required.

Communication

COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION & LIABILITY

COMMUNICATION

Open communication between teachers, parents and the administration is essential to the achievement of our objectives.  Parents are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss their child’s progress or behaviour if they feel there is a problem. If a teacher notices that a student has a problem in a particular area, or that a student’s grades/marks are slipping, the parents will be called in to discuss the situation.  Problems or changes in the home environment that could affect your child’s performance or emotional stability should be clearly communicated to the class teacher.

PROBLEMS

Our approach to problem solving is based upon Biblical principles and can be summarized as follows – do not be easily offended.  All of us want to do the right thing and should be working towards the same aims and objectives.  If you feel there is a problem, first pray about the matter and examine the facts, as well as the motives of those involved.  Then go to the teacher or person involved and discuss the problem together.  If no resolution can be reached at this point, contact the office to request a meeting with the relevant Supervisor.  The Supervisor concerned will be able to arrange a meeting with the Principal, if necessary.

Remember that going to the source – not to other parents, relatives or friends – solves problems.  Using a Biblical pattern will keep our school family strong and growing.

LIABILITY

As stated on the enrolment form, the parent/guardian agrees to indemnify and absolve the school, its staff and participating parents or students against any claims of any nature and however arising, whether directly or indirectly from the child’s participation in any educational excursion, sports activity or activity organized by the school.

OFFICE HOURS

During school terms the office hours are 07:00 to 15:00, Monday to Thursday and 07:00 to 14:00 on Friday. Parents will be accordingly notified of any days on which the school office may be closed.

VISITORS

To help maintain a positive learning environment, we ask that all visitors, including parents, report to the office before going to classrooms or other parts of the school.  Students from other schools are allowed as guests with the prior permission of parents, teacher and the administration.

TELEPHONE CALLS AND MESSAGES

All telephone calls and messages to learners or teachers must be directed to the school office.  No student or teacher will be called out of class except in case of an emergency.  (Forgotten books, homework or lunches are not normally viewed as emergencies.)  Students may not use the office phone.  A public phone is available at the school for use by the learners before school, during break and after school. Learners need to carry their own phone cards to utilize this phone.

CELL PHONES / POCKET COMPUTER GAMES

Cell phones, Pocket computer games, walkman, etc. may NOT be brought to school.
If any of the above items are seen during school hours, they will be confiscated and will remain in the custody of the school until the end of the school term. Please note that the school will NOT accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to any such items that are confiscated.

SCHOOL RULES

1.    Keep hands, body and objects to yourself.
2.    Listen to the adult in charge.
3.    Walk while inside the building – don’t run.  Keep to the left on the stairs and in hallways.
4.    Use acceptable language – no swearing, bad words, teasing or making fun of others.
5.    Use “indoor voice” in the classroom.  Don’t talk or make noise in the hallways or on the stairs.
6.    Get permission from the class teacher before going into a   classroom where there is no teacher.
7.    Leave gum, toys and sharp objects at home.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Parents who enroll their children at HCS are aware that their children will be trained under the influence of God’s Word and His Spirit.  It is understood that both parents and Students will live by the policies of the school.  When disciplinary action is taken, it is done with justice and love.  The matter will be forgiven and forgotten when it has been sufficiently addressed and repentance (a change in attitude and actions) is demonstrated.

For a detailed guide on the disciplinary actions that may be taken for a consequent offence, please see disciplinary procedures guide attached herewith.

Dot System (Grades 1 to 3)
At the start of each day, the children will colour in the top dot green. If the child’s behaviour remains good for the whole day no further dots will be coloured in. If the child has forgotten something (e.g. a hat, or his/her parent has not signed the homework or the previous’ day’s Dot Slip) or if he/she misbehaves once then the next dot will be coloured yellow. If he/she misbehaves a  second time, the third dot is coloured red. Three instances of bad behaviour or serious misconduct will result in the fourth dot being coloured blue and the child will be sent to the Principal. The slips will be sent home every day for the parent’s signature. Please talk to your child about his/her behaviour each day. Give praise when he/she has a green dot day. Otherwise, encourage him/her to improve hi/her behaviour. In this way parents and teachers can work together to promote good behaviour.

HCS uses a Merit & Demerit System for (Grades 4 to 6).  For more information on the system, please feel free to contact the respective class teacher during school hours.

Fees

·  A 5% discount will be given to any parent/guardian who pays the year’s school fees in full on or before the last day of January of the said school year.

·  Reduced registration and school fees are given to families with more than one child attending HCS.

·  A late payment fee of 20% per month will be levied on all fees outstanding for more than 30 days, unless notice is given (in writing) to the Bursar.

·  If any fees are outstanding for more than 60 days with no arrangement having been made for payment, the learner’s enrolment may be suspended until all outstanding fees are paid in full.

·  Report cards will not be issued to learners with any outstanding balances on their account.

·  A continuous bad payment record over a year may result in the refusal of the enrolment of the learner the following year or in the future.

Promotional & Failure

PROMOTION AND FAILURE POLICY PRE-SCHOOL Pre-school children will only be recommended for promotion each year if the child is emotionally, as well as educationally, ready for the next class.  Children who start at HCS in the Eagles class (for four-year olds), are expected to complete the full three years of HCS Pre-school, and achieve the stated objectives for each class, before proceeding to Grade 1. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR EACH CLASS EAGLES – by the end of the year the four-year-olds will be able to count, know their shapes and colours and recognize and/or write their names.

LIONS – by the end of the year the five-year-olds will be able to count to about 50, know their alphabet sounds fairly well, and write their name, numbers and the alphabet. PRE-PRIMARY During the year the six-year-olds will master the sounds of the alphabet and be able to understand basic maths principals. PRIMARY SCHOOL Only P.E. and Art are none promotional subjects.  Exemptions may be given for Afrikaans to non-Namibian students.

Promotion – work has been average to above average in all areas.  The student is ready for the next grade.

Conditional Promotion (promotion with recommendation for Occupational Therapy assessment or remedial teaching) – work has signs of weakness that will hinder future progress if not corrected.  The student needs more intensive instruction.

Failure – work does not meet grade level requirements in several areas.  The student struggles to function academically and/or emotionally at the grade level.  The student received failing grades (below 50%) in two or more subjects or in English.  The student is missing grade level skills and will not be able to succeed in the next grade. HIGH SCHOOL Subjects offered in the school:

Accounting, Life Science, Mathematics, Business Management, Physical Science, Geography, History, English (1st Language), Afrikaans (2nd Language)

Uniform & Grooming

UNIFORM & GROOMING POLICY

PRE-SCHOOL

  • Pre-school children should be comfortably dressed in old clothes that can get dirty, torn, and painted on. Don’t dress them in their ‘Sunday best’.
  • Any messages or figures on clothing (including caps) must promote ideas and products that are consistent with Christian values.  There should be no swear words or bad language.
  • All girls’ tops and dresses must cover their back and shoulders and preferably have sleeves. No shoestring straps!  This is to protect their skin from the sun.
  • Children should wear takkies (sneakers/tennis shoes) or sandals – no platform shoes or flip-flops are allowed.
  • Caps or hats must be worn whenever the children are outside, so make sure your child brings a cap or hat to school every day.
  • Especially for the Junior Pre-school children: include a spare set of clothes in your child’s bag every day – in case of an ‘accident’!

PRIMARY SCHOOL

For details regarding the uniform requirements for the primary and high school learners, please refer to the “school uniform list” School uniform list will be supplied to parents/guardians upon registration, or can be collected at the school office.

NEATNESS & GROOMING REGULATIONS

  • The uniform must be clean and mended as necessary (no holes).
  • Shoes must be kept neat and odor-free (clean and polish as necessary).
  • Students must bathe regularly.
  • Older Students should use an anti-perspirant deodorant to guard against objectionable body odors.
  • School shirts must be worn tucked in at all times, with at least the first button done up.
  • Students may wear vests, but no other long or short-sleeved shirts, under their school shirts.
  • When wearing summer uniform, if mornings are cool, jerseys may be worn only until 09:00.

HAIR REGULATIONS

Girls
Girls’ hair must always be clean, neat and tidy in their natural style.
Fringes must not be longer than the eyebrows.
If hair hangs over the shirt collar, it must be tied on the top of the head or at the neck.  If hair is more than 30cm long, it must be tied at two points.  French and Indian plaits are allowed.
Ethnic braids are allowed but must be the same colour as the natural hair colour.  No beads or other decorations will be allowed.  If braided hair hangs over the shirt collar, it must also be tied as per the rules for unbraided hair.
When hair is worn in a short style (shorter than the shirt collar), no pigtails or long sections of hair at the neck are allowed.
Hair may not be coloured (dyed) or peroxided at all.
Hair decorations must match the school colours (white, navy or red) and only material elastic bands, 2cm wide ribbons or 2cm wide Alice bands and scrunchies are permitted.
Banana slides and clips, butterflies or other fashion decorations are not permitted.
Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable – ‘extreme’ is determined at the discretion of the principal and may include cut and/or colour.

Boys
Boys’ hair must be clean and neat in their natural style and generally the same length all around their heads.  Pigtails and braids are not allowed.
Hair must not touch their shirt collars.
Fringes, when combed downwards, must be at least 1cm above the eyebrows.
Hair must be cut around the ears.  Hair cut in layers (‘mushroom’ or ‘step’ style) is not permitted.
No complete or partial shaving of the head is allowed.
Hair may not be coloured (dyed) or peroxided at all.
No gel, hair wax, etc. is allowed to be used
Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable – ‘extreme’ is determined at the discretion of the principal and may include cut and/or colour.

NAILS & MAKE-UP REGULATIONS

•    Students’ nails should be kept trimmed, neat and short at all times.
•    No nail polish is allowed.
•    No make-up is allowed.

JEWELRY REGULATIONS

  • NO jewelry may be worn by girls or boys except for Medic-Alert.
  • If girls have pierced ears, a simple silver or gold ring/sleeper (1cm in diameter) or a silver or gold stud (without gems) may be worn in the bottom hole.
  • Students may wear watches with thin straps of one colour only. (watches should not be toy or distraction)


The following penalties apply to infringements of the above rules.

  1. A demerit will be awarded for each infringement.
  2. If incorrect uniform, or clothes other than the uniform, are worn to school, parents will be called to either bring the correct uniform items or to take the child home so he/she can change.
  3. Parents will be informed of incorrect hair styles or decorations.  These will have to be corrected by the following school day.
  4. Incorrect jewelry will be confiscated and returned to the learner at the end of the school term.

Nail polish and makeup will be removed at school, and long nails will be cut