School Etiquettes

This School Etiquette advocates standards of acceptable behaviour by children in various situations at school. Students must co-operate with and show respect for their teachers, all adults and the other children. Good discipline is a prerequisite of kids to enable school teachers to be able to teach a group of children the skills they will rely on for the rest of their lives. If School Etiquettes in its many aspects is not spelt out for them, how are they to know what the boundaries are? It would help the education system immensely if children (including older students) arrived at school well disciplined, well mannered, obedient and respectful of adults. Without discipline and respect, teachers would have an unruly bunch of juveniles following their own agenda and there would be chaos. Teach them the three R's before they get to school: Respect for self; Respect for others and to accept Responsibility for all their actions. Children's lack of respect for adults shocks the older generation who were brought up under a much stricter regime. They fear that standards of behaviour in today's generation have slipped below acceptable limits. Examples of this are clearly seen everyday on TV, the streets, public transport and wherever young people gather in numbers. A lot of this behaviour is learnt from watching adults' behaviour on TV and further reinforced by the behaviour of their own parents. The kids are simply emulating this deplorable adult conduct. We suggest that you establish at least the following two rules:-

They must always be home before dark
They must finish high school at least

To reinforce your good example and values you would do well to:-

Have them join the Scouts or Girl Guides at an early age and continuously until they are old enough for the next step
Have them join the Cadets with any arm of the Defence Forces as soon as they are old enough to do so, until they leave high school
Encourage them to do a minimum term in one of the armed forces when they leave high school.

They will emerge all the better for it with greater confidence, sense of responsibility and be well disciplined. While different sets of rules apply in various school settings they all boil down to the basics of respecting the rights of each other; not doing only what they selfishly want to do, but doing what is expected of them and doing it with a good will.

The following suggestions of school etiquettes are not exhaustive and we are sure you could expand on this considerably:-

School etiquette - classroom

You are here to learn. This is your right and the right of the other kids.
Teachers need your co-operation to help you and the other kids to learn well for your benefit.
You do not have the right to deprive the other kids of their rights.
Be on time.
Don't give cheek.
Don't tell lies - to anyone.
Don't answer back.
Don't be noisy or disrupt the class.
Co-operate with the other kids.
Do immediately what the teacher asks you to do.
Pay attention to the teacher.
Don't talk while the teacher is talking.
Don't snatch anything from anyone.
Don't fight, pull, push or shove anyone.
Don't steal from anyone.
Never bite anyone.
Pick up your own litter.

School Etiquette - Uniforms

Walk tall and wear your uniform with pride.
You are a representative of your school.
Give a good account of yourself.
No uniform? Abide by the school's dress code.
Sloppy dress impresses nobody.

School Etiquette - Playground

Have fun by all means but not at the expense of any other kids.
Keep it safe and happy for all by not throwing hard or sharp objects that could. injure someone, possibly for life.
Don't fight, pull, push or shove anyone.
Never bite anyone.
Don't litter the playground.
No bullying. It shows cowardice not courage. Courage is what you have when you take on unbeatable odds for a just cause.
Watch for bullies and report them.
Prevent bullying if you are able to.
Similarly, don't gang up against anyone.
Don't smoke or do drugs. It's gross and will slowly (sometimes quickly) damage your body.

School Etiquette - Sports & Sports Field

Be competitive, play hard but play fair. Always remember that it's only an activity. To win by foul means is a hollow victory.
Do your best.
Never get into a fight.
Apologize immediately if you make a mistake.
Accept an apology with goodwill.
Don't spit on anyone, the grounds or anywhere.
Be a good loser. Someone has to lose.
Show good sportsmanship. It's only a game.

School Etiquette - Students

You will remember and talk about these days for the rest of your life. Use them to develop your strength of character, your integrity, your knowledge and your skills to the best of your ability.
Be punctual.
Obey the school rules.
Pay attention to the teachers.
Be respectful to the teachers and staff.
Do immediately what you are directed to do.
Do not answer back.
Tell the truth - always. It takes courage to tell the truth. Cowards tell lies out of fear.
Respect everyone's rights.
Don't litter the school grounds.
Don't mess the toilets. If you do, clean it up.
Be well mannered.
Don't bully. Prevent bullying. Report bullying.
Don't litter the class room, school grounds or anywhere.
Don't damage any property.
Report damage offences being committed.
Be respectful of public and private property.
Don't steal from anyone.

School Etiquette - Public Transport

You are an ambassador (representative) of your school, especially if you are in school uniform, your behaviour must be exemplary (very good or excellent).
Transport officials and other passengers must not be disturbed or offended by your behaviour.
Be respectful to everyone, especially adults.
No rowdiness (noisy), pushing, fighting or yelling.
No foul language; no swearing.
Always offer your seat to the elderly first, then to any other adult that is standing.
Avoid obstructing doors and aisles.
Step aside to allow passengers to pass without being asked to do so.
Don't gang up on kids from other schools.
Keep inter-school rivalry for organized inter-school competitions.
Don't vandalise public property anywhere.

Manners and etiquette for children is ranked as the most important quality to nurture in the family home. Instilling good manners in some teens will feel like an almost impossible task. Good Manners are essential for every child's self confidence and success in life.