Preamble
Coláiste Chamuis aims to introduce students to Irish as a living language, and to foster in them a love of the language, through courses in the Gaeltacht, with a particular emphasis on achieving fluency in the spoken language. It is the experience of An Coláiste that full language immersion is the most successful method to achieve this fluency. Therefore, Irish is the only language of communication used during courses. We expect our students to speak Irish at all times, and in order to achieve total language immersion on courses we implement the language rule, Rule 3 below.
Students and their parents/legal guardians (“guardians”) must realise and accept that in order to best achieve the objects of An Coláiste, as well as maintaining the discipline necessary for the overall health, safety and well-being of students of varying ages, a firm and fair code of conduct is necessary. Coláiste Chamuis follows best practice in accordance with Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta and an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán rules and regulations in the organisation and running of courses. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that their children are aware of the Rules and Code of Conduct of An Coláiste and also be aware of the consequences should they be found in breach of this code.
Coláiste Chamuis, while making all reasonable precautions and supervising all activities of the students, accepts no responsibility for accidents or for wilful acts of indiscipline on the part of students. Students take part in all activities on an ‘own-risk basis’. Parents are advised that the students should have adequate health and personal accident insurance (e.g., pupil personal accident insurance). An Coláiste does not accept responsibility for student belongings.
No student may attend a course run by An Coláiste until both he/she and his/her parents/ guardians provide written confirmation of their acceptance of these Rules and Code of Conduct, which acceptance is signified by their signature(s) at the end hereof. This code is explained in detail at all pre-course information sessions. Coláiste Chamuis reserves the right to final interpretation of the Rules and Code of Conduct.
Rules and Code of Conduct
- The overall running of An Coláiste is the responsibility of the Management. The principal and staff run courses on a day-to-day basis and students are expected to accept their authority courteously. Students must accept the rules of their courses as explained by the principal and staff on the course.
- Students are expected to show respect to all fellow students and members of staff, to visitors and to all other persons associated in any way with An Coláiste. Students are expected to respect all College Facilities, school buildings and property and that of their lodging house and its environs. In any case of breakage or damage caused by a student, whether accidental or otherwise, parents/guardians will be expected to meet the cost. Students are also expected to act and dress appropriately. All medical expenses will also be borne by the parent/guardian/student.
- It is expected that students always communicate through the medium of Irish during a course or activity organised by An Coláiste.
- In the event of a student who speaks a full sentence in a language other than Irish during a course or other activity organised by the college, Coláiste Chamuis will take disciplinary action. Coláiste Chamuis reserves the right to take disciplinary action and retains discretion in respect of the appropriate disciplinary action (and which action, dependent on the circumstances, may include requesting a student to leave the course).
- Good conduct is expected of each student and Coláiste Chamuis’ Code of Conduct is strictly implemented. Coláiste Chamuis reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action and retains discretion in respect of the appropriate disciplinary action (and which action, dependent on the circumstances, may include requiring a student to leave the course) in the event of behaviour deemed by An Coláiste as inappropriate and/or non-compliant with its terms and conditions. Based on the experience of Coláiste Chamuis it has been found essential for the proper running of An Coláiste as well as the overall safety and well-being of the students that where there is any incident or incidents which, in the opinion of An Coláiste amount to serious misdemeanour(s) or any behaviour that is considered inappropriate, the offending student(s) must be asked to leave the course. The following is a list of misdemeanours for which students will be asked to leave the course. This list is not exhaustive:
- Any student who bullies, threatens, undermines, interferes with, intimidates, assaults or uses violence or threatening or offensive behaviour or language against, or who violates the personal space of a fellow student, member of staff, member of the host family, or any other person. Students must abide by our Anti-Bullying Code and must report incidents of bullying within 48 hours, particularly if they themselves are subject to the behavior listed in the Anti-Bullying Code.
- Any student who consumes, purchases, supplies, attempts to consume, has in his/her possession, or who encourages any other student to consume alcohol, use vapes, drugs, any substances which have a physiological effect which is not prescribed by a GP for medical reasons, or other intoxicants, any illicit substances or dangerous items or any items deemed inappropriate by the Coláiste at its sole discretion.
- Matches, lighters, lazers or any item(s) which would constitute a fire safety hazard are forbidden.
- Any student who fails to comply with the request of a member of staff or person in charge who suspects a breach of rule 4(b) and rule 4(c) to empty pockets, bags, items of apparel etc., in order to ascertain if illicit substances or dangerous items are present.
- Any student who visits a licensed premises without a parent/guardian.
- Any student who is involved with any other student or any other person in a sexual manner which is deemed inappropriate.
- Any student who cuts their own or another student’s hair or makes any other such alterations to their personal appearance or that of another student during the course (e.g. piercing, shaving eye brows etc).
- Any student who damages, interferes with, steals or attempts to steal the property of any other person.
- Any student who leaves his/her lodging house after returning from activities on the An Coláiste Campus, or who leaves an official organised activity of An Coláiste, or who leaves any specific location where he/she has been requested to remain, without the permission of the Principal or another person in authority.
- Students may bring mobile phones but must follow the code of practice of Coláiste Chamuis in this regard.
The student must give one’s mobile phone and charger to the Bean an Tí for safekeeping on arrival at the lodging house (with their luggage) on the first day. Phone and charger must be labelled with name and mobile number. Mobile phones are allowed for contact between students and home only at an agreed time each week for approx. 30 minutes and must be returned to the Bean an Tí immediately after the call. Possession of a second mobile phone is prohibited.
- Sharing or uploading any pictures or video of another student to the internet and/or social media during the course without prior permission from the Course Principal is not permitted – this includes but is not limited to sites such as VSCO, BeReal, Facebook, Instagram, snapchat, YouTube, X, TikTok or similar media and will result in the student being required to leave the course.
- The principal or any other person in authority from time to time is entitled to give any student a warning as to his/her behaviour for any reason whatsoever and is entitled to inform his/her parents/guardians concerning the matter.
- Students are not allowed to bring computers, computer games, radios, recording equipment, DVD players, MP3 Players, I-pods/pads etc., or any reading material other than in Irish.
- Parents and students are solely responsible for all items of personal belongings brought to a course and by accepting these Rules and Code of Conduct both the parents/guardians and students confirm that the student(s) has not and will not bring any items to a course, or have such items in their possession during a course, that are in contravention of the Rules and Code of Conduct and/or which could cause harm to oneself or others.
- These Rules and Code of Conduct apply from the moment of arrival on a course until a student leaves the course. Students are considered to be on the course at all times unless they have been signed out of the course by a parent/guardian or another adult with the permission of the parent/guardian. The course ends when a child is collected on the last day or when the bus travelling to an agreed drop off point departs the Coláiste Campus.
- In the interest of transparency and fairness, any student who is notified that they must leave the course will be allowed to Appeal the decision to the Coláiste. The student’s parents/guardians must request an appeal in writing within 24 hours of the student being sent home from a course. A copy of the Coláiste’s appeals policy is available from the Office on request.
The Appeals Committee deliberation and decision regarding any Appeal case is final.
No reimbursement of fees is permitted when a Student is in breach of the code of conduct and no exceptions will be made.
If a student is asked to leave the course, it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to collect the student immediately on that same day. If the parents/guardians are unable to collect the student, the Coláiste will make alternative transport arrangements, the cost of which will be borne by the parents/guardians.
Declaration of acceptance by student and parent/legal guardian
We, the student and the parent/legal guardian, have read the terms and conditions (access to which is provided via hyperlink during the application process or on request from the office) and the Code of Conduct of Coláiste Chamuis. We accept the aims and objectives, the teaching methods and Rules and Code of Conduct of Coláiste Chamuis and the terms and conditions of Coláiste Chamuis. I, the student, undertake to speak only Irish during my course and to abide at all times by the language rule and all other rules and practices of Coláiste Chamuis in a spirit of positive participation.
