Preamble

Coláiste Chamuis aims to introduce students to Irish as a living language, and to foster in them a love of the language, through school tours in the Gaeltacht, with a particular emphasis on achieving fluency in the spoken language. It is the experience of Coláiste Chamuis that full language immersion is the most successful method to achieve this fluency. Therefore, Irish is the only language of communication used during school tours. We expect our students to speak Irish at all times, and in order to achieve total language immersion on school tours 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 Coláiste Chamuis, 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 Coláiste Chamuis and also be aware of the consequences should they be found in breach of this code.

 

Coláiste Chamuis will take all reasonable precautions in the delivery of its school tour programme. However, primary responsibility for student supervision remains with the visiting school. Coláiste Chamuis 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). Coláiste Chamuis does not accept responsibility for student belongings.  In the event of illness or injury, Coláiste Chamuis staff will support the school staff in responding appropriately, but all decisions around medical care remain the responsibility of the school and the student’s guardians.

No student may attend a school tour run by Coláiste Chamuis 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. Coláiste Chamuis reserves the right to final interpretation of the Rules and Code of Conduct.

Rules and Code of Conduct

  1. Coláiste Chamuis is responsible for the delivery of the school tour programme, in collaboration with the visiting school’s staff.  The Coláiste Chamuis principal and staff run school tours on a day-to-day basis and students are expected to accept their authority courteously. Students must accept the rules of their school tours as explained by the principal and staff on the school tour.
  2. 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 Coláiste Chamuis. Students are expected to respect all Coláiste 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.
  3. It is expected that students always communicate through the medium of Irish during a school tour organised by Coláiste Chamuis.

 

  1. 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 school tour) in the event of behaviour deemed by Coláiste Chamuis 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 Coláiste Chamuis 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 Coláiste Chamuis amount to serious misdemeanour(s) or any behaviour that is considered inappropriate, the offending student(s) must be asked to leave the school tour. The following is a list of misdemeanours for which students will be asked to leave the school tour. This list is not exhaustive:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Matches, lighters, lazers or any item(s) which would constitute a fire safety hazard are forbidden.
    4. 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.
    5. Any student who visits a licensed premises without a parent/guardian.
    6. Any student who is involved with any other student or any other person in a sexual manner which is deemed inappropriate.
    7. 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 tour (e.g. piercing, shaving eye brows etc).
    8. Any student who damages, interferes with, steals or attempts to steal the property of any other person.
    9. Any student who leaves his/her lodging house after returning from activities on the Coláiste Chamuis Campus, or who leaves an official organised activity of Coláiste Chamuis, 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.
  1. Students may bring mobile phones. Coláiste Chamuis will follow the approach to phone use decided by the school.
  2. The principal or any other person in authority may give a student a warning regarding their behaviour and may inform the schoolteacher in charge of the tour.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. Parents and students are solely responsible for all items of personal belongings brought to a school tour 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 school tour, or have such items in their possession during a school tour, that are in contravention of the Rules and Code of Conduct and/or which could cause harm to oneself or others.
  2. These Rules and Code of Conduct apply from the moment of arrival on the Coláíste Campus until the school bus departs the Coláiste Campus.

No reimbursement of fees is permitted when a student is in breach of the code of conduct and no exceptions will be made.

In the case of serious misdemeanour, Coláiste Chamuis staff will notify the school staff without delay. The school reserves the right, in consultation with Coláiste Chamuis, to remove a student from the tour. Any transport arrangements required will be agreed between the school and 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 school tour 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.