Sooke School District secondary schools believe that our schools are places for safe, purposeful learning. This Code of Conduct is intended to put forth the expectations of student behaviour, school rules and Sooke School Board policies. We believe that is a shared responsibility of students, staff, parents / guardians and the broader community, to demonstrate positive conduct while attending any school or District related activity, at any location.
This Code of Conduct is developed in accordance with Policy C-309 – District and School Codes of Conduct and the associated Administrative Regulations, and reflects provincial standards, district expectations, and progressive discipline principles.
Reports of Code of Conduct violations are addressed in a timely, fair, and confidential manner in accordance with District administrative procedures. When a breach of the Code of Conduct occurs, responses will follow a progressive discipline framework that emphasizes learning, accountability, and restoration. School staff consider the individual student, the context, the severity of the behaviour, and the impact on the school community.
Whenever possible, responses to behaviour focus on restorative practices that repair harm, rebuild relationships, and support reintegration into the school community. Disciplinary responses are intended to be corrective and supportive rather than punitive, except where necessary to ensure safety.
Sooke School District secondary schools are safe and caring schools that values students and school culture. All members of the school community have an obligation to:
- Support learning
- Promote safety
- Respect property, environment, personal space and privacy
- Model courtesy, compassion and respect
- Celebrate diversity
All members of the school community will refrain from engaging in any in-person or digital communication or behaviour that is considered to be:
- Discrimination, especially based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital
- status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
- expression, or age (BC Human Rights Code);
- Interfering with the learning and working of others;
- Sexual Misconduct;
- Unsafe or illegal, including the possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances, or the possession of weapons or replicas.
SD62 secondary school communities promote the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of individuals, including not engaging in discriminatory conduct based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age.
Response to Breach of Conduct
Action at Sooke School District secondary schools will be determined by each individual situation. Every effort will be made to support individuals and to determine the root causes of behaviour. When working with students, the Principal or Vice Principal may adjust the action based on the maturity, grade level, progressive discipline and ability of the student to understand expectations of their behaviour. If the safety or educational program of others is compromised, or if there is an ongoing failure to meet the expectations of the Code of Conduct, a range of consequences will follow.
Student Use of Personal Digital Devices
SD62 Schools are committed to restricting the use of personal digital devices at school for the purpose of promoting online safety and focused learning environments. This includes personal devices for recording purposes.
Teachers may plan for student use of personal mobile devices for instructional purposes or digital literacy, for health or medical purposes or as assistive technology for the purpose of inclusive education as informed by the Inclusive Education Teacher.
Fair Notice
Violence and threats of violence are taken very seriously in the Sooke School District. As such, the district provides parents/guardians with a Fair Notice about its Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) policies and protocols.