Norms and Rules

Norms and Rules

(Revised November 2007)


 
Context
At Bethany School, our commitment to the Bible as the foundation for our policies and practices is unwavering. We firmly believe in aligning our lives with the biblical teachings, as it serves as our guiding principle. When it comes to making decisions, the authority of the Bible is unquestionable, as we recognize it as the ultimate source of God-given truth.

If you're seeking to buy term paper no plagiarism, our school promotes academic integrity and encourages students to engage in authentic research and writing. Our dedicated faculty and rigorous curriculum foster a culture of originality, ensuring that students develop their critical thinking and writing skills while upholding the highest standards of academic honesty.

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16

Many of the values that are popular in our society (respect, tolerance, doing your best) may have roots in the bible but often they have become relative, corrupted and man-centred. People who have faith in God  and use the bible to set their rules and norms are often considered by society as unusual. Christians form only a small part of our society and biblical ways are not the norm. However, in Bethany School we are trying to make our normal routines follow biblical patterns.

Balance
God is always absolutely just! He can have no part of sin – any sin! His holiness, purity and sovereign, just, decrees demand that all sin is punished. Missing the mark in any aspect of life results in deserved and terrible judgement. The bible is clear, God never leaves any sin unpunished. However …
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious
God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86: 15
 
God’s mercy and grace reveals the vast extent of His love. Through Christ, God has provided a means for us to escape His anger at our sin. He substitutes Jesus for us and punishes Him instead. What compassion, what a sacrifice, what a Saviour! This powerful, theologically technical language which is full of meaning.

Christ our Pattern
The books of the Old and New Testament provide all the instruction we need to understand how we can live in a way that pleases God. The Holy Spirit is active in revealing biblical truth and illuminating our minds to God’s patterns and principles, which govern every aspect of all human life. We can discover what God considers to be normal and our aim is to comply even though the world, the flesh and the Devil conspire to deflect us.

Knowing all our weaknesses and difficulties, God is still intolerant of our sin but he is compassionate. We must be like Him.

We must have compassion for those who continually fail. We must make it possible for them to succeed. We must be long-suffering, gentle and kind – this is the biblical way and our children need to be taught these ways before we expect them to understand how they should behave. However, also like Him, we must be absolutely intolerant of those who willfully disobey. Those who refuse to comply or cannot comply with what is normal will eventually corrupt the norms. This is unjust and cannot be allowed.

Bethany School Norms
 
Quiet, Gentle and Calm
  • Inside the building we should be quiet, gentle and calm. At times there will be no talking (e.g. during lessons) Settling-down at the start of the day and at the start (or end) of any activity (prayers, lessons, lunch) should be automatic. Teachers should enter a room and the children become quiet, looking for the start of the lesson. The teacher will acknowledge this response. A teacher or parent should not have to struggle to get any group to settle down before a lesson/activity begins. There will be times when conversation is encouraged and the adult who is in charge will announce these. Movement around the school must not be rowdy.

Politeness, Good Manners and Truth
  • A high degree of politeness is expected. For example, speaking to adults, using their names, with a tone, manner and demeanor, which shows respect. Deceit, arguing and off-hand comments are considered disrespectful. Please and thank you can never be worn out. Pupils should be polite to one another.
  • Movement around school, eating, drinking, uses of language in social situations should be orderly and pleasant. Street culture or television culture is not our norm. Facial expressions and gestures should not be harsh, rude or cruel.
  • Telling the truth – it is expected that children (and adults) will tell the truth.

Preparation, Work and Rest
  • Having all the necessary equipment and work for every lesson. These materials need to be in the right place at the right time.
  • Having a teachable spirit enhanced by determined effort, a conscientious approach and a desire for improvement. Homework done on time and to an appropriate standard.
  • Wholesome activity, good clean fun, which is not at the expense of others. Sports, crafts, games, reading, conversation. Younger children should be influenced for good.
 
Tidiness and Wastefulness
  • Desks should be tidy and correctly aligned. Litter and waste placed correctly in the waste bins. Damage to property is considered unacceptable.
  • Being deliberately wasteful, causing damage or misusing materials and equipment is unacceptable.
 
Willingly conforming
  • Aiming to conform because it is right. Desiring success and being disappointed with failure. Obedience -without challenge, without delay and without excuse.

 
Affirming the Good – Challenging the Bad
What do we actually do to affirm good behaviour?

What additional schemes of positive re-enforcement can be introduced?

How do we punish unacceptable behaviour?

Behaviour and Discipline
The Five Norms

Obedience – without challenge, without excuse, without delay

Communication – wise, kind, necessary, true