The British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Vision is for all students to achieve their full potential in an education environment that is equitable, free of racism and systemic barriers, and where all students, staff, and families feel welcome, safe, respected, and valued.
Purpose:
New Westminster Secondary School is committed to providing a safe, caring, inclusive, and respectful learning environment where all students can achieve their full potential. Our mission is to develop responsible citizens and lifelong learners who respect learning, the environment, themselves, and others.
This Code of Conduct supports the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and human rights, and aligns with the expectations of School District No. 40 (New Westminster), the BC Human Rights Code, and Ministry of Education and Child Care requirements.
This Code applies to all students, staff, parents/caregivers, volunteers, and visitors while:
- On school grounds;
- Participating in school-sponsored activities;
- Travelling to and from school; and
- Engaging in online conduct that affects the safety, well-being, or learning environment of the school community.
Rights and Responsibilities:
All members of the school community have the right to feel safe, welcomed, respected, and included.
- All members of the school community are expected to:
- Treat others with dignity, kindness, and respect.
- Value diversity and respect differences in identity, culture, beliefs, and perspectives.
- Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
- Support the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of others.
- Respect school property and the property of others.
- Contribute positively to a learning environment that supports success for all.
- Practice responsible digital citizenship.
- Report concerns related to safety, discrimination, harassment, or misconduct.
Unacceptable Conduct
The following behaviours are not acceptable:
Safety and Respect
- Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, hazing, or social exclusion.
- Threats, violence, fighting, retaliation, or behaviour that causes harm to others.
- Sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based violence.
Discrimination and Hate
- Racist, discriminatory, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, ableist, or hate-motivated conduct.
- Displaying, creating, sharing, or publishing discriminatory symbols, images, or messages.
Illegal or Unsafe Activities
- Possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or prohibited substances.
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school activities.
- Possession or use of weapons or replica weapons.
- Theft, vandalism, graffiti, or damage to property.
Academic Integrity
- Cheating, plagiarism, or unauthorized use of technology or artificial intelligence tools.
Technology Misuse
- Recording or sharing images, video, or audio of others without permission.
- Inappropriate online behaviour that negatively impacts members of the school community.
Dress Expectations
Students must wear clothing that does not promote violence, discrimination, hate, illegal substances, or create safety concerns within the learning environment.
Personal Digital Devices
In accordance with provincial requirements, personal digital devices are not permitted during instructional time unless authorized by a teacher for educational purposes.
Exceptions may be provided for students with:
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs);
- Learning Support Plans (LSPs); or
- Documented medical, health, accessibility, or mental health needs.
Students are expected to use technology responsibly and respectfully. The security and storage of personal digital devices remain the responsibility of the student. The District is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage.
Consequences for non-compliance with the code of conduct
Restorative and Responsive Practices
New Westminster Secondary School believes that mistakes provide opportunities for learning, growth, and repairing harm.
Responses to inappropriate behaviour will be:
- Educational and restorative whenever possible;
- Fair and respectful;
- Consistent with District policy and legislation; and
- Responsive to individual circumstances.
When determining interventions or consequences, consideration will be given to a student’s age, maturity, developmental level, social-emotional, cognitive, medical, and behavioural needs, as well as the severity and impact of the incident.
Responses to Misconduct
Level 1: Minor or First-Time Concerns
Possible responses may include:
- Reminder and reteaching of expectations;
- Teacher intervention;
- Restorative conversations;
- Reflection activities; and/or
- Parent/caregiver communication.
Level 2: Repeated or Escalating Concerns
Possible responses may include:
- Parent/caregiver involvement;
- Administrative involvement;
- Restorative conferences;
- Behaviour support planning;
- Loss of privileges; and/or
- Suspension of up to five school days.
Level 3: Serious Misconduct
Examples include violence, serious harassment, hate-motivated behaviour, weapons possession, theft, significant vandalism, or possession/distribution of prohibited substances.
Possible responses may include:
- Immediate administrative intervention;
- Parent/caregiver notification;
- Suspension exceeding five school days, in accordance with the School Act;
- Behaviour intervention plans;
- Referral to district or community supports; and/or
- Police involvement when required.
User of personal digital devices
As per Ministerial Order 89, the use of personal digital devices at school is to be restricted for educational purposes, to promote online safety and focused learning environments. Personal digital device (PDD) means any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or to access the internet, such as a cell phone or a tablet. Other examples included: smart watches, digital accessories (earbuds), gaming devices, and electronic toys.
At New Westminster Secondary School, access to and the use of personal digital devices will not be permitted during instructional time. Hours of instruction is defined when students receive instruction in an educational program and does not include scheduled breaks and lunch periods.
At the teacher’s discretion, an exemption may be made when the use of such devices supports a specific curricular objective and is part of instructional planning. The school will follow up with further information for their school communities. The exception to these restrictions will be for students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Learning Support Plan (LSP), or medical or health issue that specifically outlines the need for these devices for full inclusion in specific learning activities.
It is important to note that security and storage of personal digital devices is the sole responsibility of the owner/user. The district assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair or replacement of such devices. If students must bring a device to school, they are encouraged to ensure they are locked away in lockers or kept in a secure location.
At New Westminster Secondary School, access to and personal digital devices will not be allowed during instructional time. At the teacher’s discretion, an exemption may be made when the use of such devices supports a specific curricular objective and is part of instructional planning.
These schools will follow up with further information for their school communities. The exception to these restrictions will be for students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Learning Support Plan (LSP), or medical or health issue that specifically outlines the need for these devices for full inclusion in specific learning activities.
Security and storage of personal digital devices – It is important to note that security and storage of personal digital devices is the sole responsibility of the owner/user. The district assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair, or replacement of such devices. If students must bring a device to school, they are encouraged to ensure they are kept in a secure location.
Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act
All public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in B.C. are tobacco and vape-free
under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation. This ban extends to
all school property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of whether or not school is in
session.
Student lockers and usage
Lockers are the property of the New Westminster School District and students are responsible for the locker assigned to them as well as the contents. No illegal substances, weapons or other prohibited or offensive material may be placed in school lockers. School officials may search student lockers at any time and without prior notice in order to ensure compliance with the conditions of use and other school policies and rules.
Permission to use a locker may be terminated when a student does not comply with the conditions of use or school policies or rules. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to keep our schools safe. If any student has reason to believe that any locker contains anything which would impact the health or safety of other students or staff, that student is expected to report the information to a staff member.
Student lockers remain the property of the New Westminster School District and are provided for student use.
Students must not store:
- Weapons or replica weapons;
- Alcohol or illegal substances;
- Stolen property;
- Hazardous materials; or
- Materials prohibited by school or district policy.
School officials may inspect lockers as permitted by District procedures to maintain a safe school environment.