Code of Conduct

If a student is absent or late for the start of school for any reason, parents must e-­mail the Main Office before 9:00 AM. Please include your son’s full name, grade, and date of absence in the note.

The school does not recommend early vacations or extended vacations for students which require them to miss school. This is particularly relevant for examination periods at the end of the term/year. Advance notice must be given to allow for alternate work to be prepared. The student is responsible for any work, assignment, and exam missed as a result of this type of absence.

As per our Senior School Common Assessment Practices, Senior School students who will be missing more than two days of school are asked to complete an Extended Absence Form, with input from each teacher, prior to their departure.

• Every parent at Vancouver College shall:
• E-­mail the Main Office before 9:00 AM if their son is going to be late or away from school.

If a parent/guardian calls the school to report a late or absence, an emailed note must still be sent as per government requirements. Please include your son’s full name, grade, and date of absence in the note.

Please notify the Main Office of any change of address, e-mail address, phone number, and/or Emergency Contact person/number.

The school’s preferred method of communication is by e-mail as this is more efficient, environmental friendly, and cost effective. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide the school with an active family e-mail address and to inform the Communications Officer of any changes to this address.

Should families require mailings to be sent to more than one parent, e-mail addresses should be provided accordingly.

Our faculty are here to support our boys’ teaching and learning. We want them to focus on being present in well-planned learning sessions and in giving timely assessment feedback to their students. Teachers are also highly involved in extracurriculars as coaches and mentors, as part of our focus on developing the whole child. At the same time, we know that it is important that communication remains open between parents as primary educators and their sons’ teacher. Therefore, we think it wise to formalize expectations on both sides of this communication bridge. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers with inquiries and concerns via email, but should realize that it may take up to 48 hours for the teacher to respond in normal situations. As well, we ask parents to refrain from reaching out on weekends and between the hours of 6 pm and 6 am on weekdays. As ever, if parents do feel that a concern has not been addressed or is urgent in nature, they may contact an administrator. Teachers’ email addresses are listed on the school website under Our Community - Faculty and Staff.

Parents are requested to pay particular attention to the requirements of the Dress Code when outfitting their sons for school. It is not only important in terms of what students wear, but how they wear it. For details of the school’s Dress Code as well as consequences for violations of the policy, please see the appropriate school’s policies for Elementary School and for Middle/Senior Schools.

If inclement weather occurs outside of school hours that might render road conditions unsafe for students, parents, and staff traveling to and from Vancouver College, Administration will announce if school is to be closed by 6:30 AM. The decision will be posted on our website’s homepage, as well as our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels. Parents will also be notified by email, and can find additional information on the following AM Radio stations: CKNW 980, CBC 690, and News 1130.

As weather conditions can differ throughout Metro Vancouver, we ask that you please keep safety in mind when deciding if your son should attend school.

Telephone messages can only be relayed to students in an emergency. Students can only be paged during breaks and after school.

It is the parents’ responsibility to stay informed regarding school activities and current events through the school website (vancouvercollege.ca) the website is updated on a daily basis for this purpose.

As an independent school, Vancouver College relies on donations to advance our mission and vision. Our community’s strong tradition of giving continues with the generous support of parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends to enrich the learning experience for every boy.

We are planning for the education of our boys today, and for those in years to come. We ask families to support our Annual Campaign and giving initiatives towards our fundraising priorities, which include the Financial Assistance Program and other educational resources and priorities, as well as funding the remainder of the cost of the recently completed campus renewal project.

Vancouver College asks that every family participate financially, to the best of their ability, with a tax-deductible donation. Your financial contribution will ensure our legacy of faith and excellence advances for the benefit of students today, and those in our next century.

Managing traffic safety continues to be a major priority at Vancouver College. We encourage families to consider alternative means of transportation such as carpooling, walking, biking and/or public transit whenever possible.

Drop Off and Pick Up Zones:

• There are only two access points to the school for students:
• on the east side of Cartier Street for vehicles traveling northbound
• on the west side of Hudson Street for vehicles traveling southbound
• Please use the access point based on the direction from which you are approaching the school.
• We strongly recommend parents of Middle and Senior Students park on the north side of West 37th Avenue and ask their sons to walk the short distance to campus.
• The staff parking lot is not to be used as a drop-off zone for students.
• West 38th Avenue between Hudson and Cartier Streets should not be used.

Elementary School Pick-Up Procedures:

• All Elementary School students may be dropped off following the guidelines above, but MUST be picked up by their parents at dismissal (2:40 PM).  Kindergarten students must be picked up from their classroom, while parents of sons in Grades 1-6 can collect their sons from the courtyard.
• Parents are encouraged to park on the north side of West 37th Avenue and walk the short distance to campus.

Parking

• The Fire Department advises that it is dangerous to stop or park on West 38th Avenue, as this hinders the exiting of their trucks from the fire station.
• The school parking lot is for staff use only. There are to be NO drop offs or pick-ups in the school parking lot.
• While there is some on-street parking available for vehicles, drivers are reminded to not park in front of homes in our neighbourhood. We strongly recommend parking on the north side of West 37th Avenue
• Please familiarize yourself with the Vancouver College traffic guidelines and the City of Vancouver Parking Bylaws, a copy of which can be obtained from the City Clerk (604-873-7276) or by e-mail: info@vancouver.ca. Cars inappropriately or illegally parked on residential streets may be ticketed and towed. Please be respectful of our neighbours.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Parents Association. Dates of meetings and other functions organized by the Association are listed in the annual calendar of events. For more information, please contact the VCPA President at vcpa@vancouvercollege.ca or visit  our website for additional information.

There are numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer their services in various school activities.  Most opportunities are published in the OnVolunteers portal, where parents can read the details and register.  For families who opted into the Parent Participation Program, information about how to login to OnVolunteers, how to register and get your hours, a list of the volunteer opportunities, PPP updates and other PPP reference information, are all published on our website.

Each Thursday, the VCPA sends a weekly E-Newsletter that keeps parents informed of upcoming events or volunteer opportunities.

All prospective students and their families are invited and encouraged to attend our Open House in November. The online Application for the upcoming school year will be available on our website each fall. A non-refundable application fee of $175.00 must accompany each new application.

Main intake years at Vancouver College are Kindergarten, Grade 4, 7, and 8. We encourage all prospective families to visit the Admissions portion of our Website for full details, key dates, and deadlines.

In the spirit of Edmund Rice, who founded a congregation of lay religious dedicated to the education of youth, no boy is ever turned away from Vancouver College because of financial reasons. Vancouver College provides hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for the Blessed Edmund Rice Financial Assistance Program.

Any family, who wishes to send their son to Vancouver College but cannot afford to pay the full tuition, may apply for financial assistance on an annual basis under this program. All applications are held in strict confidence. Only families whose son has been accepted to Vancouver College may apply for financial assistance. The Financial  Assistance Application Form is available on the school’s website or from the Main Office.

a) Registrations are not valid until accepted by the Registrar or Principal AND any unpaid account balance is settled in full.

b) A non-refundable deposit for each year MUST be received with the registration form before Registration will be accepted.

c) The remaining portion of the tuition fees must be paid in advance before September 30th or if necessary, by installments. Approval for such installments must be obtained in writing from the accounting office no later than September 30th. NO portion of the tuition may be deferred beyond January 31st without prior consent of the Director of Finance and Facilities Management. Due to contractual obligations for educational services, all tuition is non-refundable.

d) All other charges added to your account must be paid during the month following the billing.

e) Where the registration form is signed by more than one parent or guardian, the obligation hereby imposed on them are joint and several.

f) If outstanding fees and charges have not been paid in accordance with this agreement, Vancouver College Limited may commence legal proceedings against the parent (or guardian(s) without demand or further notice or turn your account over to a collection agency and the cost of securing payment of your account including all legal fees and disbursements incurred by Vancouver College Limited will be added to and form part of your indebtedness.

g) There is a $30.00 charge for each cheque returned by the bank. After receiving more than two NSF cheques from one individual/family, Vancouver College Limited will no longer accept payment by cheque; only cash or Visa/MasterCard will be accepted.

h) Students with outstanding accounts will not be permitted to re-register, nor will records be released, until a satisfactory arrangement has been made. Students who do not account for all textbooks, library books, school equipment, various fines, etc. by end of June, will not be permitted to attend classes the following September until all such matters have been addressed.

All current families will be notified regarding online re-registration in late November for the following school year. Re-registration must be completed by the deadline to secure your son’s spot for the upcoming school year.

Registrations received after the due date will not be accepted unless accompanied by a $100.00 late re-registration fee.

Tuition for the 2022-23 school year is $8,600 for Kindergarten to Grade 12 and $22,860 for International

Students. Tuition fees are determined by the Board of Directors each Spring. Other school fees (eg. Parent Association, Student Council, Athletic teams) are billed separately.

Students at Vancouver College are provided access to the Internet using the school’s Wide Area Network. The Internet allows our students to interact with hundreds of thousands of networks and computers. Within our school and libraries, the Internet and e-­mail may be used by our students for educational purposes. There is no intent that students use Internet access from school computers for personal use. The Internet is similar to other student learning resources such as books, magazines, videos, CD-­ROMs, and encyclopedias.

Conditions and Rules for use

Vancouver College reserves the right to access, audit, and monitor use of all supplied Information Technology (IT) resources for non-­compliance to this policy, without prior notice to the user. There is no expectation of privacy on behalf of the user with regard to information technology resources. It is a general policy that all computers used through the school’s network are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. Failure to adhere to the policy and guidelines for the use of the network as described below will result in the revocation of access privileges.

Unacceptable uses of the network include, but are not limited to:

• Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other laws.
• Using the network in ways which violate school policies and behaviour standards.
• Using the network for financial or commercial gain.
• Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance.
• Invading the privacy of other individuals by accessing and/or vandalizing their computerized data.
• Wasting technology resources, including bandwidth, file space, and printers by downloading music or video files, except for those identified as legitimate curriculum resources.
• Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities.
• Using an account owned by other users with or without their permission.
• Posting personal communications, including photos of another person, without that other person’s consent.
• Giving one’s account and password information to other users.

Network Etiquette

• All users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to:
• Being polite in all of your communications to others.
• Using appropriate language.
• In all activities being compliant with municipal, provincial, federal, or international law.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of your personal address and phone numbers and those of students and colleagues.
• Using the network without disrupting the use of the network by others.
• Assuming that all communications and information accessible via the Internet are the private property of those who put it on the Internet.

For students using Vancouver College devices:

Parents should note that although their sons’ internet activity will be monitored at school, once devices leave the Vancouver College campus, internet usage is not monitored by school administration.

As parents are the primary educators in the lives of their children, we strongly recommend that all parents monitor their son’s technology use and reinforce Acceptable Use Policy guidelines in their home.

Vandalism and Harassment

Vandalism and harassment will result in cancellation of user privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm, modify, or destroy data of another user, the Internet or other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference of another user’s work. “Harassment” is further defined as any unwelcome behaviour, conduct or communication, directed at an individual that is offensive and/or annoying to that individual.

Unacceptable Material

Because access to the Internet provides connections to other computer systems located all over the world, students (and parents) must understand that neither Vancouver College nor any staff member controls the content of the information available on these other systems. Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for educational use in a K-­12 setting, such as hate literature, pornography, and information related to immoral or illegal activities. Vancouver College does not condone the use of such materials and does not permit usage of such materials in the school environment. The school uses Internet filtering software in addition to teacher supervision to reduce the likelihood of students accessing inappropriate Internet sites. In the event a student inadvertently accesses an inappropriate Internet site, he must advise the supervising teacher of the inadvertent access.

Penalties for Improper Use

• Violation of the school’s Acceptable Use Policy may result in:
• restricted network access
• loss of network access
• disciplinary action
• legal action

At Vancouver College, parents, students, teachers, and support staff form an integral part of the Catholic Christian school community. The Administration, teachers, and parents must work closely together in the formation of their children according to the Gospel. To this end, parents are expected to be familiar with, accept, and support the philosophy and policies of the school.

From time to time, issues may arise where the concerned parties differ in their perspectives. In these cases both concerned parties are expected to work toward a resolution of the issue in a Catholic Christian manner, respecting each other’s point of view. All parties involved must maintain confidentiality with respect to all information surrounding the particular issue. For purposes of this policy, any reference to a number of days shall mean calendar Days.

Where differences of opinion and conflict continue to exist surrounding certain decisions made by the Administration or staff with respect to students, the following procedures will be followed:

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee will consist of:

• Chair: President of Vancouver College

Members: One (1) Non-Staff Representative from each of:

• Legal Committee
• Human Resources Committee
• Education Committee
• One (1) other member of the Board appointed by the Chair

An appeal can be heard by four (4) or more members of the Appeals Committee.

Basis for a Student Appeal

A basis for a student appeal exists when a decision is made by Administration or staff that affects the student in the following ways:

• grade level promotion;
• long-term suspension;
• suspension from graduation activities;
• or expulsion.

Initiating an Appeal

1. Before an appeal can be initiated, the complainant must first meet with the Principal and attempt to resolve the dispute.
2. If the dispute is not resolved, the complainant may initiate an appeal within five (5) school days of the complainant becoming aware of the decision to be appealed by: A. sending a written Notice of Appeal to the Chair of the Appeals Committee, care of Vancouver College office; and B. sending a copy of the Notice of Appeal to the Principal.
3. The Notice of Appeal shall state:
   • the name, address, grade, and homeroom placement of the student;
   • the name, address, and phone number of the person(s) making the appeal;
   • the decision which is being appealed;
   • the date on which the student and/or parent/guardian bringing the appeal became aware of the decision;
   • the name(s) of the persons who made the decision that is being appealed;
   • the grounds for the appeal and the relief sought; and
   • a summary of the steps taken by the student and/or parent/guardian to resolve the matter.
4. If a student initiates the appeal, a copy of the Notice of  Appeal will be sent to his parent/guardian.

Appeal Process

1. Within five (5) days of receipt of a Notice of Appeal, the Chair of the Appeals Committee will request a written response from the Principal. The Principal’s report will be delivered to the Appeals Committee forthwith. After receiving the Principal’s report, the Committee may request further information from the Principal. At all times the Principal must be diligent and mindful of protecting the privacy of witnesses and victims.
2. The Appeals Committee will make the Principal’s report available to the appellant.
3. The Appeals Committee will convene to receive oral and written submissions with supporting documentation from the Principal and appellant.
4. The Appeals Committee, after convening to hear submissions, shall make a decision as soon as possible but no later than five (5) days after and shall promptly give notice of its decision, in writing, to the appellant, the Principal, and any other interested party the Committee deems appropriate.
5. In making its decision, the Appeals Committee may give primary consideration to the education, health, or safety of the collective student body.
6. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding.
7. The Appeals Committee may refuse to hear an appeal where:
   • the appeal has not been initiated five (5) days of the date on which the complainant became aware of the decision being appealed;
   • the appellant has refused or neglected to discuss with the Principal the decision being appealed; or
   • the Appeals Committee determines that the decision being appealed does not provide a basis for appeal.
8. The Appeals Committee may, in exceptional circumstances, consider an appeal notwithstanding any defect in form or other technical irregularity.
9. In exceptional circumstance (such as concerns as to whether the process was fairly adjudicated or policy and procedures were not followed correctly in conducting the appeal), after the Appeals Committee makes its decision, the appellant may request an Independent School Ombudsperson to review the appeal. In the event the Ombudsperson concludes that the process was conducted unfairly or that policy and procedures were not followed, the Ombudsperson may instruct the Appeal Committee to conduct the process again. The names and contact information of the current Independent School Ombudsperson shall be obtained from Vancouver College.

At Vancouver College, we also prioritize Character Education and embrace our Better Man philosophy. Character Education was defined by Dr.  Thomas Lickona (1996) as: “The deliberate effort by schools, families and communities to help young people understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values.” At Vancouver College, we value the learning process, and strive for meaningful learning experiences. Here, the Better Man philosophy prompts the question “how do I learn and how do I demonstrate my authentic learning.” As a community of learners, we approach learning with integrity; honestly and with strong moral principles.

An integral and foundational part of learning includes the Core Competencies. “The Core Competencies are sets of intellectual, personal, and social and emotional proficiencies that all students need in order to engage in deep, lifelong learning”(Curriculum). Each Core Competency supports the development of a learner. Within the Communication Competency, students are expected to “impart and exchange information, experiences, and ideas”(Curriculum). This exchange must be respectful and must acknowledge the original source of ideas. Within the Thinking Competency, students are expected to think critically and creatively. Creative thinkers generate novel ideas. The Personal and Social Competency, requires students to be responsible for their actions and to interact with others in positive ways. The Core Competencies are; therefore, intimately connected to academic honesty.

Academically honest students are those who value the learning process and who understand that “the right answer” or “the final product” does not actualise the fullness of the goal or learning experience. Academically honest students, therefore, do not collude, cheat, copy, or plagiarize. “Plagiarism is defined as the representation, intentionally or unwittingly, of the ideas, words or work of another person [or artificial intelligence] without proper, clear and explicit acknowledgment”(Garza).

Acts of academic dishonesty will prompt an immediate, restorative process including communication home, a meeting with the Assistant Principal and/or Grade Level Coordinator, a written response on the motivation behind the act of academic dishonesty, and an appropriate act of community service.

The student will be given the opportunity to revisit the assessed curricular competencies during a timed, device free, and supervised learning scenario.

Repeat offenses will result in a permanent note on the academic record of the student.

When Vancouver College was founded by Brother Lannon in 1922, it was advertised that “due attention will be paid to physical development.” From that beginning, Vancouver College has developed an athletic tradition so firm that it is most frequently referred to as “a heritage.”

Our mission as teachers and coaches at Vancouver College is to assist parents in the development “of the whole child.” We believe the Athletic Program is a significant part of the school and vital in meeting the objective stated above. The Athletic Program must reflect the Essential Elements and the Gospel values that are crucial and integral to the operation of Vancouver College. We seek to glorify God by using our talents to the fullest.

Policy Objective

The purpose of this policy is to guide staff, students, and parents in their participation in the Vancouver College Athletic Program and to assist in the development and well-being of all participants. This policy cannot cover all the circumstances that may arise in the operation of an Athletic Program and is not intended to be a substitute for the application of Christian principles and common sense in the operation of the program.

Clearly, participation in the Athletic Program is a privilege for students, parents, and coaches and not a right. Thus along with that privilege, participants – students, coaches, and parents – must accept several responsibilities that are articulated in this policy.

Ultimately, all expectations outlined hereafter are intended to provide for all an environment in which the growth and wellness of all participants are safeguarded.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Athletic Program at Vancouver College is rooted in two of the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education at Vancouver College:

• Celebrate the Value and Dignity of Each Person and Nurture the Development of the Whole Person
• Pursue Excellence in All Its Endeavours

The Athletic Program at Vancouver College seeks to provide a wide range of athletic activities for boys between Grade 8 and 12 so that the highest possible numbers of students have an opportunity to compete and experience a quality athletic experience.

Vancouver College strives for excellence in its Athletic Programs, providing opportunities for individual and for teams to achieve at a level consistent with their God-given gifts. An underlying philosophy of the Athletic Program is a desire that programs be developed and maintained in order to provide opportunities for all youth to develop ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. To achieve this goal, it is the expectation that these values be modeled by coaches and parents.

The ultimate objectives of the Athletic Program at Vancouver College are:

• To develop the character of the athlete by teaching sportsmanship, cooperation, responsibility, and respect for authority.
• To encourage and promote skill development, fitness, wellness, and healthy lifestyles.
• To help students develop life skills such as courage, commitment, honesty, humility, discipline, teamwork, and fair play.
• To help students develop a strong work ethic and sense of commitment.
• To help students experience the full joy of preparation and participation in athletic competition.
• To help students pursue post-secondary athletic opportunities.
• To help the student body develop a vibrant school spirit.
• To develop and enhance the sense of community and kinship at Vancouver College.

Policies and Procedures

A. Program Offerings

Prior to the commencement of each school year, the Principal in consultation with the Athletic Director, staff, and community will determine which sports will be offered at the school. The following athletic opportunities are usually offered at Vancouver College:

Staff, students, or parents who wish to add a sport to the Program should submit a proposal in writing to the Principal. The Principal, in consultation with the Athletic Director and staff, will make the final decision on the addition or deletion of athletic teams.

B. Team Selection

1. All students participating in the program must adhere to the eligibility requirements as outlined by BC High School Sports under Section V of the “Competitive Rules and Regulations” available online at www.bcschoolsports.ca.
2. A team will be selected through a fair and impartial evaluation conducted by coaching staff. Tryout times and team selection criteria will be clearly stated and announced. In most instances, final selections for a team are not to be made before the third practice at all levels of play. Students who feel they have not been given a reasonable opportunity to make the team are to approach the Head Coach to request additional opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.
3. The number of students selected to any one team is dependent upon the availability of resources and the number of team members needed as determined by the Head Coach and the Athletic Director.
4. Students are encouraged to play at appropriate grade level teams where they exist. Decisions regarding students playing above grade level should be made by the Head Coach of the sport after consultation with the coaching staff of the sport involved, the athlete, his parents, Athletic Director, and Principal.
5. Prior membership on a team or participation in any other facet of the school program will have no bearing on the final selection process.

C. Participation

1. Students must be considered to be “in good standing” with respect to his performance in school to earn the right to participate on a school team. The Administration, in consultation with staff and coaches, shall determine whether a student is “in good standing.” With respect to his performance as a member of a team, the coach shall determine whether the student is “in good standing” and has earned a right to represent the school.
2. Students who are suspended from school are not permitted to participate in any school related activity for the duration of the suspension.
3. Students absent from school are not permitted to participate in any activity, practice session, or competition on that day. If there are special circumstances surrounding the absence(s), a request to participate may be made to the Administration.
4. Students are expected to attend all practice sessions unless absent due to illness or other reasons excused by the Coach. If a student will be absent from a practice prior notification from a parent is required. Practices are essential for proper conditioning, improvement of technique, and development of the whole team.

D. Playing Time

1. At all levels it is the coach’s responsibility to determine who will play and how much they play in game competition. Students and parents should fully understand that by joining a team, they are accepting the pleasures and benefits of participating as well as the responsibility and commitment to fill a meaningful role on the team
2. Grade 8, Grade 9, and Junior Varsity are more developmental in nature. An athlete who attends practice regularly, works consistently, and displays a positive attitude, can expect to play an appropriate amount of time over the course of the season, dependent upon a variety of circumstances including skill level, commitment, attitude, and the best interest of the team. The amount of playing time is to be determined by the coach as the season progresses and it would be expected that in year-end tournaments or championship games, coaches may choose to substitute more sparingly
3. Coaches of team sports will communicate with parents to discuss their practices regarding playing time. It is expected that each coach would develop a meaningful role for each team member that provides an opportunity for each student athlete to learn and grow
4. Varsity athletic activities have a higher focus on competition. It is expected that each student athlete will play in game situations as much as is practical depending upon ability, game situation, relative importance of the competition, grade level, and other factors determined by the coaches. It is expected that each coach would develop a meaningful role for each team member that provides an opportunity for each student athlete to learn and grow.

E. Multi-Sport Athlete/Out-of-Season Training

1. Consistent with the Essential Elements and the “development of the whole person”, student-athletes should be encouraged to participate in a variety of school athletic activities, wherever possible. Students are not allowed to participate in more than one sport per season (fall, winter,  spring)  without prior approval of the Athletic Director or Administration.
2. To ensure excellence, some sports, particularly at the school Varsity level, have vigorous out-of-season training schedules. In the case of multi-sport athletes, in-season sports have priority over athletes who are also involved in out-of-season training in another sport. Coaches should communicate with each other and with parents and athletes to ensure that conflicts are kept to a minimum. In season coaches shall receive priority consideration for utilization of facilities.
3. Out-of-season coaches need to be mindful of balance (God, family, and academics) for student-athletes as well as their full commitment to in-season sports while scheduling out-of-season training.

F. Program Appraisal

All Athletic Programs will be appraised regularly by the Administration and the Athletic Director to provide direct, systematic feedback to coaches, affirming the good work and providing opportunities to improve programs. As part of the appraisal, information will be gathered from student-athletes and parents.

G. Recruiting

BC High School Sports defines recruiting as follows:

“B1.14.1 Definition: Recruiting is defined as a representative of a school, either directly or through another party, encouraging a student to attend a school other than that in whose catchment area he or she resides, for the purpose of being involved in extracurricular sport. The school representative could be a teacher, administrator, school district employee, school employee, student, parent, alumnus or any person representing themselves as a school contact.”

Any coach or representatives as defined above should not approach any parent or student regarding athletic opportunities for student-athletes at Vancouver College except if the student is currently in Grade 7 at a neighbourhood Catholic Elementary School. If an athlete or parent approaches a coach regarding athletic opportunities at Vancouver College, the parent or athlete should be directed immediately to an Administrator, Registrar, or Student Service regarding application and admission procedures.

H. Code of Conduct

Athletes

1. To conduct themselves within Catholic Christian values.
2. To be punctual and prepared for all practices and games.
3. To achieve to their potential academic standards and to be responsible for class work missed for game or tournament participation.
4. To represent Vancouver College at all times in a dignified and positive fashion.
5. To be dedicated to their team and team mates. Athletes choosing to play an additional sport outside of the school during the same season are expected to honour the school’s practice and game schedule. Students who are not able to make a solid commitment to attend school practices and games regularly should not try out for a team. Students need to communicate particular situations to the coach as the situations arise.
6. To initiate dialogue with the coach if concerns regarding one’s role on the team arise. This dialogue should be initiated during the school day, away from the practice venue.
7. To take pride in striving to improve skills and knowledge every day.
8. To place primary commitments to God, family, and academics.
9. To treat officials and opponents with honour and respect.
10. Although membership on a team is voluntary, the athlete should make every effort to fulfill his commitment to the team and finish the season.

Coaches

1. To model Christ-like leadership.
2. To convey personal expectations, within the scope of this policy, to parents and student-athletes regarding schedule of practices, try-outs, and playing time.
3. To establish effective communication between coach and parents.
4. To take appropriate action on concerns brought forth by student-athletes or parents by reporting to the Athletic Director and the Principal.
5. To ensure all student-athletes are nurtured into a role where they have the opportunity to learn and grow.
6. To understand and to effectively teach the fundamental skills and fitness requirements of the sport.
7. To use positive coaching techniques and respectful language when giving feedback to an athlete.
8. To display confidence in the honesty and integrity of opponents and officials.
9. To instill a desire in all student-athletes to compete honestly and exercise fair play.
10. Respect and encourage an athlete’s commitment to God, family, and academics.

Parents

1. To exhibit Christ-like behaviour by positively supporting and encouraging teams.
2. To respect decisions made by officials and coaches.
3. To refrain from attempting to coach student- athletes from the stands.
4. To utilize the following protocol to address concerns or issues with a coach:
   • Encourage your son to approach the coach.
   • If the issue remains unresolved approach the coach yourself during the school day away from the practice or game sites.
   • If still unresolved, the issue should be referred to the Athletic Director.
   • If still unresolved, the issue should be referred to the Principal, who will make the final decision on any parental concern.
5. To assist students in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle by promoting a balance among academic, athletic, spiritual, and personal goals.

I. Vancouver College Lettermen’s Membership Criteria

Preamble

The Lettermen Association is a membership-based society comprising student athletes in Grades 10-12, who:

• have participated and excelled in recognized, inter-school sports;
• contributed significantly to the athletic program at Vancouver College; and,
• are willing to be of service to the Vancouver College community and others.

Junior Varsity Letter

A Grade 10 student athlete:

• Who has competed on sports teams during his Grade 9 and 10 years and has earned at least 100 points from these sports. The athlete must have participated in at least one sport in Grade 10 and has been recommended by the coaches.
• He may accumulate points towards a Varsity letter if he has been involved in Varsity sports and has exhibited true excellence, however he must wait until his Grade 11/12 year to apply and receive his Varsity letter.
• Points earned for Junior Varsity letters over and above the 100 points required may not be carried forward except with the approval of the Athletic Director.

Varsity Letter

A Grade 11/12 student athlete:

• Who has competed on sports teams at the Varsity level during his Grade 11 or 12 years and has earned at least 100 points from these sports.
• A Varsity letter may be awarded at the beginning of a Grade 12 year to any athlete graduating that year upon approval of his coach.
• The athlete must be a citizen in good standing.

Managers:

• Managers will be awarded letters based on their grade level, not on the grade level of the teams with which they are involved.
• The same criteria will be used as is set out for the players. This means that for a manager to earn credit for a letter, he must show true commitment and dedication towards the sport(s) he manages.
• Managers in good standing may earn 50% of the points awarded to players of the sport.

Early Application: Student Athletes participating in winter or spring sports may be eligible for early application and be awarded a Letter upon recognition of his coach.

Sport Pin: Only Varsity Lettermen may receive Sports Pins. A gold sports pin signifies the re-lettering of a varsity letter after the initial award.

Star: A gold star is awarded to a Letterman based on his sport’s criteria. A Letterman may be eligible for the following reasons: Team Captain, won Provincial Championship, received a league or provincial All Star Award, set a record at a competition, etc.

Vancouver College will not accept cash payments in excess of $2,000.00 in a single transaction and will not accept multiple payments over a short period of time for any purpose. Additionally, any cash payment in excess of $2,000.00 will require the School to verify the identity of the individual making the payment and the source of the payment. All parents and guardians should be encouraged to pay tuition, deposits, and supplemental fees through an alternative payment method.

SECTION 1: VANCOUVER COLLEGE MISSION AND VISION

1.1 Vancouver College: A Faith and Learning Community

At Vancouver College we challenge ourselves to graduate young men of ‘faith and learning’. We are an educational community based on the Gospels of Jesus in the charism of Edmund Rice. Edmund Rice was an Irish businessman who used his considerable wealth to begin a system of schools and a Religious Order that would be in relationship with the poor of society in such a way as to help them break the cycle of their poverty. Our ultimate goal is to graduate young men with a Social Conscience, with a practical Catholic Christian faith and with skills to live in society and for the good of society.

1.2 Vancouver College Mission Statement

Vancouver College is a Catholic faith and learning community educating young men from diverse backgrounds in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice. Through its commitment to the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education, Vancouver College focuses on the formation of the whole person, preparing students for lives dedicated to excellence, leadership, and service to church and community.

1.3 Scope of Policy 

This policy applies to all employees of Vancouver College, the Board of Directors of Vancouver College Limited, the Trustees of the Vancouver College Trust, the Christian Brothers, all contractors working on for on the premises of Vancouver College, and volunteers including parents.

SECTION 2: HIRING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

2.1 Criminal Records Check Process

All persons hired at Vancouver College go through an extensive interview process and an extensive reference check. A Criminal Record Check must also be successfully completed before an offer of employment can be accepted and the employee becomes a member of the Vancouver College community. The reports of all Criminal Record Checks are kept on file. Teachers who are members of the Teacher Regulation Branch or members of the Independent Teachers Association have their Criminal Record Check performed by the college associated with each of the groups.

All other staff not covered under the Teacher Regulation Branch have their Criminal Records Checks completed by the Director of Finance and Facilities Management of Vancouver College. Vancouver College is registered with Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General under their Criminal Records Review Act. A Consent to a Criminal Record Check is completed by all non-teaching staff. The Consent is returned to the Director of Finance and Facilities Management who submits the Consent to the Provincial Government. A completed Criminal Records check is then returned by the Government directly to the Principal. Vancouver College files all Criminal Records Checks. Vancouver College handles this information with great care and maintains strict confidentiality and privacy for the individuals involved.

As required by the Criminal Records Review Act, mandatory rechecks are completed every five years by the Director of Finance and Facilities Management. The staff member is required by way of the Criminal Records Review Act to report any charges or convictions for criminal offences to the school, and, should this occur, provide a new authorization for a criminal record check.

2.2 Interview Process

The interview process would see two or more members of the Administration Team as well as faculty or staff members comprise the interview committee. Vancouver College actively recruits the best candidates and maintains a list of “potential” new hires should openings occur in the future.

2.3 Job Expectation

All new employees are given a comprehensive review of job expectations in their interview and all employees are held to the high standards of behaviour dictated by the faith and learning community of Vancouver College. Employees who are not meeting the required standards would be put on a formal evaluation and support would be given to them so that they could improve in the areas of deficiency. Should improvement not occur, the employee’s year to year contract would not be renewed.

SECTION 3: PARENT AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS

Vancouver College is an inclusive community that requires its parents and other volunteers to promote the well-being of the school by volunteering their time and talent to support the education of the boys at Vancouver College. In any volunteer activity involving the students of Vancouver College, volunteers are usually under the immediate supervision of the classroom teacher. Although not required under the Criminal Records Review Act, Vancouver College may complete background/criminal records checks on volunteers who would be in the school or on school activities on an unsupervised basis.

SECTION 4: CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS, STAFF AND PARENTS

The Code of Conduct for Students, Staff, and Parents & Guardians is available for all students, staff and parents. To ensure the document is reviewed by all parties, it forms part of the registration process at Vancouver College. Students and Parents are required to sign the registration form indicating that they “have read, understand, and agree to abide by the policies, values, and vision” of the Code of Conduct. Each staff is required to sign annually for receipt of this Employee Policy Manual and the Code of Conduct forms part of this Manual.

SECTION 5: ATHLETICS

All Coaches, whether staff or volunteers, are required to complete a background/criminal records check. All Coaches, whether staff or volunteers are also required to sign a Coach’s Code of Conduct.

Coach’s Code of Conduct

1. To model Christ-­like leadership.
2. To convey personal expectations, within the scope of this policy to parents and student-­athletes regarding schedule of practice, try-­outs and playing time.
3. To establish effective communication between coach and parents.
4. To take appropriate action on concerns brought forth by student-­athletes or parents by reporting to the Athletic Director and the Principal.
5. To ensure all student-­athletes are nurtured into a role where they have the opportunity to learn and grow.
6. To understand and to effectively teach the fundamental skills and fitness requirement of the sport.
7. To use positive coaching techniques and respectful language when giving feedback to an athlete.
8. To display confidence in the honesty and integrity of opponents and officials.
9. To install a desire in all student-­athletes to compete honestly and exercise fair play.
10. Respect and encourage an athlete’s commitment to God, family and academics.

SECTION 6: OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS/EXCURSIONS

Vancouver College recognizes that activities and events for students outside the regular classroom instruction programs are a valuable part of education. The Administration supports extracurricular activities that are properly planned, conducted in a safe environment and appropriate for the students’ age groups.

OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP

This is defined as learning activities that require students to be away from home for at least one night, normally to participate in a learning activity away from campus.

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

All field trips must maintain no more than a 12:1 student/supervisor ratio.

Teachers planning any field trip must first complete an Application for Learning Activities Outside the School and submit it to the Principal for approval. (Applications are available on line on the Vancouver College website).

Once approval has been received, faculty or staff must notify parents and students regarding all details of the trip and distribute the appropriate Parent Waiver forms (available on line on the Vancouver College website). All participants will be required to submit a complete Parent Waiver form before they are able to participate in the field trip.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

All students departing school property or a school event due to suspension, expulsion or as part of any other disciplinary action be accompanied in their departure and picked up by a parent, guardian or a designated person.

SECTION 7: RESPONDING TO STUDENT ABUSE/NEGLECT

7.1 Rationale

Vancouver College recognizes that every student has a right to a life free of abuse, neglect and violence. Child abuse is a serious societal issue. Its impact can last a lifetime and extend to future generations. Understanding child abuse and neglect is vital for all faculty, staff and administrators at Vancouver College. Knowing how to respond to any disclosure of abuse or neglect is critical.

7.2 Policy

Vancouver College prohibits and will not condone any form of child abuse, neglect or violence.

All personnel at Vancouver College will comply with child protection legislation as set out in the Child, Family and Community Service Act of B.C. and the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect.

School personnel will report suspected child abuse, neglect or violence immediately. Everyone who has a reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be physically harmed, sexually abused or exploited, or neglected by a parent, or otherwise in need of protection as set out in Section 13 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act (as detailed below) is legally responsible under Section 14 (as detailed below) of that Act to report promptly to a child welfare worker. School personnel, who are uncertain about the duty to report, will consult with the Principal or the President, who can discuss the options and course of action.

School personnel will inform the President (or appointed alternate school official such as the Principal or an Assistant Principal in the event that the Principal is the alleged offender) of suspected child abuse or neglect as soon as possible.

School personnel will co-operate with the resulting investigation.

School personnel, through our Student Services Department, will support students who have experienced child abuse, neglect or violence.

School personnel will safeguard the privacy and dignity of the student and share information regarding any allegation of child abuse, neglect or violence only with those persons who have a legitimate reason for receiving the information (i.e. social worker, the police, the Principal). Personnel will recognize that improper disclosure of information may prejudice the child protection investigation or other related investigations.

7.3 Defining Child Abuse and Neglect

It is important to understand exactly what could constitute child abuse and neglect, in order to be able to recognize the signs and take appropriate action.

While there may be different definitions of child abuse and neglect, the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect provides the following plain language definitions:

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical abuse is a deliberate physical assault or action by a person that results in, or is likely to result in, physical harm to a child or youth. It includes the use of unreasonable force to discipline a child or youth or prevent a child or youth from harming him/herself or others. The injuries sustained by the child or youth may vary in severity and range from minor bruising, burns, welts or bite marks to major fractures of the bones or skull to, in the most extreme situations, death.

EMOTIONAL HARM

This is the most difficult type of harm to recognize. Under the Child, Family and Community Service Act, a child or youth is defined as emotionally harmed if they demonstrate severe:

» anxiety;
» depression;
» withdrawal; or
» self-destructive or aggressive behavior.

Reason to believe that a child or youth needs protection from being emotionally harmed may arise due to emotional abuse from a parent. This may range from the parent ignoring to habitually humiliating the child or youth to withholding life-sustaining nurturing. Emotional abuse may occur separately from, or along with, other forms of abuse and neglect. Emotional abuse can include a pattern of:

» scapegoating;
» rejection;
» verbal attacks on the child;
» threats;
» insults; or
» humiliation.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexual abuse is when a child or youth is used (or likely to be used) for the sexual gratification of another person. It includes:

» touching or invitation to touch for sexual purposes;

» intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal);

» menacing or threatening sexual acts, obscene gestures, obscene communications or stalking;

» sexual references to the child’s or youth’s body/behaviour by words/gestures;

» requests that the child or youth expose their body for sexual purposes;

» deliberate exposure of the child or youth to sexual activity or material; and

» sexual aspects of organized or ritual abuse.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse that occurs when a child or youth engages in a sexual activity, usually through manipulation or coercion, in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or other considerations. sexual activity includes:

» performing sexual acts;

» sexually explicit activity for entertainment;

» involvement with escort or massage parlour services; and

» appearing in pornographic images.

NEGLECT 

Neglect is failure to provide for a child’s or youth’s basic needs. It involves an act or omission by the parent or guardian, resulting in (or likely to result in) harm to the child or youth. Neglect may include failure to provide food, shelter, basic health care, supervision or protection from risks, to the extent that the child’s or youth’s physical health, development or safety is, or is likely to be, harmed.

7.3 Indicators of Possible Child Abuse and Neglect 

Due to the nature of child abuse and neglect, students may not tell an adult or responsible person that they are being abused or neglected. As such, it is vitally important that every member of faculty and staff is familiar with, and able to recognize the indicators of possible child abuse and neglect. While there is a wide range of possible indicators, the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect provides the following common physical and behavioral indicators:

POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical Indicators:

» injuries to a child for which there is no explanation, the explanation does not fit with the injuries, or the story keeps changing;
» injuries at different stages of healing;
» injuries that have a pattern or look like they may have been caused by an object (e.g., hand, stick, buckle, stove element); or
» bruising in unusual places such as ears, trunk, neck or buttocks.

Behavioural Indicators:

» afraid or reluctant to go home, or runs away;
» shows unusual aggression, rages or tantrums;
» flinches when touched;
» has changes in school performance and attendance;
» withdraws from family, friends and activities previously enjoyed;
» poor self-esteem (e.g., describes self as bad, feels punishment is deserved, is very withdrawn); or
» suicidal thoughts or self-destructive behaviour (e.g., self-mutilation, suicide attempt, extreme risk-taking behaviour).

POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Physical Indicators:
» unexplained or persistent pain, bleeding or unusual discharge in the genital or anal area;
» pregnancy; or
» sexually transmitted diseases.

Behavioural Indicators:
» engages in age-inappropriate sexual play or exhibits age-inappropriate sexual knowledge (e.g., through drawing or play);
» forces or coerces another child to engage in sexual play;
» directs sexually intrusive behaviour to adults;
» has unexplained gifts, new clothes or money;
» has changes in school performance and attendance;
» is secretive about “new” friends, activities, phone calls or internet use;
» has unexplained developmental setbacks
» is involved in behaviours such as misuse of drugs or alcohol, stealing, fire-setting; or
» flinches when touched

POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF EMOTIONAL HARM

Physical Indicators:
» frequent psychosomatic complaints, headaches, nausea, abdominal pains.

Behavioural Indicators:
» mental or emotional development lags;
» isolated and has no friends or complains of social isolation;
» behaviours inappropriate for age
» fear of failure, overly high standards, reluctant to play;
» fears consequences of actions, often leading to lying;
» extreme withdrawal or aggressiveness, mood swings;
» overly compliant, too well-mannered;
» excessive neatness and cleanliness;
» extreme attention-seeking behaviours;
» poor peer relationships;
» severe depression, may be suicidal;
» violence is a subject for art or writing;
» forbidden contact with other children;
» shows little anxiety towards strangers; or
» unusual severe anxiety or worries.

POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF NEGLECT

Physical Indicators:
» Injuries where medical care has been unusually delayed or avoided;
» injuries resulting from a lack of supervision;
» medical or dental needs that are consistently unattended to;
» clothing consistently inadequate for weather conditions;
» persistent hunger;
» poor or inadequate nutrition; or
» poor personal hygiene.

Behavioural Indicators:
» forages for, hoards or steals food;
» developmental delay or setbacks related to a lack of stimulation;
» poor school attendance;
» inappropriately takes on a caregiver role for a parent or siblings;
» tired or unable to concentrate at school;
» appears sad or has flat affect;
» reluctant to go home; speaks of being or appears to be left alone at home a lot, unsupervised;
» is involved in behaviours such as misuse of drugs or alcohol, stealing, fire-setting; or
» does not respond to affection or stimulation.

The above indicators are not necessarily by themselves indicative of child abuse or neglect, and could result from other life events (e.g. parents separating or getting divorced, serious illness or death of a family member). However, any member of faculty or staff, who witnesses any of the above indicators and is unsure if they may be related to child abuse or neglect, should contact a child welfare worker who will help you determined if the indicators you have witnessed are a cause for concern.

7.4 How to Handle Indicators of Child Abuse and Neglect

If a member of faculty or staff observes any indicators of child abuse or neglect, they may want to talk to the student about them, to see if there is another explanation for the indicators. When talking to students about possible abuse or neglect, the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect recommends that you:

» Choose your approach carefully. The child or youth may be fearful or reluctant to talk about what happened.

» Be relaxed and casual. If you appear anxious or exhibit strong feelings, the child or youth may withdraw.

» Keep it private. Make sure you have enough time and a private setting with little chance for interruptions. The child or youth is more likely to confide in you in a place where he or she feels safe.

» Be neutral. Express your concerns to the child or youth in a neutral and objective manner and seek or ask for their explanation for the indicators you have observed.

» Be a good listener. Pay attention and express your confidence in the child or youth. This shows your genuine concern for his or her safety and well-being.

7.5 How to Handle Disclosures

When a child or youth decides to get help by telling someone that they are being abused it is called a DISCLOSURE. This is a very frightening but courageous step, and some guidelines for dealing with disclosures are set out below:

DO:

• listen: Take the time to HEAR what the child or youth has to say, no matter how busy you are;
• acknowledge: Tell them you understand and acknowledge what they have told you, and that you will do whatever you can to get them help;
• get the essential facts: Make sure that you get just enough information and reason to believe that abuse or neglect has occurred;
• reassure the child or youth: Say that you are sorry this has happened and tell them “It is not your fault”;
• tell the child or youth what will happen next: Discuss with the child or youth what you think will happen next and who will be involved. Tell them only what you know;
• report: Phone the correct authorities and say you want to make a report. In British Columbia, dial 0, ask for Zenith 1-2-3-4;
• make notes: As soon as possible after the disclosure has taken place, write down as much as you can of what the child or youth told you;
• and take care of yourself: It is difficult to listen to a disclosure and make a report.

DON’T:

• react with shock, horror or disbelief - even though you might feel like it;
• promise to keep it a secret - you are legally obligated to report if you have reasonable grounds to believe that a child is in need of protection;
• say that “everything will be fine now” - it may not be fine for some time. There are often many problems to resolve;
• assume that the child hates the abuser - there may be very conflicting feelings, especially if the offender is a parent or relative;
• put the responsibility for reporting onto someone else - they may not do it;
• and “interview” the child - the matter may go to court, so it is important that questioning be done by social workers, police and/or lawyers who are familiar with the law.

It is important to keep a record of indicators, behaviours, dates, times and the people involved.

If applicable and subject to the requirements of existing privacy legislation, Vancouver College may share information from an investigation of a cleric with their orders or diocese.

Suspected Child Abuse - Statutory Reporting Obligations

In British Columbia, Section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act and the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect sets out duties to report when there is reason to believe a child needs protection.

The Act requires that any person who has reason to believe that a child has been abused by a family member, faculty or staff member, volunteer or others must report those suspicions to the appropriate official with the Ministry for Children and Families.

“Reason to believe” simply means that, based on what you have seen or information you have received, you believe a child or youth has been or is likely to be at risk. You do not need to be certain. It is the child welfare worker’s job to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur (B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect).

Every faculty or staff member, upon becoming aware of any suspected or alleged sexual or physical abuse of a student by anyone, including but not limited to the student’s parent/guardian, another member of faculty or staff, a contractor, volunteer or student, shall promptly make a report to a child welfare worker pursuant to Section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Services Act and the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Child welfare workers are employed by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development or by a delegated indigenous child and family services agency. Child welfare workers provide various services to families, including child protection, and work in partnership with the police and with people in the health care, education and justice systems as well as with family services agencies.

More information about child protection services and the duty to report is available on the provincial government website.

Sections 13 and 14 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act are reproduced here for information.

When protection is needed:

13 (1) A child needs protection in the following circumstances:

(a) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed by the child’s parent;
(b) if the child has been, or is likely to be, sexually abused or exploited by the child’s parent;
(c) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually exploited by another person and if the child’s parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child;
(d) if the child has been, or is likely to be, physically harmed because of neglect by the child’s parent;
(e) if the child is emotionally harmed by

(i) the parent’s conduct, or

(ii) living in a situation where there is domestic violence by or towards a person with whom the child resides;

(f) if the child is deprived of necessary health care;
(g) if the child’s development is likely to be seriously impaired by a treatable condition and the child’s parent refuses to provide or consent to treatment;
(h) if the child’s parent is unable or unwilling to care for the child and has not made adequate provision for the child’s care;
(i) if the child is or has been absent from home in circumstances that endanger  the child’s safety or well-­being;
(j) if the child’s parent is dead and adequate provision has not been made for the child’s care;
(k) if the child has been abandoned and adequate provision has not been made for the child’s care;
(l) if the child is in the care of a director or another person by agreement and the child’s parent is unwilling or unable to resume care when the agreement is no longer in force.

(1.1) For the purpose of subsection (1) (b) and (c) but without limiting the meaning of “sexually abused” or “sexually exploited”, a child has been or is likely to be sexually abused or sexually exploited if the child has been, or is likely to be,

(a) encouraged or helped to engage in prostitution, or
(b) coerced or inveigled into engaging in prostitution.

(1.2) For the purpose of subsection (1) (a) and (c) but without limiting the circumstances that may increase the likelihood of physical harm to a child, the likelihood of physical harm to a child increases when the child is living in a situation where there is domestic violence by or towards a person with whom the child resides.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) (e), a child is emotionally harmed if the child demonstrates severe

(a) anxiety,
(b) depression,
(c) withdrawal, or
(d) self-­destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Duty to report need for protection

14 (1) A person who has reason to believe that a child needs protection under section 13 must promptly report the matter to a  director or a person designated by a director.

(2) Subsection (1) applies even if the information on which the belief is based

(a) is privileged, except as a result of a solicitor-­client relationship, or
(b) is confidential and its disclosure is prohibited under another Act.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offense.

(4) A person who knowingly reports to a director, or a person designated by a director, false information that a child needs protection commits an offense.

(5) No action for damages may be brought against a person for reporting information under this section unless the person knowingly reported false information.

(6) A person who commits an offense under this section is liable to a fine of up to $10 000 or to imprisonment for up to 6 months, or to both.

(7) The limitation period governing the commencement of a proceeding under the Offense Act does not apply to a proceeding relating to an offense under this section.

Making a Report to the Ministry of Children and Family Development

Preparing to Make a Report

If you receive a disclosure from a child or youth regarding abuse or neglect, try to make sure that you get as much information as possible (without causing the child or youth further distress), so that you can provide sufficient information to the child welfare officer to assist them in assessing the situation and deciding what action to take.

In no circumstances should you delay making a report to a child welfare officer; you should make a report and provide the child welfare officer with the information you do have, and if additional information is needed, that can be provided to the officer once the initial report has been made.

Making the Report

When making a report to a child welfare officer, you should provide them with as much information as possible, including but not limited to the following:

» the child’s or youth’s name and location;
» whether there are any immediate concerns about the child’s or youth’s safety;
» why you believe the child or youth is at risk;
» any statements or disclosures made by the child or youth;
» the child’s or youth’s age and vulnerability;
» information about the family, parents and alleged offender;
» information about siblings or other children or youth who may be at risk;
» whether you know of any previous incidents involving, or concerns about the child or youth;
» information about other persons or agencies closely involved with the child, youth and/or family;
» information about other persons who may be witnesses or may have information about the child or youth;
» information about the nature of the child’s or youth’s disabilities, their mode of communication, and the name of a key support person; and
» any other relevant information concerning the child, youth and/or family, such as language or culture.
(B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, page 43)

Time is of the essence when reporting suspected child abuse, and as such, you should make a report even if you do not have all of the information listed above. When you make a report, ensure that you:

» ask for the name of the child welfare officer you are speaking to and the name of the office who will be handling the report (if different); and
» request that they contact the Principal if follow-up is required.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development will determine the action to be taken with respect to the report and any directions given by the Ministry to Vancouver College will be followed.

Suspected Child Abuse - Additional Reporting Obligations

Every staff member shall, forthwith upon:

• making a report under Section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Services Act and as outlined in the B.C. Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect (January 2016), or
• becoming aware of any suspected or alleged sexual or physical abuse of a student by a staff member (no matter how false or frivolous or unjustified the circumstances may appear), immediately report the same to the Principal (Appointed School Official) or an Assistant Principal (Alternate Appointed School Official). Forthwith upon the Principal or an Assistant Principal receiving any report under this Section, such person shall immediately report the same to the President who will then report to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. In this Section “abuse” includes any physical or sexual abuse, corporal punishment or undue physical restraint or unwelcome touching or touching of a student where not reasonably warranted or appropriate. Nothing in this section shall relieve any staff member from any obligation to make a report under the Child, Family and Community Services Act.

Roles and Responsibilities 

The designated roles and responsibilities where a student discloses that they have been or are being abused by a parent/guardian or caregiver; or a faculty or staff member has reason to believe that a student is in need of protection from a parent/guardian or caregiver, are as follows:

The designated roles and responsibilities where a student discloses that they have been or are being abused by a faculty or staff member, contractor, volunteer or another student; or a faculty or staff member has reason to believe that a student is in need of protection from a faculty or staff member, contractor, volunteer or another student, are as follows:

SECTION 8: PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

8.1 Rationale

The employees of Vancouver College have the responsibility to provide a teaching and learning environment that is consistent with the faith values and teachings of the Catholic Church. All employees of Vancouver College who work with students are in positions of trust and depending upon their position, some degree of authority. The relationship between employee and student must be one of professionalism co-­operation, understanding, assistance and mutual respect. This atmosphere must foster the moral, emotional and social development of students, as well as their intellectual development.

8.2 Policy

Vancouver College employees are required to ensure that a professional relationship exists between them and students at all times, both inside and outside of the school. Teachers in particular are held to a higher standard of personal and moral deportment in order to serve as Catholic role model for students. Teachers are expected to establish and maintain learning environments where students feel physically, psychologically, socially and emotionally safe.

All Vancouver College employees are bound by standards of conduct expected of a caring, knowledgeable, reasonable and responsible adult who is entrusted with the custody and care of students.

It is completely inappropriate and totally unacceptable for any employee of Vancouver College, particularly one who is in a position of trust with authority over students to develop an intimate personal relationship with a student or school age person that is physical, emotional or social in nature.

All communication with a student(s), by any employee in person, by telephone, fax, e-­mail, Facebook, or any other method must reflect the employee’s position of trust and authority as well as the employee’s role as a teacher or support staff member.

Communication and association with students outside of school hours or school activities (e.g. extra-­curricular) should be minimized and must, at all times reflect the employee’s position of trust and authority.

Inappropriate conduct by employees with students is subject to discipline up to and including termination.

The Administration will cooperate fully with the police in the investigation of any matter that could be suspected of being inappropriate or criminal behaviour.

The following are examples of boundary violations:

• Meeting with an individual student behind closed doors or without the opportunity for observation by other adults. Vancouver College has worked to ensure that there is a window in each door of all areas where teachers may meet with students.
• Using sexual innuendo or inappropriate language and/or material with students;
• Touching a student without a valid reason, e.g.
  • Kissing a student or allowing him or her to kiss you;
  • Lengthy hugs or forceful frontal hugs;
  • Cuddling or tickling;
  • Piggy back rides;
  • Having a student sitting on your lap;
  • Stroking a student’s hair;
• Holding conversations of a personal nature or having contact with students via written or electronic methods outside of a professional/educational context;
• Allowing students to become overly friendly or familiar with you. Students should never call teachers by their first names;
• Visiting students in their homes unless their parents are present;
• Inviting students to your home;
• Taking the role of surrogate parent with a student;
• Criticizing a student’s parent to the student;
• Giving a student your home phone number or cell number without the permission and knowledge of the Principal;
• Communication with students from your home e-­mail address;
• Hiring students to volunteer or work in your home or business;
• Texting or online communication with students on the adult’s personal e-­mail or being “friends” on a social network site;
• Sharing or soliciting personal information without a valid reason;
• Asking students to keep secrets;
• Attending parties or socializing with students without permission of school administration and/or parents;
• Inviting a student or students to the teacher’s home without appropriate supervision and parental consent;
• Drinking or being under the influence of alcohol and or drugs while supervising students/offering alcohol to students;
• Driving an individual student (except in an emergency).

The following are examples of acting within personal and professional boundaries:

• Communicating class assignments on school e-­mail;
• Appropriate physical contact, e.g.
  • Restraining a student from physically harming self or others;
  • Affirming a student with a pat on the shoulder or back;
  • Placing a hand gently on the student’s hand or forearm
  • Handshakes;
  • Brief hugs
  • High-­fives
• Requesting necessary student medical information
• Sharing information (with family consent) about a death for the purpose of supporting the bereaved student;
• Respecting confidentiality;
• Discouraging gossip;
• Attending school-­sponsored graduation events;
• Accepting an invitation to a family dinner or an out of school activity such as a concert, recital or sporting event.

The following are examples of behaviour that reduces the potential for real or perceived boundary violations:

1. Maintaining an “open-­door” policy when alone in a room with a student. Vancouver College has worked to ensure that there is a window in each door of all areas where teachers may meet with students;
2. Having more than one employee/adult present whenever possible;
3. Not being alone with a student (whenever feasible);
4. Discouraging inappropriate student conversation;
5. Wearing appropriate and modest attire and ensuring that students dress according to the dress-­code.

All real or perceived boundary violations must be disclosed immediately. Depending on the nature of the violation, disclosure may involve:

1. Reminding a student or colleague about the real or perceived inappropriateness of their actions;
2. Reporting the violation to the Principal, or the Assistant Principal;
3. Reporting suspected child abuse to the BC Ministry of Children and Families;
4. Reporting suspected criminal activity to the police

SECTION 9: STAFF TRAINING

At the beginning of each school year, Vancouver College Administration will review with all school personnel the following documents.

1. Vancouver College Limited Child Protection Policy
2. BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect (BC Ministry of Children and Family Development)
3. Responding to Child Welfare Concerns (BC Ministry of Children and Family Development)
4. Supporting our Students: A Guide for Independent School Personnel Responding to Child Abuse (Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools BC)
5. Vancouver College Employee Policy Manual
6. In addition, Vancouver College Administration will endeavour to provide school wide Professional Development on child protection on an annual basis.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Please see Vancouver’s College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy for more details.

POLICY REVIEW
The College will monitor and evaluate this policy and its associated practices and procedures to ensure that they are responsive to evolving needs and should any aspect of this policy prove to be inadequate to its intended purpose, the College will review and revise the policy as soon as reasonably practicable, in order to remedy any such inadequacy.

The monitoring and evaluation of this policy will include, but is not limited to the following:

• Reporting annually through the President to the Board of Directors of the implementation and effectiveness of the policy.
• Periodically reviewing related training and educational materials.

Policy Review and Revision History
This Policy was reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on September 20, 2022.

A code of conduct espouses the values and vision of a school in which relationships are conducted in a respectful and dignified manner. Vancouver College shares the responsibilities with parents to develop students’ personal and social skills to inculcate these values and achieve this vision. As part of the Catholic Community at Vancouver College, we, the students, staff and parents, are expected to conduct all our relationships so that our actions will reflect the following Catholic Christian centred values and beliefs:

• Hope and Confidence
• Individuality and Community 
• Understanding and Forgiveness
• Achievement and Celebration 
• Honesty and Integrity 
• Humility and Gratitude
• Responsibility and Cooperation
• Caring and Compassion 
• Enthusiasm and Dedication
• Respect and Harmony 
• Faithfulness and Reverence 

As a consequence of this, each person in the Vancouver College Community:

• Has the responsibility to participate in creating and maintaining a safe, positive faith and learning environment.
• Has a right to be emotionally and physically safe while at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function.
• Has a right to know that his personal belongings are safe and will not be interfered with.
• Is expected to proclaim gospel values which affirm the dignity of all persons and promotes the achievement of peace in our community.
• Has a right to expect that all in the community will participate in creating a safe, positive faith and learning community. 

OLWEUS-ANTI-BULLYING: BUILDING A SOCIAL COMMUNITY

To promote the sense of community, Vancouver College embraces the OLWEUS Anti-Bullying Program from K-12 and trains staff according to the program. As required by the Ministry of Education, the school has an appointed Safe Schools Coordinator and has personnel trained in the Erase Bullying Protocol.

Glossary of Terms:

BULLYING - Exposure repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and the student has difficulty defending himself.

HARASSMENT -  Any unwelcome or unwanted act or comment directed at another person that is hurtful, degrading, humiliating, or offensive.

INTIMIDATION - An act designed to instill fear in another person as a means of controlling that person.

The following are examples of bullying, harassment, or intimidation:

• Discrimination such as judging or attacking a person because of their race, ethnic origin, or gender.
• Hazing such as inappropriate and unacceptable initiation practices for clubs or teams.
• Verbal Abuse such as insults, offensive jokes, put downs, making fun of, or mocking a person.
• Exclusion such as gossiping, spreading rumours, isolating a person, refusing to acknowledge a person, or trying to convince others to exclude or reject a person.
• Physical Aggression such as fighting, hitting, pushing, or spitting.
• Retribution such as negative action against a person who has reported an incident to a parent, teacher, or the Administration.

Vancouver College Discrimination Policy

The safety and wellbeing of students at Vancouver College is of paramount consideration. Students deserve to be protected from abuse, neglect, bullying, harm, or threat of harm. Therefore, Vancouver College strives to ensure that students attending the school will experience a learning environment that enables every child to feel safe, accepted, and respected. Vancouver College, through the integration of our Essential Elements, the OLWEUS Program, our Religious Education Program, Campus Ministry Program and other related leadership programs and activities, will continuously develop strategies to make students feel valued, respected, and connected within the school community. This will include the protection of students’ physical safety, social connectedness, inclusiveness as well as protection from all forms of bullying, regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, while remaining consistent with the school’s faith-­values.

RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS

Safety of Persons.

Every student at Vancouver College shall:

• Respect and promote the physical safety and well being of others.
• Participate in creating a safe, positive environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.
• Inform parents, teachers, or the Administration as appropriate, of any instances of bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
• Be responsive to appropriate consequences.

Safety of Possessions.

Every student at Vancouver College shall:

• Keep money or valuable personal possessions, including schoolbooks and supplies, secure either on his person or in a secured locker.
• Bring to school only the money and possessions necessary for daily use as a student.
• Respect the personal possessions of others.
• Deliver to the office any unattended possessions found in the school or on the campus.
• Inform parents, teachers, or the Administration, as appropriate, of any suspicious activity that appears to be theft, or that compromises the safety of possessions.
• Not divulge the combination of the lock that has been assigned to him.
• Report any lost or stolen items to the Administration.

Academic Performance.

Every student at Vancouver College shall:

• Make a commitment to excellence in academics and the necessary efforts to achieve a level appropriate to their ability.
• Be on time, with appropriate equipment and materials, for every class or other school activity.
• Come to class properly prepared for that day’s instruction, including having completed all homework or otherwise reasonably necessary assignments.
• Not seek credit for work done by another person and, in particular, refrain absolutely from plagiarizing assignments or cheating on tests or examinations.
• Engage in extracurricular activities as required by the student’s program or the school in a manner that does credit to both the student and Vancouver College.
• Actively support the efforts of the staff and other students in promoting Vancouver College as a centre of Catholic education in such programs as the Edmundians, retreat programs, liturgical celebrations, and all other faith formation activities.

Deportment and Behaviour.

The school reserves the right to invoke its disciplinary sanctions for conduct (online or in person) occurring off the premises and outside school hours, if the misconduct in any way adversely affects the safety and well-being of those within our community and/or adversely affects or undermines the positive faith and learning environment or standing of the school. For example, any student whose behaviour causes public scandal or through legal process is convicted of any offence would allow for the administration to invoke disciplinary sanctions.

In all such cases, student behavior is definitely the jurisdiction of the school and appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with our policy of progressive discipline.

Every student at Vancouver College shall:

• Conduct himself in an orderly, respectful, and courteous manner at all times, while at school, while traveling to and from school, or attending any school function.
• Use language that is appropriate to a Catholic Christian community.
• Use social media in a manner that is consistent with the values of our faith and learning community.
• Use or access Vancouver College computers, e-­mail, or network services in accordance to the policies and rules as described in the “Acceptable Use Policy” as stated in the Student and Parent Handbooks.
• Be truthful and candid in his dealings with other students and with Vancouver College staff members.
• Not bring into a classroom unnecessary articles such as school bags or electronic equipment that is not required in the instructional program.
• Leave the campus during the school day only for reasons approved by the student’s parents or guardians or by a Vancouver College staff member, and only after first reporting the reason for any such absence to the Main Office.
• Remain on campus during the entire school day with the exception of students in Grade 12.
• Not use tobacco or e-­cigarettes (‘vapes’).
• Not possess, sell, or use alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Not possess, sell or use any weapon including any facsimile thereof.
• Inform parents, teachers, or the Administration, as appropriate, of any instances involving weapons or the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Adhere to the Vancouver College Dress Code while on campus or while attending school activities which require Dress Code attire. Adherence requires not only correct articles of clothing, but also that this clothing be correctly worn.
• Adhere to the “Personal Electronic Devices” regulations of their school.
• Compensate the school, staff, or other students, to the extent and in a manner reasonably decided by the Vancouver College Administration, for loss or damage caused to person or property by improper conduct or willful neglect in or about the campus or while engaged off-­campus in school activities.
• Attend class at the scheduled times.
• Adhere to all Vancouver College traffic and safety regulations, in addition to all traffic laws.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS

Every parent/guardian at Vancouver College shall:

• E-­mail the Main Office before 9:00 AM if their son is going to be late or away from school.
• If a parent/guardian calls the school to report a late or absence, an emailed note must still be sent as per government requirements. Please include your son’s full name, grade, and date of absence in the note.
• The program expects that all information provided by the enrolling parent/legal guardian is accurate. If a family has a custody agreement or court order, a current copy of the legal document must be placed in the child’s file. Staff will only follow the access or pick up instructions of the enrolling parent/legal guardian unless otherwise instructed by a court order.
• When custody has not been legally determined and a conflict between the parents is evident, we will be unable to care for your child unless the following takes place: Both parents are required to sign a written agreement authorizing pick up and access information about your child
• The school’s preferred method of communication is by e-­mail. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide the school with an active family e-­mail address and to inform the Main Office in person or by e-mail at info@vancouvercollege.ca of any changes to this address. Should families require mailings to be sent to more than one parent, e-­mail addresses should be provided accordingly.
• Our faculty are here to support our boys’ teaching and learning. We want them to focus on being present in well-planned learning sessions and in giving timely assessment feedback to their students. Teachers are also highly involved in extracurriculars as coaches and mentors, as part of our focus on developing the whole child. At the same time, we know that it is important that communication remains open between parents as primary educators and their sons’ teacher. Therefore, we think it wise to formalize expectations on both sides of this communication bridge. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers with inquiries and concerns via email, but should realize that it may take up to 48 hours for the teacher to respond in normal situations. As well, we ask parents to refrain from reaching out on weekends and between the hours of 6 pm and 6 am on weekdays. As ever, if parents do feel that a concern has not been addressed or is urgent in nature, they may contact an administrator. Teachers’ email addresses are listed on the school website under About - Faculty & Staff Directory.
• Participate in creating a safe and positive learning environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.
• Work and cooperate with the school to resolve concerns with respect to the behaviour of students.
• Communicate with the Administration if they suspect that their son is being, or may be, bullied, harassed, or intimidated.
• Ensure that students come to school with only the required possessions and money.
• Report any lost, stolen, or missing items to Assistant Principals.
• Work and cooperate in partnership with the school to resolve concerns involving their son.
• Model, teach, and reinforce appropriate student behaviour.
• Conduct themselves in an orderly, respectful, and courteous manner at all times.
• Encourage their son to commit to excellence in all his endeavours.

RESPONSIBILITY OF STAFF

Every staff member at Vancouver College shall:

• Participate in creating a safe and positive environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.
• Model, teach, and reinforce appropriate behaviour.
• Ensure that information on bullying, harassment, or intimidation is included in the curriculum or in special presentations at Vancouver College.
• Be alert to behaviour that may be bullying, harassment, or intimidation.
• Treat information received from students or parents regarding bullying, harassment, or intimidation as confidential, taking such steps as the circumstances warrant to protect the source.
• Establish and make known a procedure that will ensure the return of lost possessions.
• Ensure that secure areas of the school are kept secured to deter theft.
• Be alert to students who may be in possession of, or under the influence of, illegal drugs or alcohol or who may be in possession of weapons.
• Establish procedures to ensure safety of students if a person brings weapons to the school.
• Treat information received from students or parents regarding theft, alcohol, drugs, or weapons as confidential.
• Conduct themselves in an orderly, respectful, and courteous manner at all times in deportment and attire.

Vancouver College recognizes that for a variety of reasons, including fear of retribution, students and parents are sometimes reluctant to report incidences of bullying, intimidation, harassment, theft, possession of drugs or weapons to the Administration. However, without such information, the Administration is often unable to make an appropriate response.

Incidents can be reported to the Administrators in person but also over the phone, by e-­mail, or in any other way that is non-threatening. Note that, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Staff, every Vancouver College staff member has a responsibility to “treat information received from students or parents as confidential, taking such steps as the circumstances warrant to protect the source.”

Academics.

If the difficulty concerns ACADEMICS, the teacher involved must be contacted first in an attempt to solve the concern. If this does not resolve the matter, the Department Head should be notified. The Department Head will only discuss the matter after the teacher concerned has been contacted. If this has been done and the problem is still unresolved, the appropriate Assistant Principal should be approached. If still unresolved, the Principal should be approached.

Athletics.

If the difficulty concerns ATHLETICS, the teacher/coach involved must be contacted first in an attempt to solve the concern. If this does not resolve the matter, the Athletic Director should be notified. The Athletic Director will only discuss the matter after the teacher concerned has been contacted. If this has been done and the problem is still unresolved, the appropriate Assistant Principal should be approached. If still unresolved, the Principal should be approached.

Teaching Staff.

If the difficulty concerns an action or a decision taken by a TEACHER or concerns the teacher’s behaviour, the teacher concerned should be contacted first in an attempt to solve the concern. If this has been done and the concern or complaint is still unresolved, the appropriate Assistant Principal should be approached. If still unresolved, the Principal should be approached.

Non-Teaching Staff.

If the difficulty concerns NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL, the member of staff involved must be approached first in an attempt to solve the concern. If this has been done and the problem is still unresolved, the appropriate Assistant Principal or Director of Finance and Facilities Management (if the person is an office support staff member) should be approached. If still unresolved, the Principal should be approached.

School Fees.

If the difficulty concerns PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES, the Director of  Finance and Facilities Management, should be approached. If still unresolved, the Principal should be approached.

• Incidents that threaten the physical or emotional safety of the person are a breach of the Code of Conduct for Students.
• Incidents of theft are a breach of the Code of Conduct for Students.
• Incidents involving illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons are a breach of the Code of Conduct for Students.
• Failure to meet our expectations on academic performance, deportment, and behaviour are a breach of the Code of Conduct for Students.
• Disciplinary action is preventative and restorative rather than merely punitive. Consequences are intended to provide an opportunity to learn and reinforce appropriate behaviour.
• When making decisions regarding disciplinary action, the Administration may give primary consideration to the education, health, or safety of the collective student body.
• Possible consequences of involvement in acts of bullying, harassment, intimidation, theft, use of alcohol, illegal drugs or possession of weapons include mediation, conflict resolution, counseling, suspension, probation, or expulsion as well as other consequences as deemed appropriate by the Administration. In instances where an unlawful activity is reported, the police or child welfare authorities will be notified.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Student Breaches of the Code of Conduct

The Principal, or designate, is required to investigate fully every serious infraction related to our Code of Conduct. The Principal, or designate, is required to develop and maintain documentation that accurately records the incident and investigation. In developing accurate documentation, the Principal, or designate, must follow the following practices:

• All participants, including any witnesses should be interviewed. To the extent possible, it is preferable to first interview the complainant and then the alleged perpetrators. Signed witness statements should be taken.
• Parents of both the complainant and the alleged perpetrators should be notified after there has been a preliminary determination of the facts of the event(s).
• Careful notes should be taken of all interviews and statements.
• To the extent that it appears that an individual is not telling the truth, it is important to ensure that he or she be given the opportunity to provide a full explanation for the difference in the stories being told.
• After gathering all information regarding the incident, the Principal, in consultation with the Administrative team, shall render a decision regarding the consequences.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Vancouver College practices Progressive Discipline such that in general, the consequences will become more serious for repeated breaches of the Code of Conduct. However in breaches of the Code of Conduct, depending on the severity as determined by the Principal and Administrative Team, the school may choose to move immediately to expulsion.

If and when conflict occurs in relation to the school, the procedures outlined below should be followed. These procedures apply to anyone wishing to make a complaint.

Vancouver College Limited (“VCL”) is committed to maintaining the security, confidentiality, and privacy of your personal information. A copy of our detailed Privacy Policy is available from our Privacy Officer and through our school website (vc.bc.ca). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Privacy Officer at 604-­261-­4285, or visit us at www.vancouvercollege.ca

Vancouver College will endeavour to provide the resources required to support learning for all students, including special needs students who have enrolled at Vancouver College in accordance with the Admissions Policy of the School. To view our policy please click here.

Except where otherwise required or permitted by law, Vancouver College will obtain consent to collect, use or disclose personal information, from either you or your parent of guardian, as applicable. On or before

collecting personal information about an individual, Vancouver College will identify the purpose for the

collection. Vancouver College will collect, use, and or disclose personal information for the purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances. Please see the Vancouver College

Privacy Policy for further information about how Vancouver College handles students’ personal information.  The Privacy Policy is available on our website or through our Privacy Officer (privacy@vancouvercollege.ca).

Elements of the Student Record

Required Items:

a) The Permanent Student Record (PSR):

• Form 1704 completed according to the current Permanent Student Record Instructions requirements
• Copies of a minimum of the two most recent years of Student Progress Reports or an official transcript of grades
• Legal name of child-­verified original with a photocopy of birth certificate (or similar legitimate document) on file
• Official names(s) or parent(s) or guardian(s) with home and work contact information
• A completed Parent Legal Residence form
• Copies of documents listed as inclusions.
• Required Inclusions as applicable
• Health services information as indicated by the medical alert checkbox
• Court orders as indicated by the legal alert checkbox
• Other legal documents (e.g. name change, immigration)
• Support services information (e.g. psychometric testing, speech and hearing tests)
• IEP or CMP (Case Management Plan)
• Notification of student being homeschooled

Vancouver College will also collect the following information on an annual basis as a part of the re-registration process:

• Care card number
• Emergency contact numbers
• Doctor’s name and contact information
• Allergies, medication and/or other health concerns

b) Vancouver College will update the permanent student record (PSR) as the school is informed of any changes to the information and as the student progresses through the school. The individual primarily responsible for maintaining the student files is the Office Coordinator with support from the
Registrar.

c) Vancouver College will retain the PSR until requested by another school or for 55 years after a student has withdrawn or graduated. PSR will be stored securely and safe from calamity. Access to such files will be limited to authorized personnel.

d) If a student withdraws from Vancouver College and enrolls in another K-­12 educational institution, Vancouver College will,  upon request, transfer the PSR to the new school.

Access to and Disclosure of Student Records

Vancouver College will ensure that student records are kept confidential in order to maintain the privacy for students and their families. In accordance with PIPA students/parents/guardians are permitted to:

• Examine all student records kept by the school pertaining to that student, while accompanied by the Principal or a person designated by the Principal to interpret the records-­note: care must be taken to ensure that disclosures do not reveal private information about other students or individuals.
• Receive a copy of any student record.
• With written parental consent, Vancouver College will provide access to other professionals who may be supporting the student in their growth or to the school’s  insurer in the event of a claim or potential claim, or other advisors or experts.

Vancouver College is a Catholic School. All students are expected to fully participate in all aspects of our Religion Program. The Catholic tradition forms the basis for the life and work of the school. The Religious Studies program is at the core of the curriculum and life of the school. Through the explicit curriculum of the Religion courses and the retreats and liturgies, which are part of the daily life of the school, the students are exposed to the rich traditions of the Catholic Church to assist them in their growth as children of God.

A student is expected to pass Religion at each grade level in order to continue into each subsequent grade and to graduate from Vancouver College and participate in the Graduation Ceremonies. The Religious Education program is one facet of the Christian education process. Creating a Christian community is the task of faculty, students, and parents alike; all are encouraged to enter fully into the spiritual life of our school. A respectful presence is expected from all students at liturgical celebrations. “Christ Our Life Series” (School Sisters of Notre Dame) is a sound program; a series that proclaims God’s goodness, centers on Christ, includes the entire Christian message, follows Church documents, flows from Scripture, relates life experiences to the Good News, recognizes modern developmental theories, ministers to the family, involves the parish community, and stresses topics of concern for today’s Church.

Throughout the year the Elementary School journeys with the whole Church by celebrating a monthly Mass and each liturgical season. There are other liturgical services that celebrate other changes and events that take place in the lives of our students. The Elementary Religion program is designed to build on the faith developed in the student’s home. The student text has a number of pages for parents to help them guide the student through a review of what has been examined in each unit. Other family-­oriented activities are suggested at the completion of each theme to help the student grow in faith in the context of the family. God’s invitation in Baptism is examined at each grade level.

Apostolic Activity

Students are called upon regularly to make offerings out of their own pockets to the Missions. The funds raised are sent to help support our mission schools in Antigua and Dominica. Students are informed periodically of the improvements made due to their efforts.

Classroom Prayer

Students are encouraged to develop and contribute to a prayerful atmosphere in the school, especially in their homerooms. Daily prayers have a special relevance for both students and teachers, giving meaning to all their activities. In general, every class should begin with prayer.

First Communion

First Communion is a very important sacrament in the lives of our elementary students. In Grade 2, the students are prepared by parents and teachers for the reception of this sacrament. Since Vancouver College is not a parish school, the students receive this sacrament in their own parishes. Parents must register their children at their parish in early September of their Grade 2 year.

For most people, formal education in an academic environment ends in early adulthood, but learning continues throughout life, and the staff of Vancouver College approach their responsibilities with this in mind. In all areas of study, the attempt is made to teach students to teach themselves.

Students are encouraged to probe, to investigate, and to develop the ability to learn on their own whenever possible.

Communicating Student Learning

Student Learning is formally reported out to parents five times a year (once every two months). The following make up the student learning communicating profile:

1. Parent Teacher Interviews
2. Interim Written Report
3. Formal Written Report
4. Student Led Conference
5. Formal Written Report

French Program

The Elementary French program is based on the communicative method of language acquisition, with small differences between the primary and intermediate grades.

At the primary level, the principal aim is to develop the student’s comprehension of French, because the listening and understanding stages are indispensable in second language learning. This communication-­based program associates the learning of a second language with pleasant experiences in order to foster a positive attitude towards French.

At the intermediate level, more advanced skills are included. In addition to comprehension, reading, writing, and student-­initiated conversation is all part of the program. The students set their goals at the start of each unit.

Homework Requirements

Homework is considered an integral part of the educational program. It may take the form of private study or written assignments.

• Kindergarten: At the teacher’s discretion
• Grade 1: Home Reading Program and Spelling Review
• Grade 2: 20­-30 minutes (4-­5 nights/week)
• Grade 3: 30-45 minutes (4-­5 nights/week)
• Grade 4: 30-­45 minutes (5 nights/week)
• Grade 5: 60 minutes (5 nights/week)
• Grade 6: 60 minutes (5 nights/week)

Honour Roll

Students in Grades 5 and 6 have the ability to achieve Honour Roll status if they meet the following criteria:

• Honour Roll -­The student achieves 79.5% average or above in Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Religion.
• Effort Award -­ The student has not met Honour Roll criteria, however, has shown significant effort in all academic areas.

Instructional Hours

Classes in the Elementary School are in session from 8:30 AM to 2:40 PM.

Students are permitted to be dropped off by car in the designated drop off zones, no earlier than 8:15 AM. Students who arrive on campus before, must be supervised by the parents in the Vancouver College Courtyard.

In order to ensure the safety of the students it is essential that parents pick up their sons at the designated times, from the Vancouver College Courtyard.

If your son is consistently left unattended on the school property, his re-registration will be withheld for the following year unless we are certain that arrangements have been made for proper pick up, day care, or supervision.

School will begin at 9:30 AM on Wednesdays, with students able to enter their classroom at 9:15 AM.

Kindergarten Classes

At Vancouver College, there are two full-day Kindergarten classes. Both classes follow the current structure of the Elementary School schedule. Parents are asked to contact Ms. Seppelt, Assistant Principal – Elementary School, for further information or if they have questions or concerns.

Music Program

Elementary School students are involved in an active music program, which includes both instrumental and choral components. Students participate musically at school assemblies, Masses, and concerts.

Music in Grades K-­2 includes songs, games, movement, and the playing of rhythm and keyboard instruments. Students explore basic musical concepts including beat, rhythm, pitch, form, and tempo.

Music in Grades 3-­6 further develops musical skills and appreciation with the introduction of recorder playing, part-­singing experiences, and continued development on the keyboard, guitar, and rhythm instruments. Related music theory and history are incorporated into the lessons.

Physical Education

All Elementary classes participate in the Physical Education program. Classes are predominantly held in the Lannon Hall gymnasium but may take place on the field, playground, Alumni Gym, Christian Brothers’ Gym, or wrestling room. Students wear the school PE strip, consisting of an “Irish” or school-approved event T-­shirt, or Spirit-Wear, and school-­approved black shorts. Running shoes must be worn in any of the school gymnasiums.

Self Assessment of the Core Competencies

Core Competencies are foundational to our new British Columbia curriculum, ensuring students are always mindful of their growth in their communication, thinking and personal/social responsibility. Self-­reflection is an important component of learning and gives students ownership and responsibility that becomes a natural part of the educational process. With teacher support each student from K-­9 at Vancouver College will take part in a self-­assessment report that intentionally identifies, connects and reflects upon the Core Competencies and the learning process demonstrated throughout the year. The self-­assessment piece and demonstration of student learning may be reported to parents/guardians in many forms from a recorded interview accessible via a hyperlink to a summary document that highlights the year’s growth. Most important is the opportunity to empower students to reflect upon their own growth as it relates to the Core Competencies and actively engage them in the learning process. For more information of the redesigned British Columbia curriculum and the Core Competencies please go to https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/.

Student Awards

Governor General Award - A literature award presented to the students in Grades 4 to 6 who score the highest in poetry, children’s narrative, and short story.

Mitchell Ho Memorial Award -­ Given annually to a Vancouver College Elementary student who meets the following criteria:

• care and concern for others,
• qualities of honesty, respect, and compassion;
• courage, commitment, and perseverance to overcome adversity;
• sportsmanship;
• Christian leadership and demonstration of Faith;
• participation in extracurricular activities, primarily in school sports;
• academic achievement; and
• fellowship with students and staff.

Nancy Herb Growth Mindset Award - Given annually to the student(s) who demonstrate growth mindset and resiliency.

Norah Sendall Award -­This award is presented annually to a Grade 6 student who best exemplifies the Christian ideals of Vancouver College, who has high academic standing and who demonstrates strong school spirit. It is named after Norah Sendall, who served as the Elementary Librarian for over 25 years. This award was developed in honour of her outstanding service and commitment to the school.

Sharon Kavelac Award -­ Presented annually to an Elementary Student who best exemplifies the love of literature.

Year-­End Class Awards -­Students will take part in a year-­end award ceremony in their classes, where each student will be presented with a certificate which will recognize every individual for academic accomplishments, talents, or service to the school.

Student Evaluation

The marking system is based on results obtained from quizzes, assignments, projects, tests, discussion, participation, and self-­ reflection. Both oral and written work is considered in the formative and summative evaluation. Teacher comments round of the evaluation and offer constructive advice and an elaboration of the student’s progress. It is an expectation that the teacher return tests, assignments, and projects within one week of the due date.

Technology

Technology continues to play an increasingly important role in modern society. Integrating technology into the school helps students succeed in a rapidly changing world.

It is expected that students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will have use of iPads for learning across thE curriculum through communicating, inquiring, decision-­making, and problem solving in core subject areas. Chromebooks will also be utilized in the intermediate grades.

Learning Resources and Approval

Vancouver College follows British Columbia’s Ministry of Education Prescribed Curriculum and uses appropriate learning resources (texts, videos, software, and instructional materials) that align to this prescribed curriculum. Learning resources used in the classroom are evaluated and approved by Vancouver College with consideration given to curriculum fit, pedagogy, social considerations, age, developmental appropriateness, conformance with Church teaching and Vancouver College’s mission and purpose. Learning resources are selected by faculty members in consultation and with the approval of the appropriate Academic Department Chair and by the school’s Administration (Assistant Principals and/or Principal). There is an expectation of all teaching staff that any supplemental materials introduced for use in the classroom support the above criteria. This includes online resources. Teachers have the unique responsibility to ensure such materials serve and reinforce these objectives. It is critical that learning resources be periodically reviewed to ensure continued relevancy to the curriculum being taught.

Questions or Concerns to Approved Learning Resources

Parents wishing to challenge or raise a concern regarding the use of recommended learning resources must follow the school’s academic conflict resolution procedures (Please see Conflict Resolution Procedures in the Student and Parent Handbooks). Should the issue not be satisfactorily resolved, the school’s Appeal Procedures are to be followed.

The Learning Centre

A Part-Time Learning Resource Teacher is available for Grades K-3 and Grades 4-6. Students who, in the opinion of their teacher(s), appear to be having some minor or more serious difficulties in schoolwork are selected for support on the basis of performance on tests and in consultation with the Learning Assistance teacher. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Informal Learning Plan may be set up in accordance with the student’s needs.

Library Program

The Elementary Library serves Grades K-­6 and offers a large collection of books, periodicals and audio-­visual materials suitable to primary/elementary levels. A part-­time teacher-­librarian conducts scheduled classes for primary and intermediate students to stimulate an interest in reading as well as enhance their basic library and research skills.

Co-­operative teaching promotes and connects the library to the classrooms so that it becomes a focal point for all learning. The annual Library Book Fair takes place during the fall.

There is a varied sports program, which includes volleyball, basketball, track and field, cross country, wrestling, and flag football. Initial skills are taught at Grades 4, 5, and 6, with emphasis on personal improvement and enjoyment of the sport. Our teams compete in the Catholic Youth Association League under the guidance of their coaches. It is our belief that all aspects of school life are intertwined directly or indirectly as we strive to educate the whole child. Each student will be required to meet the standards expected of all students in the Elementary School. If at any time, in the opinion of the teachers, coaches, or principal, any student violates these standards, then his extracurricular privileges may be temporarily or permanently withdrawn.

Mayfair

Throughout the year, families are asked to participate in donation days in preparation for the annual Mayfair.

Projects and Work Displays

When a student does work that is “outstanding” in terms of his own ability, his work may be displayed on the Excellence Board. The classrooms of the Elementary School are our regular place for displaying good work. Parents are encouraged to view these works before or after school hours.

Walkathon

The annual Walkathon, usually held in October, is the major fundraising effort of students and staff of the whole school. All students are expected to participate.

by enrolling their sons in Vancouver College, parents accept the school philosophy as outlined beginning on Page 9, with further Elementary School specifics below.

Food Allergies

Some of our students have severe allergies to nuts and in order to provide a safer school environment for them, we ask that no nut products be sent to school at any time. (No peanut butter sandwiches, no granola bars containing nuts, no cookies with nuts, etc.)

Medications

It is the policy of the Elementary School that no medications will be administered by the staff. If a student must personally take a prescription medication while at school, then he is to bring a note from the parents stating that he is permitted to administer the medication to himself. It is vital that any medical concerns be reported to the classroom teachers and to the Administration.

Money

Large sums of money are not to be brought to school. A student may bring enough money to pay for lunch and bus fare; however, anything above this amount is considered excessive.

Personal Belongings

Students are not to bring personal items, trading cards, toys, electronics, or any other items to school that do not directly have to do with their instructional program. These items detract from the instructional day, take away from the sense of community, and are targets of theft.

Personal Invitations

Student invitations to private parties such as birthdays or other celebrations are not to be distributed in the school. Parents are asked to distribute the invitations through the mail or by some other method. Parents are welcome to send a small treat to school to celebrate their son’s birthday. Parents are asked not to send individual treat bags to school on birthdays or holiday celebrations, as the candy distributed to students should be minimal.

Pets

Although today’s society is more tolerant of pets in public areas, Vancouver College upholds the following policy: All pets brought to Vancouver College campus must be on a leash at all times.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

Elementary School Students may be dropped off in designated zones by their parents no earlier than 8:15 AM. All Elementary School Students who arrive prior to 8:15 AM must wait, and be supervised by their parents, in the School Courtyard,

All students in the Elementary School, from Kindergarten to Grade 6, will be dismissed directly from their classrooms. All parents are required to pick their son(s) up from the Courtyard at 2:45 PM. We understand that this does mean that parents must park and walk to the campus, and suggest parking along West 37th Avenue.

We ask that parents respect our neighbours, keep driveways clear, and follow our traffic guidelines found online.

At 3:00 PM, teachers will take attendance and make note of the remaining students. Students left at school after 3:00 PM will be taken to the cafeteria where they will sit at an assigned table under supervision. Students who are consistently left longer than 3:00 PM will receive notification of probation and parents must make alternative arrangements for their son’s pick up to avoid bing unable to re-­register for the following year.

Attendance

Absence without an excuse for any part of the school day is a serious breach of school discipline, as is frequent lateness. If a student is absent or late with reason, it is the parents’ responsibility to e-mail the office by 9:00 AM.

Please note, if you do call the school to report a late or absence, an emailed note must still be sent as per government requirements. Please include your son’s full name, grade, and date of absence in the note.

If your son arrives late, he must report to the Main Office to check in.

If your son is leaving campus for an appointment, a note is also required, and he must check out, and then back in upon his return at the Main Office.

The office will notify families whose child is late or absent but who have not yet informed the school. Medical and dental appointments should be made after school hours if at all possible. Absence from school for such reasons as family holidays is discouraged, and requires prior notification of the administrator. Attendance records appear on each report card.

Dress Code

The purpose of a Dress Code is to encourage students to be neat and clean at all times, to foster them in a sense of community and to create an atmosphere of gentlemanly behaviour and serious study.

The official supplier of Vancouver College clothing is Top Ten School Wear Inc., 1638 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC. Telephone: 604-­322-­1626.

The Vancouver College Dress Code is as follows:

• White long sleeved dress shirts
• School tie (purple/black)
• Regular black dress shoes (with leather uppers, cut beneath the ankle)
• Socks extending beyond the ankle (dark dress socks recommended),
• Dress quality, black or brown belt.
• Slacks
  • Grades 7 to 11 – Grey Dress Pants;
  • Grade 12 – Creased suit quality Dress Pants (Grey or Black)
  • Slacks are available from Top Ten but may also be purchased elsewhere provided their quality is as specified above.
• School-Issued Sweater
  • K-Grade 6 - purple Elementary School Sweater.
  • Grade 7-12 -  one of the following:
  • Black, monogrammed Vancouver College sleeveless vest
  • Black, monogrammed Vancouver College V-neck sweater
  • Traditional purple Letterman sweater
  • Traditional navy blue Edmundian sweater
  • Traditional beige Student Council sweater
  • Approved Grade 12 Graduation sweater
  • Grey Crew-Neck Irish Sweatshirt Sold by Top Ten

Optional Summer Uniform for Grades 7-12:

From the day after Mother’s Day Mass (mid-May) to the day after Thanksgiving (mid- October), students have the option to wear the summer uniform also available at Top Ten. This includes:

• VC golf shirt
• VC shorts or dress pants (per above)
• Regular socks
• Black dress shoes

In addition:

• Hair should be clean, well groomed, of moderate length no longer than the top of the shirt collar, and not radically styled or coloured.
• Modest jewelery, no piercing, no earrings and no tattoos.
• Dress Code will be effective everywhere on campus, throughout the school day. Removal of Dress Code during or at the end of the school day is permitted only if the student is engaged in supervised school sponsored sports.
• All clothing and shoes should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
• Parents are asked to ensure uniforms are clean, neat, and in good condition -­ holes in pants and tattered sweaters will not be permitted.
• On specific occasions the Dress Code may be relaxed for suitable reasons, to be announced by the Administration.

Violations of Dress Code and Grooming Policy

The success of the Dress Code depends upon the cooperation of the entire Vancouver College community -­ students, parents, staff, and Administration.

1. If a student appears in class or in the hallways and common areas out of Dress Code, teachers will make every effort to ensure the student is compliant with the Code (i.e. remove outer garments, tuck in shirt, draw tie to the neck, etc.) If a student remains non-­compliant (i.e. no tie, running shoes) he should be referred immediately to an Administrator. A student may not be in class out of Dress Code without a note from an Administrator.
2. If there are repeated breaches of the Dress Code Policy, consequences will become more serious consistent with our practice of Progressive Discipline. Consequences include contact with parents, counseling, suspension, withholding of re-­registration, or expulsion.

Out of Bounds

1. The following areas are out of bounds to the students unless for a school or class function and are supervised by a teacher:
   • Faculty/Staff lounge
   • All office areas
   • Photocopier room
   • The Lannon Hall Gymnasium, Blessed Edmund Rice Hall, Alumni Gymnasium, and the Christian Brothers’ Gymnasium
2. Use of any school facilities outside school hours requires the prior permission of the Administration.
3. The gyms may be used by the students only with supervision.

Textbooks

Textbooks (non-­consumables) are the property of the school, and are to be returned to the school in good condition at the end of the school year. The student shall reimburse the school for any textbooks which are lost or destroyed.

Visitors

All visitors to the school campus, including parents, are to first register with the Main Office to obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” which should be worn at all times while visiting the school. Students of Vancouver College are responsible for ensuring that their friends follow this procedure.

Vancouver College is a Catholic School. All students are expected to fully participate in all aspects of our Religion Program. The Catholic tradition forms the basis for the life and work of the school. The Religious Studies program is at the core of the curriculum and life of the school. Through the explicit curriculum of the Religion courses and the retreats and liturgies, which are part of the daily life of the school, the students are exposed to the rich traditions of the Catholic Church to assist them in their growth as children of God.

A student is expected to pass Religion at each grade level in order to continue into each subsequent grade and to graduate from Vancouver College and participate in the Graduation Ceremonies. The Religious Education program is one facet of the Christian education process. Creating a Christian community is the task of faculty, staff, students, and parents alike; all are encouraged to enter fully into the spiritual life of our school. A respectful presence is expected from all students at liturgical celebrations.

Apostolic Activity

Mature faith must overflow into action, and individual Christian volunteer work in the community is encouraged as part of the religion program. In addition, students are called upon to make regular offerings out of their own pockets to Mission funds, which help to support Christian Brothers’ Third World mission schools. In addition, the Edmundian Society facilitates a program of service in the school.

Classroom Prayer

Students are encouraged to develop and contribute to a prayerful atmosphere in the school, especially in their homerooms. Daily prayers have a special relevance for both students and teachers, giving meaning to all their activities. In general, every class should begin with prayer.

Community Service

“Were we to know the merit and value of going from one street to another to serve a  neighbour, we should prize it more than gold or silver.”

Blessed Edmund Rice August 10, 1806

The purpose of the Community Service requirement, an integral part of the Religion curriculum, is to encourage students to utilize their talents and gifts to serve those in need, those less fortunate. This service will allow students an opportunity to give back to the community and to be enriched by serving others.

As part of the Religion Program in the Middle School, every student is asked to complete a minimum of 8 hours of community service per term. This service is to be outside the immediate family and cannot be for remuneration (money). The volunteer hours can be completed entirely within the Vancouver College community or within the student’s own community, or the hours can be completed as a combination of the two.

Each Senior School student must complete 30 hours of community service helping those less fortunate as part of his Religion grade. This will make up 15% of the Religion grade. The service is done with people whom the student would not ordinarily be serving. Certainly, the student would not be paid for his service. Doing jobs like helping your parents or answering phones, stacking chairs or ushering at a parish function are valuable but do not fit the description of helping  individuals less fortunate than you. The service should be people-centered.

Grade Level and School Liturgical Celebration

All students are expected to attend all scheduled religious services throughout the year. This includes those students who might have an unscheduled block during a planned liturgical celebration. There are a series of liturgical events that highlight the main religious feasts of the year. These are indicated in the school calendar along with opportunities to celebrate Eucharist by grade level or by class.

For most people, formal education in an academic environment ends in early adulthood, but learning

continues throughout life, and the staff of Vancouver College approach their responsibilities with this in mind. In all areas of study, the attempt is made to teach students to teach themselves. Students are encouraged to probe, to investigate, and to develop the ability to learn on their own whenever possible.

Academic Program

As Catholic educators, a deep concern for the welfare of the student is at the heart of our common bond and permeates our relationships at all times.

Student Services and the Administration of Vancouver College wish to fulfill a supportive role in helping parents and students choose an academic program consistent with interest and ability. However, the school reserves the right to determine a program that as professional educators, we believe to be in the best interest of the student.

While it is the right of every student, in consultation with his parents, to choose his program of studies; there are guidelines in place which will determine whether a student will be able to do his desired program at Vancouver College.

Enrollment in a specific course will meet the following criteria:

1. Meet the course prerequisite established by the department.
2. Complete all assignments and maintain a C+ for the course.
3. Receive a positive recommendation from the present teacher.
4. Has the endorsement of the Administration of the school.

Students are required to accept the recommendation of professional educators when it comes to what they believe is in the best interest of the student. Parents may request a meeting to have the program choice explained and come to understand the reasons for the placement, but are not in a position to change the placement. Failure to accept the program designed by the school officials means that parents are free to pursue educational opportunities at another educational institution.

The Capstone Project

In Senior School, all students complete a capstone project throughout Gr 10-12. This is a chance for them to create a passion project in any area of their choosing that will reflect much of the learning they’ve done over their life thus far. In many cases, it includes aspects of their post-secondary plans, or it may incorporate service learning work they’ve done using their talents. In May of each year, they present to their Advisory about where they are at, and in their final year they present to an external audience as well as part of an exit interview.

Vancouver College Challenge Policy

A Vancouver College student may challenge a course if he has compelling evidence that he will succeed in the challenge assessment and if he has not already completed the course through previous enrollment or been granted equivalency for the course.

The challenge assessment criteria will be set by the department and will normally include the writing of a comprehensive exam.

Please refer to our Middle or Senior School Program of Studies for further information.

Conferencing

Parent-Teacher Conferencing for both Middle School and Senior School parents are held at the beginning of December and again in April. Parents are invited to bring their son to the Parent-Teacher Conference. In addition to these scheduled interviews, parents, who may have a concern about their son’s performance, are encouraged to contact teachers by e-mail. Teacher e-mail addresses are posted on the school website. Both teachers and parents indicate that e-mail is most effective in initiating communication.

Vancouver College Equivalency Policy

Vancouver College will grant equivalency for courses (or programs) that meet all of the following requirements:

• The course matches approximately 80% or more of the prescribed learning outcomes of a Ministry Developed course or a Vancouver College Board Authority Approved (BAA) course.
• The student provides documentation that the learning outcomes of the course were successfully completed.
• The course was taken at another institution or in an education jurisdiction outside the regular BC school system.

In general, students will be granted credit, through equivalency, for courses taken in other Canadian provinces and territories.

If a student has completed a course outside the regular BC school system that is deemed equivalent to a BC course with a Provincial Exam he may either:

i) receive credit as an examinable course and he is then required to write the Provincial Exam, or

ii) receive credit as a non-examinable course and he is not eligible to write the Provincial Exam.

Vancouver College External Course Policy

Vancouver College provides the depth and support required to succeed. We do not endorse any of its students to take any courses online or by way of summer school (if that course is offered at our school) for the purpose of acceleration through the curriculum. With this noted, we also understand that one has the freedom to enroll in summer school or online (away from VC). If this decision is made, please inform our academic advisor as soon as possible.

In all grades, students must enroll in a full course load (8 courses) regardless of whether a course is going to be or is completed outside of Vancouver College. In Grade 12, students may apply for a reduced course load (Excellence Block).

No student will be removed from a course that was previously completed outside of Vancouver College unless documentation of completion, with a final grade, is provided to our academic advisor by September 15th. Whatever course is removed must be replaced by another course based on seat availability.

Course changes will not be entertained after September 15th. Any completed external course must be reported to our academic advisor to ensure that it is reported to the Ministry of Education and will appear on the official transcript. Only a student’s home school (VC) can submit completed courses to the Ministry of Education. Please note that external courses will not appear on VC report cards or transcripts, nor will the grades be used in any calculation for VC Honour Roll or other awards.

Vancouver College External Credential Policy

An external credential is earned for successfully completing a set of learning activities developed outside the Ministry, for which the learning is not equivalent to a Ministry Developed or Vancouver College BAA course. In order to receive credit, a student must bring in the appropriate documentation to Student Services prior to June 15th of their graduating year.

Homework

Middle School students should be prepared to do one hour of homework/home study per night. Senior School students should be prepared to do  approximately two hours of homework and/or home study per night.

Middle School and Senior School Honour Roll

Students who have achieved excellence in academics are recognized by being awarded either First or Second Class Honours. A student who achieves an academic average greater than 85.5% is awarded First Class Honours while a student who achieves an academic average between 79.5% and 85.5% is awarded Second Class Honours.

President’s Honour Society

In the tradition of the pursuit of excellence at Vancouver College and in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who receive an academic average of 89.5% or greater on their final school grades will be designated a member of the President’s Honour Society. These students are recognized for their outstanding achievement at an academic assembly joined by parents, faculty, and special guests.

In order to qualify for the Vancouver College Honour Roll or to gain admission into the President’s Honour Society, a student must earn proficient and/or extending work habits in all of their courses, as assessed on the Vancouver College Work Habits Rubric.

Middle and Senior School Marking System

For students in Grades 7-12, report and end-of-year marks are composed of a class mark and an exam mark. For all grades, the passing mark is 50%.

Middle and Senior School marks are as follows:

• A 86 – 100
• B  73 – 85
• C+ 67 - 72
• C 60 – 66
• C- 50 – 59
• F   49
• and below I In Progress

Provincial Assessments

Students will complete a Grade 10 numeracy and Grade 10 & 12 literacy assessment.

The emphasis in these assessments will be on demonstration and application of learning through different means. There will be a greater focus on classroom assessment that is flexible and personalized, giving educators greater flexibility to decide how and when students are assessed.

Report Periods

Middle and Senior School report cards are issued in November, March, and June. Interim grades are available halfway through each term for all students. Parents are encouraged to regularly check students’ progress on PowerSchool at any time.

Self Assessment of the Core Competencies

Core Competencies are foundational to our new British Columbia curriculum, ensuring students are always mindful of their growth in their communication, thinking and personal/social responsibility. Self-­reflection is an important component of learning and gives students ownership and responsibility that becomes a natural part of the educational process. With teacher support each student from K-­9 at Vancouver College will take part in a self-­assessment report that intentionally identifies, connects and reflects upon the Core Competencies and the learning process demonstrated throughout the year. The self-­assessment piece and demonstration of student learning may be reported to parents/guardians in many forms from a recorded interview accessible via a hyperlink to a summary document that highlights the year’s growth. Most important is the opportunity to empower students to reflect upon their own growth as it relates to the Core Competencies and actively engage them in the learning process. For more information of the redesigned British Columbia curriculum and the Core Competencies please go to https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/.

SAFETY OF PERSONS

Preamble

As stated in the Vancouver College Code of Conduct each person in the Vancouver

College Community:

• “has the responsibility to participate in creating and maintaining a safe, positive faith and learning environment.”
• “has a right to be emotionally and physically safe while at school...”

Vancouver College has a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our students while they are at school. To help with this responsibility we ask the following of parents:

• Unless students are involved in a teacher-supervised activity (i.e.: practice, rehearsal, tutorial, intramurals) they should not be dropped off or arrive at school before 7:00 AM.
• Unless students are involved in a teacher-supervised activity after school, students should be picked up or leave school promptly after school ends and prior to 5:00 PM.

We would similarly ask the following of students:

• If you arrive at school prior to 8:00 AM, you should only be in the Dining Hall. Students arriving before 8:00 AM will not be allowed to access lockers or classrooms prior to 8:00 AM.
• If you remain at school between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM, you should only be in the Dining Hall.

Policy

The school will open in the morning for students at 7:00 AM. Students arriving at the school between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM must stay in the Dining Hall. Only students who have a planned teacher-supervised activity (i.e.: practice, rehearsal, tutorial) will be permitted into other areas of the school. Between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM the Dining Hall is the only area of the school that will be supervised except in circumstances where students are involved in planned teacher-supervised activity. All other areas will be unsupervised until 8:00 am.

After the conclusion of the school day, between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM, students who are not involved in a teacher-supervised activity and who are waiting for a bus or family pick-up to return home, must stay in the Dining Hall. Between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM the Dining Hall is the only area of the school that will be supervised. All other areas will be unsupervised after 3:30 PM except in circumstances where students are involved in planned teacher-supervised activity. At 6:00 PM the doors of the school will be locked and all students who are not involved in a teacher-supervised activity will be asked to leave the school.

In summary, for Middle and Senior School students:

• There is no student access to the school before 7:00 AM or after 6:00 PM, except for involvement in teacher-supervised activities.
• The Dining Hall is the only area of the school that will be supervised before 8:00 AM and after 3:30 PM.
• Students who are at school before 8:00 AM or after 3:30 PM and who are not involved in a teacher supervised activity must stay in the Dining Hall. 

SAFETY OF POSSESSIONS

Creating A Climate Of Responsibility

As part of the Catholic Community at Vancouver College, we, the students, staff, and parents are expected to conduct all of our relationships so that our actions will reflect the following Catholic Christian-centred values and beliefs:

• Honesty & Integrity
• Responsibility & Cooperation
• Respect & Harmony

With respect to safety of possessions at Vancouver College, the following observations are deemed to be accurate:

• Many boys, particularly in Middle and Senior School bring money or valuable possessions to school.
• Most items that are reported lost or stolen are not secured either on person or in a locker.
• A majority of items reported lost or stolen, occur in the Physical Education or Athletic change rooms. Most frequently these lost or stolen items are left unsecured.
• Theft occurs from bags or backpacks left unattended in:
  • change rooms
  • gymnasiums
  • hallways
  • dining hall
  • outside library
• - outside the High Performance Centre
• - band room and classrooms, particularly in the last block of the day
• Clothing items that are lost or stolen, most frequently are ties and sweaters or vests.
• Lost & Found centres are located in the Elementary School office and the Senior School Admin office.
• Unclaimed Lost & Found articles are donated to Covenant House on a monthly basis.

Regulations and Requirements for Students

• Hallways adjacent to the Athletic and Physical Education change rooms are out of bounds for all students at all times except when students are proceeding to change for Physical Education classes, Intramurals, practices, or games.
• Secure all valuables at all times including clothing. All students are required to have two locks – one for hallway lockers and a second for Physical Education.
• Students who participate in Athletics are required to have a third lock.
• Keep all lock combinations confidential.
• Report any missing items immediately to an Assistant Principal. Complete a missing item report.
• Regularly check the Lost & Found to recover missing items.
• Inform teachers or Administration of any suspicious activity that appears to be theft.

Expectations of Staff

• Physical Education Staff will monitor Physical Education change rooms to insure all valuables are secured.
• Coaches will monitor Athletic change rooms to insure all valuables are secure.
• Any unsecured bags in gymnasiums, hallways, dining hall, library, High Performance Centre, and instructional spaces should be turned into the Main Office.
• Students must not be dismissed from class early under any circumstances.
• Staff will not allow bags or valuables of any sort into any instructional area.
• Administration will prepare an annual report summarizing the incidence of theft at Vancouver College to provide further guidance in the development of alternative strategies.

Expectations of Parents

• Label all clothing, particularly ties
• Have your son regularly check the Lost & Found and/or regularly check the Lost & Found yourself

Students Who Engage in Theft

Despite everyone’s best efforts, there will be instances where students will seriously violate our Code of Conduct and engage in theft. Theft has a negative impact not only on those victimized by it but also on their families and the Vancouver College community at large. In a community where every student “has a right to know his personal belongings are safe and will not be interfered with” it is imperative that we are both proactive and reactive in how we deal with this sensitive issue.

As a result, students caught engaging in theft will receive the following consequences:

• Minimum 2-day suspension or possible expulsion from Vancouver College.
• Meeting with parents prior to son’s return to school.
• Placed on probation for the remainder of the school year.

Consequences are ultimately the prerogative of the Assistant Principal in conjunction with the Principal. It may involve all of the above stated consequences at the discretion of the Administration.

Selling of Personal Belongings

Under no circumstance are students allowed to bring items to school for the purpose of selling. Students must have the prior permission of the Administration in order to sell any item.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found items for Middle and Senior Schools students are available at the Senior School Admin Office.

Lockers

All school lockers are assigned. Lockers occupied without authorization will be emptied and the books returned to the book room.

Only combination locks purchased at school are acceptable; others will be removed without warning. Two combination locks are required, one each for book and gym lockers. Students using the lockers are reminded to always keep them locked and not to share their combination with other students. Theft of items from lockers is a concern and students are not to leave any items of value in their lockers during PE classes or after-school practices. Students who participate in Athletics are required to have a third lock.

Parking

While there is some on-street parking available for vehicles, drivers are reminded to not park in front of homes in our neighbourhood. Please familiarize yourself with the Vancouver College Traffic Guidelines and the City of Vancouver Parking Bylaws, a copy of which can be obtained from the City Clerk (604-873-7276) or by e-mail: info@vancouver.ca. Cars inappropriately or illegally parked on residential streets may be ticketed and towed. Please be respectful of our neighbours.

Textbooks

Students are fully responsible for all texts issued to them by the school. Replacement costs will be assessed if texts are lost. Students will not be issued textbooks for the next school year if their account has an outstanding balance.

Use Of Facilities

Use of school facilities outside school hours requires the prior permission of the Administration. The weight room may be used only with authorized adult supervision. Failure to follow the posted regulations will result in loss of privileges for extended periods of time.

Visitors

All visitors to the school, including parents, must report to the Main Office to obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” which should be worn at all times while visiting the school.

1. Dress Code

The purpose of a Dress Code is to encourage students to be neat and clean at all times, to foster them in a sense of community and to create an atmosphere of gentlemanly behaviour and serious study.

The official supplier of Vancouver College clothing is Top Ten School Wear Inc., 1638 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC. Telephone: 604-­322-­1626.

• Hair should be clean, well groomed, of moderate length no longer than the top of the shirt collar, and not radically styled or coloured.
• Modest jewelery, no piercing, no earrings and no tattoos.
• Dress Code will be effective everywhere on campus, throughout the school day. Removal of Dress Code during or at the end of the school day is permitted only if the student is engaged in supervised school sponsored sports.
• All clothing and shoes should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
• Parents are asked to ensure uniforms are clean, neat, and in good condition -­ holes in pants and tattered sweaters will not be permitted.
• On specific occasions the Dress Code may be relaxed for suitable reasons, to be announced by the Administration.

The Vancouver College Dress Code is as follows:

• White long sleeved dress shirts
• School tie (purple/black)
• Regular black dress shoes (with leather uppers, cut beneath the ankle)
• Socks extending beyond the ankle (dark dress socks recommended),
• Dress quality, black or brown belt.
• Slacks
  • Grades 7 to 11 – Grey Dress Pants;
  • Grade 12 – Creased suit quality Dress Pants (Grey or Black)
  • Slacks are available from Top Ten but may also be purchased elsewhere provided their quality is as specified above.
• School-Issued Sweater
  • K-Grade 6 - purple Elementary School Sweater.
  • Grade 7-12 - one of the following:
    • Black, monogrammed Vancouver College sleeveless vest
    • Black, monogrammed Vancouver College V-neck sweater
    • Traditional purple Letterman sweater
    • Traditional navy blue Edmundian sweater
    • Traditional beige Student Council sweater
    • Approved Grade 12 Graduation sweater
    • Grey Crew-Neck Irish Sweatshirt Sold by Top Ten

Optional Summer Uniform for Grades 7-12:

From the day after Mother’s Day Mass (mid-May) to the day after Thanksgiving (mid-October), students have the option to wear the summer uniform also available at Top Ten. This includes:

• VC golf shirt
• VC shorts or dress pants (per above)
• Regular socks
• Black dress shoes

Spirit Wear

Spirit Wear is available for sale at Vancouver College at various times throughout the school year. Spirit Wear DOES NOT form part of the Dress Code.

Violations of Dress Code

The success of the Dress Code depends upon the cooperation of the entire Vancouver College community -­ students, parents, staff, and Administration.

• If a student appears in class or in the hallways and common areas out of Dress Code, teachers will make every effort to ensure the student is compliant with the Code (i.e. remove outer garments, tuck in shirt, draw tie to the neck, etc.) If a student remains non-­compliant (i.e. no tie, running shoes) he should be referred immediately to an Administrator. A student may not be in class out of Dress Code without a note from an Administrator.
• If there are repeated breaches of the Dress Code Policy, consequences will become more serious consistent with our practice of Progressive Discipline. Consequences include contact with parents, counseling, suspension, withholding of re-­registration, or expulsion.

2. Personal Electronic Devices

Students who choose to bring electronic devices to school are recommended to secure those devices in their school locker from the time they arrive at the school until the end of the instructional day. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices. The use of personal electronic devices is prohibited unless authorized by their teacher. (This applies to unscheduled blocks and lunch). If, at the end of the instructional day, a student chooses to use a cell phone to contact family or friends, he may only do so outside school buildings.

3. Electronic and Social-Networking

Increasingly, members of the Vancouver College community utilize various online social-networks to

communicate with one another. While this can be an effective way to communicate, it can also be used in ways that are highly inappropriate. Examples of inappropriate or unacceptable use include, but are not exclusive to, cyber-bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats, invasion of personal rights, and creation of and involvement in a negative Facebook page.

In many instances, this form of communication takes place in the privacy of the student’s home or at places away from the school. Parents remain the primary educator when it comes to the use of online social activity and other matters, including education.

However, when the school becomes aware of inappropriate use as noted above, it becomes a serious violation of our Code of Conduct and the student shall be subject to Vancouver College’s Progressive Discipline.

4. Lates

Students are expected to arrive to school on time and be on time for each class. Parents are asked to inform the school by email prior to 9:00 AM if their son will be arriving late as per ministry requirements. Flagrant offenders will receive progressively more serious consequences that include, but are not limited to, detention, community service, or suspension.

5. Attendance

If a student is absent or late with reason, it is the parents’ responsibility to notify the office, by 9:00 AM, via email. The office will call families whose child is late or absent but who have not yet informed the school. Similarly, an emailed note is required for a student who needs early dismissal.

6. Truancy

Absence without an excuse for any part of a school day is a serious breach of our Code of Conduct. A student can be deemed to be truant only by an Administrator after investigating the reason for absence. A student who is deemed to have been truant from school shall be subject to Progressive Discipline.

Learning Resource Policy

Learning Resources and Approval

Vancouver College follows British Columbia’s Ministry of Education Prescribed Curriculum and uses appropriate learning resources (texts, videos, software, and instructional materials) that align to this prescribed curriculum. Learning resources used in the classroom are evaluated and approved by Vancouver College with consideration given to curriculum fit, pedagogy, social considerations, age, developmental appropriateness, conformance with Church teaching and Vancouver College’s mission and purpose.

Learning resources are selected by faculty members in consultation and with the approval of the appropriate Academic Department Chair and by the school’s Administration (Assistant Principals and/or Principal).

There is an expectation of all teaching staff that any supplemental materials introduced for use in the classroom support the above criteria. This includes online resources. Teachers have the unique responsibility to ensure such materials serve and reinforce these objectives. It is critical that learning resources be periodically reviewed to ensure continued relevancy to the curriculum being taught.

Questions or Concerns to Approved Learning Resources

Parents wishing to challenge or raise a concern regarding the use of recommended learning resources must follow the school’s academic conflict resolution procedures (Please see

Conflict Resolution Procedures in the Student and Parent Handbooks). Should the issue not be satisfactorily resolved, the School’s Appeal Procedures are to be followed.

Library

The Learning Commons provides a variety of materials to augment the curriculum, as well as books and magazines for light reading. Computers, and a printer and copier are also available to the students. The Learning Commons, open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, is a place for quiet reading, study, and research. All books must be signed out, and students are fully responsible for all materials taken out in their name. A fine is imposed on overdue, damaged, or lost books.

Student Services

The Student Services Department assists students in course selection, providing information on course prerequisites, course descriptions, graduation requirements, and course requirements for post-secondary institutions. Materials are also available to help students with career choices and applications to suitable universities and colleges.

Students can access these services through the Student Services Department or the Administration. Personal Counseling is also available.

Athletics

Since 1922 and the days of Brother Lannon (one of Vancouver College’s founders), a focus on physical activity has been a time-honoured tradition at Vancouver College. It continues today through a program of regular physical education classes in all grades and a wide variety of athletic opportunities. An intramural program supplements these activities. More information on the Athletic Program can be found online.

Lettermen’s Association

The Lettermen’s Association rounds out our Athletic Program. Its goal is the promotion and development of school spirit, especially as it applies to athletics. Membership is determined through an application process. Further information pertaining to the Lettermen Association can be found in Vancouver College’s Athletic Policy.

Clubs

In keeping with the aim of social integration, the school offers and encourages students to join various clubs. A full list of available opportunities can be found on the school website.

Edmundian Association

This group of Senior and Middle School students assists with retreat programs, spiritual activities, and liturgies and support programs for students. It is named after Blessed Edmund Rice. Their primary mandate is to provide service to the school community.

Eligibility

Students involved in extracurricular activities and athletics are required to maintain a satisfactory level of adherence to the school’s behavioural and academic expectations. As Vancouver College representatives they bring the school to the public. There is, therefore, a responsibility to maintain a high standard of conduct. Student performance will be regularly reviewed and those who fall short may anticipate consequences that affect their participation in extracurricular activities.

No student will be denied access to any of Vancouver College’s programs for financial reasons. Please refer to the VC Bursary Program or Members of Administration for more details.

VANCOUVER COLLEGE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

• The Student Council represents the students and operates according to the following guidelines:
• The Council is moderated by a teaching staff member appointed by Administration.
• Students on the Council must be in good standing and acceptable to the Administration on the basis of their academic and personal records.
• The Council has the right to advise Administration, but shall have absolutely no authority in the administration of the school under any circumstances.
• The Council shall initiate student activities and encourage student participation in them.
• The members of the Council executive shall be the first representatives of the school when student representation in the public forum is required, as determined by the Administration.
• The Council collects and expends money only with the previous knowledge and explicit approval of the staff moderator. Credit or debit remaining in the Council’s account at the end of a school year will be carried forward to the new Council the following year.
• The executive of the Student Council for any school year will be determined during the month of May of preceding school year. Other student representatives will be elected during the month of September.

GRADUATION ACTIVITIES

At the beginning of each year, the graduating students will be assessed a fee to cover all in-school costs of graduation. This will include the grad gowns, Better Man Banquet (formerly Grads and Dads), grad brunch, commencement, reception, and school diplomas.

The following are school sanctioned graduation events:

• Better Man Banquet (formerly Grads and Dads)
• Grad Celebration
• Grad Brunch
• Grad Liturgy
• Commencement Exercises
• Student Grad Committee Events

The Graduation Ceremonies are a two-part affair. Part 1 is the Grad Liturgy and Part 2 is the Commencement Exercises. Failure to attend the Graduation Liturgy renders a student  ineligible to attend Commencement Exercises. In addition, a student must successfully complete Religion 12 before he is able to graduate from Vancouver College. All bills must be paid, textbooks, library books, and equipment returned, and any discipline matters resolved.

All aspects of these official graduation events shall be under the direct authority of the  Principal, or designate, and supervised by staff. All other non-school sanctioned activities are the responsibility of the graduating students and their families.