Brackenhurst Primary School

Brackenhurst Primary School

Constitution of the Colours Committee

(incorporating the Colours Polcy)

1. Name:

This constitution means the establishment of a committee to address the issue of awarding learners with school colours and awards under the constitution drawn up for the Colours Committee as of November 2007. Hereunder the Colours Committee will be referred to as the CC.)

2. Aims and Objectives:

The CC will by way of regular meetings seek to recognize nominated learners in the appropriate season, especially those who have achieved excellence in curricular and extra-curricula codes. The CC will objectively evaluate nominations in terms of the criteria set out in this constitution, such that nominated learners will receive the recognition they deserve in a fair and equal manner. This constitution thus seeks to put in place, the criteria for recognition as well as the reasons and right to withhold recognition for excellence where such nomination is deemed to be in contravention of the constitution criteria.

3. Areas of recognition:

The following areas of recognition have been identified in school facilitated activities:

· Academic field

· Cultural field

· Sports field *

· Leadership (see point 18)

Special care has been made to ensure that the standards required for recognition are of equal significance in all of the above areas and as a result serious consideration must be given prior to changing the criteria as set out in points 11, 12, 13 and 14. In addition the steps outlined in point 10 need to be adhered to.

*(A special category of general sport achievement is also considered where the sport falls outside of those presented in the current school sports codes.)

4. Nature of awards:

Three levels of recognition have been identified, namely:

1. Team colours in the form of a coloured metal lapel badge.

Designated bar colouring:

· Academic achievement - Red (gold writing)

· Cultural achievement - Black (gold writing)

· Sports achievement - White (gold writing)

2. Half colours in the form of the black school blazer, a relevant scroll and red braiding.

3. Full colours in the form of the black school blazer, an honours pocket badge, a relevant scroll and red and white twisted braiding.

5. Convenors of the CC:

Senior Academic – H.O.D. Intersen Phase – Mrs. Thomas

Junior Academic – H.O.D. Foundation Phase – Mrs. Potgieter

Cultural – Mr. Mostert and Mrs. Whiteman

Sport – Ms. Joann Felix

6. Quorum at CC Meetings:

The CC meeting will be chaired by the relevant convenor.

The principal or appointed SMT member will attend.

The heads of the specific codes or groups must attend.

The coach or nominator must also attend.

Staff must be informed of impending CC meetings at least 48 hours in advance of such a meeting being held. This being so that alternate arrangements regarding practises, meetings and personal arrangements can be made.

7. Frequency of CC Meetings:

The CC will convene when required, in the appropriate season or term when awards need to be made. Such meetings should not be called later than two weeks before the end of each term.

8. Manner of nominations:

Nominations are to be handed in writing to the appropriate convenor of the CC at least 3 days prior to such a meeting being called. Where possible, proof of achievement should accompany the nomination. Where nominations are not supported by the attendance of the proposer the CC reserves the right not to award the recognition, or to call on the nominator. Nominations and discussion thereof will be minuted for future reference purposes.

9. Withholding of recognition by the CC:

The CC will reserve the right to withhold the awarding of recognition to a learner where the following areas are deemed to have been contravened:

· Display of poor behaviour and attitude on an ongoing basis by the nominee.

· Insubordination and encouragement of dissent towards coaches and or parents.

· Swearing, poor sportsmanship and fighting.

10. Changes to the Constitution:

It is not in the interest of the objective handling of awards that this constitution be tampered with on a regular basis. However, when the need arises the constitution may be amended in the following manner:

· A code committee (single sports code or cultural code) at Brackenhurst Primary School convenes a meeting to discuss the proposal. The proposal is deemed to be a fine tuning of the recognition process in terms of changes at zonal, provincial or national level. The proposed change must carry a unanimous code vote.

· A CC “all code” meeting in convened with all convenors and interested staff present at which the proposal is tabled and discussed. A unanimous decision in favour will be required to ratify the change.

11. Criteria for Academic recognition:

11.1 Criteria for Foundation Phase recognition:

The only award in the Foundation Phase would be in the form of Academic Team Colours. This award would be made to the learner/s who achieved the top (overall) position in Grade 1, 2 and 3. This award would be made at the end of Grade 3.

11.2 Criteria for Intersen recognition:

Team colours:

Two categories of learners will be eligible for these:

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for three terms in one calendar year. The whole of Grade 4. If the promotion average is above 80% (Grade 4 -6) or 75% (Grade 7) and the child has not achieved the required average in either Term 1, 2 or 4, then this promotion average will be taken into consideration.

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for three terms, but not necessarily three consecutive terms.

Half colours:

Two categories of learners will be eligible for these:

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for six consecutive terms. The whole of Grade 4 and 5. If the promotion average is above 80% (Grade 4 -6) or 75% (Grade 7) and the child has not achieved the required average in either Term 1, 2 or 4, then this promotion average will be taken into consideration.

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for six terms, but not necessarily six consecutive terms. If the promotion average is above 80% (Grade 4 -6) or 75% (Grade 7) and the child has not achieved the required average in either Term 1, 2 or 4, then this promotion average will be taken into consideration.

Full colours:

Two categories of learners will be eligible for these:

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for nine consecutive terms. The whole of Grades 4, 5 and 6. If the promotion average is above 80% (Grade 4 -6) or 75% (Grade 7) and the child has not achieved the required average in either Term 1, 2 or 4, then this promotion average will be taken into consideration.

· A learner who has attained an average over all Learning Areas of 80% or higher (Grade 4 – 6) or 75% or higher (Grade 7), for nine terms, but not necessarily nine consecutive terms. If the promotion average is above 80% (Grade 4 -6) or 75% (Grade 7) and the child has not achieved the required average in either Term 1, 2 or 4, then this promotion average will be taken into consideration.

NB: THE LEARNER AVERAGE WOULD NOT BE WORKED OUT AS A STRAIGHT FORWARD AGGREGATE BUT WILL BE A WEIGHTED AVERAGE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PERIODS FOR EACH LEARNING AREA e.g.

English 8 periods out of a possible 54 periods per week.

Thus if a child obtains 80 % it would be calculated as:

(8 x 80) ÷ 54 = 11,8 points.

In order to achieve a merit the points must add to 80.

12. Criteria for Cultural recognition:

The criteria for an activity must be read out to the meeting prior to consideration of nominations:

Cultural colours:

Cultural colours would encompass a wide range of activities including the following as part of the array:

· Eisteddfod

· Drama and Productions

· Choir

· Art

· Music and percussion

· Dance

Team colours:

· Eisteddfod: At least one diploma and 2 gold certificates in any items. Group or individual item.

· Item winner – Group item

· Productions: Consider on merit the performances of lead characters in the production. They must have shown skills in one of the following disciplines:- Dance, singing and acting

· Choir: Chosen to sing in an outside choir e.g Cantare Children’s Choir.

Half colours:

· Eisteddfod:

o Item winner (individual item) or

o 3 Diplomas for any individual items

· Productions: Consider on merit the performances of lead characters in the production. They must have shown excellence in two of the following disciplines:- Dance, singing and acting

Full colours:

· Eisteddfod:

o Section winner (top 3 in section) - individual or

o 6 Diplomas for any individual items

· These criteria are also applicable to learners who belong to private speech and drama studios which they attend outside of school hours.

· These criteria are also applicable to learners who enter the Alberton dance eisteddfod through dance studios in disciplines such as ballet, modern dance, tap dance, hip hop and Spanish dance.

13. Criteria for Sporting recognition:

The criteria of a code must be read out to the meeting prior to consideration of nominations.

Athletics and Cross Country:

· Team colours: Qulaify at Alberton Championships

· Half colours: Qualify at District Championships (D16/D6)

· Full colours: Provinicial or National colours

Soccer: