Rules and Regulations

1. Objective of school rules and regulations

It is the general aim of the school to create a positive learning environment. Democratic thoughts and values form the foundation in all contexts. It is therefore expected that all students and employees take responsibility by:

• Showing mutual respect.
• Promoting a pleasant tone of communication.
• Being considerate and helping each other.
• Taking care of the property of Stenhus e.g., buildings, inventory, and books.

This responsibility comes across in our behavior on school grounds and in teaching situations both inside and outside of school, and in all other scenarios where we represent the school.

This requires that students and employees take responsibility, not only for themselves, but also for the community – both in terms of the individual group and class and in terms of the entire school.

In class, this means that everybody contributes to an optimal learning environment where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute and to feel safe. This takes place through responsible collaboration between students, and between students and teachers. Teachers also work on this task in various teams and in the context of classes. Under no circumstances will the school accept bullying, and it will act against bullying both in and outside teaching hours, when it becomes known to the school.

All stakeholders at Stenhus Gymnasium have a focus on the academic, personal and social prerequisites for creating an optimal environment for learning. In general, everybody is responsible for ensuring that the values we have inform the learning environment at Stenhus Gymnasium.

2. A good learning environment

2.1 Preparation for classes and written work

In Lectio, a study plan may be found covering the semester’s teaching. For each subject, the study plan contains an overview of the teaching objectives, content, and materials. The plan for written work is available when teachers have coordinated deadlines (a few weeks after school starts). To the extent that it is possible, homework is set for one week at a time. If homework for a class is amended, this is to be communicated to students in the preceding class.

The contents of written assignments are to be handed out in due time before the deadline of the assignment. In general terms, this means at least two weeks prior to the due date for written work requiring 4 hours of work or more, and minimum one week prior to the due date for smaller assignments. It is important that written assignments are handed in on time, also to allow the teacher to provide feedback on the assignment before the next written assignment is due.

Teaching hours are Monday to Friday between 8.15 and 16.00. Students must be available for teaching during this period. Students must be given notice of minimum one week of any changes prolonging the scheduled teaching.

Students and teachers must be ready for teaching at the beginning of every class:

• Bags, coats, food, and beverages (water bottles exempted) are removed from tables.
• Relevant books, papers, calculator etc. expected to be used in class are
• Everybody meets in prepared for the class.

In class, everybody must participate actively by:

• Not disturbing with unnecessary talking or other disturbing behavior.
• Only using computers when the teacher permits it and for learning purposes only. The default position is that computers are not in use when classes commence.
• Handing in mobile phones at the beginning of each class. If this rule is not obeyed, the school reserves the right to temporarily confiscate the student’s phone.

At the end of class:

• Students do not leave the classroom until it is tidy and ready for the next class (all trash removed).
• Chairs are placed under tables in accordance with the notices in the classroom.

As a student, you must:

• Attend all planned teaching activities.
• Hand in all written assignments on time and of the quality expected. This means that the student must have put a satisfactory effort into solving the assignment, and that the student has written the assignment him- or herself.
• Participate in internal tests. In case of sickness prior to the test, the school must be informed before the onset of the test.
• Participate in school excursions.
• If one does not participate in study trips etc., one must participate in whatever replacement teaching the school arranges.
• Participate in other official activities at school: assemblies, sports day etc.
• Keep yourself updated in Lectio regarding homework, messages, and documents. This means checking Lectio at least once a day on school days.

In general, all students are required to behave in accordance with general norms of good behavior. Students have access to all common areas. Everybody must participate in keeping these areas tidy.

2.2 Required attendance.

Attendance is required in all classes. As a general rule, the teacher should register the present and absent students in Lectio at the beginning of a module. If a student arrives late, the student should notify the teacher of their attendance at the end of the module. If the teacher assesses that the individual student has been present for the majority of the teaching in the module, the student’s absence is changed from 100% to 50%.

It is unacceptable and shows a lack of respect for the teaching if parents or students plan holidays during term time. Absence due to holidays or other travel in term time can result in a written warning.

When students participate in excursions, student council work, career learning activities approved by the school, school sports tournaments, Team Denmark approved activities, any absence resulting from this will be credited. The teacher responsible for the activity submits a list of participants to the school’s study helpers, and they credit the absence for the relevant hours.

2.3 Notice of absence

If students are absent from class, the school must be informed as to the reason for the absence. This is done in two ways: Firstly, if a student is absent for more than one day, the student or parent should write an e-mail notifying the IB Office. Secondly, the student must indicate the absence reason for all modules that the student has missed no later than the first day of return to school. The is done by noting the absence reason in “Lectio” for each class or other activity.

If students cannot participate in internal tests or exams due to illness, the school must be contacted prior to the onset of the test/exam. A re-sit test will be arranged later if scheduling permits it. If the student was scheduled to attend an official examination, the student must provide medical documentation to qualify for a re-sit examination. It is always the student who pays any expense when he or she is asked to present medical documentation.

2.4 Procedure regarding excess absence

Consultation with Classroom Teacher, Student Counsellor or IB Coordinator: If a student has too much absence, a relevant member of IB staff will set up a consultation with the student to clarify the reason for the absence.

If the absence is not quickly reduced, the student may be given a first written warning.

Students with excessive absences may be excluded from participating in extracurricular school activities such as sports, theater concerts, or visiting institutions of higher learning.

First written warning: The first written warning stipulates that the student’s absence may not exceed 5% in the following period.

Every month the Classroom Teacher and/or Pre-IB/IB Student Counsellor and/or the IB Coordinator will monitor the development in the student’s absence and react in a timely manner. Personal considerations may be taken into account in the assessment student absence.

Final written warning: If the student’s absence after a month exceeds 5% for the period, or if the absence in a single month is significantly greater than 5%, the student will be issued with a final written warning. In this case, the student will, in all likelihood, lose the right to educational subsidy (SU) as the student will be deemed “inactive”.

SU: If a student loses the right to educational subsidy because of absence, the student can reapply, if the absence within the two months following notification of the loss of SU is less than 5%.

2.5 Written absence

If a student falls behind with their written work, they may be called in to the study hall or to the ‘Writing Saturday’ where any missing written work will be completed. In the study hall, students may receive help with assignments. In case of cancellations of normal classes, students who are behind on written assignments must spend the free time completing missing assignments.

If students do not show up at the study hall or for a “Writing Saturday” or if they fail to hand in missing written work, this will impact the assessment of their study activity. Please see above.

2.6 Absence in physical education

Pre-IB students, who are present for physical education classes, but who cannot participate fully, must participate to the extent that their injuries allow. In the case of short-term injuries up to two weeks, the student must be present and document the content of the physical education classes in writing. In the case of longer-term injuries, the student must be able to document his or her injury with a medical certificate from a doctor or a physical therapist. It must be clear from the documentation how long the student is to be exempted from physical education and to what degree. The student is not considered absent in the period covered by the documentation. Costs for medical documentation of injuries must be covered by the student/parents.

Students who, because of injuries or decreased functionality, cannot participate actively in the entire teaching of physical education, may request to be exempted from the subject. In such cases, an exemption form including medical documentation must be completed, and the student must instead complete an extra elective c-level course (if the student moves to STX). The exemption form is handed in to the school office.

2.7 Absence and replacement teaching in case of illness

In case of long-term or repeat absence due to documented illness, replacement teaching can be offered. The replacement teaching may also lower absence.

2.8 Notice about warnings

Written warnings about absenteeism are sent directly to the student in question via a message in Lectio. If the student is under 18, the written warning is also sent to the student’s parent(s). The student must sign the warning and hand it in to the IB Office. This must take place within 5 days of the warning being issued via Lectio. If the student is under 18 years of age, the warning must also be signed by one of the parents.

2.9 Malpractice in written assignments

It is malpractice if a student copies from other students’ assignments, copies from sources without citing these, or if the student lets another person write the assignment. It is also malpractice if a student submits text generated by AI-based programs without indicating the source.
If a teacher becomes suspicious of malpractice such that the assignment does not provide an adequate basis of assessing the student’s abilities, and if this suspicion is confirmed through a conversation with the student, the following applies:

• First occurrence:
  • a) Notice to the classroom teacher and other class teachers.
  • b) Conversation with the classroom teacher about the consequences
  • c) Submission of new assignment
• Second occurrence: a. + b. + c. + written warning issued by IB Coordinator
• Third occurrence: a. + b. + c. + The student can be expelled.

If malpractice is found in connection with larger written assignments such as the mini–Extended Essay (Pre-IB) or the Extended Essay (IB) or end of year exams, the assignment is deemed invalid. The school principal may determine whether the student should retake the entire year or whether the student may be granted permission to hand in a new assignment.

Malpractice in connection with official IB examinations results in the student being expelled from the school.

2.9 Registered absence covers the school year

Registered absence and missing assignments are not transferred from one school year to the next.
However, students who have been issued a written warning can be issued a warning in the subsequent school year without a prior consultation.

3. Other behaviour

3.1 Bullying and harassment

Under no circumstances will the school accept bullying, harassment, or other transgressive and offensive behavior. Threats, harassment, violent behavior, and both physical and digital bullying are not tolerated. This applies regardless of whether the actions are carried out during or after school hours.

3.2 Alcohol

The consumption of alcohol on school grounds or during school activities outside school grounds is prohibited. Following prior agreement with the school principal, this rule may be suspended at parties or other engagements taking place outside teaching hours.

3.3 Smoking and illicit drugs

Smoking is not permitted on school grounds, nor are e-cigarettes, snuff, or any illicit drugs. Under no circumstances should you be under the influence during school hours.

3.4 Gambling

Gambling is not allowed at school. This applies to both internet gambling and games that physically take place at the school.

4. Sanctions

Violation of school rules may result in:

• Temporary suspension while a case is investigated further
• Full or partial exclusion from school events
• Temporary suspension from school for up to 10 days. Absences are recorded on the days the student is suspended
• Disciplinary warning based on unacceptable behaviour. The warning details necessary behavioural changes. Effect is evaluated after four weeks, after which the student can be expelled if the terms of the warning have not been followed.
• An official written warning
• Temporary confiscation of items related to the violation of the rules of order
• Removal of state student subsidy
• Forfeiture of the right to sit year-end or final examinations in the year in question
• Expulsion from school

The above-mentioned sanctions can be applied based on behavior during and outside school hours.

Updated December 11, 2023