Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct and School Rules

Our code of conduct and school rules seek to provide a moral compass for us to grow into champions of today and leaders of tomorrow. As Commonwealthians, we are expected to exercise self-discipline and demonstrate high standards of behaviour, in and outside school. These rules apply within as well as outside school premises, especially when we can be identified as Commonwealthians. Should we fall short of our code of conduct, we will make good our misconduct, relearn and practice these behaviours.

Details on the Code of Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook ↗ (opens in new tab).   

Anti-Bullying Policy

Our Commitment

At Commonwealth Secondary School, every Commonwealthian has the right to learn and grow in a safe, caring and enabling environment.

As members of the Commonwealth family, we are expected to exercise self-discipline, take personal responsibility for our actions and treat others with dignity and respect. In this context, Commonwealthians demonstrate, in particular, the following WEALTH values.

• Warmth by showing care, concern and empathy towards others

• Honour by having the moral courage to stand up for what is right and taking responsibility for our actions

• Loyalty by supporting our friends and influencing them to make the right choices

Our Stance

Bullying and hurtful behaviour go against our WEALTH values and the expectations set out in our School Rules and Code of Conduct. Commonwealth Secondary School takes a firm stance against all forms of bullying and hurtful behaviour. Concerns brought to the school’s attention regarding hurtful behaviour and bullying will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

We recognise that students may sometimes experience misunderstanding, disagreement, or conflict. While these actions may not necessarily constitute bullying, hurtful behaviour arising from such situations will still be addressed because of its impact on the safety, dignity and well-being of others.

What Are Hurtful Behaviour and Bullying?

Hurtful behaviour refers to words or actions that cause, or are likely to cause, another person hurt, fear, distress, humiliation, exclusion or harm. It may be a once-off action or may occur repeatedly.

Bullying refers to intentional and repeated hurtful behaviour that causes physical, emotional or psychological harm. It may involve an actual or perceived imbalance of power.

Bullying and hurtful behaviour may take different forms.

• Verbal: Name-calling, mocking, insulting, threatening or spreading rumours about another person

• Social or psychological: Deliberately excluding someone, encouraging others to ignore someone or repeatedly embarrassing or humiliating another person

• Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing, restraining, threatening or damaging another person’s belongings

• Cyberbullying: Using messages, social media, photographs, recordings, online games or other digital platforms to threaten, humiliate, exclude or harm another person

Recording, liking, forwarding, reposting or commenting on hurtful content may encourage the behaviour and cause further harm. Such actions may also be categorised as hurtful behaviour or bullying.

Preventing Bullying and Hurtful Behaviour

The school adopts a proactive approach to prevent bullying and nurture positive relationships through:

• character and Citizenship Education lessons;

• the teaching and modelling of the WEALTH values;

• positive relationships between students and their Champion Mentors;

• student Leadership and peer support systems;

• education on empathy, conflict management, resilience and cyber wellness; and

• regular communication with students, staff and parents.

Every Commonwealthian has a responsibility to contribute to a safe and caring school environment.

Students who witness hurtful behaviour should exercise moral courage and reject such behaviour by not participating in it and by putting a stop to the behaviour, where safe and appropriate. Students who experience or witness such behaviour should also seek help from a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher or other school staff.

Reporting a Concern

Students who experience or witness bullying or hurtful behaviour should report it as early as possible to:

• their Champion Mentor;

• any teacher or staff member;

• their Year Head;

• a member of the Student Management Team;

• the School Counsellor; or

• a School Leader.

Students may ask a friend, Student Leader or parent to accompany them when making a report.

Parents and guardians may raise concerns with their child’s Champion Mentor, Year Head or a School Leader.

Reports will be handled sensitively. However, relevant information may need to be shared with appropriate persons so that the school can investigate the matter, ensure students’ safety, and provide needed support for affected students.

How the School Responds

When a concern is reported, the school will:

• assess and attend to the immediate physical and psychological safety of the students involved;

• conduct fair and prompt fact-finding;

• engage parents or guardians at an appropriate stage;

• provide support to the students affected;

• apply consequences aligned with the School Rules and Code of Conduct;

• guide students who have caused harm to take responsibility and relearn the desired behaviour;

• facilitate restorative support where it is safe and appropriate; and

• monitor the situation to prevent recurrence or retaliation.

Consequences will take into consideration the nature, severity, frequency, intent and impact of the behaviour.

Where appropriate, students whose behaviour has caused harm will be guided to right the wrong, make good the harm caused, and restore relationships that have been hurt.

Partnership with Parents

Parents play an important role in helping the school maintain a safe and caring environment. Parents are encouraged to:

• talk regularly with their child about school experiences and friendships;

• reinforce respectful behaviour and responsible habits, including when online;

• monitor significant changes in their child’s behaviour or well-being;

• preserve relevant messages, photographs or other evidence if an incident occurs;

• share concerns with the school promptly; and

• work collaboratively with the school on agreed support and intervention measures.

Parents must not confront another student or family directly and shall avoid circulating allegations or related content through social media or group chats to avoid exacerbating the situation or contravening the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025.

Contacting the School

Students and parents may contact the school through a Champion Mentor, Year Head or the General Office.

Telephone: 6560 6866
Email: CWSS@moe.edu.sg

Together, through Warmth, Honour and Loyalty, we can ensure that every Commonwealthian feels safe, respected, valued and supported.