Rationale
St. Michael's code of student behaviour is summed up in its motto: "Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge." A divinely inspired charter for the education of youth, the motto, surprisingly, places goodness and discipline ahead of knowledge, a ranking that is not always in fashion. A wisdom higher than our own, however, may be saying that goodness and discipline are indispensable pre-requisites or, at the very least, co-requisites, if the search for knowledge is to be an educational experience.

In the case of discipline, its root meaning confirms its priority. It comes from the Latin word, “disciplina”, which means instruction in a way of life, given by a teacher to his “discipulus” (disciple or pupil). For Christians, a disciple is one who accepts Christ as his teacher. He studies Christ’s “disciplinam” or way of life, and commits himself to live it.

To discipline in this matter is very different from discipline that operates solely from an “unfriendly” list of “do’s and don’ts”. Infractions invite penalties if not punishment. We cannot avoid “do’s and don’ts”, but where they more obviously relate to the discipline in its primal meaning: way of life, which in or case would be Christ’s way of life, the list might be viewed as positive, even “friendly”. Our philosophy of discipline is based on consequences rather than mere punitive response.

The motto rightly couches its message in the imperative mood: "Teach me .... discipline." The initiative is with the student. He appeals for the help he needs to know Christ so that he can make Christ's way of life the overriding influence in his behaviour.

In a Catholic high school, then, the young "discipuli" gather round their teachers for instruction in one or another of the secular disciplines. They also gather to be instructed by these same teachers in the discipline that supports all the others - Christ, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." With this background in mind, a code of behaviour for St. Michael's College School has been formulated and though it may still emerge as a list of "do's and don'ts," it will be understood, respected and even welcomed.

Student behaviour at St. Michael's is expected to be courteous and respectful at all times. Our aim is to create in the school an orderly environment of mutual and self-respect in which each student may realize his individual potential.

The regulations which follow are ways of working towards this aim, or at the very least, of ensuring that the aim is not obstructed in any way. It must be recognized too, that in the interest of fairness, justice, prudence, and genuine concern for staff and students, the administration of the school must reserve the right to decide whether the letter of the law is to be implemented or imposed in any specific situation. The spirit of discipleship, which we are attempting to build, seems to dictate that this approach should be adopted in our school. At all times our approach will be oriented toward the total good - physically, intellectually and spiritually, of the people with whom we work.

Regulations
In keeping with the regulations of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, the following have been deemed as serious offences for the purposes of this particular code of ethics and behaviour: truancy, opposition to authority, persistent neglect of duty, the use of improper and profane language, wilful destruction of school property and conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical and mental well-being of others in the school. Should a student persist in these forms of behaviour, a suspension or expulsion from St. Michael's may result. The school will inform parents of these offences and the subsequent decisions of the administration, with a view to remedying the situation in a manner consistent with school policy.