Code of Conduct 

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STAFF & ADULTS WORKING WITH CHILDREN

1. Purpose and Guiding Principles

This Code of Conduct establishes clear expectations for all employees and adults working at or on behalf of Good Shepherd International School (“GSIS”), ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for students, staff, and the wider school community.

The purpose of this Code is to:

• Minimize the risk of improper, unsafe, or unethical conduct
  
• Clarify acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
  
• Reinforce GSIS’s Zero Tolerance Policy for misconduct
  
• Protect the safety, dignity, and well-being of children and adults
  
• Provide a framework for accountability and disciplinary action, including dismissal and legal reporting where required
  

At all times, staff must act in the best interests of students and the School, exercising sound professional judgment even in situations not explicitly covered by policy.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Code of Conduct applies to:

• All permanent, probationary, contractual, and temporary employees
  
• Boarding staff, house parents, coaches, instructors, and counsellors
  
• Visiting faculty, volunteers, interns, consultants, and service providers
  
• Any adult who has access to students or represents GSIS in any capacity
  

The Code applies:

• On campus and off campus
  
• During school hours, after hours, and during residential duties
  
• On school trips, excursions, competitions, and events
  
• In boarding houses and staff accommodations
  
• During online, digital, and electronic interactions related to GSIS
  

3. Professional Responsibility and Decision-Making

Staff are responsible for their own actions and conduct at all times and must uphold the highest moral, ethical, and professional standards.

Where guidance may not be explicit, staff shall:

• Act conservatively and in the best interests of student safety and dignity
  
• Avoid any conduct that could reasonably question their intentions
  
• Inform the appropriate authority (HOS, HM, President or Senior Vice President)
  
• Maintain a written record of decisions or incidents for transparency and accountability
  

4. Primary Focus

The primary and overriding focus of this Code of Conduct is the safety, well-being, dignity, and protection of students, followed by the integrity of the School community and institution.

5. Legal Framework: POCSO and POSH

5.1 POCSO – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

• Provides a statutory framework to protect children from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation
  
• Mandatory reporting: Any suspected, observed, or disclosed offence must be reported immediately to the designated authority
  
• Failure to report is a criminal offence punishable under law
  
• Staff must maintain strict professional boundaries at all times
  
• Closed-door interactions, isolated situations, or inappropriate physical or emotional contact are strictly prohibited
  
• Any child-initiated inappropriate behaviour must be responded to immediately, safely, and reported without delay
  

5.2 POSH – Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013

• Applies to all employees, irrespective of gender
  
• Covers staff–staff and staff–third party interactions
  
• Sexual harassment of any form — verbal, physical, visual, or digital — is strictly prohibited
  
• All complaints must be reported to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
  
• Retaliation against complainants or witnesses is strictly prohibited
  

5.3 Integration into GSIS Zero Tolerance Policy

• POCSO and POSH are non-negotiable components of GSIS’s Zero Tolerance Policy
  
• Any violation triggers immediate safeguarding action, investigation, and disciplinary proceedings
  
• Criminal matters will be reported to statutory authorities as mandated by law
  

6. Mandatory Reporting and Protection from Retaliation

• All staff have a duty to report any concern, suspicion, or knowledge of misconduct or abuse
  
• Failure to report constitutes serious misconduct
  
• Reports made in good faith shall be protected from retaliation
  
• If a concern involves a senior staff member, reporting may be escalated beyond immediate supervisors
  

7. Personal and Professional Standards – Zero Tolerance

The following conduct is strictly prohibited:

7.1 Substance Use

• No tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or e-cigarettes on campus, in boarding houses, or in school accommodations
  

7.2 Violence and Intimidation

• No threatening behaviour, physical violence, bullying, or intimidation on or off campus
  

7.3 Theft and Property Damage

• No theft, misuse, or damage of school property or resources
  

7.4 Abuse of Position

• Staff shall not misuse authority, influence, or access for personal gain or favouritism
  

7.5 Corporal Punishment and Abuse

• Corporal punishment and all forms of physical, emotional, or psychological abuse are strictly forbidden
  
• Any incident must be reported immediately
  

7.6 Respect and Non-Discrimination

• All individuals must be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect
  
• Discrimination of any kind is prohibited
  

7.7 Integrity and Honesty

• Staff must uphold honesty and fairness in teaching, assessment, examinations, and reporting
  

7.8 Accountability

• Staff are accountable for their conduct, decisions, safeguarding responsibilities, and use of school resources
  

7.9 Offensive and Prohibited Material

• Possession, viewing, creation, or distribution of pornography or offensive material is strictly prohibited
  

7.10 Conflict of Interest

• Staff must avoid any action or relationship that conflicts with the interests of the School
  

7.11 Confidentiality

• Confidential information must be protected and disclosed only when required for safeguarding or by law
  

8. Digital Conduct and Online Boundaries

• Private communication with students via personal phone numbers, social media, or messaging platforms is prohibited
  
• Staff shall not connect with students on social media or private digital platforms
  
• Official communication must occur only through school-approved channels
  
• Sharing or posting student images or information without school authorization is prohibited
  
• Any digital conduct that compromises professional boundaries constitutes misconduct
  

9. Staff–Student Boundaries and Relationships

• Romantic, sexual, or inappropriate emotional relationships between staff and students are strictly prohibited, regardless of the student’s age
  
• Grooming behaviour, favouritism, gifts, money, or special privileges to individual students are strictly prohibited
  

10. Boarding-Specific Conduct

• Staff shall not enter student dormitories unless officially assigned and authorised
  
• Students are not permitted in staff residences
  
• All boarding interactions must follow established supervision and safeguarding protocols
  

11. Mobile Phone Use

• Mobile phones are prohibited during classes, laboratories, duties, and co-curricular activities
  
• Limited exceptions may apply for official duty, emergencies, or authorised school use as decided by the HOS and HM and notified to the individual who has an exception.
  

12. Dress Code and Grooming Standards

Mondays, Special Assemblies, and Official Functions

Gentlemen

• Full school uniform with blazer
  
• Formal trousers, full-sleeve shirt, tie
  
• Black or brown formal shoes
  
• Neat haircut; clean-shaven or well-trimmed facial hair
  

Ladies

• Sarees with blazer, or
  
• Salwar kameez (knee length or longer) with dupatta, or
  
• Business suits with blazer and formal footwear
  
• Hair and nails well-groomed
  

Dining Halls

• Formal attire with appropriate footwear is mandatory. 

At All Other Times

• Staff must dress professionally, modestly, and appropriately for an educational and residential environment
  

Tattoos and Piercings

• Tattoos must be covered under clothing and not visible while on campus
  
• Limited, discreet piercings permitted for women
  
• Men are not permitted to wear earrings or other piercings during the school term
  

13. Child Protection Policy Compliance

• All staff must adhere to the GSIS Child Protection Policy
  
• Annual declaration and acknowledgement is mandatory
  

14. Disciplinary Action and Due Process

• Violations of this Code will result in disciplinary action, ranging from warning to dismissal
  
• Serious violations may result in immediate suspension pending inquiry
  
• Investigations will follow principles of natural justice
  
• Criminal offences will be reported to law enforcement authorities as required
  

15. Acknowledgement

All staff are required to read, understand, and comply with this Code of Conduct as a condition of employment at GSIS.

Confidentiality

• This policy is a confidential document of GSIS.
• No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronically or mechanically, without prior written permission from School Management.
• Unauthorized reproduction or transmission may lead to civil or criminal liability.

Amendments

The School reserves the right to modify, amend, or alter this policy, wholly or partially, at any time as deemed appropriate.