Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices (RP)

"Relationships are the key to happiness." – Glasser

Our school adopts Restorative Practices (RP) to strengthen and repair student-student and student-teacher relationships. This method encourages students to be actively engaged in resolving conflicts and addressing any harm done. By focusing on restoring relationships rather than solely punishing the wrongdoer, RP promotes a culture of responsibility, empathy, and mutual respect.

Key Principles of Restorative Practices

Understanding Misconduct: RP views negative behavior as a violation of relationships rather than simply breaking rules. This perspective helps the school community focus on how to repair and improve relationships.
Healing and Rebuilding: The goal is to heal the emotional and social damage caused by the conflict and foster a supportive environment where everyone feels valued.
Participation and Democracy: RP involves all affected parties in open dialogue, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, which promotes fairness and shared understanding.

Reflective Questions for Restorative Practices

For the Wrongdoer (the person who caused harm):

What happened? (Describe the incident in your own words)
What was going through your mind at that time? (Share your thoughts and feelings)
What do you think about it now? (Reflect on how you perceive the situation after it occurred)
Was that the right or wrong thing to do? (Consider your actions and their impact)
Who has been harmed/affected by what you did? How? (Acknowledge the impact on others)
What can you do to make things right? (Plan specific actions to repair the damage)

For the Victim (the person who was harmed):

What was going through your mind when it happened? (Express your immediate thoughts and emotions)
What do you think about it now? (Reflect on your current feelings about the situation)
How has this affected you? (Describe the emotional, social, or academic impact)
What has been the worst part? (Identify the most challenging aspect of the experience)
What needs to happen to make things better? (Suggest actions or changes for resolution)
Is there anything you wish to say to the wrongdoer? (Share any thoughts or messages)

Why Restorative Practices Matter?

Promotes Accountability: Wrongdoers take ownership of their actions and understand the consequences, which encourages behavioral change.
Fosters Empathy: Both wrongdoers and victims are encouraged to understand each other’s perspectives, promoting empathy and reducing the likelihood of repeat incidents.
Supports Mental Well-being: RP helps students process emotions healthily and feel heard, reducing stress and fostering emotional resilience.
Strengthens Community: By addressing conflicts constructively, RP builds stronger bonds within the school, enhancing trust and collaboration among students and teachers.

Restorative Tools and Approaches Used

Teachers may employ a variety of RP tools to facilitate these conversations and resolutions:

Circle Time: Group discussions where all parties involved share their thoughts and listen to each other in a supportive, structured setting.
RP Chats: Guided one-on-one or small group dialogues aimed at resolving specific issues.
Restorative Thinking Plans: Written reflections that guide students to think about their actions, the impact on others, and steps they can take to make amends.

Outcomes of Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices are designed to move beyond simply addressing disciplinary matters to fostering a culture where students feel responsible for their actions and committed to making positive changes. This approach has been shown to:

Reduce conflicts and recurring issues
Enhance students’ problem-solving skills
Create a more inclusive and supportive school environment

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