Positive Student Behaviour Policy

Rationale :

All at St. Theresa’s have a right to a safe and positive environment at school. Students need to be educated to take responsibility for their own behaviour and actions and recognise that these have consequences that they must accept. Corporal punishment is not permitted at St Theresa’s School.

Beliefs :

At St Theresa’s we believe that;

• Everyone has a right to learn in a safe and positive classroom environment.

• Students should be treated fairly and in a consistent manner.

• Positive Student Behaviour practices should be consistent throughout the school.

• Behaviours and actions have consequences that must be accepted by the students.

• Students have the ability to develop self-discipline.

• Parental support and cooperation are necessary to run a successful positive student behaviour program.

Aims :

• To adopt a Whole School Positive Student Behaviour Approach.

• Give students a clear understanding of the steps involved in the Positive Student Behaviour Modal.

• For the teachers to implement and maintain a consistent approach across all grade levels.

• That the students identify socially acceptable behaviour and act appropriately. 

Implementation:

St Theresa’s School follows a Positive Student Behaviour Approach, which focuses on teaching students to assume responsibility for their own behaviour, therefore creating a cooperative learning environment. It is essential that teachers remain informed on the strategies used with Positive Student Behaviour. Each classroom needs to discuss and implement The Classroom Positive Student Behaviour Plan that clearly states the behaviours expected of students and what they can expect from the teacher in return.

The Classroom Positive Student Behaviour Plan consists of three parts :

• CLASS RULES that students from Prep – Grade 6 must follow at all times. Rules are to be displayed in every classroom or learning space.

• SUPPORTIVE FEEDBACK that students will receive for following the rules eg. Verbal recognition, individual rewards, class rewards and communication with parents.

• CONSEQUENCES that will be used when students choose not to follow the rules.

Consequences are to displayed in every classroom or learning space.

Accurate records must be kept. Each class is to have a Positive Student Behaviour Tracking Book, which must also accompany classes to specialist lessons.

(Behaviour Tracking Sheets can be found in the Teacher’s File under General – Positive Student Behaviour)

Individual Behaviour Plans will be developed where necessary.

The Playground Positive Student Behaviour Plan also consists of three parts.

• PLAYGROUND RULES that students must follow at all times. These rules are to be displayed in a clearly visible place.

• SUPPORTIVE FEEDBACK that students will receive for following the rules.

• CONSEQUENCES that will be used when students choose not to follow the rules.

The teachers on Yard Duty will take out a clipboard containing Positive Student Behaviour Tracking Sheets and Positive Play Cards. 

A letter outlining the Classroom and Playground Positive Student Behaviour Plans will be given to each student to take home. Parents will be asked to go over the plan with their child, sign the plan and send it back to school.

Students and parents are also required to sign a Positive Student Behaviour Agreement.

CLASSROOM POSITIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOUR PLAN

CLASS RULES that students from Prep – Grade 6 must follow at all times.

Rules are to be displayed in every classroom.

1. Follow directions.

2. Keep hands and feet to yourself.

3. Use appropriate language : Use your manners : No teasing, put-downs or swearing.

4. Move safely.

5. Look after all property.

6. Listen to the speaker, without interrupting

SUPPORTIVE FEEDBACK that students will receive for following the rules eg. Verbal recognition, individual rewards, class rewards and communication with parents.

CONSEQUENCES that will be used when students choose not to follow the rules.

Prep – Grade 6

Step 1 : Warning

Step 2 : Time out - Move away from the group

Step 3 : Time out – Move away from group for a longer time. Must do the work the class is doing 

Step 4 : Time out in another room : Complete a behaviour sheet

Severe Clause : Dangerous or unmanageable behaviour, go straight to Principal

PLAYGROUND POSITIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOUR PLAN

PLAYGROUND RULES that students must follow at all times :

1. Eat in designated areas outside. Sit down when eating. 

2. Play and stay in safe areas 

3. We are a SunSmart school. In terms 1 & 4 students must wear a hat outside. No hat means students play in the shade.

4. Move safely on the adventure playground

5. Play safely with each other.

6. Keep our playground visitor friendly before and after school by not playing with balls on the asphalt

SUPPORTIVE FEEDBACK that students will receive for following the rules.

1. Verbal Recognition from the teacher on yard duty.

 2. Positive Play Cards that are filled in by the teacher on yard duty and given to the student who can retrieve their reward from the tuckshop

CONSEQUENCES that will be used when students choose not to follow the rules:

 1. Time out for 10 minutes outside

 2. Time out for 10 minutes inside (corridor outside the staffroom)

 3. Go to Principal

 Severe Clause : Go to Principal

MORE SERIOUS BEHAVIOURS

For more serious and repeated behaviour, St Theresa’s School will follow the “Guidelines For Behaviour Support” CEM 2016

SUSPENSION & EXPULSION

Suspension is a serious disciplinary measure and should only be implemented when other disciplinary measures have not produced a satisfactory outcome and an appropriate process has been followed. A student shall not be suspended for a period of time greater than nine school days in any one school year. Any suspension should also be in accordance with the school’s policy and any contract that has been put in place with the student’s parent or guardian. 

Expulsion is a severe form of sanction to be used only in the most serious circumstances. If after appropriate processes a school authority deems a student be transferred for his/her own good, such a transfer should be negotiated according to the processes laid down in the CEM Policy 2.26: Pastoral Care of Students in Catholic Schools (revised 2016).

PROCEDURES FOR MORE SERIOUS BEHAVIOURS

A support group will be established including the student’s parents (and may include appropriate medical personnel) to develop a student behaviour support plan.

The Guidelines (Guidelines For Behaviour Support CEM 2016) include clear procedures for the use of restraint and seclusion if necessary and for other serious consequences such as suspension and expulsion.