Positive Climate for Learning
Parent Morning Tea - Thursday 24/10/19
Thank you to all the parents who attended the Parent Morning Tea on Thursday the 24th of October. We value the input from parents/cares in all forums. This forum had a particular focus on School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS).
What is SWPBS?:
School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that brings together school communities to develop positive, safe, supportive learning cultures. When SWPBS is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
- increased respectful and positive behaviour
- increased time focused on instruction
- improved social-emotional wellbeing
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
- increased adoption of evidence-based instructional practices
- a predictable learning environment with improved perceptions of safety and increased attendance
SWPBS can be implemented in any school setting to support students from Foundation through to Year 12. The framework supports schools to identify and successfully implement evidence-based whole-school practices to enhance learning outcomes for children and young people.
ACS clearly defines a set of expected behaviours which is implemented across the school. Our school identifies 5 behavioural expectations for inside and outside behaviours which are aligned to our school values of Care, Collaboration and Commitment which apply at all times. Clear, positively stated examples are identified and displayed across the school.
Our school has developed a continuum of procedures to discourage inappropriate behaviour. We clearly define problem behaviours and identify specific strategies and responses to minor and major behaviours. The key to know is that students do have consequences for problem behaviours which is followed up with teaching of the correct behaviour.
The Education Department strongly supports SWPBS and has established a central unit to develop a common Victorian approach to SWPBS based on international best practice. To support this work, the Department has appointed 17 Area based SWPBS coaches. Coaches work with school leaders to clarify a school's needs and provide the necessary professional learning supported by coaching for teams to embed essential SWPBS features. We work closely with our area coach who attend SWPBS meetings on a regular basis and supports the school with the implementation of SWPBS.
More about the parent forum:
The main purpose of the morning was to get our parents involved in the development of a Home Expectations Matrix. The parents have deliberated on which expectations would benefit most households and the 6 expectations that we decided on was:
We speak kindly, We pack things away, We look after each other, We keep our hands and feet to ourselves, We share equipment and resources, We never give up.
These expectations are the same words and symbols that your child will be familiar with at school.
As a group we started with unpacking how each of these values may be taught at home. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let Dehlia know.
The morning concluded with parents/ carers being spoilt with morning tea in our Creek Café. Thank you to all of our Secondary students who practised their hospitality skills.
Thank you to all of our parents/ carers who attended the morning. We seek every opportunity to continue to foster a strong relationship between home and school.