SWPBS: Spotlight on Positive Reinforcements

At Whittlesea Primary School, staff recognise the importance of providing specific feedback to all students. Positive reinforcement is one of the many effective classroom practices that research shows has the greatest positive impact on learning and behaviour. These proactive strategies assist teachers in increasing the time available for instruction (teaching) and decreasing the amount of time spent discouraging inappropriate behaviour.

Below are some of the ways that staff at WPS use positive reinforcement with their students:

4 to 1

Teachers use 4 positives to 1 corrective interaction. Recognising students for following rules, directives, and directions, as well as participating, is one of the most effective tools for managing, promoting, and discouraging inappropriate behaviours. Research indicates that you can improve behaviour by 80% by pointing out what someone is doing correctly.

House Tokens

House Tokens are a part of Whittlesea Primary School’s Tier 1 positive reinforcement systems. Staff hand out house tokens when students demonstrate positive school behaviour expectations. House tokens are collated each week by House Captains and added to an ongoing recording sheet. At the end of each Term, the house with the most tokens is part of a ‘House Reward’ to be decided by House Captains and the Wellbeing Team.

Golden Tickets

Golden Tickets are also a part of Whittlesea Primary School’s Tier 1 positive reinforcement systems. Staff hand out Golden Tickets when students have demonstrated exemplary school expectations. Golden Tickets acknowledge the positive behaviour displayed by a student. Golden Tickets can be redeemed at Whittlesea World on designated days.

Star of the Week Award

Each week, staff select one student from each class to receive a Star of the Week Award. Teachers may give awards for the following examples:

● Displaying behaviours in line with our school expectations

● Academic achievement

● Sporting achievement

Specialists Award

Each week, one class from each specialist area is nominated to receive the Specialist award based on their achievement across the Specialist areas.

Learning Legend Award

Each month, one student in each year level is recognised for outstanding achievement in learning. These awards are presented at the school assembly.

Principal's Awards

Staff are asked to nominate any student who has gone above and beyond expected expectations, performance or excellence to receive a Principal's Award. These are presented to the nominated students at our school assembly.

Other Acknowledgement Systems

Each classroom may have its own positive acknowledgement system, which is tailored to the class's context and designed specifically for the class.

These may include:

● Verbal praise

● Stickers/stamps

● Positive Compass Recognition

Whittlesea Gems - Positive feedback for staff

Staff at WPS are encouraged to recognise the achievements of their peers by nominating them for a Whittlesea GEM. WPS Gems are sent to all staff every fortnight.

Disability Inclusion

🌟 Did You Know We Have 8 Senses?

Most people know about the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. But did you know we actually have eight senses?

The three “hidden” senses – proprioception, vestibular, and interoception – are just as important for your child’s learning and wellbeing.

👀 The Five Familiar Senses

Sight (Vision): colours, shapes, movement, detail
Hearing (Auditory): speech, sounds, background noise
Smell (Olfactory): odours connected to memory and emotion
Taste (Gustatory): flavours and food preferences
Touch (Tactile): textures, pressure, temperature, pain

💪 Proprioception – Body Awareness

What it is: Knowing where our body is in space and how much force to use.

When it’s tricky, children might:

Bump into things or appear clumsy
Write too lightly or too hard, breaking pencils
Constantly seek rough play, climbing, or crashing

How parents can help:

Encourage “heavy work”: carrying groceries, pushing a laundry basket, watering plants
Play resistance games: tug-of-war, wheelbarrow walks, animal crawls
Use sensory play: playdough, clay, weighted blankets
Offer thicker pencils or textured paper for writing

🎢 Vestibular – Balance and Movement

What it is: The sense of balance and movement, coming from the inner ear.

When it’s tricky, children might:

Struggle to sit still or upright
Fear swings, slides, or climbing
Feel car sick
Constantly spin, jump, or rock

How parents can help:

Provide safe movement: trampolines, swings, scooters, climbing frames
Try balance activities: hopping, skipping, yoga poses, walking a line
Build strength with fun: swimming, crab walks, bike riding
Start gently if fearful: slow rocking on a couch, gentle pushes on a swing

💓 Interoception – Internal Body Awareness

What it is: Noticing what’s happening inside – hunger, thirst, needing the toilet, or feelings.

When it’s tricky, children might:

Not realise they need the toilet until it’s urgent
Miss hunger, thirst, or tired signals
Have emotional outbursts that seem to “come from nowhere”

How parents can help:

Use check-ins: “Is your tummy hungry or full?”
Try visuals: emotion charts, water trackers, toilet reminders
Link body signals with feelings:
- Fast heartbeat → excited or worried
- Butterflies in stomach → nervous
- Heavy eyes → tired
Build calm-down routines: cushions, breathing, quiet corner
Practise mindfulness: kids’ yoga, belly breathing

🌱 Why This Matters

When children understand and regulate their senses, they feel safer, calmer, and more ready to learn. Parents and teachers can work together to provide the right supports.

✅ Quick Tips for Parents

Observe: Notice what situations trigger challenges.
Support: Use everyday activities to build sensory skills.
Communicate: Share patterns with your child’s teacher.
Seek Help: Occupational Therapists (OTs) are experts in sensory support.

🟦 When to Seek Extra Support

Sometimes children need a little more help with their senses. You might want to chat with your child’s teacher or GP if you notice:

Frequent meltdowns that seem out of proportion
Difficulty joining in play or sport
Extreme fear of movement (swings, bikes, climbing)
Trouble recognising basic body needs (hunger, toilet, tiredness)
Ongoing clumsiness that affects learning or confidence

💡 An Occupational Therapist can assess your child’s sensory needs and suggest practical strategies for home and school.

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