Wellbeing

Wellbeing Update - Introducing our Whole School Values Acknowledgement System

Welcome back to Term 4! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. It's lovely to see the school buzzing again, and we're looking forward to a busy and rewarding final term together.

We are excited to share that on Monday October 13th, we'll launch our new Whole School Values Acknowledgement System. Students will hear about it for the first time at Monday's assembly, so we wanted you to know beforehand. That way you can talk with your child about it and celebrate with them as they start earning Values Cards.

The new system is part of our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. SWPBS is an evidence-based approach used in many Victorian schools. It focuses on explicitly teaching, modelling and recognising positive behaviour, rather than only responding to problems. Research shows that when expected behaviours are clearly taught and consistently noticed, students feel more connected to school and behaviour improves. Having one system across the whole school also means every student hears the same language and expectations, wherever they are and whoever they're with.

Our school values are Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. This term we're focusing on Respect as the behaviour that we will acknowledge with Values Cards. Our Attitudes to School Survey data identified it as a priority area for our students. Starting with one value also gives students and staff time to get to know the new system. Next year, we hope to extend it to recognise all three of our school values.

Values Cards are just one part of the approach. All students will also be explicitly taught what Respect looks like, sounds like and feels like at school, in the classroom, in the playground and beyond. When a staff member gives a student a Values Card, they'll also tell the student exactly how they showed Respect. For example: "You waited patiently for your turn and listened carefully while your classmate was speaking. That's showing Respect." Specific feedback like this helps students understand which behaviours make a difference, so they're more likely to repeat them.

How it works

• Any staff member who sees a student showing Respect can give them a Values Card. That includes classroom teachers, specialists, education support staff, office staff and the leadership team.
• Students put their card in their class Values Box and get a tick on their class chart. Every card counts towards their own total, their class total and their house.
• When a student earns 10 Values Cards, they receive a certificate at assembly to bring home.
• When a class reaches 100 cards, the class earns a class reward that the students choose together.
• Every card also counts towards a whole school goal. Every 300 cards adds a petal to our Cherry Blossom display. When the blossom is complete, the whole school will celebrate together.

How you can help

• Speak to your child about ways we can show respect.
• Notice and encourage respectful behaviour.

• Ask your child about the Values Cards they receive. Who gave them one, and what did they do to show Respect?

   

Using the same language at home is a powerful way to reinforce what we're building at school. Keep an eye out for certificates coming home too!

I have also attached an overview of our Acknowledgement System in both English and Japanese so that you have a quick reference.

We can't wait to celebrate all the wonderful ways our school community shows respect!

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