From the Heads of Senior and Junior School

Welcome to the 2025 School Year!

We are delighted to welcome all families and friends to another exciting year at our school. 

Announcing a New Positive Behaviour Policy

As we begin 2025, we look forward to working together to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. This year marks an important step forward in our commitment to student wellbeing and positive behaviour development with the introduction of our new Positive Behaviour Policy and a Relational and Restorative Approach.

Over the past 12 months, as part of our School’s Strategic Plan, we have been working diligently to develop and implement a school-wide framework that aligns our approach to behaviour and relationships from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. A key milestone in this process has been the development of a new Student Code of Conduct, which clearly outlines expectations and responsibilities for all students. This updated Code of Conduct is designed to reinforce our School values ensuring that all students feel safe, valued, and supported in their learning journey.

A significant change this year is the replacement of the traditional Behaviour Management Approach with the Positive Behaviour Policy, which focuses on Restorative Conversations as the primary means of addressing low-level misconduct. Rather than relying solely on punitive measures, Restorative Conversations encourage students to take responsibility for their actions, understand the impact of their behaviour, and work towards positive solutions. This approach promotes personal accountability, conflict resolution skills, and stronger relationships within our school community.

Why Restorative Conversations?

Traditional disciplinary measures, such as detentions, often focus on punishment rather than understanding and resolution. While these methods may provide immediate consequences, they do not always address the underlying issues that contribute to behavioural concerns. Restorative Conversations, on the other hand:

• Provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour.
• Encourage empathy by considering how their actions affect others.
• Support personal growth by identifying strategies for improvement.
• Strengthen relationships through open communication and problem-solving.

Staff use Restorative Conversations and Restorative Conferences to build understanding, foster accountability, and strengthen relationships by addressing conflicts in a respectful and supportive manner.

The format used by staff to conduct restorative conversations and restorative conferences is to use WARM conversations.

Maintaining a Strong Discipline Policy

While we are committed to a restorative approach, we also recognise that some behaviours require a firm response. Our school continues to uphold a robust discipline policy for challenging, serious, and at-risk behaviours. More detailed information on these processes can be found in our updated Positive Behaviour Policy. Also, available on the School website, is a link to the Relational and Restorative approach. This document underpins the Positive Behaviour Policy, emphasising the School’s commitment to nurturing strong relationships and building a positive culture.

The following flowcharts provide an overview of the consequence levels, and the key staff involved in the management of student misconduct in the Junior School and Senior School.

Access the Full Policy Documents 

• Positive Behaviour Policy Download

• Relational and Restorative Approach Download

A positive and supportive learning environment

At Kinross Wolaroi School, our approach to managing student behaviour is guided by our core values of courage, respect, resilience, commitment, and inclusiveness, along with a commitment to delivering an outstanding education that nurtures each student’s growth in all aspects of life.

Our School is dedicated to fostering an environment where students are encouraged to develop behaviours that positively impact the community. We believe that these behaviours lay the foundation for responsible, respectful, and constructive interactions that benefit all. The school acknowledges and appreciates the ongoing support of our families, and we look forward to a successful 2025.

Mrs Virginia Milliken, Executive Director, Head of Junior School

Mr Trent Chapman, Executive Director, Head of Senior School