Leadership Communication

Our Child Protection Week activities have been paying dividends for all groups within our school. Students have been discussing the frameworks and practices at the school for keeping them safe. Parents have been having conversations about Child Safety and bullying. 

Our students have been practicing the Upstanding: U have the POWER approach which you can read more about on the Child Safe and Wellbeing page.

One of the topics that parents have been discussing with us is about what happens when a student uses mean, hurtful or targeted behaviour towards their child. All children have the opportunity at school to try behaviours on and see how they work (or don't work). This is part of becoming an autonomous individual. 

Sometimes these behaviours result in another child feeling hurt, embarrassed or unloved. As soon as staff become aware (usually by a child telling or through observation) they ask wondering questions to try and understand what has happened. Usually there is conversation with both students, a decision about moving forward and where needed consequences under our Tier 1 and 2 consequence cycle. 

Where behaviours are repeated or significantly harmful this is in the Tier 2 level and parents will be informed. This is so that parents can support their child, seek to understand the purpose of the behaviour and to help them find a way that results in a more favourable outcome. 

At our school we understand that:

Behaviour is communication (the child is trying to tell something they don't have language, skills or calm to explain)

and that 

Behaviour is something someone does - not who they are.

All learning is easy for some people and harder for others. In the same way that learning to read is easy for one child and hard for another, so too is learning how to understand and follow social rules. 

We always remember that all people are made in the image and likeness of God and have an inherent dignity. For this reason we seek to help children find a better way to share their truth, to speak their mind or solve problems. Only by trying and learning can children grow into successful and well rounded adults.

Thank you for your support of you child and all the children who make up our school family. Together we can ensure that the children are safe, known and have the opportunity to grow into the best version of themselves.

Have a blessed and restful weekend.

Kate Dourley

Principal