School-wide Positive Behaviour Support

Gisborne Secondary College continues to implement a range of new initiatives under the framework of School-Wide Positive Behaviours Support (SWPBS). This approach focuses on fostering a positive, inclusive, and respectful school culture that encourages good behaviour among students while promoting their academic and social development. SWPBS aims to create a consistent, proactive, and positive environment where students understand clear expectations and are motivated to make positive choices.

The core of SWPBS involves establishing school-wide expectations for behaviour that are taught, reinforced, and celebrated across all aspects of the school environment. These expectations revolve around our values of respect, achievement, innovation and diversity. We have established a positive behavioural matrix (displayed below), making sure that the desired behaviours are explicitly taught to students at each year level and across all settings (classrooms, yard, hallways, etc.). By explicitly defining what positive behaviour looks like, students gain a clearer understanding of what is expected of them in different contexts.

Another key element of SWPBS is the use of data to inform decisions and improve the effectiveness of interventions. Gisborne Secondary College regularly tracks and analyses behavioural data to identify patterns or areas that need attention. For example, if certain behaviours are more prevalent in specific areas of the school or times of day, targeted interventions can be implemented. This data-driven approach helps ensure that strategies are not only effective but also tailored to the specific needs of the school community.

Furthermore, SWPBS places a strong emphasis on recognition and reinforcement of positive behaviours. Rather than focusing solely on correcting negative behaviour, the college acknowledges and celebrates students’ positive behaviour through rewards and recognition. This can include verbal praise, certificates, or the whole school merit system, fostering a culture of appreciation and positive reinforcement.

SWPBS Data Analysis

Overall analysis of our Major behaviours logged on Compass for Term 1 has identified ‘Out of Class without Permission’ as one of the biggest issues the college is trying to address.

To address this matter, we are looking at multiple options. A discussion was held at school council which has highlighted some areas of attendance marking that could be enhanced following the introduction of the Compass platform, however incidents where students are out of class for an extended period of time and where that student is not able to provide a suitable reason is impacting other students right to learn and the teachers right to teach, by creating interruptions through entering classroom spaces late and additional administration on staff following up on students who are not displaying the correct behaviour. 

As a logical consequence to this behaviour the College will be creating a process and reintroducing afterschool detentions to allow students who are out of class without permission for extended periods to catch up on work that they have missed and ensure they do not fall further behind in their studies.  

Top 3 Merit Performers in Each Year Level