Wellbeing

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, we teach behaviour the same way we teach anything else: we name it, model it, and give students chances to practise it. This year, we reviewed and updated our PBL Matrix, Behaviour Flow Chart and Reflection Sheets. The changes are based on staff feedback and on the changing needs of our school community.

Our PBL Matrix sets out our values, Respect Others, Do Your Best and Help Others Succeed, along with the everyday actions that show them. These expectations grow out of Catholic Social Teaching, which honours the dignity of every person and works towards the Common Good. Students know the matrix expectations and actions well, and staff refer to them often throughout the day. Staff also regularly recognise and praise students when they show these actions, so the focus stays on what students are doing well.

Our Behaviour Flow Chart helps all staff respond to behaviour calmly and consistently. For minor behaviours, staff remind, redirect and reteach. For major behaviours, staff support the student to calm down first and then guide a restorative conversation. Families are contacted for major behaviours, and when there is a pattern of frequent minor behaviours.

The behaviours listed on the flow chart are examples only, not a complete list. Other behaviours may occur. In those cases, teachers use their professional judgement after carefully considering the circumstances. Staff record behaviours as minor or major so we can see patterns over time. This information helps us understand what each student needs and put the right support in place early.

After a major behaviour, students complete a Reflection Sheet with a teacher’s help. The sheet is thinking time, not a punishment. When a reflection sheet comes home, we encourage you to talk it through with your child before signing. Calm, curious conversations at home show children that mistakes are something we learn from. You might ask what they would do differently next time, or how they plan to put things right. Please sign the sheet and return it to school.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your child's learning and wellbeing. If you have any feedback or would like anything clarified further, please feel free to send me a message on the Class Dojo platform and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

Staff Professional Development

On coming back to school this term, staff participated in a professional development day where we explored all the new relevant documents and how we can best support our students with this new learning and what it looks like in practice. We practised familiarising ourselves with the new reflection sheets and restorative conversations and what this looks like in action.

Behaviour is a form of communication, and when we see this at St Joseph’s, our staff are prepared to have respectful and clear conversations with our students about our expectations. This day strengthened us as a staff and how we can better respond to behaviour in a positive and constructive way.