Greensborough Focus 

Principal's Report

POSITIVE CLIMATE FOR LEARNING

One of the priority areas identified in the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes is the development of a “Positive Climate for Learning”. Supportive and inclusive schools deliberately promote healthy relationships and foster engagement and school connectedness.  A positive school climate is one where students' physical needs are met, and their self-management, awareness, empathy and relationship skills are developed. At Greensborough College we have re-badged our whole school approach to student management and made some important changes.

 

Our new approach is the Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour (WSAPB), which focuses on the establishment and promotion of authentic relationships between all members of the school community.  The Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour strives to make students responsible for their own pro-social and learning behaviour as well developing communal responsibility for learning and behaviour. Positive Language underpins the way we relate to students when implementing behaviour management strategies.

 

Rights and responsibilities are a key element of the approach

  • Everyone has the right to learn
  • Everyone has the right to feel safe
  • Everyone is responsible for their own thinking and behaviour.

 

The Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour is based around our school values and the behaviours that demonstrate these values: Respect, Honesty and Integrity, Self-Discipline, Learning and Cooperation. We will be modelling, recognising and explicitly teaching the positive behaviours that enhance a positive school climate. Reflection and restorative practices are also key strategies in this approach. We will be asking students to reflect on their behaviour and having conversations with them that are aimed at restoring relationships.

 

The major change, beginning in term 3, is the dismantling of the “silent room”. Students who have been unable to follow the behaviour expectations in class, after being given opportunities and choices, will be relocated to another class. Instead of being withdrawn from learning, they will be given a reflection task to complete in another learning environment.  The next step is the restorative conversation that the teacher will have with the student that determines the expected behaviour for future classes. This step in the process is essential for the building of positive relationships in the learning environment. 

 

Teachers will be undertaking professional development around implementing the behaviour management strategies that align with the Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour and the students will be informed of the new process on the first day of classes for term 3.

BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE

From Monday 26th June ALL access to the College from Nepean Street has ceased as it is now a construction site. Students, parents and visitors to the school need to use the designated pathways and follow the signage to move around the school. Demolition will commence during the school holidays therefore there will be NO access to the College for the wider community and limited access to teachers.

 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this period.

STAFFING

At the end of this term we said farewell to Fiona Whelan, Integration Aide, and Erik Laubscher, Science and PE Teacher. We thank them for their work at our college and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Next term we welcome Stephanie Woodroofe, our new Legal Studies and Humanities teacher, who will be teaching at Greensborough College for the remainder of the year.

 

We will be welcoming back Graeme Scott in his role as Assistant Principal.  Graeme will return at the beginning of term 3 after a period of leave. Jim Ringin, Assistant Principal, will continue on in term 3.

NAIDOC WEEK 2-9 JULY

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

 

NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

 

There are many events and activities organised for the school holidays. For more information go to www.naidoc.org.au

SCHOOL PRIDE - UNIFORM

The College uniform is a visible sign of the school as an entity.  The wearing of the College uniform encourages confidence and pride in oneself as an individual and identifies the student as a member of the College community. 

 

I have had some concerns with the uniform around the following:

  • General appearance
  • Approved Accessories and the wearing of unapproved items
  • Make-up
  • Shoes

Specifically, facial and tongue piercings are not permitted.  Students are also wearing long bulky scarves rather than scarves that are modest in size (small/short). Scarves are to be one colour of navy, black or white.

 

In term 3 we will be taking a whole school approach to enforcing the correct wearing of school uniform.  I ask all families to ensure that students are wearing the correct and complete uniform from the first school day of the term (Tuesday 18th July). For more information about our uniform policy and requirements please go to COMPASS and click on the “people” icon. Under that, you will see the “Resources” folder, then the “Parent Handbook 2017” folder.

 

It has been a very busy and productive term.  I wish the staff, students and families a good term break. 

 

Pauline Barker

Principal