Student Wellbeing

Term 4

Our staff continue to focus their professional learning to meet our AIP goals to Further develop and embed the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework.  SWPBS assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.  This week staff have been refining their Restorative Practice skills.

What is Restorative Practice?

Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged, including those damaged through bullying. It does this by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim.

Restorative Practices refers to the way the school works in promoting genuine relationships which result in better behaviour and learning at school. It also refers to the way in which young people are asked to think about, and take responsibility for, their behaviour and its effects on others. This approach endeavours to build a caring community around students whilst not accepting harmful behaviour. When conflicts occur, the restorative approach involves all those affected to find a way forward.

How are conflicts solved using Restorative Practices?

The students involved agree that a conflict or argument has taken place and agree to repair the harm or damage done. All those involved have a chance to give their point of view and say how things can be fixed in the future. In this way, an agreement is reached - it still may involve specific consequences or discipline procedures, depending on the circumstances. Importantly, relationships are healed wherever possible and any contributing problems are identified for follow up.

Restorative Language

Schools adopting a restorative philosophy use relational language that demonstrates respect, care and mutual responsibility. Feelings are shared and explored through affective statements and affective questions. Conversations about misbehaviour provide opportunities for students to consider how their behaviour impacts on others and how things can be put right. Students are supported to accept responsibility for their actions. A teacher or team leader using this approach would talk through what has happened using a restorative chat.This might take place informally in the classroom or quiet space/office when children have caused some harm or significant disruption.

An important Restorative Practice at Concord School is the Restorative Chat. A restorative chat seeks to understand, make amends and put things right.

At Concord School, a Restorative Chat could look like this:

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is Sunday 13th November. Concord School's SRC have decided that we will acknowledge this day on Friday 11th November by having an out of uniform day! 

The SRC requests a gold coin donation and are working as a group to identify how to spend or donate this money. The SRC reps have been working with their Student Wellbeing & Engagement Team Leaders to identify acts of kindness that we can all participate in. You can find some simple ideas of how to be kind here.

SRC Minutes

We had another great SRC meeting. Enjoy the minutes!

Bronwyn Hart

Assistant Principal

Wellbeing