Mr Irwin's Message

Term 4 Week 6 

Mr Irwin's Message

A few weeks ago we launched our Behaviour Matrix, a key tool for supporting high expectations across the school. This year we’ve been working towards implementing the School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports framework, led by Miss Kearney, Mr T and Mrs Christoe.  Our Behaviour Matrix defines the agreed expected behaviours of students in the school with regard to the different areas of the school and our school values.

All year long teachers have had a reward system in place to acknowledge positive behaviour in the classrooms. This term we are trialing a consistent reward system in the playground to acknowledge the positive behaviour we see in the yard too. Teachers acknowledge students with a raffle ticket which goes into the draw for an additional 15 minutes of free play on Friday afternoons.

At the bottom of my Principal’s page in the newsletter this week is a PDF version of the matrix you can download. At the moment we are focusing particularly on the respect/always cell. It would be great for families to print this off and have it on the fridge or somewhere prominent at home.

One question that does pop up from parents when they hear about reward systems is ‘why are children getting recognised for something we should simply expect them to do?’ It’s a fair and reasonable question to have.

We know from research around behaviour and improving behaviour that motivation and positive reinforcement has a far stronger impact on changing behaviour than consequences do. Having a system in place to support continued high level behaviour ensures as we grow as a school the behaviour continues to be at the high standard it currently is. The behaviour we reward is the behaviour that increases. This is true at home, school, in organisations and for children and adults alike!

Planning for 2020

Planning is underway for 2020 and I would like to remind to parents to please let us know of any students not returning to our school next year.

There is also an opportunity for any parent who would like to forward to me a written request for a class placement, based on a social aspect that may need consideration.  This is not about picking teachers, but about issues with other students that may have an impact on learning time.  Written requests need to be to me by Friday 15th of November.

Healthy Lunch Box Choices

For more information go to: https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/schools/healthy-lunchboxes