"Being the Best We Can Be"

Self Control

Unity

Perseverance

Enthusiasm

Respect

Introduction

The school-wide Being The Best We can Be plan aims at a consistent, whole school, community partnership to student behaviour management, where students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach, in a secure and happy environment, where Jesus is the model for our behaviour.

The plan is based on working together to determine what needs children are trying to meet when they make inappropriate choices.

By working together, children develop skills so that they take responsibility for their own behaviour and feel empowered to make the right/best choices.

Aims

Being the Best We Can Be, is underpinned by the Gospel values of Self Control Unity Perseverance Enthusiasm Respect and SUPER

•  It encourages a positive partnership between home and school.
•  Success is dependent on the teacher and child/ren building relationships based on trust and respect.
•  It supports staff to build a positive classroom culture by using a management routine which is just, positive, firm and consistent and encourages children to make positive choices and to take responsibility when they don't.
•  It increases the amount of effective teaching time, and develop a learning environment free from disruptions, that encourages and recognizes effort, success, improvement and on task behaviour.
•  It develops students' Self Control, Unity, Perseverance, Enthusiasm, Respect

Founding Principles

Restorative Thinking Practices Accountability

Forgiveness

Reconciliation

Restoration of Right Relationships

Guidelines

At our school students and teachers have the right to learn in a secure, safe and happy environment, where Jesus is the model for our behaviour.  In our classrooms and playground this means we are kind and respectful to ourselves, each other and our environment. We show this by looking after each other.

•  Using caring, positive, polite language.
•  Being careful with our own and others property.
•  Doing what we are asked to do in a positive and prompt manner.
•  Using the FIVE FINGER TOOL to solve problems.
•  Working together to make the most of our learning opportunities so we can develop our talents to become SUPER ACHIEVERS.

Problem Solving

We encourage the children to use the "FIVE FINGER TOOL"

•  Is there really a problem?
•  Make an "I" statement.
•  Move away.
•  Talk to a helpful person.
•  Ask a teacher for help to solve the problem.

Classroom Management Routine

Each class will negotiate their own class covenant using the principles within the values of Self Control, Unity, Perseverance, Enthusiasm and Respect

Strategies

•  Remind
•  Direct
•  Question
•  Redirect
•  Clarify Consequences
•  Establish Consequences

Classroom Process

Before responding to a child's behaviour the staff will always determine what needs children are trying to meet when they make inappropriate choices.

If children are not following and respecting the class covenant, they are interfering with their own positive learning and that of their classmates. They will be asked to put their name on the board using the appropriate code. 

T = Talking when the teacher or others are talking

B = Inappropriate behaviour

D = Disrupting other's learning

V = Inappropriate voice

L = Not prepared for learning

This signals that there is a need to think about making positive choices about behaviour. They will also have the opportunity to reflect on ways to make positive choices with their teacher.

If children continue to make further inappropriate choices they will then need to complete a Thinking About My Behaviour Sheet which will be sent home for discussion.  If this pattern continues a meeting will be convened to discuss further action.

For Severe Behaviour

For severe behaviour, matters are dealt with quickly.

This type of behaviour includes actions that are harmful or dangerous to others (students and staff).

Any of the following actions will be taken according to the severity of the behaviour.

•  In-school suspension.
•  Request for parent to remove the child at lunchtime.
•  Request for parent to be the child's minder at school;
•  Stand-down for up to 5 days per term / 10 days per year.
•  School Suspension as per Ministry of Education Guidelines.

Reward System

•  Values Awards
•  Principals Postcards

Your Role in Promoting and Supporting Being the Best We Can Be

•  Discuss with your child Being the Best We Can Be.
•  Use the FIVE FINGER TOOL as a strategy for solving problems at home
•  When discussing incidents or problems keep the values of Self Control Unity Perseverance Enthusiasm and Respect in mind.
•  If your child has a problem, encourage them to speak with a teacher.
•  Seek clarification from your child's teacher or a member of the leadership team.
•  Keep issues about your child and other people's children between you and your child's teacher/the school.
•  Gossip and phone calls about the behaviour of other people's children with non involved parties/parents seldom solves problems - it can escalate them.
•  Avoid speaking about other children in front of your child.
•  Never bail up or ball out a child yours or anybody else's in our playground.
•  Trust that consequences, staff have given children, have been decided upon with integrity and staff have followed school procedure.
•  It is not helpful to compare your child/ren's consequences with those of others.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher or Teresa Edwards the Principal for further information.