Classroom Behaviour

Vision

1. The school is a safe, enjoyable, success oriented environment where the rights of children to learn and of teachers to teach are maximised.
2. Students are supported and taught how to accept responsibility for their own behaviour.
3. All behaviour has consequences and irresponsible behaviour requires a non-violent consequence or response which protects the rights of students and teachers and enables the students to make more responsible future choices.
4. Verbal and physical harassment on gender, racial and other grounds is addressed and prevented.
5. Partnerships between staff, students and their families enhances students’ success and learning outcomes.

Action

1. Students have a right to a safe, secure, orderly learning environment:
   • Develop and model positive relationships
   • Maintain a safe and orderly school environment
2. Students learn best when they experience success:
   • Foster the development of a positive self concept
   • Provide opportunities for children to succeed
   • Have realistic expectations
   • Recognise effort as well as results
   • Provide opportunities to meet individual needs (eg girls, disabled, different cultures, NESB students, etc.)
3. Students are responsible for their own behaviour:
   • Inform students that the choice for responsible and irresponsible behaviour is their own.
   • Provide opportunities for students to develop and apply skills to problem-solving, negotiating, decision-making and leadership through both planned and unplanned learning experiences at school.
   • Expect students to accept the consequences for their behaviour choices.
4. All behaviours (appropriate and inappropriate) have consequences:
   • Provide opportunities for students to take part in determining the consequences for their behaviour.
   • Recognise and reward responsible behaviours.
   • Develop and support deterrents for irresponsible behaviour.
   • Support and guide students at all times regarding behaviour
5. Teachers, students and parents share the responsibility for the management of students’ behaviour:
   • Use collaborative decision-making processes
   • Develop and promote effective communication
   • Work together in a mutually supportive way
   • Engage outside agencies when necessary
   • Regularly monitor and review student behaviour management policy and procedures.
6. Department Regulation (123) states that teachers may detain students during the lunch period:
   Detention does not exceed one half of the lunch period
7. Departmental Regulation (175) states that a school may provide a recess break but are not necessarily required to, so detaining students during this break is not breaching school regulations.
8. If teachers decide to detain students they are responsible for their supervision except where Focus Room duty applies (refer to School Yard Policy).
9. No student is to be left unsupervised in the class or other area of the school.
10. It is unwise to detain or have only one child in the room. It is suggested that you send for another staff member.
11. An office sit-out area is provided in the Principal’s Office for the detention of students who have reached this consequence.
12. A student’s re-entry to the class is negotiated after a discussion between class teacher and Principal.
13. It is the teacher’s responsibility to follow up with Principal any students sent to office sit-out.

Review

1. Each teacher will monitor the behaviour records for their students – including class, school and yard sit out.
2. Discuss these with students individually and as a whole as appropriate.
3. Discuss issues of concern with Principal.