Positive Behaviour for Learning Restorative Practice (PB4L RP)
Our school has been part of the Ministry of Education initiative Positive Behavior for Learning (PB4L) since 2014.
We transitioned to Positive Behavior for Learning Restorative Practice (PB4L RP) in 2017, to enhance student pastoral care and strengthen our relational approach to behaviour management.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
PB4L is a pastoral care system designed to help students think about their behaviour and how it impacts on their learning. It focuses on building a positive learning environment that supports students to behave positively and improves their resilience and wellbeing. With the help of teachers, students are encouraged to reflect on their learning, their relationships with others and how they can take responsibility for themselves. These skills are skills for life.
What does Positive Behaviour look like at Sacred Heart?
At our school positive behaviour is expressed through Head Heart Hands (HHH). Head Heart Hands reflects our core values of Faith/Whakapono, Hope/Tāmanako & Justice/Tika and is conveyed through Communion, Contemplation & Mission – CCM.
The HHH behaviour matrix (see diagram) which has been created in consultation with students, whānau and the community, identifies student behaviour expectations. Students are encouraged to meet these expectations and when ‘caught’ doing this are acknowledged through the HHH reward system. The HHH behaviour matrix forms the foundation for daily behaviour guidelines.
Rewards and Reward Cards
Our reward system works through a ‘card’ system similar to coffee cards. There are 4 levels to work through– Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each student starts at the Bronze level. Teachers will stamp a student’s card when the student demonstrates the expected behaviour. We refer to this as ‘caught being good’. When the card is completed students receive a certificate and progress to the next level. When a student completes the highest level- Platinum – they receive a HHH badge. Students repeat the process to earn more badges.
The reward system and rewards are reviewed regularly in collaboration with students, staff and parents.
Head Heart Hands
Restorative Practice
At our school in day to day behaviour management /discipline, we try to keep the small things small. Generally things will be dealt with in a low key manner. However, sometimes a specific and deliberate two way conversation needs to occur to address problems or problematic behaviour. We refer to this conversation as the ”mini chat/ restorative conversation.
The mini conversation/chat is facilitated by the teacher. Teachers are encouraged to engage in the mini conversation as a prevention and as early intervention. It provides an opportunity for those involved to “tell their story” and explore harm done. Students have a more active involvement in the justice process and those responsible are held to account. It requires participants to: reflect on their behaviour; who it has affected; what they need to do to “put things right“; to work with others involved to decide strategies that need to be applied in order to help move forward.
Further information about Restorative Practice can be found here.