Positive Behaviour for Learning

Student Behaviour

Rationale

St Joseph's School is committed to fostering a positive culture and a safe, inclusive learning environment, where the dignity of each person is respected at all times. This commitment requires mutual trust and respect, enabling all students to fully participate in an environment that enriches their spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth and outcomes.

Recognising that students may occasionally engage in inappropriate behaviors for various reasons, St Joseph's emphasizes that the response and educational process surrounding these behaviors are crucial. How we understand and address these behaviors can significantly influence the development of long-term positive behaviours in students.

Positive Learning Environment

Students with problem behaviours are more likely to have academic deficits. Implementing school-wide behaviour support can improve academic performance by enhancing student attendance, increasing classroom instructional time, and boosting academic engagement. Research has shown that schools with school-wide behaviour support experience greater academic improvements compared to those without it (Horner et al., 2005; Larsen, Steele, & Sailor, in press). At St Joseph's, staff teach all students the behaviours necessary to foster a positive learning environment. We believe that developing and maintaining positive relationships are crucial for successful learning, and we provide positive acknowledgment at a 4:1 ratio of positive behaviour-specific praise to corrective feedback.

Behaviour Management Policy

St Joseph's School has a clearly documented Behaviour Management Policy, anchored in the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Framework. This whole-school approach to behaviour management focuses on developing students' knowledge, skills, and capabilities to understand and exhibit positive behaviors. The policy outlines clear expectations, processes, and consequences for corrective feedback when necessary.

School Expectations

Our School Wide Behavioural Expectations for each student and every staff member, in all learning areas—both inside and outside—are encapsulated in the Spirit of Unity: being Respectful, Courageous, Responsible, and Kind.

A consistent, whole-school approach to managing behaviours is essential. Expectations, development of knowledge, skills, and capabilities, along with support and management of student behaviour, must align with the school’s vision and the PBL Framework. PBL creates a positive, safe, and supportive school climate where all students can learn and develop.

At a PBL school, teachers, administrators, and family members collaborate to teach and support behavioural values. PBL is implemented to improve the behaviour of all students in all school settings. Every part of a PBL school—including classrooms, school gates, and buses—is considered an integral part of the total learning environment. PBL schools foster a culture where teachers deliver instruction based on a set of behavioural values and positively acknowledge students for exhibiting these behaviours. All school personnel are responsible for understanding the behaviour expectations and providing consistent positive feedback to students. It is expected that each teacher will implement the PBL Framework and display the Behaviour Matrix and Behaviour Management Process in their classroom.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.