School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
Not all students come to school with an understanding of appropriate behaviours. Along with modelling, we must explicitly teach acceptable behaviours if we want our students to exhibit them in our classrooms, the playground and the broader community. Students who exhibit and experience positive behaviour are able to learn more effectively and experience fewer social problems with their peers.
Teaching, modelling and reinforcing positive social behaviour is an important part of a student’s educational experience at Ascot Vale Heights School, and SWPBS aides the provision a positive climate for learning, where students are clear on what is expected of them, and are settled, engaged and ready to learn.
Key components of SWPBS are:
- A common approach
- Consistency of language
- A matrix of positively stated expectations
- Explicit teaching of expectations
- Regular and frequent opportunities to practice expected behaviours
- Incentive/rewards for meeting behavioural and learning expectations
A key feature of SWPBS is the explicit teaching of expectations. Doing so supports our students to know what it is that will make them successful learners and to be able to develop positive social relationships with peers and adults. Being clear on expectations, and re-teaching skills throughout the year, supports them to feel calm, safe and comfortable in knowing what they need to do next, as well as supporting their everyday independence. AVHS have ‘Be Kind’, Be ‘Safe’ and Be ‘Curious’ Learner rules
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SYSTEMS
We have in place an acknowledgement system, whereby students receive awards, Student of the Week certificates specific to the Be your Best rule. These acknowledgments help to promote discussion about our rules and encourage students to notice acts amongst their peers.
