Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is endorsed by the Victorian Department of Education and Training as an evidence based framework for improving school outcomes. This approach was first introduced at our school in 2019 to help teach our students appropriate communication and social skills. These skills are based on Ballam Park Primary School’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Kindness and Safety. Evidence shows that teaching, recognising, acknowledging and rewarding positive behaviour helps reinforce these social skills and is an important step in our student’s education.
Information:
- The purpose of PBL is to increase our student’s learning opportunities by preventing or decreasing problem behaviours.
- We do this by teaching problem solving strategies. and expected behaviours.
- PBL revolves around the positive reframing of language as opposed to the traditional view of ‘DON’T’. Previously, children would hear ‘don’t run’, now they hear ‘we are safe by using our walking feet’. This positive reframing teaches the children the appropriate expected behaviour, in turn, reducing problem behaviours.
- Posters are displayed in the relevant areas throughout the school. These posters depict the appropriate behaviour for that given area through written statements and pictures. In the corridors you will find the ‘Hallway Expectations’ with the ‘walking feet’ statement and picture examples (as pictured).
- The BPPS values (Respect, Responsibility, Kindness and Safety) are taught and expected in all areas of the school.
- Ballam Park Primary School has an agreed reward system for reinforcing expected behaviour. Encouragement, guidance and rewards are helpful for students to build their social and communication skills. Staff provide tokens to students who demonstrate the expected behaviour. These tokens can be used in a variety of ways.
- Each week, one student from each grade is selected for having consistently shown a particular value/behaviour. This student receives an award in assembly. Each specialist teacher also selects a student to be recognised in assembly.
