13 Aug 2015
Current research into effective student wellbeing promotes the implementation of positive behaviour programs. Our school follows the Positive Behaviour Engaging Learners (PBEL) program (sometimes referred to as Positive Behaviour for Learning PBL) across the whole school. This program was implemented after the school's PBEL team had undertaken intensive training.
The philosophy of this program aims to improve outcomes for all students by creating sustainable school-wide, classroom and individual systems of support that acknowledge the link between positive behaviour and enhanced learning environments.
PBEL provides students and staff at Willoughby with a positive and proactive system for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours. Three core behavioural expectations are taught to all students through social skills instruction. These expectations are applied across all areas of the school. They are: show respect, be responsible, do your best – The Willoughby Way.
In understanding what these expectations are, how they apply to all areas of the school, and the clear consequences of not following these expectations, students gradually learn to regulate their own behaviours. In order to reinforce positive behaviours, students are rewarded regularly and acknowledged through the school merit systems and assemblies. Our reward system reinforces positive behaviour from students with mini-merits, certificates and badges for displaying the three expectations. Students who display inappropriate behaviour are given time to discuss this behaviour and reflect on their behaviour. A clear flowchart and matrix of expected behaviours exist to enable students to understand the appropriate consequences of their behaviour. Signage and posters around the school will reinforce these expectations.
PBEL increases student engagement and learning by increasing ‘on-task' behaviours and decreasing distractions in the learning environment. The result is a positive school environment in which student academic and social outcomes are improved through increased teaching time and consistent expectations of behaviour.
Staff at Willoughby will continue to be assisted throughout the process so that they can intervene effectively to manage behaviours in non-classroom environments and also in the classroom settings. Data is collected and analysed regularly so that system changes can be made when necessary. We can see from our data so far that the program is highly successful in our school.
PBEL at Willoughby PS assists our staff in the delivery of the highest quality learning programs and improving academic and behavioural learning outcomes for all students.