We teach
- Self-discipline – so that children learn to take responsibility for behaviour choices, work and time management.
- Social skills – children practice the skills to learn to share, to use their words, ask questions, use eye contact, take turns in conversations and develop healthy relationships.
- Healthy decision making – practise problem-solving strategies to build positive relationships. Children experience natural consequences so that they learn from their mistakes.
- Impulse Control – children face logical consequences too so that they do not repeat the same mistake. By pre-teaching and using praise children learn to manage their impulsivity. Think, Act, Do!
- Emotional regulation – children use ‘feeling' words to better express their needs and wants. We use ‘time out' to give children space to calm down so they can manage themselves with dignity.
- Confidence – practise skills that build confidence and self-esteem so that children can learn from mistakes, accept criticism and use positive self-talk to help them find courage when needed. We talk about ‘bouncing back' and learning resilience.
Students report that Candelo School is a safe and happy place because we have clear processes to encourage positive behaviours and age-appropriate processes that help children to learn from the misbehaviours.
Positive welfare strategies include
- rights and responsibilities
- School Parliament
- Peer support
- Merit Awards
- public recognition of achievement
- support programs for students
- school rules
- Fish awards.
Consequences include extra class time with teachers, ‘time out' (on the silver seat) and lunch detention, counseling sessions with a teacher using de Bono's 6 Hats. Factual information, feelings, the impact on others and finding appropriate ways to respond to problems are discussed. Most often there is a need for mediation between students and an apology given. Parents are contacted about behaviours that are ongoing and/or raise concern so that we can plan appropriate interventions and determine what is causing the behaviour. Behaviour plans to support the child are developed in consultation with parents, the principal and the school counsellor (where appropriate).
Student welfare discipline and school citizenship policy
In our school and community every person, whether child, parent, teacher, voluntary worker, staff member or visitor, has basic rights. If we wish to exercise our rights we have a responsibility to make it possible for other people to enjoy rights too.
We have five basic rights, responsibilities and rules for our actions.
Rule 1: The safety rule
- I must act and play safely and allow others to act and play safely
- I have a right to play and do my work safely so I have a responsibility to allow others to play and work safely
- Follow play equipment rules – one person on the flying fox
- Stay within school grounds
- Follow correct wet weather rules – play under the COLA
- Follow bus travel code of conduct – stay in seat and talk quietly
- Play sensible games at break times – be aware of others
- Follow safe travel to and from school
- Follow emergency evacuation procedures
- Walk, don't run, when indoors, using stairs or on concrete
- Stay with your group/teacher on activities outside school grounds.
Rule 2: The learning rule
- I must try my best to learn and allow others to learn without interference
- I have a right to learn without interference so I have a responsibility to allow others to learn without interference
- Come to school every day
- Listen carefully to others
- Remain quiet during quiet activities
- Be in the right place at the right time
- Contribute sensibly during group work and help others to learn
- Work hard at your school work
- Try to do your best
- Complete homework tasks.
Rule 3: The respect for others rule
- I must respect other people, their beliefs, their opinions, and their belongings
- I have a right to be respected and to have my belongings respected so I have a responsibility to respect others, their opinions, their beliefs, and their belongings
- ·Speak politely to others
- Use your manners with everyone you meet
- Act in a kind and caring way to others
- Attend school every day
- Treat equipment carefully and thoughtfully
- Take care of other people's things
- Avoid bad language and put-downs
- Be kind, helpful and share with others
- Seek peaceful resolution to the conflict
- Follow appropriate directions, instructions, and requests given to you by teachers and other adults.
Rule 4: The school environment rule
- I must keep my school clean and tidy
- I have a right to have a clean and tidy school so I have a responsibility to keep our school clean and tidy
- Put rubbish in bins
- Look after outdoor areas
- Keep classrooms clean and tidy
- Play in sensible places in the playground
- Place bags in their proper places
- Leave the playground in a clean state
- Reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible.
Rule 5: The personal care rule
- I must care for myself and others
- I have a right to be healthy and happy at school so I have a responsibility to care for myself and others
- Help others in need
- Do healthy things – eat healthy foods, exercise and sleep well
- Bring a hankie or tissue every day
- Wear school uniform
- Keep warm on cold days
- Play in a safe way, leave sticks and stones alone
- Maintain a neat appearance including wearing school uniform
- Take care of my personal belongings, label school clothes.
Rules apply
- At all times within school grounds
- Traveling to and from school
- At all school activities conducted outside school grounds, for example, excursions or sport
- Everyone is encouraged to maintain the rules in the wider community.
Values
At Candelo Public School ‘Character is Destiny'. We teach the values of:
- Care – for yourself, for others and the environment
- Respect – for learning, for others and their property and the school rules
- Responsibility - to do your best and make the best choices
as part of the Department Core Rules and Values for students.
Core rules for students in NSW Government schools
Students in NSW government schools are provided with a high-quality education so that they may learn to the best of their ability and become self-disciplined, tolerant, enterprising and contributing members of the school and community. Core rules for student behaviour have been developed to establish consistent expectations in all government schools in support of these aims. These rules are based on our core values of integrity, excellence, respect, responsibility, cooperation, participation, care, fairness and democracy.
The critical role of parents and carers is recognised as the primary influence on each child's character and behaviour and as essential partners in supporting the core rules and the successful education of their children.
The Department is committed to supporting principals and school staff in the implementation of these rules through statewide policies and programs, together with regional support staff, professional learning and alternative provisions, in order to promote the highest standards of behaviour and learning in our schools.
All students in NSW government schools are expected to
- Attend every school day, unless they are legally excused, and be in class on time and prepared to learn
- Maintain a neat appearance, including adhering to the requirements of the school's uniform or dress code policy
- Behave safely, considerately and responsibly, including when traveling to and from school
- Show respect at all times for teachers, other school staff and helpers, including following class rules, speaking courteously and cooperating with instructions and learning activities
- Treat one another with dignity and respect
- Care for property belonging to themselves, the school and others.
Behaviour that infringes on the safety of others, such as harassment, bullying and illegal or anti-social behaviour of any kind, will not be tolerated.