School-Wide Positive Behaviour System (SWPBS) is an evidence-based framework for responding to and reinforcing positive student behaviours. It aims to create a positive school climate, a culture of student self-regulation and an open, responsive management system for all school community members. It includes analysis of behavioural and responsive data and implementation of evidence based instructional and corrective practices. SWPBS also supports the development of organisational systems for establishing safe, purposeful and inclusive school and classroom learning environments, while providing individual behaviour and learning supports needed for all students to achieve academic and social success. (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/).
Expected behaviours at Featherbrook College are based on our four values: Collaboration, Respect, Safe and High Expectations. A matrix has been developed by the college of expected behaviours for different locations across the college in relation to these values: Always and Everywhere, Learning Space, Online and Outside Learning Space. Members of the whole school community have contributed to the review and improvement of our college matrix. This document will be updated and displayed in areas across the school. The matrix is being applied across the college and the expectations are being explicitly taught to students through a structured SWPBS program.
An important aspect of SWPBS is consistency in response to student behaviour. The Featherbrook Flowchart ensures that students’ behaviour is being responded to in a systematic way enabling the establishment of a safe and predictable learning environment. It is a whole school approach to behaviour management which recognises students for demonstrating the expected behaviours on our matrix and catching students ‘doing it right’. Acknowledgements include: verbal praise, visual acknowledgements (eg thumbs up) house points and tangible rewards. The Featherbrook Flowchart also outlines ways to respond to inappropriate behaviours.
