At St Patrick’s Catholic School, we are committed to creating a positive and respectful environment where each child can learn and grow. We believe that every student has the right to a safe and supportive learning space. Our approach to managing behaviour is clear, consistent, and fair, ensuring that all students understand what is expected of them and the consequences if expectations are not met.

Our Behaviour Expectations

We have three key behaviour expectations that we focus on in a positive and simple way. These are easy to remember and guide students in how to behave respectfully and responsibly.

• Be Engaged
   Students will:
• Be ready to learn.
• Look, listen, and actively participate in class.
• Follow directions and rules.
• Manage their time to help with learning.
• Be Responsible
   Students will:
• Take ownership of their actions.
• Look after their belongings and use equipment safely.
• Follow directions and respond respectfully.
• Be Respectful
   Students will:
• Respect the right of others to learn.
• Use kind words and good manners.
• Include others and be friendly.
• Keep hands and feet to themselves.
• Be mindful of others in shared spaces.

What is School Wide Positive Behaviour Support?

At St Patrick’s, we use a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) approach, which means:

• Everyone is working together towards a common goal: to create a positive school environment.
• There are clear and simple expectations for behaviour that everyone understands.
• We teach the behaviours we expect from students and consistently remind them of these expectations.
• Teachers and staff monitor and evaluate student behaviour regularly.
• Students are recognised and praised for following the expectations.
• Data is collected to help us make decisions and improve our practices.
• The expectations, "Be Engaged, Be Responsible, Be Respectful," are displayed clearly around the school, so everyone can see and remember them.

How We Manage Behaviour: Minor and Major Incidents

We understand that sometimes students make mistakes or show behaviours that need attention. We deal with these in a way that helps students learn from their actions.

Minor Incidents (Staff Managed)
Minor behaviours are those that might impact learning or relationships but are not serious enough to be escalated. These can happen in the classroom or playground and are typically managed by the teacher or yard duty staff. Examples might include talking out of turn, not following directions, or minor disruptions.

• Minor behaviours are teachable moments.
• Parents are informed through the student’s diary or COMPASS notification when minor behaviours occur.
• If a student repeatedly displays minor behaviours, the teacher may escalate the matter to a major referral, which involves the Leadership Team.

Major Incidents (Leadership Managed)
Major incidents are more serious and intentional actions, such as aggression or significant disruptions. These behaviours are handled by a member of the Leadership Team, who will apply an appropriate consequence based on the severity of the behaviour.

• The Leadership Team will contact the parents to inform them of the incident and the consequence.
• For both minor and major incidents, parents are kept informed about ongoing or serious behaviour issues through diaries, COMPASS notifications, phone calls, and updates about any consequences.

Keeping Parents Informed

We believe in keeping parents informed about their child's behaviour, whether it's a minor issue or a more serious concern. If a student's behaviour is impacting their learning or the learning of others, parents will be notified, and we will work together to find the best solution. Communication can happen through:

• Student diaries or COMPASS notification for minor behaviours.
• Phone calls from the classroom teacher or a member of the Leadership Team for major incidents.
• Regular updates if behaviour continues to be a concern.

Our goal is always to work with parents to support students in making positive choices and to ensure a respectful learning environment for everyone.