Positive Behaviour Education at Madeley PS

Last year the school introduced a new Positive Behaviour Policy. The policy has seen a very different approach being taken by our staff to the way we develop and manage student behaviour. A copy of the policy is available from the school office or it was posted as part of a recent newsletter. The following link will take you to a document on the Play is the Way website which explains some of the philosophy behind the new policy. My focus as Principal is to promote and embed one main rule into the culture and behaviour of everyone at our school, this rule is outlined in the policy as the Golden Rule: ‘Treat others the way you want them to treat you’. Applying this rule successfully into a persons’ life does not just happen, it requires continual learning and experience. Consider your own life and ask yourself how well you go in:

• recognising and regulating emotions,
• developing empathy for others and understanding relationships,
• establishing and building positive relationships,
• making responsible decisions,
• working effectively in teams,
• handling challenging situations constructively and
• developing leadership skills.

All of these behaviours are required if you are to live a life in which the Golden Rule is demonstrated. Even as adults we struggle at times to achieve this. Understandably, children need a positive and caring environment in which they can learn, practice and strengthen these behaviours. This is the kind of environment we seek to establish at Madeley Primary School. Although the behaviour of our students is usually excellent, occasionally I have parents visit me in my office to discuss concerns. It is important for parents to remember that there are no quick fixes when it comes to managing emotive and complex behavioural issues. The idea that a specific strategy, consequence or punishment will fix a problem is unrealistic especially when at the heart of the issue is ‘relationship’. At Madeley Primary School we care about relationships and will work to ensure that our school environment allows for relationship building through positive behaviour education.

The video embedded in this post was shown to students at a recent assembly to illustrate how treating others kindly can have a positive impact on behaviour.