School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
An Overview of SWPBS
In order to develop a positive, safe, supportive learning culture, Ripponlea PS is committed to implementing the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) approach to teaching expected behaviours from Foundation to Year 6. The SWPBS framework enables us to improve the social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for all our students.
The goal of PBS (a shortened abbreviation we have chosen) at Ripponlea PS is to create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment that enhances our school culture and our community. Our approach aligns academic and behavioural systems to create an emphasis on explicitly teaching, monitoring, and acknowledging appropriate behaviour.
PBS provides teachers and students with more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. All students, teachers and staff will benefit from:
- increased respectful and positive behaviour;
- increased time focused on instruction;
- improved social-emotional wellbeing;
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff;
- increased adoption of evidence-based instructional practices; and
- a predictable learning environment with improved perceptions of safety.
The PBS approach is comprised of evidence-based behavioural interventions and practices that can be implemented by staff to effectively address and support the socially and educationally important behavioural needs of students and their families.
Purpose Statement
At Ripponlea PS we care about ourselves, others, our learning and our school; we create an environment where we can grow and learn; we connect our actions with outcomes which helps us make good decisions.
Our Values
Students and staff selected three key values to underpin all the positive behaviours we expect to see within our school:
- Respect
- Pride
- Safety
Our PBS Mascots
In 2022, we held a school-wide competition to help create our PBS Mascots. The winning designs emphasised our school’s connection to the indigenous culture and through the Bunurong Land Council, our animal mascots were officially named.
Respectful Roo Proud Platypus Safe Snake
Matrix of Positive Behaviour Expectations
Our shared values and expected behaviours are clearly identified in the Ripponlea PS Matrix of Positive Behaviour Expectations. This matrix was created with input provided by all our students, Foundation through to Year 6, teachers and staff. You will find this document on display in classrooms and learning areas of the school. Teachers and staff use the language of the matrix when proactively identifying desired behaviour and when acknowledging students for their actions and the values shown when doing so.
Positive Behaviour Acknowledgement System
Ripponlea PS’ positive behaviour acknowledgement system is often referred to as PBS tickets. These tickets are awarded to students during learning time, recess and lunchtime. Teachers present these, clearly identifying the value and positive behaviour that the student has demonstrated. In addition, each week students exhibiting positive behaviours are selected by leadership for the PBS Principal’s Award. All PBS tickets are placed in jars in the school foyer, with four students from Foundation, Year 1/2, Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 randomly drawn each fortnight during assembly, by the School Captains. Selected students are provided with a certificate and are featured on our PBS Bravo Wall. Parents and carers are invited to the assembly to see their child awarded their special certificate of acknowledgement.
“If a child doesn’t know how to read, we teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to multiply, we teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to drive, we teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we… teach?.. punish?
Why can’t we finish the last sentence as automatically as we do the others?”
– (Herner, 1998)
For further information please refer to:
© Ripponlea Primary School