Student Wellbeing
Student wellbeing is a key element in learning success.
At Farrer PS we believe that every child can learn successfully when they feel valued, supported and included. We pride ourselves on the thorough approach we have to student wellbeing and the impact this has for students and families.
The Farrer Primary School Student Wellbeing Procedures captures the strategies in place in the sections of universal, selected and targeted.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Farrer Primary School strives to provide a caring, happy and safe environment for every child. This is reflected through our school values of: excellence, innovation, sustainability, inclusion and support.
Our school expectations are that children be safe, respectful, responsible learners. Behaviour rules across our school link back to these expectations.
In mid 2019, Farrer Primary School began its journey as a Positive
Behaviour for Learning (PBL) School. PBL is a framework that schools use to get everyone – students, staff, families and the school community, on the same page to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
PBL is an international evidence-based whole school process which can be implemented in any school setting to support all students.
Features of PBL
Schools create clear expectations and rules that use positive language, for example "walk" instead of "don't run". This is done for all areas across the school and all people involved in the school community. Students and families are involved in this decision making process.
PBL features a system designed to acknowledge students for following the expectations. Each school community decides how they would like to do this and for this reason, acknowledgements look different in every school.
The clearly defined set of expected behaviours (expectations and rules) is backed up by teaching procedures and procedures for acknowledging expected behaviours as well as responding to other behaviours.
School communities also work together to decide on what happens when things don't go according to plan.
PBL uses an educative approach so there is the opportunity for students to get back on track.
Our school is supported in implementing PBL by an External Coach from the Education Directorate.
What are the benefits of PBL?
When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
- increased time focused on instruction;
- improved social-emotional wellbeing;
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff;
- reduced inappropriate behaviour;
- better support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student needs; and
- a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected.
Farrer Primary School values statement
Excellence Innovation Sustainability Inclusion Support
At Farrer Primary School we value and provide an inclusive and supportive environment which encourages excellence and innovation in the development of lifelong learners.
We work together to promote sustainability by being active members of our local and global community.
We are safe, responsible, respectful learners.
School expectations
Safe Respectful Responsible Learner
Social and Emotional Learning
Farrer Primary School draws on the Friendly Schools Plus resources to explicitly teach social and emotional skills and understandings.
Teachers run regular Circle Time with their classes to create cohesion, provide opportunities for reflection, to problem solve and explicitly teach certain concepts.
In 2021 as part of a collaboration with school psychologist Louise Bromhead, the PBL team will lead the staff in aligning Positive Behaviour for Learning with Social and Emotional Learning. Our journey will be shared with other schools within the Directorate.