Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is launched at Merredin College in 2018
In 2017 the Merredin College embarked on a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) journey, in an effort to change the way students, teachers and the community think about behaviour.
George Sugai stated that “It is redesign of environments, not a redesign of individuals that will make a difference to school-wise behaviour”. Our goal is to create a safe, positive learning environment where students are engaged and successful. PBS is not ‘being soft on behaviour’ like tolerating or accepting aggression or violence in school, and it is not limited to any particular student. It is for all students in all settings.
Think of it this way – if a student doesn’t know how to read, we teach them. If a student doesn’t know how to spell, we teach them. If a student doesn’t know how to count, we teach them. If a student doesn’t know how to behave, usually we punish. So the question is; why can’t we finish the last sentence like the others?
During 2017 all stakeholders were asked what they thought were the biggest issues affecting students, staff, teachers and learning. The PBS team took this information on board. That is where our four new Merredin College school rules came in. These four positively stated behaviours outline what students and staff should be modelling in school, in the community, and online. They have become our new school rules and values. From now on if asked what Merredin College’s school rules are, we want the answer to be: