Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Statement of Purpose

Lawson Public School provides quality learning in an inclusive and caring environment. We value respect, responsibility & safety. We are committed to modelling and enacting these values. Our mission is to support children to become confident, lifelong learners.

What is PBL?

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a framework that brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture. The framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.

When PBL is integrated, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction.

Students and staff benefit from:

- improved social-emotional wellbeing
- increased time focused on instruction
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
- reduced inappropriate behaviour
- support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
- a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time

What does PBL look like at Lawson Public School?

It is important that all students are taught what is expected of them and have opportunities to practise expected behaviours. A key role of the principal and all school staff is to set high expectations for behaviour and learning across the whole school community and for all students. Having clear expectations for behaviour allows schools to provide consistency in what they teach, acknowledge and correct in terms of student behaviour.

Lawson Public School has identified and defined 3 positive, school-wide behaviour expectations for all members of the school community to follow. Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible. Students are then explicitly taught the expectations, when and where they should be used and what each expectation looks like and sounds like. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) schools develop a school-wide system for teaching expectations to all students.

Successful teachers define, teach, reteach and model the expected behaviours. They provide regular opportunities for students to practise the expected behaviours in the settings in which they will be used. They also actively supervise students, promote the expected behaviour, prevent and correct inappropriate behaviour and acknowledge positive behaviour continuously.

Providing students with positive reinforcement for expected behaviours is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve classroom behaviour and develop a positive classroom environment. Everyone needs positive feedback to learn and maintain a behaviour or skill. Behaviour is reinforced when we are provided with something we value following a desired behaviour. This may be verbal praise, non-verbal acknowledgement, earning of tokens, provision of tangible rewards, or opportunities to perform a task or participate in an activity.

PBL Awards, Recognition and Celebration

Student achievement is celebrated and encouraged at Lawson PS through a whole-school focus on PBL. Individual students have the opportunity to receive class awards at our K-6 assembly, held each fortnight. Students are presented with awards recognising effort, achievement or improvement. Related work samples may be displayed in the front office for students, staff and visitors to see. Parents/carers are informed via a note home if their child is to receive an award at assembly and are welcome to participate as audience members. Our Presentation Day is held at the end of each year to recognise excellence in student achievement across various fields. All Kindergarten students receive an award to celebrate their first year of learning at Lawson PS. In addition, each class teacher from K-6 selects a number of individuals to receive awards for specific achievements, with awards such as Dux of the school also being presented.