We expect all members of our community to:
- be safe
- be respectful
- be responsible.
The PBL philosophy operates on the understanding that all students need to know and understand the expectations. These are set out in the matrix of expected behaviours. Students are expected to be able to state the rules and are taught what they mean. When students exhibit the expected behaviours they are recognised for their efforts.
Teaching the rules
Everywhere you go in our school you will see our expectations clearly stated. Teachers consistently remind students what being a safe, respectful and responsible learner means and looks like. Balgowlah North Public School incorporates lessons on social skills, following the rules and modelling our values into the classroom program.
Recognising positive behaviours
The most powerful form of recognition is positive praise. We all like to be told we've done a good job. This is our most powerful tool and we work hard to recognise students in all areas of school life.
Balgowlah North Public School also operates a formal recognition system.
Our merit system encourages a continuity of positive behaviour based on our PBL program as students move from grade to grade throughout their school years.
Mini merits
Students are recognised for their efforts to be safe, respectful and responsible learners using mini merits. The mini merits remind students of our expectations. When you've collected 10 mini merits they are exchanged for a merit certificate.
Merit certificates
Our school uses merit certificates to recognise students. Merits certificates are issued when students collect 10 mini merits or by teachers in weekly assemblies.
Principal's award
When students collect 5 merit certificates they are eligible for a Principal's award. These are issued twice per term at a full school assembly.
Banners
When students collect 2 Principal's awards they are eligible for a Banner. These are issued twice per term at a full school assembly.
School medal
When students collect 2 Banners they are eligible for a school medal. These are issued twice per term at a full school assembly and is the highest recognition for a student during their school career.
Citizenship award
Citizenship award is an important part of our PBL program. This award is presented to outstanding students who consistently exhibit our PBL values and behaviours. The Citizenship award is presented twice per term at a full school assembly to a student in Kindergarten to Year 2 and Year 3 to Year 6.
View Citizenship Criteria (PDF 47KB).
What we do when students display inappropriate behaviour?
The school uses a range of approaches to work with students who display inappropriate behaviour.
These include:
- time out
- teacher conferences
- mediations
- restitution.
The school operates a formal levels of behaviour program Kindergarten to Year 6.
This allows all students to recognise that choosing inappropriate behaviour will result in formal consequences. Underpinning this is our own PBL program and all consequences are designed to encourage students to choose safe, respectful and responsible behaviour.
For more serious behaviours parent contact and parent interviews may be required.
The PBL team consistently reviews the strategies for supporting students who have difficulty demonstrating our school values.