In Week One, you will have received correspondence from the College introducing our new positive behaviour support process: RRP at MRC. As stated in this correspondence, RRP, which stands for Reflective and Restorative Process, is an educative process that gives students the opportunity to reflect on inappropriate behavioural choices, the time and space to learn about more appropriate ways to have their needs met, and to recognise that their behavioural choices have detrimental impacts on themselves and others.
The process is centred on our College values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Hospitality and Justice and is deeply rooted in Catholic Social Teachings and Gospel Values.
How does Positive Behaviour Support differ from traditional behaviour management?
Traditional behaviour management focuses on discipline and consequences for poor behaviour. However, when schools react only with punishment, students don’t learn the skills they need to improve. Positive behaviour support (PBS) decreases problematic behaviour by teaching students the skills of making good choices.
What is Reflective Practice and why is it important?
Reflective Practice is a continuous learning process where students recall and reflect on their own actions and learn from their mistakes. In Reflective Practice, mistakes are embraced as opportunities for learning and growth. When students are referred to the Reflection Space, they are invited to reflect on what happened that lead to their referral, and to analyse their actions and choices. With help from a trained facilitator, they discuss what they have learned and how they could handle things differently in similar future situations.
What is Restorative Practice and why is it important?
Restorative Practice builds a more connected community by encouraging students to take responsibility for the way their behaviour impacts others. Once students have reflected on their behaviour in the Reflection Space, they are invited to have a restorative conversation with their teacher and make amends. Students are taught how to have these conversations and, once they occur, can move forward with a clean slate.
The Reflection Space
The Reflection Space is in Room 4, which is at the eastern end of the Year 9 corridor. The space is deliberately designed to be a calm place with designated areas for quiet individual reflection and private discussion. It’s dual use, as a time-out space for students who need to leave class to self-regulate, means it also has areas dedicated to the practice of mindfulness. The space is staffed by trained facilitators.
We look forward to your support in getting this new process up and running. I am sure it won’t be without the usual teething problems, and for this, we ask for your patience. If you have any questions or feedback related to the process, I encourage you to contact me directly on 0475 508 708.
Mrs Nicole Pardon
Reflection Space Coordinator