Early humans faced survival threats from predators and the environment daily. Understandably, it was always safer to overact than to ignore the danger.
Today, the media seems to be shouting constant criticism about our schools, students, parents and educators, and it’s hard to ignore those messages and focus on what matters. Sometimes we focus too much on the noise, leaving us feeling overwhelmed.
This term, I encourage schools to focus on the wins. The big and small. The behaviour pile we want to see more of. The ones we choose to celebrate. The ones that show your school IS shifting the dial for the culture you want and deserve.
Like:
Mount Lawley PS, who need one less staff member on duty because repeat behaviours have reduced.
Wembley PS, whose students created a book with strategies to repair harm and restore relationships because their kids know that sometimes you need ‘more than sorry’.
Canning Vale ESC, who adopted the Past, Present, Future framework to enhance staff collaborative problem-solving and decision making.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder CHS, who have prioritised a whole-school language shift towards improvements in student on-time attendance.
Baldivis PS, whose data shows a significant drop in playground conflict and staff intervention.
Tjuntjuntjara RCH, where the Principal doesn’t need to collect students from home in the mornings now, as they come willingly, due to the team’s focus on restorative language and co-design.
Deloraine HS, who have been acknowledged by their system for significant increases in attendance following their commitment, with families, to restorative problem solving and engagement.
Driver PS, where staff consistently using a positive priming shared approach has strengthened student understanding, improved behaviour, and enhanced culture and connection across the school community.
Emmaus Catholic PS, where staff note calmer classrooms through collective responsibility and genuine connection with all students, strengthened by regular whole-school curious conversations.
Albany Secondary Education Support Centre, who have been using the Partner Portal bots to support the personalisation of consistent restorative practices to enhance behaviours for individuals.
Beeliar PS, who have noted significant reduced office visits for playground conflict.
Adam Rd PS who have noted a significant drop in admin referrals, particularly those involving unkind behaviours, as staff increase their facilitation of short restorative conversations in the playground.
Our partner schools continue to blow us away with their consistent and creative focus to ‘Tilt the earth’ each day.
I hope this term, every school takes the opportunity to ignore the noise, prioritise culture and collaboratively celebrate the wins that make a difference, with the people who matter most.
When we get our culture right, other great things happen.
