At St. Joseph’s School we implement a whole school positive behavioural framework called, Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

In 2012, we launched PBIS and our school mascot, ‘Mr. P.B’ for the program.

PBIS is a framework that sets three whole school expectations for staff and students. Expected behaviours for each setting of the school are then taught under these three whole school expectations. Our three whole school expectations are:

• Always Respectful
• Always Safe
• Always Learning

St. Joseph’s School, Cobram has attached two ‘Golden Rules’ to each whole school expectation. These provide further instruction as to expected behaviours throughout the school.

• Always Respectful
  • Include others
  • Use please, thank you and excuse me
• Always Safe
  • Walk inside
  • Keep you hands, feet and objects to yourself
• Always Learning
  • Listen to the speaker
  • Personal Best

We teach ‘setting’ expectations through the use of Matrices. Each setting has a separate matrix, for example lining up, assembly and toilets. These matrices are explicitly taught and revised by teachers and students.

The benefit of a framework like PBIS is that it is a whole school approach. Regardless of the year level, setting or teacher, students and staff will expect and respond to behaviours in the same manner.