Page 4322 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 13 October 2009
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settings and pastoral care support. The ACT public schools have a variety of other strategies to not only address serious misbehaviour but also prevent it from happening in the first place. The Department of Education and Training has in place a suite of policies which guide schools in promoting supportive learning environments in which all students can expect to feel safe. These policies deal with countering bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination in all ACT public schools. These policies support schools to develop sound behaviour management structures—structures that empower students to make responsible decisions and take responsibility for their behaviour.
In addition, the government formed the Safe Schools Taskforce, which brings together key stakeholders to consider issues associated with student safety in ACT public schools. The department, principals, the ACT police, the Youth Advisory Council, the P&C and the preschool society all come together to develop innovative solutions to address ongoing and emerging student safety concerns.
Policies guide our practice, but what happens day to day? What behaviour management strategies are in place to address issues of violence, student safety and non-engagement? In terms of our health, we all understand the saying that prevention is better than cure, and I believe that that wise adage works well for schools as well.
The best behaviour management strategy of all is one that creates an environment and culture where misbehaviour is rare. And the best place to start is where the learning happens, in the learning environment. For most students, a good quality curriculum taught by skilled teachers is the most effective strategy for creating a climate of positive behaviour. In many cases, students who have access to challenging, interesting, relevant and meaningful learning activities are less likely to misbehave. And students in the ACT have access to such learning.
In 2006, the government released Every chance to learn, the ACT P-10 curriculum framework. This framework is comprehensive, up to date, purposeful and robust. It is the result of wide consultation with everyone who knows about learning for children and young people: principals, teachers, parents, curriculum experts and community members. It enables teachers to design learning experiences which target the needs and capture the interests of every child in their class.
Within the breadth of experiences offered by the new curriculum, students can access such things as gifted and talented programs, elite sports and arts programs, vocational education and training, Australian school-based apprenticeships, careers advice, student leadership opportunities, school musicals and bands, and team sports
All this happens in increasingly improved facilities, with half a billion dollars worth of new facilities, including new and refurbished schools and playgrounds, new libraries, gyms and classrooms, state-of-the art computer labs and industry standard performing art centres.
Children and young people are motivated to learn in these facilities and in our schools where teachers care about and respect them. Through these investments, we are creating safe schools for all children and young people.
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