The most profound learning occurs when there is a healthy relationship between teacher and student. Restorative Practices assists teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. Restorative Practices will help build capacity to enable students to self regulate behaviour and contributes to the improvement of learning outcomes.
One strategy proving to be currently very effective in helping achieve this is the development and adoption of a school MANTRA. This mantra is known by students, school staff and parents. A MANTRA is a core belief to guide behaviour.
MANTRA
At our school we are
SAFE
RESPECTFUL
LEARNERS
who build, repair and maintain healthy relationships.
KIS – Keep It Simple
A school mantra is a very practical tool that assists all in the community to communicate clear values and practices and to focus on what is important.
For example, a teacher can ask a student the following question:
- ‘Is what you are doing safe?’
- ‘Are you respecting people and property?’
- ‘Is what you are doing helping or stopping others from learning?’
