The Leichhardt way

Positive Behaviour for Learning at Sydney Secondary College-Leichhardt Campus

Click here for an informative Screencast that details how PB4L works at Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus.

^{Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)}

What is PB4L?

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) is a whole school framework of systemic and individualised strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behaviour.

We refer to PB4L as ‘The Leichhardt Way' at Sydney Secondary College - Leichhardt Campus

What are the core concepts of PB4L ?

Important evidence based features to understand include:

Prevention is better than cure. This includes defining and teaching positive social expectations.
Acknowledge positive behaviour, at Leichhardt this includes ‘Gotchas' for isolated displays of positive behaviour and merit awards for ongoing displays of pro-social behaviour or academic excellence.
Arrange consistent consequences for problem behaviour. All staff use a common behaviour management process. The process includes following common behaviour management steps with consistent consequences. It includes an opportunity for students to reflect on their behaviour and also to be supported by PB4L faculty and campus cards for an arranged period of time.
On-going collection and use of data for decision-making. We use formal and informal surveys to collect data about classroom and non-classroom settings, social skills lessons, merit award system and general questions about school culture.
Continuum of intensive, individual interventions. PB4L acknowledges that we need to take a holistic approach to our environments and students. This involves developing separate strategies for students who chronically present challenging behaviours.
Administrative leadership team-based implementation (Systems that support effective practices). We have a PB4L team that meets each fortnight. Each meeting we analyse our school wide systems, practices and behavior patterns. Our campus purpose is to ‘achieve excellence and promote positive behaviour through a responsible, respectful learning environment'.
Individual supports are more effective when implemented within integrated, school-wide systems of prevention. Behaviour is functionally related to the teaching environment. Successful student behaviour support is linked to host environments that are redesigned & supported to be effective, efficient, durable, & relevant for all students.

Why are ‘The Leichhardt Way' signs around the school?

PB4L involves clearly defining and positively stating school rules/expectations in all classroom and non-classroom settings. The signs are used by our staff as a point of reference when communicating with students about what is expected of them in relation to the Leichhardt Way.

The Leichhardt Way matrix has been attached under the caring for students section for your reference. Note: separate sections of the matrix are used around the school depending on the setting e.g. the Front Office and Staffroom areas have separate specific signs and expectations taken directly from the attached matrix.

How will ‘The Leichhardt Way' have a positive influence on the school culture?

Students know what is expected of them and choose to do so because they:

Know what to do
Have the skills to do it
See the natural benefits for acting responsibly

Staff and students have more time to:

Focus on relationships
Focus on classroom instruction

There is an instructional approach to discipline

Instances of problem behaviour are opportunities to learn and practise pro social behaviour

What are some examples of how PB4L has helped to create a positive school culture?

School Canteen - we changed the environment so that there are now barriers and designated lines for year groups. Students created a video that outlined the expectations for the canteen area and then staff members rewarded all the students who were doing the right thing. Behaviour reports linked to the canteen halved in the first two weeks.
School assemblies - we introduced the concept of students sitting in Moomba groups with staff actively supervising their group. We focused on separate Key Learning Areas being responsible for assembly each week and placing an emphasis on publicly acknowledging positive behaviours with student presentations of awards. In addition to this we conduct ‘Gotcha draws' where students win a prize for following the Leichhardt Way.
Changed bell times and added a second rover to the playground duty roster for staff - due to an increase in students needing supervision on the oval we changed the bell times to allow a second roving teacher (usually a Head Teacher) to actively supervise any area that needs it. Playground Duty referrals for negative behaviour events dropped by 18% in the first week.

I hear that students have to participate in social skills lessons, what do they involve?

Each faculty was asked to develop social skills lessons for Moomba lessons according to a designated area e.g. our TAS department developed lessons related to canteen behaviour.

Student's complete student centred activities that focus on the student's understanding of what is required in all settings around the school. Teachers also lead discussions and role play scenarios to engage the students in the various topics. This links with the overall concept of preventing problem behaviours.

In addition to this, year 7 students participate in a three day transition program with a focus on instilling the values of 'The Leichhardt Way'. Throughout term one, our year 7 students work with their Year Adviser, Wellbeing staff, Learning and Support staff and Year 10 Peer Support students to learn about ‘The Leichhardt Way' expectations and culture.

Are the students involved in PB4L?

Student voice and involvement is a critical component of the PB4L process. As highlighted students such as our Peer Support leaders are involved in teaching ‘The Leichhardt Way' and we use PB4L student focus groups to help with various projects e.g. students have created multiple videos including a Leichhardt Way introductory video to support year 7 student transition.

Where can I find out more information about Positive Behaviour for Learning?

If you follow this link you will find a large amount of information related to PB4L.