mmg.com.au

Students of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Elmore are ditching the rulebook with their new positive behavioural interventions and support programs.

‘‘We have no rules now,’’ student Rachel Bryans said.

Principal Reuben Johnson said the students are no longer told not to do something but the four basic rules: ‘respect all’, ‘be your best’, respect the environment’ and ‘be safe’.

Mr Johnson gave the example of instead of telling a student not to run inside, he could refer to the chart and ask the student to explain if they were being safe and how.

He said this was a much more positive approach to school life.

‘‘They are taking ownership of it (their behaviour) as a community,’’ he said.

Rachel said she applied aspects of the program to her life in the community by doing simple things such as picking up rubbish.

A travelling artist recently painted a mural to reflect the new behavioural chart and Catholic values from the Sandhurst diocese.

Mr Johnson said Catholic values were the inspiration for the program and were also important for students to remember.