Behaviour Management through Restorative Practices

‘It is not small people who ask for forgiveness. It is large hearted, magnanimous, courageous people who are ready to say what are some of the most difficult words in any language: “I am sorry”. But once uttered, they open the way to a new opportunity, the possibility of a new beginning, the chance to start again, having learnt a lesson from the past’. Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1998)

Discipline practices at Our Lady Star of the Sea school are based on Restorative Practices. Restorative Practices involve the building of positive relationships and establishing a supportive environment that is fair, consistent and democratic. The underlying principle is that relationships are important, and when a harmful or disruptive incident occurs, the focus is on the harm caused to the relationship and the subsequent repairing of that harm; rather than what rule has been broken and therefore what consequences will be imposed. Restorative Practices gives the school a unified and consistent approach to the management of children's behaviour. The school also aims to develop responsible self-discipline amongst students. The school believes that the school community is responsible for an effective policy, therefore communication and support between staff, students and parents is essential.

Restorative Practices Strategies include Circle Time, Affective Questioning, Restorative Circles and Conflict Resolution. Please take 3 minutes to watch this clip, introducing what Restorative Practices looks like in Catholic communities.

An introduction to Restorative Practices

Paul Anderson

Student Wellbeing Leader