Behaviour Development Restorative Practice

At Genesis Christian College, we believe that healthy relationships are essential for teaching and learning. That's why we use restorative approaches to matters relating to behaviour development. Restorative practice is a philosophy and application that supports the development of well-rounded, socially and emotionally competent students who recognise how their behaviour impacts others and understand that they are accountable for their actions and words.

Positive interpersonal relationships have a major influence on behaviour. Evidence from restorative practice suggests that staff-student relationships have a major influence on student engagement and achievements. Nurturing positive, respectful relationships with students has a profound impact on their overall behaviour and learning outcomes. Restorative practices help build a student's capacity to self-regulate behaviour, gives them the tools and strategies they need to have good relationships which in turn, contributes to their behaviour development.

A restorative approach leads to individuals taking responsibility for their behaviour. Restorative practice has been described as doing things 'with people' rather than 'to' or 'for' them. The idea is that if people are part of the process, they are more likely to make positive changes. A restorative approach focuses on accountability and meeting the needs of those involved, rather than the emphasis being on blame and punishment. Attention is given to the 'harm' not on the wrongdoer.

Teachers use restorative chats to help students understand how the decisions they make can affect the people around them. These are normally quick informal interactions, where teachers can model thinking to the students.

If teachers notice they are having the same conversations and the behaviours are not improving, a restorative conference is booked during break with one of our facilitators. This replaces the traditional detention/reflection room and is a more formal conversation, often involving multiple students. Restorative dialogues/conversations use a scripted set of questions to explore and resolve a problem or problems in a respectful way. These conversations provide a structured framework for listening, communicating, and problemsolving, enabling individuals to understand the impact of their actions, repair harm, and make amends.

To clearly articulate expectations for all sectors of our College community, we have an established Code of School Behaviour with accompanying rights and responsibilities. Our students will be encouraged to live out the gospel values in all activities across the College, and where possible, expectations and strategies will be reinforced with visible charts and icons in classrooms and playgrounds. Rules for playground equipment use will be clearly displayed and reinforced in daily notices and messages at assemblies. It is expected that all members of the Community will abide by this code of conduct, respecting the rights of others and understanding and fulfilling the accompanying responsibilities.

We believe that a restorative approach to behaviour development is crucial for creating a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment. It enables students to take responsibility for their actions, build positive relationships, and develop the skills they need to navigate complex social situations. We look forward to working together with our students, staff, and families to promote a culture of restorative practice and build a community that is inclusive, empathetic, and just.

Written by Jacqui Grotius

What an amazing journey!

Originally scheduled to premiere in 2022, the preparation of Annie was again impacted by COVID, but we can all agree it was definitely worth the wait.

Annie’s heartfelt theme had universal appeal to our audience and was performed four times over three big days. Annie’s amazing cast captivated our audience as they joined her quest to find her real parents. They laughed and cried as the story of Annie unfolded with high quality acting, singing and dancing. The stage was transformed time and again by the crew with brilliant sets that featured a magnificent backdrop and a show-stopping chandelier. The band was, as always, an integral part of the show, delivering consistently polished performances.

Audiences agreed - the scale and quality of our College musicals continue to improve every production.

To the core staff team who brought this show to life, we extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks. Parents, we deeply appreciate the support and encouragement you provided your children throughout their Annie experience. Finally, to the student cast and crew, we have been so blessed by your hard work and positive attitudes. Congratulations and thank you for your energy and endurance to bring this fantastic story to life for the Genesis Christian College family!

We are thrilled to share the recent efforts of our students who have been conducting fundraising events to support the Mini Farm Project. The Mini Farm Project is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture and providing healthy, fresh produce to local communities impacted by food insecurity.

Our students took the initiative to organise various fundraising events, including BBQs, raffles, bake sales, car washes, and a stall at the Lawnton twilight markets to raise money for this worthy cause. We are proud to report that their hard work and dedication paid off, and they raised a significant amount of money to support the Mini Farm Project.

In addition to their fundraising efforts, our students also had the opportunity to visit the Mini Farm and assist in weeding the garden beds. This experience was not only educational but also allowed our students to contribute to the community in a meaningful way.

We believe that these efforts are a testament to the values we strive to instil in our students. At Genesis, we encourage our students to be socially responsible and to take an active role in serving their community. We are proud to see our students embody these values through their support of the Mini Farm Project.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the parents, teachers, and community members who supported our students' fundraising efforts. Your contributions were vital in helping us achieve our fundraising goals and support this worthy cause. We hope to continue our partnership with the Mini Farm Project and support their mission to promote sustainable agriculture and provide fresh produce to local communities.

Primary Library Update

The primary library space, and in fact the entire library space, has seen significant physical changes this year. Amongst the demolition and early signs of reconstruction happening within the College, the primary library has shifted into the main library space. But fear not! This furniture shuffle and reimagination of how to optimize space without compromising a suitable land of stories to cater for primary aged students has not diminished the effectiveness of our modern-day library space. Our library remains a fantastic physical space within which, as I have previously suggested, students can both learn and escape to the natural habitat of the bookworm. Indeed, our library continually extends its boundaries according to the ever-growing digital world.

A new edition to the library spaces used by primary students has been the introduction of Einstein’s Garden. Einstein’s Garden aims to challenge the mind in a range of different ways including mind puzzles, games, riddles, art, construction and more. It aims to challenge and stretch thinking for students who will benefit from these types of activities. The garden itself is designed space within the library lounge and is for students seeking to challenge their thinking skills during second breaks.

A partnership between the library and the classroom continues to evolve, particularly in the development of digital and information literacy. As a teacher-librarian, I have worked with students throughout the primary school to teach and implement skills needed to learn and present ideas in a world that continues to advance at an ever-increasing rate, an information-rich world that needs to be navigated in a safe and meaningful way.

Written by, Mr Swift

Primary Teacher-Librarian