Positive practice 4 Learning (Pp4L)

Havelock School is proud to be part of Positive Practice for Learning (PP4L). PP4L is all about teaching and encouraging positive behaviour, just like we teach reading, writing, or maths. It helps children understand what good choices look like and supports them to build strong relationships and succeed in their learning.

As the PP4L philosophy puts it:

“If a student does not know how to read, we teach. If a student does not know how to swim, we teach. If a student does not know how to multiply, we teach. If a student does not know how to behave, we teach.”

At Havelock, we use the PP4L framework in ways that fit our school and community. It creates a positive, consistent environment where children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Most importantly, PP4L isn’t about changing who our students are—it’s about making sure the systems, routines, and support around them set them up to make great choices and to thrive.

Havelock School Values and PP4L

At Havelock School, our three core values are Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. These values underpin everything we do and are woven into daily school life. To support them, we have created an Expectations Matrix (see below) that outlines what each value looks like in different contexts across the school. This matrix is used by both tamariki and staff, providing consistency in expectations and shared language.

PP4L lessons are taught regularly in every class and are based on this matrix. The lessons help children understand what our values look like in action and give them the chance to practise positive behaviours in a range of settings.

We recognise and celebrate students when they show our values. Some children need more reinforcement than others as they learn to make positive changes, and we use a variety of ways to acknowledge their efforts. These include verbal praise, tangible tūtohu tickets (which contribute to their house group points), positive notes home, HERO posts, certificates at assembly, and ultimately, the end-of-year Values Trophies awarded in each class.

By celebrating positive choices in these ways, we not only acknowledge individual students but also set clear examples for others—helping to build a culture of high expectations and positive behaviour right across the school.

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