Positive practice 4 Learning (Pp4L)

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.

Behaviour Management Policy & Plan

Our school provides a safe physical and emotional environment for students and staff. We promote a culture of care and protection of students, and we prioritise this when managing behaviour and dealing with behaviour incidents.

Havelock School is a PP4L school. PP4L stands for Positive Practice for Learning and is a positive, proactive, schoolwide organisational framework for behaviour and discipline. At Havelock School we promote positive student behaviour and de-escalation of challenging behaviour. We accept that challenging behaviour is a result of student distress, and respond accordingly. 

We also expect our students, staff, and the wider school community to maintain high standards of conduct, and for visitors, parents, and whānau to model positive behaviour for students. Bullying and harassment within the school community is taken seriously, and is dealt with through our behaviour management strategies. We advise our community of procedures to follow if they have any concerns or complaints.

Behaviour management guidelines

At Havelock School all staff are made aware of the following behaviour management guidelines.

• We make a clear statement of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour known to all staff, parents/caregivers, and students.

• We communicate to all members of the school the responsibility to recognise bullying, harassment, and inappropriate behaviour, and how to take appropriate action when necessary.

• Staff (including relievers, coaches, tutors, etc.) maintain positive learning environments and relationships within the school community.

• We consistently apply our behaviour management strategies in all cases of unacceptable behaviour, and try to maintain the dignity of the student at all times.

• Staff manage challenging behaviour appropriately and use de-escalation techniques if student behaviour poses a danger to themselves or others. Physical restraint may only be used by teachers or authorised staff members to prevent imminent harm, and only according to our physical restraint guidelines.

• We action procedures outlined by the Ministry of Education for stand-down, suspension, or exclusion in cases of extreme misconduct, continual disobedience, and/or behaviour risking serious harm.

• We work with parents/caregivers, staff, and outside agencies if necessary, to plan individual programmes and strategies for students with particular behavioural needs. These students may be managed outside our behaviour management strategies.

• Seclusion and corporal punishment is prohibited.

Parent/Caregiver concerns

If a parent/caregiver has concerns about incidents between students, staff, or other parents/caregivers, they should contact our school directly to voice their concerns through the appropriate channels. We do not encourage parents/caregivers to approach students, their whānau, or other members of the school community to privately discuss behaviour issues. This also applies to incidents that occur out of school time or off school grounds but when students are still connected with the school e.g. at camp or on school trips, or travelling to and from school.

Concerns involving relatives of staff or board members

If a behaviour issue or a concern arises at school that involves the child or relative of a currently employed staff or board member and another student or group of students, the staff or board member is not involved in its resolution. A delegated staff member with no relationship to the student or relative manages the incident.

See below for our Behaviour Management Guidelines.