Being the best version of myself

This year we are aligning our Ko wai au school values more closely with the IB Learner Profile.

This poster identifies the expectations for behaviour applying everywhere at the Bay Academy.

If you think they apply, feel free to adopt these at home. A wonderful way to embed these behaviours is consistent discussion about why we have the expectation, and what might be the benefits of developing a positive behaviour mindset.

We'll be sending home a copy to each household, maybe something for the fridge?

Our ongoing vision - A peaceful, inclusive and sustainably productive world.

New Sun-hats for Terms 1 and 4

We have ordered new sun hats for the school, that will be arriving soon. We are seeking to have all students wearing the school sun hat as soon as possible this term. They will be available at a price of $10 each.

The orange version is for students in Rooms 1-3. The black version is for students in Rooms 4-5. Some flexibility will be offered as students transition between rooms 3-4.

Until they arrive we are still requiring students to be wearing hats while exposed to the sun, either at play times OR for any other outside class activities, including after school. All staff will be consistent in requiring students to follow this rule.

Year 8 students are welcome to purchase the new hats but this will not be compulsory due to them leaving at the end of the term. They must though have their own alternative hat.

Behaviour, safety and wellbeing

We continue to work hard with children at school promoting our Ko Wai Au values of whānaungatanga (friendship and cooperation), aroha (kindness), resilience (the ability to deal with hardship, both social and academic) and responsibility (doing the right thing).

We recently asked the children using a Ministry of Education supported survey about how they feel about elements of our school. They told us there were issues around social situations, and without specifically saying so, have indicated they need more help. Below is an example of answers they gave us for just a small number of the questions:

We have responded to their feedback proactively with recent changes to behaviour policy, and renewed effort in teaching social strategies in the classroom.

As a reminder of the new behaviour policy we have established 4 bottom line behaviours we are seeking to remove entirely from our school. They are itemised here, along with consequences.

I have already taken firm action with a very small number of students who may have questioned how serious we were in our intent.

We will keep you updated with progress as it happens, and we welcome your feedback and input at any time. Please speak to principal Chris Bell. 

The what, why and how of PB4L at the Bay Academy

Our school values - Ko Wai Au, Who am I?

The Bay Academy is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) school. We have chosen this programme alongside our mindfulness programme to support strong relationships and emotional wellbeing for all of our children.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Together, students and staff have identified the behaviours that we think will result in excellent learning and a peaceful, friendly and supportive school community.

WHAT DO WE DO?
We teach and model those behaviours consistently and regular so everyone knows what is expected. We support that learning by using visual signage of expected behaviours.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
We emphasise and focus on praising expected behaviours rather than focussing on negative behaviours. We prefer a restorative approach, often including parents and whānau if negative behaviours occur.

ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES?
Yes, while restorative conversations and apologies are an extremely valuable approach, children will face consequences for negative behaviour.

Below is an image that displays the 4 main values we think reflect the big picture. We have chosen 4 because its easy to remember. Ko wai au, as well as being a useful statement in itself - Who am I?, it is designed around the letters WAI. W = whānaungatanga, A = aroha and I = I am....





Below is a table of what we consider are minor behaviours that will be dealt with by teachers. Parents and whānau can be expected to be included in text messages, emails or conversations about these if necessary.

Emotional Wellbeing - We'd like to know what you think.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) update

We have been working on establishing a simple set of values on which to base the teaching of behaviour and expectations in school and on school based activities. PB4L is a key strategic goal for our school supporting a focus on emotional and social wellbeing for our children.

Based on the input of students, parents, whānau and staff we have identified 4 shared values common across our school community. They are;

AROHA - RESILIENCE - WHANAUNGATANGA - RESPONSIBILITY
(follow this link for detailed definitions of the Māori words https://maoridictionary.co.nz/) 

We plan to use these as the basis for teaching the behaviours that lead to a healthy social/emotional, and successful learning environment at our school. The goal is that students, parents, whānau and staff gain a clear understanding of the expected behaviours and strive to live up to them.

We'll lead this by asking the question, Ko wai au? Who am I? The following graphic combines the values with all the elements of the IB Learner Profile.

A strong message to all students

Today I held assemblies with all of our students about BEHAVIOUR. Recently we have become concerned about the number of times students are choosing to 'hit out' and hurt others in response to frustration or upset, both in the playground and occasionally in class.

I have made it crystal clear to every student in our school that from today forward we do not accept hitting of any kind at our school. That includes play fighting, which students tell me can often lead to upset and then to hitting in response. I have told them that hitting is NOT OK either at school or anywhere else in their lives.

We have talked a little about alternative strategies to avoid hitting and violence as a response to upset. We will continue to provide strategies to our students, and ask all parents to help us in that journey. 

Your children's safety and enjoyment of school is of paramount importance to us. I have explained the serious consequences that will result in any further incidents of hitting and students are all aware about the implications that such acts will bring. I am very hopeful we can change behaviours to avoid these implications.

Ngā mihi

Chris Bell
Principal