BAD behaviour, aggression, fighting, and intimidation of staff and students are in the past, according to Naenae Primary School Principal Murray Bootten.
The school has come a long way, says the principal of 18 years , and the reason for the major changes in the classroom and on the play-ground can be linked to the selection of programmes which have been embraced by the school .
“Over the past seven to eight years we have managed to get the behaviour of students to a point where both staff and
students feel safe,” says Mr Bootten (right).
Naenae Primary School uses a selection of internationally and nationally recommended schemes to encourage a positive environment.
A programme developed in the United Kingdom, called Quality Circle Time was introduced to the school after being recommended by ERO.
The programme focuses on value based learning, with a strong emphasis on staff training and development. Quality Circle Time, helps students achieve a good understanding of moral values and enhances their self-esteem.
And another programme being used by the school called Roots of Empathy, was developed in Canada, and is currently used by 600,000 children across three continents.
It’s funded by the Ministry of Social Development and involves babies visiting the classroom, giving children the opportunity to learn about empathy and a baby’s needs.
The final scheme, called Positive Behaviour for Learning, gives the school the opportunity to evaluate and review programmes and adapt accordingly. The programme focuses on the behaviour of children in an educational environment, and is based on a belief that positive behaviour can be learned It also aims to deter bullying, and has systems in place for bullying to be handled efficiently.
While acknowledging that the school’s journey through education continues, Mr Bootten says that he is immensely proud of the children’s continuous growth.
He believes the school is remaining true to its values of respect, responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, and personal excellence.
