Behaviour Management
We promote a culture of care and protection of ākonga, and we prioritise this when managing behaviour and dealing with behaviour incidents.
We use a relational, responsive and restorative approach to dealing with ākonga behaviour.
At Paparoa Street School we promote positive ākonga behaviour and 
de-escalation of challenging behaviour. We accept that challenging behaviour is a result of ākonga distress, and respond accordingly. For more information, see Reducing Ākonga Distress.
De-escalating a stressful or potentially harmful situation is the preferred response to challenging behaviour. It is important when intervening to consider the safety of everyone involved, and to remove observers (such as other ākonga, parents/guardians, etc.) De-escalating focuses on understanding why an ākonga is behaving the way they are, and fostering a more positive relationship to allow for better communication.
Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) suggests that kaiako and kaimahi use the following strategies.
- Ask other ākonga nearby to move away from the area. If this is not possible, it may be better to escort the student(s) with challenging behaviour to another area.
- Allow the ākonga the opportunity to move out of the situation with dignity.
- When appropriate, give the ākonga clear choices and/or directions to help them feel more secure and regain control.
- Show patience, and ensure that a calm and clear tone is used.
- If necessary, send for appropriate help, such as a kura nurse or guidance counsellor.
TKI has further resources to assist kaiako with developing helpful communication behaviours and how to respond safely to physical aggression 
We also expect our ākonga, kaimahi, and the wider kura community to maintain high standards of conduct, and for manuhiri, parents, and whānau to model positive behaviour for ākonga. Bullying and harassment within the kura 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 Paparoa Street School all kaimahi are made aware of the following behaviour management guidelines.
- We make a clear statement of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour known to all kaimahi, parents/caregivers, and ākonga.
- We communicate to all members of the kura the responsibility to recognise bullying, harassment, and inappropriate behaviour, and how to take appropriate action when necessary.
- Kaimahi (including relievers, coaches, tutors, etc.) maintain positive learning environments and relationships within the kura community.
- We consistently apply our behaviour management strategies in all cases of unacceptable behaviour, and try to maintain the dignity of the ākonga at all times.
- Kaimahi manage challenging behaviour appropriately and use de-escalation techniques if ākonga behaviour poses a danger to themselves or others. Physical restraint may only be used by kaiako or authorised kaimahi 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, kaimahi, and outside agencies if necessary, to plan individual programmes and strategies for ākonga with particular behavioural needs. These ākonga may be managed outside our behaviour management strategies.
- Seclusion and corporal punishment is prohibited.
Time-out and seclusion
Seclusion is not used at this kura. Seclusion is defined as placing an ākonga, involuntarily, into a room by themselves for any amount of time, where they cannot leave of their own will. It is inappropriate, and can be emotionally (and physically) damaging to students.
Time-out is different from seclusion, and can be used at kura. In time-out, an ākonga may be asked to go to a specified area, either within the classroom or in another part of the kura, in order to calm down. In these situations, the ākonga may be separated from others, but is not secluded. Any ākonga in time-out is checked regularly by kaimahi.
See our Relationship Management plan and behaviour flowchart.
Parent/Caregiver concerns
If a parent/caregiver has concerns about incidents between ākonga, kaimahi, or other parents/caregivers, they should contact our kura directly to voice their concerns through the appropriate channels. We do not encourage parents/caregivers to approach ākonga, their whānau, or other members of the kura community to privately discuss behaviour issues. This also applies to incidents that occur out of kura time or off kura grounds but when ākonga are still connected with the kura e.g. at camp or on kura trips, and while wearing kura uniform, or travelling to and from kura.
Concerns involving relatives of kaimahi or poari matua members
If a behaviour issue or a concern arises at kura that involves the tamaiti or relative of a currently employed kaimahi or poari matua member and another ākonga or group of ākonga, the kaimahi or poari matua member is not involved in its resolution. A delegated kaimahi with no relationship to the ākonga or relative manages the incident.
Related policies
Resources
