Behaviour Management & Pastoral Care

At Good Samaritan, we prioritise pastoral care, valuing the dignity of every individual and their role within our school community. We use the Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) framework, grounded in international research, to foster respectful relationships and boost student engagement. This proactive approach, adopted by all Wollongong Diocesan Primary schools, creates positive teaching and learning environments through well-established practices and systems.

Our school-wide management framework aligns with our mission ‘We are committed to creating an inclusive and compassionate community where faith and learning are nurtured. We live by the core Benedictine values of Stewardship, Hospitality, Community and Love of Christ and Neighbour.’

This is achieved by establishing school-wide management practices which:

• clearly define outcomes that relate to academic and social behaviour
• are supported by the understanding that “Adults matter”. Clear, consistent and durable systems support the work of the adults that matter to the lives of children – staff and parents
• has effective and efficient teaching practices that support student success
• uses relevant school data to guide decision making.

We also adhere to the CEDoW 'Life to the Full' Framework, which guides our approach to building respectful relationships, child safety, and human sexuality education within a Catholic context. This framework underpins our pastoral care and wellbeing initiatives and aligns with Social and Emotional Learning across the curriculum.

Key CEDoW policies and frameworks that support behaviour and pastoral care at Good Samaritan can be accessed on the CEDoW website, including:

Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy

Positive Behaviours For Learning Framework

CEDoW Path to Life Framework for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Suspension, Expulsion and Exclusion of Students Policy (currently being updated)

CEDoW 'Life to the Full' Framework

This term we have incorporated Berry Street Education Model strategies in classroom practices. This model provides teachers with strategies to increase engagement of students and to successfully improve all students' self-regulation, relationships, wellbeing, growth and academic achievement. 

The model provides many opportunities for teachers to understand the students they’re working with and how they best learn. The strategies that have been implemented this term include: 

• Welcome Circle or Morning Circle
• Christian Mediation
• Closing Circle. 

We encourage you to discuss these practices with your child. This welcome circle poster can help with discussions of the morning circle. 

Bullying No Way

This term all classes will be taking part in a unit on Respectful Relationships. During these lessons we will be engaging students in meaningful discussions and activities aimed at promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. We encourage parents and carers to take this opportunity to have open and honest conversations with their children about the impact of bullying and what they can do if they need support. You can visit the Bullying No Way website for tips around how to have this discussion.

Mrs Catherine Hailstone 

Assistant Principal