Positive Behaviour for Learning

Marfell Community School believes in a positive approach to behaviour supported by the Ministry of Education School Wide Positive Behaviour For Learning Programme (SWPB4L) and the Virtues language. The combination of both programmes has assisted us to address problem behaviour, improve children’s wellbeing and increase educational achievement.

Discipline does not have to be imposed but can be awakened from within the child. Instead of using coercion, a teacher who expresses clear, firm and consistent expectations will see excellent results. Opportunities for learning and achievement increase when:

• The school environment is positive and supportive
• Expectations are consistently clear
• Children are taught desired behaviours
• Children are consistently acknowledged for desired behaviours
• Children are responded to fairly and equitably

We have rules to protect children and to ensure that their behaviour is of an acceptable standard so that the school environment can be a pleasant secure place for all. Furthermore, young children learn to internalise standards of behaviour and become self-disciplined through consistent management of their behaviour by caregivers and teachers.

What does MANA mean for Marfell? 

Manaakitanga:  respect (hospitality, kindness, thoughtfulness, support, aroha)
Ako: learning (learning together, reciprocity, train, teach, practice, consult)
Ngãwari: Tolerance kindness, flexible, caring, lenient, patience, good natured
Ãwhina: Caring, helpfulness, assist, support, foster, natured

Mana School-Wide

The Virtues

The virtues are strategies and characteristics that underpin Positive Behaviour For Learning. Our current 'virtues' system ties into Tama Tu Tama Ora - Happy, Healthy Learners and will be taught under the umbrella of our core values RESPECT, LEARNING, TOLERANCE and CARING. Each one will be taught specifically throughout the year with their relevant virtues.

Student ownership is encouraged through children being involved in initiatives that challenge them to represent MANA incorporating respect, learning, tolerance and caring and how this looks within our school as a Marfell learner.

Mana Leaders, Term 3, 2020

Marfell's 2020 Newcomers

School Leaders

The process for choosing our leaders will include a speech to the whole school that incorporates how they show the attributes of Tama Tu Tama Ora - Happy, Healthy Learners and MANA. From this process a head boy, head girl and two deputy leaders will be chosen for terms one and two, and then the process repeated for terms three and four. This is open to year six only. The children will be presented with a MANA leadership badge. They will receive a job description to be signed which will outline their roles and responsibilities while in the position.

Newcomers

When a new student starts at Marfell, a student leader will follow the protocol of Tuakana Teina (big brother/sister) and support them in understanding what MANA is all about.  New students and staff are welcome to the school with a pōwhiri. ​

Mana Vouchers

Children can be awarded blue MANA vouchers in the classroom and the playground when they are recognised for displaying behaviour that is beyond their usual behaviour. Blue vouchers are worth 1 point each and are awarded by class teachers. Children can be awarded red MANA vouchers by relieving teachers and support staff. Red vouchers are worth 2 points each.

Mana Certificates and Excellence Honours Board

 MANA certificates are presented to children by their class teacher, for achieving MANA voucher points target levels. The certificates for all levels are displayed on the Students Of Excellence Honours Board displayed in the hall. There will be a weekly draw in assembly of the MANA vouchers where one or two children are selected and can choose a prize from the prize draw. At the end of each term, the child from each class to achieve the most MANA points, will be recognised with a MANA achievement badge. Room 4 and 5 students for the term top points winner may choose an alternative reward that best suits them.

When the children reach 100 points, which is the ultimate goal, there will be an assembly celebration with a special letter to parents, certificate, photo and a write up in the newsletter as well as 'The Big Mana Outing'. Children who achieve 100 points will get to plan a trip with the Principal. Examples of this may be swimming at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, lunch at a café, the movies etc.

Mana Consequences

Incident Reports

Classroom and playground incidents are recorded on our Assembly database by the classroom teacher or data base manager. This ensures an overall picture of behaviours. Incidents and consequences are assessed on an individual basis and parents informed only where necessary. The data will be regularly discussed and analysed to determine issues and solutions by the PB4L Team.

Choices Programme

As a staff we believe it is important for our children to take responsibility for the choices they make. These choices may not always be the right ones so therefore it is up to us as adults to steer them in the right direction. The Choices Programme is for those children who need reminding about the choices they are making, after classroom management strategies have proven unsuccessful in changing the behaviour. At second fuel break every day a teacher will take the Choices Programme in the boardroom. Here the children will be required to sit silently and complete a ‘thinking sheet’ about the choice that they
made that resulted them ending up on the programme. This sheet will be kept on file. The teacher will end the session with a reflection conversation with each child and potentially a restoration. If a child is a frequent visitor to the programme then a letter will be sent home to parents, ensuring that they know what is happening as well. This may lead to a meeting opportunity with the child, parent and teacher.