Restorative Practices in Schools - A Progress Report

Sandra Hamilton, Senior Programs Officer Restorative Practice & Wellbeing, and Glenn Davey, Principal, Kyneton Secondary College.

Context

DEECD Loddon Mallee Region• Distance 550km• 169 Government schools • 40,296 students

Key strategy for school improvement agenda

• Improve attendance and reduce suspensions.• Improve student behaviour management

outcomes.• Student Engagement Policy Guidelines

DEECD March 2009

Implementation model

• Focus Schools 2008• Levels of training offered by Loddon Mallee Region• Professional Learning/Implementation Team that will

develop an action plan• School data• Support from Student Support Team

Kyneton Secondary College

Kyneton Secondary College – background

• Location• Demographic• Anglo-saxon; mixed socio-economic profile. - SFO .54• Co-ed. 700+ students offering a comprehensive VELS, VCE, VCAL program to students

in years 7 to 12.

• Context: There is a Catholic secondary college and a Catholic primary school in Kyneton, a state government primary school and other non-government secondary colleges at Mt. Macedon (Braemar) and Macedon (Macedon Grammar). Students are predominantly drawn from nine neighbouring primary schools within the Macedon Ranges

• Kyneton Education Plan• This represents a major program of educational transformation for students in the

Kyneton area with the creation of a Kyneton K-12 College to better support students in both extending and reaching their educational aspirations. This will involve:

• Improved teaching and learning Education provision reform• Improved facilities to match the pedagogy Strengthened community links

KSC – Introduction of Restorative Practices

• Data• Attendance• Connectedness• safety

•  Vision• Kyneton Secondary College is committed to building a Learning Community,

based on positive relationships and a strong work ethic, where people are able to realise their potential in a safe, caring, stimulating and sustainable environment.

• Values – Learning;  Positive relationships; strong work ethic; all-round development; safety; care for the environment; taking responsibility

KSC – Restorative Practice Journey

• Introduction of Restorative Practices to staff• Staff training – levels 1, 2 & 3• Using the chat• Using the classroom conference• Using the community conference

KSC – Progress & Future Directions

• Evidence – contradictory• Attendance – better• SATS – Connectedness, safety – better but dropped back

in 2009

Future directions and developments

In school• DEECD Loddon Mallee Schools Summit 2010• Training DVD• Social narratives ( Winters Flat Primary School)

Linking schools within their communities• Central Victoria Restorative Justice Alliance• Maryborough Community Education project