Principal's Address

Promoting Positive Student Behaviour at St John’s

At St John’s, fostering positive student behaviour is integral to our school community. We are deeply committed to promoting values such as Respect, Compassion, and Justice, which form the cornerstone of our ethos.

However, we understand that navigating school life is a journey, and students may sometimes make choices that disrupt the social or learning environment. These moments provide valuable opportunities for growth and reflection, and our response is consistently supportive and structured.

When a behavioural incident occurs, it is either observed by staff or reported to us. Following this, our dedicated teachers and welfare team thoroughly investigate the matter. This may involve speaking to witnesses, discussing the incident with the student(s) involved, and reviewing any relevant footage captured by our school camera system.

We then engage with the student to help them reflect on their actions. Through meaningful conversations, we explain why their behaviour was a poor choice and how it falls short of our school values. Consequences are assigned based on the severity of the incident, always with an emphasis on learning and growth. Restorative conversations are conducted, when necessary, to help students understand the impact of their behaviour on others, fostering accountability and empathy.

Importantly, we separate the behaviour from the individual. We want our students to know that while certain behaviours are not acceptable, they do not define their character. Once the consequence has been completed, the student is given a clean slate—a fresh start to continue their schooling positively.

Occasionally, discrepancies may arise between the narrative established at school and the version shared by the student with their parents or caregivers. It is not uncommon for students to adjust their stories to downplay their involvement or shift responsibility. This is a natural response, often motivated by a desire to avoid disappointing their loved ones.

Typical responses include:

• Minimising their role: “I was just standing there when _____ misbehaved, and we all got in trouble.”
• Spreading the blame: “Everyone was doing it, but I got in trouble for ____.”
• Denial: “It wasn’t me; that teacher always picks on me.”

As adults, we might find ourselves in similar situations— “No officer, I’m sure I wasn’t going over the speed limit”—so it’s no surprise that children sometimes act in this way. At St John’s, we strive to gain a complete understanding of each incident before assigning a consequence, ensuring fairness and clarity. As a staff, we uphold an unconditional positive regard for our students, recognising their potential and growth beyond individual moments of poor judgment.

We value respectful and open communication with families. If you have concerns about a behavioural incident or its consequences, we encourage you to engage constructively with the teacher involved.

Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing our school values and helping our students grow as compassionate, respectful individuals.

Uniform policy changes

Please see the revised uniform policy attached.  After consulting with staff, the P&F, and the School Advisory Council, the proposed changes to the P-6 uniform have received strong support from a majority of stakeholders. 

The key changes are as follows:

• Simplification of the policy to ensure consistent uniform requirements from Prep to Year Six. A full-button shirt will be made available for all students in P-6.  The three-button shirt will continue to be permitted during the transition period.  I am not setting a date for phasing out the three-button version; rather, we’ll wait until students outgrow them or they are worn out.
• In winter, for students in P-6, wearing stockings for girls and trousers for boys will be optional. 

Please note that no changes have been made to the uniform requirements for students in years 7–12. 

Cheers, 

Mark