St Peter's Boys Prep: Sweat the Small Stuff
The Housemaster body recently attended a workshop on the “Broken Window‘’ approach to discipline. The emphasis was on how the effective management of pupil behaviour in schools plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy school environment.
It is generally accepted these days that heavy handed enforcement tends to breed resentment amongst the pupils. Pupils respond better to motivation and encouragement which is a big part of the St Peter’s philosophy. One has to be careful not to fall into the trap of accepting that standards have slipped and that this is the “modern way.”
The “Broken Window” approach recognises that minor infringements need to be dealt with quickly and consistently to prevent worse infringements over the long run. At St Peter’s we have high expectations of the boys to ensure that standards are maintained. As Educators we are preparing the boys for the future by developing the aspects of character which will enable them to accept responsibility and develop self-control while respecting the needs and views of others.
Seemingly small matters such as wearing their school uniform correctly, appropriate hair-cuts and daily greetings play a critical role in establishing a healthy school environment.
Consistency is a large component of any successful disciplinary programme. The question is how the school and parents can work together to ensure that we are both looking after the best interests of the boys. Here are some suggestions for parents to use at home:
- Establish boundaries
- Put consequences in place for misdemeanours
- Ensure that you follow through on what you say you are going to do
- Don’t fall for the guilt trip that, “You are the only parents who do not allow this”
- Be unemotional when putting consequences in place
- Use a balance of praise and criticism