September 7th-11th is Positive Behaviour Week in RETNS.
Due to their very nature, primary school classrooms tend to reflect all the diversity of cultures, identities, backgrounds and families that make up Ireland today. In celebrating that diversity we in RETNS hope to create a school community where everyone is cherished for the unique individual that they are. All teachers are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom where all children can flourish to the best of their abilities and for this reason, at the start of each school year, we have a designated ‘Positive Behaviour Week’, designed to raise awareness among children that they are part of a community of people, all with different backgrounds, abilities and identities, and that they can choose to relate in a positive and inclusive way to all others. 
The Department of Education and Skills Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Schools, which form the basis of our school’s Anti-Bullying policy, are based on the principle that a welcoming and positive school climate is the optimum environment not just to prevent bullying but also to encourage respectful relationships across the whole school. It is well documented that a significant proportion of bullying is rooted in a lack of respect for difference (INTO). Central to creating a welcoming and positive school climate where bullying cannot emerge is the developing of respect among children for others’ individuality and differences. All children thrive when they feel respected and valued and they are therefore encouraged to extend this respect to others. Developing respect for others needs modelling by adults, encouragement and support. During Positive Behaviour Week children will engage in a range of activities, both inside and outside the classroom, which will aim to develop their understanding of community and their responsibilities to others within that community. From junior infants upwards they will be helped to develop respectful attitudes to all others and to reflect those attitudes in their behaviour.
Our school behaviour policy states that in RETNS we believe that in order to create and maintain a happy, safe and effective learning environment for all, there must be high standards of student behaviour which must be mutually agreed, widely promoted and actively supported by teachers, other school staff and parents/guardians. During Positive Behaviour Week we negotiate positive rules with the children, which are discussed as a class and seen to be fair. The children then draw up their own class charter. By drawing up their class charter and discussing their commitment to positive behaviour early in the school year children take ownership of the class and school rules and are encouraged, with support from their parents and teachers, to take responsibility for their own behaviour and agree to accept the consequences of breaking a rule.
Our school diary outlines our vision for a happy school and our commitment to inclusion and diversity (pages 2 and 3). Our vision is based on fundamental principles of human respect and dignity, and fair treatment. We believe that taking a whole school approach to encouraging positive behaviour is the best way to live out this vision, where everyone involved in the school has a part to play. In particular it is important that the children have a role in helping and supporting each other to take personal responsibility for their behaviour, for the benefit of all.
Some images of last term’s co-operative games sessions led by the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
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