We have a great behaviour management plan and rules at our school, but students are still ostracising and picking on others. Any ideas?
Formal rules – especially rules that are developed by everyone who is affected by them – are important, but so is learning about positive social connectedness within and across groups. As teachers, we have a lot of power to help or hinder this quest. Using punishment responses all the time can be enough to damage the belief in positive relationships. To increase social connectedness, we need to reduce fear and suspicion, to constantly affirm the right to hold different views, to provide opportunities for nonviolent dissent and to demonstrate and encourage relationships based on trust, respect, fairness and care for others.
