What is SWPBS?

SWPBS (School-wide Positive Behaviour Support) is an approach that creates positive and supportive learning environments for all students. SWPBS is an evidence-based framework backed by extensive research showing its positive impact on behavioural, wellbeing and academic outcomes for young people. When implementing the SWPBS framework, schools work to address the eight essential features (listed below) to ensure the approach is effective and sustainable across all school areas.

1. Establish a common philosophy and purpose
2. Establish leadership and school-wide support
3. Clearly define a set of expected behaviours
4. Establish procedures for teaching and practising expected behaviours
5. Implement a continuum of procedures to encourage expected behaviours
6. Develop a continuum of procedures to discourage inappropriate behaviour
7. Use procedures for record-keeping, decision making and ongoing monitoring
8. Support staff to use effective classroom practices

SWPBS at Footscray Primary School

Footscray Primary School joined the Department of Education’s SWPBS initiative in 2021. We are proud at how our SWPBS implementation has evolved since this time, and the progress we have made developing the initiative to best suit the needs of our school community. Our Wellbeing Team lead the development of SWPBS at Footscray Primary School and are fortunate to receive further support from our regional support coach.

Our Values
As members of our school community, students, staff and families all strive to meet our behaviour values, embodying what makes Footscray Primary School a wonderful place to learn and teach each day.

• Respectful: we have the right to be safe
• Responsible: we are ready to learn
• Kind: we use kind words and kind actions

Our Behaviour Matrix

The behaviour matrix takes the broad values listed above and unpacks them as specific examples of expected behaviour. This allows for each expectation to be explicitly taught and modelled, giving students a clear understanding of exactly what each value describes. Specific school settings are also identified, allowing for each behaviour to be modelled and practised in the relevant area of the school. Importantly, the matrix statements are framed as what we expect of our students, and not what we don’t, to ensure the focus remains on acknowledging positive behaviour. Our behaviour matrix posters are displayed prominently in all learning areas and shared spaces, providing a visual reference point for staff and students to refer to when reflecting on behavioural choices.

Rewarding Positive Behaviour

Students receive positive praise and acknowledgement when engaging in expected behaviours. SWPBS research shows that student behaviour is more likely to improve when desired behaviours are acknowledged, rewarded and celebrated. Our school-wide reinforcement system, the well-loved blue tokens, are collected by students who can cash in for a range of reward options. These reward options are developed in consultation with our student cohort and updated regularly.

In a recent addition to our acknowledgement system, students who achieve the feat of 100 Blue Tokens in a school term are invited to a ‘100 Club’ morning tea to celebrate their commitment to positive behaviour.

More information about SWPBS can be found here: Department of Education - SWPBS