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At Northcote PS, we are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. To achieve this, we implement the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework, an evidence-based approach that promotes positive behaviour and enhances student wellbeing.
School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a whole-school framework that promotes a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment by explicitly teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours. Rather than reacting to misbehaviour, SWPBS takes a proactive approach—where clear expectations are taught, modelled, and consistently acknowledged. This helps create a shared understanding across the school and ensures every student is supported to succeed both socially and academically.
At Northcote Primary School, our values are at the heart of everything we do. Students, staff, and families all work together to uphold these shared values, making our school a safe, inclusive, and inspiring place to learn and grow.
At Northcote Primary School, respect is the foundation of our community. We value ourselves, each other, and the world around us, fostering an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment. Our students embrace diversity, practice empathy, and appreciate differing perspectives. Through honesty, integrity, and kindness, we cultivate a culture where everyone can grow and thrive.
Collaboration drives our growth and success. By learning together and drawing on diverse perspectives and strengths, we create a dynamic learning culture. We foster shared responsibility, open dialogue, and genuine relationships, ensuring every voice is valued and supported. Through teamwork, feedback, and ongoing learning, we empower both students and staff to thrive collectively.
We celebrate the diversity of our community, ensuring everyone feels valued, respected, and included. We foster belonging by embracing differences and creating an environment where everyone can contribute and grow. Through mutual respect, empathy, and collaboration, we build a welcoming, harmonious school where each individual is honoured for who they are.
At Northcote Primary School, students help to shape the culture of their classroom by co-constructing behaviour expectations with their teachers. This collaborative process gives students a voice, builds ownership over their environment, and strengthens our shared responsibility for creating a positive and respectful school community.
We’ve put together a Behaviour Expectations Matrix that clearly explains the behaviours we expect in different areas of the school—like classrooms, the yard, and shared spaces. It helps everyone know what’s expected and keeps things fair and consistent across the school.
These expectations act as our “school rules” and are taught clearly and consistently in the classroom, the yard, and other parts of the school.
We take the time to teach students what positive behaviour looks like, rather than assuming they already know. Staff run lessons and have regular chats with students about our behaviour expectations, then model them in real-life situations. Students get plenty of chances to practise, receive feedback, and reflect on their choices.
We love to celebrate great behaviour! When students show our school values and meet behaviour expectations, they’re recognised through our whole-school reward system—whether that’s with praise, pupil of the week certificates, house points, or special roles.
Research shows that behaviour improves when positive choices are noticed and celebrated consistently, and we see the difference it makes every day.
At Northcote PS, we use Burndapil Points (meaning having goodness and being positive in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language) to acknowledge positive behaviour. Each classroom uses Class Dojo to track Burndapil Points, and students can redeem their points for a variety of classroom and whole-school rewards.
Every student is different, and we get that. While most students respond well to our general strategies, some need a bit of extra help—and that’s okay. We offer extra support when needed, and if a student needs more personalised help, we work with them to put the right support in place.
As part of our SWPBS implementation, we also deliver the Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships curriculum. This evidence-based resource provides age-appropriate lessons that support students in developing social and emotional skills—essential for success in learning and life.
For more information, visit the Department of Education – SWPBS.