9 March 2020
Behaviour management
No matter how organised and ready for a lesson you are, student behaviour can affect whether or not that lesson achieves the outcomes planned.
It is important to be familiar with your school-wide behaviour plan and any individual behaviour plans for students in your class. However, these strategies may not always be enough, and behaviours can escalate to a point where other interventions are necessary.
You are entitled to a safe and healthy working environment, and even if your own working environment is safe and free from risk of harm, the same applies to your students’ learning environment. Everyone deserves to return home healthy and unharmed. Violence toward school leaders, teachers or any school staff is unacceptable.
When the interventions used through the relevant plans are insufficient to improve student behaviour or to address violence in schools, you can seek the assistance of the QTU. The Union has often and continues to issue directives to members facing imminent risks to their health and safety. It is important to understand that “health” is not confined to physical health but can also refer to psychological wellbeing.
More information about behaviour management and the measures Union members can take to address inappropriate behaviours, including violence, is available at https://www.qtu.asn.au/bribehaviourmanagement (you'll need you QTU membership number and password).
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064