Principal's Message

The staff recently enjoyed a professional development session on Restorative practices and transactional analysis. This approach aims to give a framework in which to have the necessary conversations around behaviour while maintaining and restoring relationships.

The essence of restorative practices

The essence of restorative practices is disarmingly simple: that human beings are happier, more productive and more likely to make positive changes in their behaviour when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them.

Increasingly parents, caregivers and community groups are seeking out support and direction around managing the young people in their care. Building, enhancing and restoring relationships across any workplace, community group, school or culture, is absolutely essential for a strongly connected, empathetic, functioning society.

Restorative approaches in schools

Restorative approaches in schools are being sought as alternatives to more punitive disciplinary systems and procedures where often there have been little or no links between wrongdoers and those they have harmed, nor any real connections between the punishment and the actual offence.

Previous measures are also often failing to meet the relational needs of teaching and learning in 21st century schools. Increasingly schools are finding restorative approaches more effective in establishing long term lasting changes in relationships, more connecting of the members of a school community, more involving and hearing of victims, and more enhancing of climates of care within schools.

Punitive verses Restorative Responses

Punitive Responses

focus on punishment

Restorative Responses

focus on accountability, healing & needs

1. What rule has been broken?
2. Who is to blame?
3. What is the punishment going to be?

1. What happened?
2. Who has been affected? How?
3. What needs to be done to put things right/
4. What do we need to do to move forward?

I look forward to welcoming both existing and new families to Trinity Catholic College Open Day on Sunday 30th July. This is an excellent opportunity to show the benefits of a Catholic, Co-educational, Y 7 – 13 College education. There is much to be proud of. The staff and students all enjoy the opportunity to share with the community what Trinity has to offer regarding curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and pastoral support. Most current students will be at school helping out on the day so please keep it free.

Also, a reminder to parents of students in Year 10 – 13 that Parent Teacher Interviews are being held in the second week of term on Tuesday 25th July. As we have just passed the halfway mark of the academic school year it is important you take the opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers to get an update on progress. Please book online (the instructions are in this newsletter) and bring your child with you to the interviews with the teachers. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings and ensures your child is part of the learning conversation.

Kate Nicholson returns from her well-deserved sabbatical next term, and I look forward to returning to my usual role of Deputy Principal.

I wish everyone a warm and wonderful holiday break.

Ngā manaakitanga

Mr Steve Read
Acting Principal