[NSW] Follow the 5 Newsletter
It has been an exciting start to the 2025 school year. It’s wonderful to see our returning students as well as so many new faces. Our growth is gratifying because it is driven, to a large part, by our existing families, through word of mouth. We thank you for your support and we do not take it for granted.
We have an exciting year ahead and we will be rolling out a number of initiatives and improvements across all aspects of our operations.
One of the new and practical developments this term is the reimagining of our classroom rules.
In reimagining the rules, we undertook quite a journey of reflection.
First Consideration:
The College holds a clear and steadfast belief in the right to learn in a safe environment. The primacy of teaching and the right of the learner to excel are central tenets of our approach.
Second Consideration:
After more than 30 years in the provision of quality education we are convinced that two elements are essential for a student to realise their potential:
- Clear expectations of both student and teacher
- A classroom environment in which learning is not a possibility but an expectation
It is true to say that effective classroom rules are at the heart of realising student potential.
Having taken the above into consideration, we have crafted our new classroom rules.
Classroom Rules – Follow the 5
- Your teacher has the right to teach.
- You have the right to learn.
- Your classmates have the right to learn.
- You must respect other people’s property.
- You must not bully.
These rules now appear in every classroom above the whiteboards, in clear sight lines of every student and teacher.
More than Rules – A Philosophy:
We live in a very cynical age. We have developed a ‘here we go again’ approach to that which is new. This is often accompanied by an eye roll.
Our cynicism is due to an endless parade of organisations and official departments that make headline announcements of what amazing new initiatives they are rolling out. There are advertising campaigns and ‘feel good’ messages that, in a matter of weeks or months, can often amount to nothing – all glitz but no substance.
This is not the case with our new classroom rules. They are more than just words on paper stuck to the wall of a classroom – they are indeed organic, requiring students and teachers alike to ensure the rules become embedded in the very experience of the lesson.
Throughout the history of western education, phrases such as ‘stop talking’, ‘pay attention’ and ‘don’t do that’ could be heard echoing down school corridors. True, inappropriate behaviour interrupts the learning process, but such phrases only indicate the behaviour without explaining the impact it has on others.
Looking at this idea more closely:
Classroom Scenario One:
Teacher: “Jason, stop talking and do your work.”
Jason in all likelihood stops talking for now but then resumes once the teacher’s head is turned. Inappropriate behaviour momentarily stopped but will recur many times in the future if this approach to classroom management remains unchanged.
Classroom Scenario Two:
Teacher: “Jason, when you talk at the wrong time, you interrupt my right to teach, your right to learn and the right of your classmates to learn. That is why now is a listening, not a talking time.”
Jason has now been made aware of the impact his behaviour is having on others. There is now a context provided to make him aware of his responsibility to his teacher, himself and his classmates.
There is a significantly reduced likelihood in the inappropriate behaviour recurring with the same frequency.
Student Empowerment through Rules:
The key takeaways are the primacy of teaching, the right to engage in the learning process and the concept of respect.
Equally important is empowering students to take responsibility for their own engagement in the learning process. With the right to learn comes the responsibility for the learner to exercise self-discipline; to keep themselves on track and not be distracted.
If they are being disturbed by a classmate, they are encouraged to call out that person’s behaviour by referring them to the classroom rules. Our K to 6 students are being taught to say ‘Follow the 5’ to direct the other student’s attention to the fact they are breaking a class rule. This way all participants in the classroom environment have a responsibility to ensure the classroom is a place of learning.
It should be noted that the teacher will continue to be responsible for a well run and disciplined learning environment, but our students are no longer mute or passive participants in this process. They have a right to learn and are being shown how to let others know they have the right to learn. Should a classmate disturb them by, let’s say, talking to them while they are working, they will respond with “Follow the 5”.
It is a quick and efficient way of saying follow the rules, I’m trying to do my work.
Of course, the teacher will intervene should the talking continue.
So, new classroom rules with a new approach to empowerment of the learners. By ‘following the 5’ we will build on an already successful and enjoyable classroom experience for our students.
Have a wonderful day.
