Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) is an educational approach that focuses on promoting and reinforcing behaviours that enhance students’ ability to engage and succeed in their learning environment. It involves setting clear expectations for behaviour, teaching these expectations explicitly, and recognising and rewarding students when they meet them.

 

Our classes have begun learning about our first shared expectation:

“SAFE HANDS, SAFE FEET”

 

This shared expectation supports our school value of Care. Safe Hands, Safe Feet helps students learn how to care for themselves and others by understanding how to interact in safe, respectful ways.

 

What This Means:

• We only touch others in a safe way.
• Nobody can give permission for unsafe touch, even if it’s meant as a joke.
• We are all responsible for making sure our hands and feet are used safely.

 

Our School-Wide Message

To help students remember this expectation, adults will use the phrase:
“We use safe hands, safe feet. We care for each other.”

 

What We Are Explicitly Teaching

 

1. Safe Touch – Caring, gentle and agreed-on touch

Examples include:

• High fives or fist bumps
• Helping someone up if they’ve fallen
• Playing games like tag or touch football when everyone knows and agrees to the rules
• Getting someone’s attention with a gentle tap
• Holding hands (if both people are okay with it)
• Teachers will add examples that suit the age of the students in their class.

 

2. Unsafe Touch – Touch that hurts or invades personal space

Examples include:

• Hitting, pushing, kicking, pinching, or grabbing
• Continuing to touch someone after they’ve said “stop”
• Any kind of touch that causes discomfort or harm

 

3. Body Autonomy – Respecting Our Own and Others’ Bodies

We teach children that their body belongs to them and they have the right to choose whether or not to be touched. They can say “yes” or “no” to safe touch, even if it’s meant as a joke. It is equally important to respect others’ boundaries, including when someone says “no” or shows they are uncomfortable.

 

4. Personal Space & Boundaries

Give others space when sitting, playing, or lining up. Pay attention if someone looks uncomfortable—either check in with them or give them more room. Always respect when someone says “no” or pulls away, and stop any friendly touch immediately if asked.

 

5. What to Do If You Feel Unsafe or See Something Unsafe

We teach students to:

• Say “Stop” in a strong voice.
• Move away.
• Tell a trusted adult straight away.

Taking these steps shows we care and helps keep everyone safe. Safe adults are always here to help.

 

How You Can Support at Home

• Talk about what safe and unsafe touch looks like in your family.
• Encourage your child to speak up if they feel uncomfortable.
• Reinforce that it’s okay to say “no” to touch – even to friends or family.
• Praise your child when they respect others’ boundaries or use kind words and actions.

 

Together, we are building a school community where everyone feels safe, respected and cared for.
Thank you for your support in reinforcing this important learning at home.