Rethinking the Classroom: It's Time to Address Behaviour

Let’s chat about something that often gets a bad rap: detention. It’s super important to remember that detention is just one way to handle misbehaviour. The flip side? Correction.

We’re talking about those everyday little disruptions—like students rolling in late, sneaking peeks at their phones, chatting during lessons, or forgetting their gear. These things might seem minor, but they can build up and really mess with the vibe in the classroom. Not only do they waste valuable teaching time, but they can also drain a teacher’s energy as they constantly remind students to stick to the basics.

Some teachers have just accepted this low-level disruption as part of their daily grind, and honestly, many school leaders, especially in high schools, don’t fully grasp how common and damaging these behaviors can be. It’s a wake-up call for school leaders to really pay attention to what teachers are dealing with every day.

Now, I get it—focusing on behavior might feel a bit old-school when there are so many trendy topics like teaching strategies, assessments, and data analysis. But if we could just cut out that annoying background noise of low-level disruptions, everything else teachers and leaders do would be way more effective. Think of it this way: running a school with constant disruptions is like trying to drive with the handbrake on. For new headteachers, tackling this issue should be job number one.

Of course, punishments only work if there’s trust between students and staff. Kids need to feel like you genuinely care about them and that you’re going to enforce the rules fairly. When there’s a solid culture of respect, students know they need to step up and meet your expectations.

Our behaviour policy is pretty straightforward: when students mess up, we don’t point fingers or label them as bad kids. Instead, we focus on helping them learn the skills they need to do better and channel their energy into more positive activities.

Having observed young people over the years, I’m skeptical about the idea that their behavior is getting worse. A lot of this comes from sensational media and a bit of nostalgia. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking young people are just spoiled troublemakers, but that’s not the whole story. Schools today are much more organized and can catch poor behavior way quicker than before.

So, let’s keep an open mind and remember that young people are more than just their mistakes. They’re full of potential, and with the right support, they can thrive!

Discipline is not punishment. It is teaching.

Love and Light

DAO