Bungaree chooses respect

Bungaree Primary School has jumped aboard the Choose Respect bandwagon, adopting the common language and behaviour framework to foster a culture of respect within the school.

The Choose Respect framework was founded by Gary Butcher, who started implementing it at Rockingham and Kwinana in February using a $50,000 grant received from the Department of Immigration last year.

As the first school in Rockingham to adopt Choose Respect, Bungaree principal Peter Blackwell said he hoped the program would create a foundation upon which students could develop a values base for their future.

‘‘It makes each child aware that the language and actions they choose to use helps them to work and play in a happy environment,’’ he said.

‘‘The choices flow into how they respect their parents and families, their environment and their community.’’

Mr Blackwell said the program would run from Kindergarten to Year 7.

‘‘It is extremely important for students to be exposed to the core values at an early age, as it gives children a set of principals upon which to build their belief systems and behaviour,’’ he said.

‘‘As a school, we are developing a reward system based on Choose Respect — students have promoted the program throughout the school.’’

Mr Butcher said he would like to see all primary and secondary schools, as well as the wider community, adopt the Choose Respect code of behaviour.

Bungaree Primary School will hold a multicultural open day on November 16 at 1.30pm to celebrate the International Day of Tolerance and Choose Respect.