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🌈 Positive Behaviour at St George’s – A Fresh Approach

After several years of successfully using our current behaviour system, we’re excited to introduce some gentle but purposeful changes that we believe will make our approach even more effective and meaningful for the children. Just like a good book or a favourite game, even the most successful systems need a little zhuzh now and then—to keep things fresh, avoid boredom creeping in, and ensure they continue to meet the needs of our children as they grow.

At the heart of this refreshed approach is the idea of “Making Good Choices.” You’ll hear this phrase a lot! It encourages children to understand that many of their actions are, in fact, choices—decisions they have the power to make. It’s a positive and empowering shift, helping children develop responsibility, reflection, and resilience.

Each year group now has five age-appropriate “I can choose…” statements that link directly to our SCARF values: Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, and Friendship. These build year on year, supporting children in growing their understanding of behaviour as something they can take ownership of. Here’s how it works in each year group:

Reception (EYFS)

1. I can choose to keep my hands and feet to myself.

2. I can choose to use kind words.

3. I can choose to share and take turns.

4. I can choose to try my best at everything I do.

5. I can choose to keep trying, even when something is tricky.

Year 1

1. I can choose to listen when others are speaking.

2. I can choose to include my friends in games.

3. I can choose to follow instructions the first time.

4. I can choose to stay calm when things don’t go my way.

5. I can choose to help my friends when they need support.

Year 2

1. I can choose to walk calmly inside the school building.

2. I can choose to ask for help if I feel upset.

3. I can choose to play safely and sensibly outside.

4. I can choose to try my best to complete my work.

5. I can choose to keep going, even when I feel frustrated.

Year 3

1. I can choose to respect others' personal space.

2. I can choose to use a calm voice, even when frustrated.

3. I can choose to take care of my belongings and the school environment.

4. I can choose to stay focused on my work and avoid distractions.

5. I can choose to be a good friend by listening and helping others.

Year 4

1. I can choose to show patience and wait my turn.

2. I can choose to be a good sport, win or lose.

3. I can choose to apologise if I have hurt someone.

4. I can choose to take pride in my work and effort.

5. I can choose to stay positive, even when things don’t go as planned.

Year 5

1. I can choose to stay focused and avoid distractions.

2. I can choose to understand and respect differences.

3. I can choose to walk away from arguments or seek help.

4. I can choose to stay focused on my goals and not give up.

5. I can choose to encourage my friends and be supportive.

Year 6

1. I can choose to ignore unkind words and not retaliate.

2. I can choose to cope when things don’t go my way.

3. I can choose to support younger children and set a good example.

4. I can choose to manage my time well and complete my work to the best of my ability.

5. I can choose to handle disappointment calmly and try again.

We’re also introducing our new SCARF Awards, which will replace the Rainbow Rewards after Easter. These are daily certificates worth two team points, celebrating children who have shown behaviours linked to our SCARF values. They’re designed to be a quick, meaningful way to reinforce the values we hold dear. Children will also be encouraged to collect a full set—one for each SCARF value—and work towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards as they build their collection. It’s a simple but exciting way to reward consistency and effort, not just one-off actions.

These changes are all about supporting children to become the best version of themselves—not just to behave well, but to grow in character, to reflect on their actions, and to understand the impact they have on others. We’re incredibly proud of the positive, values-led environment we continue to build together here at St George’s.