Relationships First – What’s this restorative stuff all about?
From the April 2008 Relationships First Community
Possible definitions or rationales to use with enquiring parents / colleagues the question is asked.
I have included some of my own as well (in blue)
We work together to strengthen relationships and manage conflict with the people who are most
directly affected. The aim is to restore or repair harm to the group.
Restorative justice:
Is a process that supports students to learn and understand the effects of their actions, to learn
how to knowledge the consequences of their actions and repair and reduce the harm by
understanding this effect. healthy relationships are re-established between members of the
community.
Restorative ‘stuff’ is…..
When there is a problem, bringing together kids to fix the issues/problems and then move on. To
maintain/rebuild relationships.
Restorative practices help to strengthen and repair relationships by working together to develop
community and resolve conflict.
When kids conflict, we put the responsibility back onto them to decide what will work it out. If us
adults just make these decisions, and the kids don’t believe it was fair, they’ll go after their own
justice!
When kids are hurt or upset by others, the best thing we can do is ask them what they need. We
use processes that allow this to happen in a way that is fair to all involved
When kids make a mess of things through thoughtless or harmful behaviour, this mess needs
cleaning up in ways that make things better and not worse. The cleaning up needs to be done by
the kids who made the mess. Just punishing them is too easy on them – they need find out why
their behaviour wasn’t OK.
Restorative practice:
To use discussion to solve problems, repair harm and work towards making it better.
What is this restorative stuff all about?
It is in inclusive, collaborative approach which actively includes all parties to manage conflict,
repair harm and strengthen relationships.
Restorative practices is our new way of working together to encourage students to take
responsibility, to repair the harm caused to relationships and be accountable for their actions
www.hansberryec.com.au
Restorative justice is in inclusive, collaborative process for managing conflict with the needs of
individuals involved are recognized. This promotes healing and build strong relationships within
the school community.
Restorative relationships develop and maintain the school community by modelling and teaching
values and empathy and giving all involved a voice in solving conflicts.
Restorative practice in our school means that students are accountable for their actions and
work to repair harm and restore relationships.
Restorative practice is a verbal, non-threatening process where conflict is addressed by affected
people, with the aim of resolving and repairing harm and therefore restoring the relationship
between two parties without penalising, punishing, alienating or coercing (Millicent HS)
It is a set of processes that we follow to restore the relationships are educational community to
addressing the wrongdoing in a positive and just way and therefore, repairing the damaged or
harm caused.
www.hansberryec.com.au