What is School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)?
At Cranbourne East Secondary College, we believe every student deserves to feel safe, valued and capable of achieving success. Our commitment to building a positive, inclusive school culture led us to adopt and embed the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework: an evidence-based approach that strengthens both learning and wellbeing across school communities.
SWPBS provides the shared language, structure and consistency needed to create predictable and supportive environments where students can thrive. Through explicitly teaching expectations, acknowledging positive behaviour, and responding fairly and consistently, we are building a school culture grounded in respect, responsibility, safety and a love of learning.
CESC already uses a range of evidence-based, tiered supports—including our Instructional Model, Positive Education, Positive Learning Behaviours, Berry Street Education Model training, and our House Culture. SWPBS brings these elements together to unify our practices, strengthen consistency and shift from a punitive behaviour model to a proactive, teaching-focused approach.
Embedding SWPBS is essential to shaping the kind of school community we aspire to be. One where every student feels connected, supported and motivated to succeed. The framework creates whole-school consistency, allowing students to experience clear expectations and predictable routines in every classroom and setting. By focusing on strengths and acknowledging positive choices, SWPBS promotes a culture of encouragement, belonging and pride.
Importantly, SWPBS enhances learning. When behaviour expectations are explicit and consistently reinforced, classrooms become calmer, safer and more focused, increasing engagement and learning time for all students. It also empowers students to take responsibility for their behaviour, make positive decisions and build the social-emotional skills needed for success at school and beyond.
For staff, SWPBS strengthens confidence and collective efficacy by providing clear processes, shared language and aligned practices across the College. This approach directly supports the priorities identified in the 2023 School Review, which emphasise increasing student agency, strengthening multi-tiered supports, embedding positive education practices and building staff capacity.
Ultimately, SWPBS helps ensure that Cranbourne East Secondary College is a place where all students feel safe, respected and empowered. Where positive behaviour is taught, celebrated and sustained across our entire school community.
Minor and Major Behaviours
At CESC, behaviours are categorised as minor or major to ensure staff respond consistently and appropriately.
- Minor behaviours are low-level concerns that can be managed within the classroom, such as off-task behaviour, low-level disruption or forgetting equipment.
- Major behaviours are more serious and require support from the Sub-School or Leadership teams, such as ongoing defiance, safety concerns or behaviours that significantly disrupt learning. This process ensures students receive fair, consistent, and restorative support.
SWPBS Matrix
Our SWPBS Matrix outlines the behaviours we value at CESC across all settings. It highlights what it means to:
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
The Matrix guides students and staff in understanding the expectations for positive behaviour in classrooms, the yard, online spaces and all learning environments.
SWPBS Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions
Our extensive SWPBS Handbook to support staff, students and families in understanding our whole-school approach. The handbook outlines our expectations, processes, behaviour responses, multi-tiered supports and practical strategies for building positive learning environments. It serves as a comprehensive guide to ensure consistency, clarity and shared understanding across the College community.
Our FAQ section provides clear answers to common questions about SWPBS, including how it works, why it benefits students, and what families can expect as the framework continues to grow within the College community.
SWPBS Videos
We have developed a series of short videos to model our expected behaviours in different settings. These clips help students see what positive behaviour looks like in everyday situations and assist staff in teaching expectations consistently across the school.
