Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Classroom Code of Conduct & Entry & Exit Routines

At last week’s College Assembly I asked students to focus on three key messages: our shared expectations, their role in their own learning, and the routines that will help them succeed.

The updated Code of Conduct is built on the core values and notions of Dignity, Engagement, Responsibility, Respect, Cooperation, and the Right to feel Safe and the Right to Learn.

They are the foundation of how we behave, how we treat each other, and how we make sure every single student in this community has the opportunity to grow. I asked the students to consider the following:

When we speak of dignity, we mean recognising the worth in every person—your classmates, your teachers, and yourself.

Engagement means being present and active in your learning—not just showing up physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Responsibility is about owning your actions, your learning, and your progress.

Respect underpins how we interact—with kindness, with boundaries, and with maturity.

Cooperation is the reminder that none of us succeed alone—we succeed together.

And most importantly, we all have the right to learn and feel safe. That means no student should ever feel that their learning is being disrupted or diminished by the actions of others.

To support students further, The College has introduced new classroom routines for how we begin and end each lesson. These routines are simple, consistent and purposeful. 

But WHY do we need entry and exit routines? They create a sense of structure, focus and purpose. 

A consistent start to each lesson helps students transition calmly and quickly into learning, setting a clear tone and expectation from the moment you walk in; the first step to being engaged. 

Structured endings provide time for reflection, organisation, and check your understanding of the Learning Intention and Success Criteria. 

These routines support a positive learning environment where time is maximised and every student knows what to expect and what is expected of them.

These routines are not only about structure - they are about creating a predictable environment where every student can feel ready to learn and finish strong.

In closing, I asked students to commit to something more than just turning up. I then asked students to make a conscious choice and a decision for their own learning this term. 

I would ask parents and families to consider these two graphics and reinforce their message and how they will benefit the learning culture at SJPC.

Study Skills