Positive Behaviour for Learning

At our school, we use Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) – a whole-school approach for creating a positive, safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and develop. Our whole school community works together to establish expected behaviours and teach them to all students.

At Lucas Gardens School we have three core rules, these three rules apply across all settings including school, home and community.

We have introduced the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program to help develop and foster positive student behaviour within the school and the wider community.

PBL is based on three core school rules:

1. Be Safe

• Hands and feet down
• Listen
• Move safely

2. Be Respectful

• Use a quiet voice
• Use good manners
• Take turns

3. Be a Learner

• Work first
• Work together
• Good work

Marlee our mascot encourages us to fly high and be safe, respectful learners.

Empowering Students for Success: A Collaborative Approach to Implementing the ‘Zones of Regulation’

At Lucas Gardens School, we are committed to providing innovative, evidence-based programs that empower our students to thrive both in school and beyond. One of our most significant initiatives has been the development and implementation of a  modified Zones of Regulation program, tailored to support children of all abilities. Our school Occupational Therapist has worked on developing a modified version of the Zones of Regulation to support children with disabilities in learning self-regulation skills.

Building the Foundation

The Zones of Regulation is an internationally recognised framework designed to support children in developing  self-regulation skills. The program uses a simple four-colour system to help students recognise and talk about their feelings:

• Blue Zone  – low states of alertness such as tired, sad, or unwell
• Green Zone  – calm, focused, and ready to learn
• Yellow Zone  – heightened emotions such as excitement, frustration, or anxiety
• Red Zone  – extreme emotions such as anger, fear, or distress

By teaching students to identify which “zone” they are in, and by equipping them with strategies to regulate their emotions and behaviour, we can create positive learning environments and build lifelong skills.

Professional Learning and Classroom Coaching

The journey began with professional workshops delivered to all teachers and School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs), introducing them to the Zones of Regulation framework, its language, and resources. Following this, our occupational therapist has been  based at Lucas Gardens each week, providing in-class coaching and co-teaching. This includes:

• Teaching Zones lessons directly to students
• Developing and trialling regulation plans
• Supporting staff to implement strategies that promote positive behaviour for learning

A Modified Program for All Abilities

Recognising the diverse needs of our students, we adapted the Zones of Regulation program to ensure it was  inclusive of all abilities. This included:

• Strategies for students with  cortical vision impairment
• Adaptations for children with  physical disabilities
• Considerations for students with  complex sensory processing challenges

These adaptations have ensured every student has access to meaningful, personalised ways of learning self-regulation.

Teaching Self-Regulation Skills

The regulation plans support the development of key skills, including:

• Identifying emotions
• Choosing appropriate regulation tools
• Independently self-regulating
• Using reflection strategies

Every classroom also utilises  social behaviour mapping. These tools map out social-emotional scenarios, helping students understand how their actions affect others and how others’ actions affect them. This approach has significantly improved peer relationships, classroom participation, and community engagement.

Measuring Impact

Data on self-regulation is collected regularly for each student, allowing the team to  track progress and monitor the effectiveness  of the program. This data-driven approach ensures we are continuously refining strategies to meet individual student needs.

Our Commitment

The success of the Zones of Regulation program at Lucas Gardens School is a testament to the power of  collaboration, equity, and excellence. By combining evidence-based practices with individualised adaptations, we are empowering students to build essential self-regulation skills that will support them not only in school but in their future lives.