Cecillia Bæk-Hansen March 27th, 2025

At REACH, we believe that a positive and supportive learning environment is crucial for the holistic development of our students. That is why our Wellbeing Officer, Theany, has been working hard to create and implement our new Behaviour Management Framework – a comprehensive and proactive approach designed to prioritise student wellbeing and cultivate a safe, respectful, and thriving school environment. This framework is the culmination of nearly a year of dedicated work by Theany, in close collaboration with Bee Kind Psychology, and represents a significant investment in the holistic development of our students. 

Our Wellbeing Officer Theany holding up her certificate.

The Strategy: Positive Reinforcement at Its core 

At the heart of our new framework lies the principle of positive reinforcement. We believe that by focusing on and rewarding positive behaviours, we can encourage their repetition and create a culture of encouragement and support. This approach is much more effective than simply focusing on punishing negative behaviours.  

The framework is consequently centred around the value of discipline over punishment and focuses on holistic intervention strategies, effective classroom management techniques, and a shared understanding of expected behaviour. It is built upon the core school values of respect, responsibility, and safety, which are integrated into every facet of the framework.  

Ultimately, it provides a common language and approach for speaking, listening, and acting that applies to all areas at REACH and encompasses the shared responsibility of every team member – from teachers and teaching assistants to admin and office staff. 

The tools: Equipping the Team with Resources 

When we started working on the framework, we wanted to create something that functions as more than just a new policy, or a new set of rules to follow. Instead, we wanted to create a dynamic system that includes several key components: 

• School Matrix 

The School Matrix clearly outlines behavioural expectations for various settings throughout the school, from the classroom and food time to the playground, toilets, assembly area, repair shop, computer room, and library. It provides concrete examples of what respect, responsibility, and safety look like in each of these environments, ensuring that students understand what is expected of them when it comes to speaking, listening, and acting.   
 

Our students holding our school matrix.

• Handbook 

The Behaviour Management Handbook serves as a resource for all staff, providing detailed information about the framework, its underlying principles, and practical strategies for implementation. It covers topics such as positive reinforcement techniques, managing challenging behaviours, and the roles and responsibilities of different team members.  

• Star Ticket System 

This system recognizes and rewards students who demonstrate positive or improved behaviours related to the school matrix and school values. Teachers and monitors award weekly star tickets, which can then be used in weekly class lucky draws, offering a chance for further recognition of the positive or improved behaviour. Additionally, monthly collections lead to rewards for the class with the most tickets, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and encouragement within each classroom.  
 

Our students holding their star tickets.

• Calm Room  

Recognizing that students sometimes experience overwhelming emotions, we have created a dedicated Calm Room. This safe and supportive space provides students with a place to de-escalate, process their feelings, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Students can access the Calm Room when they are feeling overwhelmed or struggling to manage their behaviour in the classroom, either by teacher referral or by using a designated card to request access. The Calm Room is overseen by the Wellbeing Officer, Theany, who provides guidance and support as needed. 

• “4 Skies System” 

This visual system helps students understand the connection between their behaviour and their consequences and is placed in each classroom. “Shining Sky” represents students who are exceeding expectations. “Sunny Sky” indicates students who are following the rules and demonstrating positive behaviour. “Stormy Sky” signifies minor behavioural issues that require redirection and intervention. “Dark Sky” represents serious behavioural problems that require intervention from the teacher, senior team, and potentially the Wellbeing Officer. This system provides a clear and consistent framework for addressing behaviour and helps students develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills. 

• Teacher Toolbox 

This collection of resource provides teachers in all classrooms with a variety of practical tools and strategies for managing behaviour, including activities, games, and techniques for positive reinforcement – all adjusted to the various students ages and levels present at REACH.  

Our teacher showing the 4 skies system in his classroom and his teacher’s toolkit.

Training and Implementation: A Collaborative Approach 

With all the resources now in place, we have entered the exciting phase of piloting and implementation! 

As a part of the piloting process of the project, Theany has been conducting training sessions for the team to help them understand the framework and its many aspects. Through activities such as the “Helper & Healer Hands” exercise and reflections on personal experiences with punishment, they explored the diverse backgrounds and challenges our students face while reflecting on the ways in which they manage their own behaviour and emotions. 
 

Our trained staff members holding up their helper and healer hands.

As the staff start actively using the framework in their daily interactions with students, we will start closely monitoring its effectiveness. This pilot phase allows us to gather valuable feedback from teachers, monitors, and students, and to make any necessary adjustments to ensure the framework is working as intended. 

The End Goal: A Safe and Nurturing Space for All 

Our ultimate goal after the Behaviour Management Framework has been implemented is to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive school environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to learn and grow.  

We believe that this new framework, with its emphasis on positive reinforcement, clear expectations, and a focus on general wellbeing, will play a crucial role in achieving this vision.  

It is about more than just managing behaviour; it is about building a community where every child can thrive – academically, socially, and emotionally. We are confident that this framework will have a lasting positive impact on our students and the entire REACH Siem Reap community. 

If you would like to support our wellbeing program, please get in touch today: info@reachsiemreap.org 

Thanks for standing with us, alongside Cambodian families, in their fight against poverty.