Restorative Approaches in Schools

Circle Speak is one of the leaders in the development of restorative practices in schools.  Peta Blood (Director, Circle Speak) in conjunction with Margaret Thorsborne (Margaret Thorsborne and Associates, Qld.) have co-written a number of papers on how to embed restorative practices in schools and how to take this to a whole school level.  This is based on their respective work in schools throughout Australia and increasingly throughout the world to build an understanding that restorative practices is about cultural change in schools.  Circle Speak's work is designed to assist schools in this effort, whether they be part way along this journey or starting from scratch.  Peta has worked with and directly advised schools in Australia, the UK, USA, Guam and Singapore and helped to inform practice throughout the world.   Whilst Peta has a background in policing, she is also a teacher at the tertiary level, after entering teaching to work with youth at risk.  She understands what it is like to work with challenging students and classes and regularly puts these skills to practice herself.  Peta also works with students, facilitating a range of social skills programs for students of all ages and training teachers to do this.

Circle Speak offers a range of tailored workshops and trainings to assist schools to adopt restorative practices. These include:

• Whole School Introductory Workshops (1 day and 3 hour)
• Training in Restorative Conferencing (2 & 3 day)
• Problem Solving Circles Workshop (1 day) 
• Circles and Classroom Management Practices (2 day)
• Parent workshops
• SRC Leadership forums
• Facilitated workshops for parents, staff, students and community
• Bullying Forums
• Relationship Management Planning Workshops
• Conflict Resolution
• Networking Forums and Tailored Workshops
• Staff Processes, and
• Cultural Change Consultancy.

We are proud of our training history and what schools are able to acheive as a result of our work with them.  Our trainings are rated frequently as 'the best professional development' ever attended by teachers, whether it be a short 3 hour or a full day introduction to restorative practices.  We are not satisfied unless our clients are empowered to make a difference and that is what drives us to constantly ensure our work is leading edge and producing the outcomes schools desire.

If you would like further information or to make contact with one of the many schools that works restoratively, please contact us at:

circlespeak@optusnet.com.au

Ph: (02) 9938 5860

Fax: (02) 9939 5617

Or go to our training page for details on scheduled trainings.