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Restorative Practice

“Restorative justice says, ‘No, the offense affected a relationship’ and what you are seeking for is to restore the relationship, to heal the relationship.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Restorative Practice is a way of thinking and being that cultivates community, supporting well-being and achievement. Restorative Practice fosters the conditions that promote a positive sense of self, spirit and belonging. Restorative Practice provides a framework to maintain community when challenges and conflicts arise and to restore community when needed.

Goals of Restorative Practice

Restorative practice offers a framework that allows student, parent/guardian and staff input that allows students a voice in their class and school community which promotes their participation, supports well-being and improves school culture and climate.

Using Restorative Practices in the class increases the representation of diverse voices, students' sense of belonging, engagement and strengthens relationships.

Restorative Practices can also be used to mitigate incidents within a school community, promoting empathy, fair process, responsibility and collaboration.

Connection to School Community and Culture

Creates empathy and understanding between the members of the school community
Promotes Catholic graduate expectations of being an:
- An Effective Communicator
- A Reflective, Creative, and Holistic Thinker
- A Responsible Citizen

Types of Restorative Practice

The process of restorative practices can occur in both informal and formal moments throughout the class and school community. It provides a framework of fair practice, which includes:

Engagement
Explanation
Expectation Clarity

Informal

Restorative practice and circles allow for integrated and proactive engagement, nurturing relationships between students and caring adults, and community service
Informal restorative work can include after school and lunch support, in-class checks, one-on-one discussions
Some school staff may also use circles, either in a whole group or class interactive discussion, where they sit in a circle and using a talking piece
Informal restorative practice promotes inclusiveness and provides opportunity for everyone to speak and listen to one another
Peer mediation using restorative practice framework can support resolution of conflict early on

Circle Etiquette

Circles are made within the space with no physical obstructions between each other
There is no hierarchy within the circle
All voices are valued
Circle members only speak when they have the talking piece
Circle members speak respectfully
Circle members only talk about relevant issues and don't speak for too long
Allowing circle members to pass on taking the talking piece

Peer Mediation (in some schools)

Restorative practices are an integral part of peer mediation programs
Peer mediation is appropriate to help students with the support of the schools trained peer mediators to address conflict and support a restorative and long-lasting resolution

Formal

Restorative Conferences are rooted in the belief that it is more impactful to work with a student involved in negative behaviour rather than implement consequences to them or for them
By engaging students in fair process and responding to behaviour in ways that involve strengthening and repairing relationships, restorative practice promotes the balance between high expectations and high levels of support
When the student can engage, reflect and take responsibility for their actions, restorative practice framework provides a collaborative approach versus a confrontational setting of discipline, classroom management and relationships.

Restorative Questions

To Respond to Challenging Behaviour

What happened?
What were you thinking of at the time?
What have you thought about since?
Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
What do you think you need to do to make things right?

To Help Those Harmed by Other’s Actions

What did you do when you realized what happened?
What impact has this incident had on you and others?
What has been the hardest thing for you?
What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

Further Resources

Please download the Foundations of Restorative Practices booklet.