In 2016-017 Gonzaga High became part of a project called Relationships First: Creating School Cultures of Belonging. Gonzaga, along with Bishop Feild, was selected as a project school by the Relationships First: Restorative justice in education Consortium of NL to actively work to create an explicit school culture of BELONGING. This is a multi-year project grounded in a well-researched way of being that accepts that all people and their environments are worthy and interconnected. We believe this project will strengthen the environment at the school and provide students, educators, and parents/caregivers with a place that teaches us how and allows us to interact in ways that respects the dignity of all through a mutual concern for each other. When difficulties arise, Relationships First will have prepared us to have difficult conversations to address the challenges we are involved in. Currently, a team of 6 staff members has been established to introduce restorative practices in classrooms to deepen relationships and to create a relational culture. Talking Circles are used both for developing an atmosphere of trust and acceptance and for delivering curriculum.
Gonzaga High School 