Volume 18, Issue 1/2, 2009
Tom Cavanagh
Pages 62-85
Creating a New Discourse of Peace in Schools
Restorative Justice in Education
Creating a new discourse of peace in schools offers educators a choice in how they think, believe, and act in response to student wrongdoing and conflict. In this article the reader is introduced to how restorative justice principles can be used in education as a way of supporting a school-wide culture of care, where building and maintaining healthy relationships are fundamental principles. This
new discourse offers an alternative to the traditional discipline practices in schools, which focus on rules and consequences. The literature, research and major findings underlying this new discourse are explained. Finally, circles are described as an application of this new discourse.