PREVENTIVE SYSTEM

Don Bosco was a prolific author, but he wrote very little about his own educational style. He said it was a matter of the heart, a way of loving,

But love alone was not enough. He was adamant that the young people in his care should not only be loved but that they should also know that they were loved. Therefore, love had to be given practical expression.

PREVENTIVE? Rather than implying something negative - to stop or hinder something - it expresses the intention of foreseeing and forestalling anything that would give rise to destructive experiences. This is more clearly seen when the derivation of 'preventive' is understood. It derives from the Latin praevenire:'to precede', 'to anticipate', 'to go before’. It is a positive word.

FREEDOM The preventive system challenges educators to see and celebrate the goodness they find in the young. It awakens creativity in the adult to find new ways of developing and celebrating the gifts they find in young people. Respect for an inner freedom at the heart of each person is central to the preventive system.

THREE KEY WORDS FOR DON BOSCO The young person is drawn to goodness of their own free choice through Kindness, Reason and exploring the mystery of their life as a Religious Journey.

BASED ON THE GOSPEL The practise of the Preventive System is based on the words of St Paul: 'Love is patient and kind. It is always ready to excuse, to hope, and to endure whatever comes’ (Don Bosco, 1877). This love, expressed in pastoral care, leads the educator to love the young person in whatever state they may be found, so as to lead them towards the fullness of human living which is modelled on the Gospel.

REASON In line with the optimistic humanism of St Francis de Sales, the term "Reason" refers to that whole range of activity which brings people to life and safety. "Reason" emphasises basic values such as the freedom and dignity of the individual, the primacy of conscience, the goodness of creation and culture, and the value of work and community living.

RELIGION While reason refers to human activity and human relationships, the second term of Don Bosco's trilogy, "Religion", indicates that his approach emerges from and is oriented towards relationship with God. Don Bosco did not make sharp distinctions between the 'sacred' and the 'secular,' but believed that the human life could not reach its fulfilment without a lived and lively spirituality based on the Gospel.

KINDNESS "Loving-kindness" is the most unique (and perhaps the most misunderstood) element in Don Bosco's system. Don Bosco used the Italian word "amorevolezza“; there is no English equivalent for this word and it is often simply translated as loving kindness. This can be misleading because the concept describes an act of the will, a choice to want the best for someone else. It describes love as a choice rather than a feeling.

Some Salesian Skills Reason Religion Loving Kindness Listening Awareness of one’s own spirituality Cheerfulness Thinking ahead and evaluating later Recognising the spiritual in the lives of the young Making the first move towards others Knowing the world of young people Ability to forgive and encourageEmpathy Remembering one’s own childhood Able to share one’s own faith appropriately Giving praise and recognition Challenging young people at the right time Respecting the freedom and conscience of young people Being optimistic about the goodness of young people Managing one’s own anger and enthusiasms according to the needs of the young Ability to celebrate life, change and success Withdrawing affection when appropriate Discerning danger and opportunities ahead Creativity in opportunities for service of others Being able to ask forgiveness of young people Making rules clear and simple and sticking to them Recognising young people’s gifts and drawing them out Helping to form positive emotional groupings for vulnerable young people

PREVENTIVE SYSTEM

St John Bosco saw the work of education as a matter of the heart

For John Bosco, trying to love young people was the key to the learning relationship;

a way of growing for the pupils and the adults that work with them

Four things make this love practical in a school like St John Bosco’s RESPECT

RESPECT UNDERSTANDING

RESPECT UNDERSTANDING AFFECTION

RESPECT UNDERSTANDING AFFECTION HUMOUR

R ESPECT U NDERSTANDING A FFECTION H UMOUR

RUAH The word RUAH is Hebrew, meaning….. Breath Inspiration Spirit

Working with the young in a Salesian style means bringing r espect, u nderstanding a ffection and h umour to relationships with pupils and adults in the school community

RESPECT Consistency Reasonableness Rememberingpromises Protecting the vulnerable

RespectUnderstanding Consistency Reasonableness Rememberingpromises Protecting the vulnerable Listening Challenging Compassion Wisdom

RespectUnderstandingAffectionHumour Consistency Reasonableness Rememberingpromises Protecting the vulnerable forgiveness warmth kindness gentleness Listening Challenging Compassion Wisdom

Consistency Reasonableness Rememberingpromises Protecting the vulnerable forgiveness warmth kindness gentleness Listening Challenging Compassion Wisdom Fun Cheerfulness Celebration Smiles

RESPECTUNDERSTANDING AFFECTIONHUMOUR