South Australia – news – 01/05/07
Adopting a values and beliefs-based approach to middle schooling
On Tuesday 3 April, over 250 educators attended a twilight seminar led by Dr Julia Atkin on Values Education and Middle Schooling. Dr Atkin challenged participants to consider that adopting a values and beliefs-based approach to middle schooling requires a new mindset and new ways of thinking. Participants reflected on the following questions:
- How does values education enrich middle years curriculum?
- How can values and values education improve our middle years pedagogy?
- How can the ways we see, think about and practise values influence how schools/communities develop?
The success of the seminar was such that a full-day conference will be held with Dr Atkin, teachers, students and parents on Monday 27 August in order to further explore her ideas and approaches to values education and middle schooling.
Becoming global citizens, communicating across cultures, intercultural understanding
Values of respect, freedom, fair go, integrity, tolerance
On Thursday 1 March, 80 South Australian teachers attended a workshop designed to explore how values education and engaging young people with Asia connect, and how this can lead to a deeper understanding of the values and beliefs within and across Australian and Asian societies. Participants considered both The National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools and the National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools. Discussions were ably led by Alan Wu, Australian Youth Advocate and Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.
The events for South Australian educators are collaborative cross-sector initiatives with the Department of Education & Children’s Services, Catholic Education SA and the Association of Independent Schools SA.