South Australia – news – 30/07/07
Student Ambassadors for Values Education Launch Values Month initiative
A group of 15 students representing Government, Catholic and Independent schools in South Australia proposed that August be declared a statewide Values Month in schools.
Student Ambassadors for Values Education (SAFVE), a group of primary and secondary-aged students who have been meeting since October 2006, have issued an invitation to teachers to ‘work with students so that they can use their initiative to organize an appropriate way to promote values education in their schools’.
With the support of Mary Hudson, Intersector Consultant on Values Education, David Butler, Policy and Program Officer, Society and Environment, DECS and Mia Handshin, Facilitator, Mana of Speaking, SAFVE has been meeting regularly this year at Pulteney Grammar School, with the objective of developing a student-led initiative to facilitate values education in South Australian schools.
We are hoping Values Month will encourage students to be confident in demonstrating and understanding values within their school community.
Justin White, Brighton High School
Addressing a Twilight Seminar on Values education and student participation on 9 May 2007, students from the SAFVE group spoke about the need for students to be engaged in activities beyond the classroom if they are to truly connect to values education. They also spoke about the desire to be involved in coming up with new ways of conveying values messages in student-friendly ways. The students used the seminar officially to launch their Values Month proposal to teachers and school leaders, calling on those gathered to return to their schools and encourage student leaders to come up with an idea for an activity or event for Values Month in August this year.
Students could organise a live concert or battle of the bands featuring songs with lyrics about values, student-led forums, challenge days with team activities emphasising and exploring values, a 'values museum' display or classroom discussions about what values mean to them for Values Month.
Tom Andrewartha, Pulteney Grammar School.
To assist student leaders to get involved in Values Month, SAFVE members have compiled a simple student-friendly information kit to accompany a letter and application form sent to all schools. SAFVE members hope that with the support of school staff, student leaders will take the opportunity to get involved in Values Month by applying for funding available through the Department of Education, Science and Training to assist them with their activity or event.
Values Month could really help schools get students to participate in determining how values are used in the school community as well as in life outside school.
Veronica Studd, Reynella East High School.
Visit the South Australian Values Education website or download the Values Month information sheet for more information.
Values Education and Middle Schooling
How does Values Education Underpin Middle Schooling? Educating for Values Development
Dr Julia Atkin
Monday 27 August 9.00 am – 3.30 pm
Sunnybrae Function Centre, The Coach House, Tikalara Street, Regency Park 5010
This is an exciting opportunity to workshop intensively with Dr Julia Atkin to develop values-based approaches in your school. This workshop will build on Dr Atkin’s ‘Values and Middle Schooling’ twilight seminar held on 3 April 2007. It is suggested that teams of no more than four members attend from each school. You may like to consider inviting members of governing council and students to be part of your school’s team.
August is Values Month in South Australian Schools. Student ambassadors for Values Education will feature their work leading student initiated activities and celebrations.
Visit the South Australian Values Education website or download the Values and Middle Schooling flyer for more information.
For all enquiries please contact Mary Hudson:
Phone: (08) 8338 0422
Email: the.hudsons@ozemail.com.au
The events for South Australian educators are collaborative cross-sector initiatives with the Department of Education and Children’s Services, Catholic Education SA and the Association of Independent Schools SA.