Case Studies: Examples of Good Practice 2004
The following case studies, with examples of good practice in values education, are from schools which participated in the Values Education Study 2003.
The ‘Outback-City Experience 2002’ was one of the first major projects undertaken in the developing Service-Learning Program at Abbotsleigh. Abbotsleigh has a strong history of service and its aim, through Service Learning, was to enhance that ethic and to integrate some of the service experiences into the school curriculum, so that outcomes were met through meaningful service projects which met a community need.
Building resilience in students is about developing personal responsibility, self-discipline, connectedness to the school, civic engagement, participation, service to others, confidence and self-esteem. It is about empowering students to make wise choices through self-knowledge and by articulating the links between personal responsibility and responsibility to parents, peers, teachers and the wider community.
Albany Primary School introduced the Tribes® program as a way of promoting student centred, co-operative learning methods, using multiple learning styles and interactive learning experiences that actively promote a positive learning environment to build student resilience and self-esteem.
Alice Springs High School is one of two junior secondary high schools in the city, catering for Years 7-10 students with a small intake of Years 11 and 12. The school's approach to values education grew out of a concern of high student turnover rates. The Year 10 curriculum was completely revamped with a focus on building relationships, mutual respect, tolerance and teamwork.
Corio Bay Secondary College, a Years 11 and 12 college, believes that values education takes place implicitly and used the Advocacy Program to build resilience, confidence, social and organisational skills. Advocates care for students on a personal basis, helping them with personal concerns and crises, as well as helping them with structural issues such as goal setting and time management.
The Lance Holt School is an independent school in Fremantle. Guided by its own values statement, the school believes that values education is about engaging with what it means to be human in relationship with other humans and with the world around us. Building on its tradition of playing an active role in the dynamic Fremantle community, its project aimed at promoting sustainability values by addressing the unique cultural, social, economic and environmental elements of the beautiful port city.
Modbury School, South Australia, with the guidance of Principal, Lina Scalfino, is undergoing an extensive re-culturing of the school using a values framework. Parents, teachers and students are working together on a five-year plan to implement values education across every facet of the school curriculum.
