Values Education Good Practice Schools Project – Stage 2: Second National Briefing Session
The second briefing session for the Values Education Good Practice Project Schools Project (VEGPSP) – Stage 2 was held on 12 – 13 June at Kingscliff in Northern NSW.
Participants included: two representatives from each of the 25 clusters, 18 University Associates Network (UAN) critical friends from 16 different universities across Australia, six State and Territory Values Education Contact Officers and the Curriculum Corporation Values Education Project Team.
The objectives of this briefing were to:
- develop the Case Studies
- review the research components and tools to be used in the projects
- identify and share successful processes for working together to ensure best outcomes for all participants
- continue to build on the learnings of the VEGPSP – Stage 1
- develop the VEGPS Project network - a values education learning community engaged in developing and sharing good practice in Values Education in Australian Schools.
The guest speaker, Professor Terry Lovat, Professor of Education, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Arts), Newcastle University, NSW, set the scene for the two days. In an interactive question and answer session he challenged the participants to think about resistance to values education He discussed the latest values education research in the UK and USA and how research from the VEGPS projects is pointing towards improvements in student outcomes, and the bifurcation of values education in Australia. Professor Lovat’s presentation at the Second Briefing Session may be accessed below.
The briefing session was highly involving with participants exchanging ideas, strategies and solutions. A presentation by Dr Ron Tooth, from the Pullenvale cluster, Queensland - on Case Writing, the Case Study and how to prepare for Action Research - was the basis of much discussion about how values education can be the instrument of deep and sustainable change within schools.
Over the two days of the Briefing Session cluster representatives worked with their University critical friends on the preparation of the second draft of their Case Study. Ideas were exchanged, approaches were challenged and there was much discussion and dialogue.
One of the participants wrote: ‘This briefing session was a great opportunity to discuss problems and issues, glean solutions and consider totally new approaches and ideas...with collegiality and expert help.’