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No. 5, SEPTEMBER 2000

Tena Katou Katoa,

Living Values is nearing the end of the two-year trial period and we are proud to report that every day more schools are asking how they can be part of the Living Values project for values education.  The most interesting thing, but not surprising you will say, is that these schools are already very conscious and active about the values that drive the way things are done in their school.  But they are wanting to do more.  We know – ask any education researcher, switched-on principals or ERO officer – that a key feature of an effective, growing and happy school is the constant search for learning and improvement.  Indeed it has to be said that it is sometimes surprising that considering schools are ‘learning communities’ we all too often hear the comment “we already do that here”.  It is sad to hear that when we are talking about values education.  This is a field of learning that is in its infancy.  We have so much to learn about it.

Learning about values in all its aspects and associated topics, in all the ways it relates across all areas of the curriculum, and all the ways it affects your school climate and children’s ability to learn, is an exciting development in education.  I hope your school continues to enjoy this journey.  We intend to travel with you and we are working hard at present to ensure that Living Values is funded to continue into 2001 and 2002.

With love and trust,
Judy Lawley. 

WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE VALUES STATEMENT

  • Equal Opportunity
  • Community
  • Learning for Life
  • Respect

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AORANGI SCHOOL VALUES

Mission statement:  Providing a caring environment for the development of learning and life skills, self esteem and respect for others.
School motto:  Piki ki runga – Reach for the top.
As a school we believe:  Everything we do at school is affected by some form of value – either positive or negative.

Like other Living Values schools, Wellington East and Aorangi translate these core beliefs into statements about behavioural expectations in the school, and about learning programmes to foster the values in children and to link them with the seven learning areas.

Photo: Pupils of Freyberg Community School enjoy IT, but the school knows that values will decide how children use their new language.

If you want to be involved in Living Values in 2001, contact us now so you can include it in your development plans.

Values Education Resources

The Anti-Bullying Handbook - Keith Sullivan, 2000.  This is a very thorough coverage of everything available on bullying in schools.  Every school needs one of these.  Oxford University Press, Greenlane, Auckland or any good bookshop.

The Anti-Bullying Handbook lists other excellent resources such as:

Teaching Prosocial Behaviour to Adolescents - Kate Prescott, 1995.  A directory of processes and programmes used in Australian schools.  From the Australian Guidance and Counselling Association, Adelaide - or contact Living Values.

Values and Visions, A Handbook for Spiritual Development and Global Awareness - Georgeanne Lamont and Sally Burns, 1993.  A huge range of classroom activities drawn from a decade of global research.
Hodder & Stoughton – or contact Living Values.

Human Development in Aotearoa – A Journey Through Life - Lise Bird and Wendy Drewery, 2000.  All 17 contributors are New Zealand educators.  This book is essential reading for everyone involved in education in New Zealand.  The chapters on Maori and Pacific Island identity and values are particularly helpful. 
McGraw-Hill Book Co. NZ Ltd.

Values in Schools - The Quality Public Education Coalition, 2000.  This inexpensive spiral book is an easy-to-read and very full coverage of issues around values education.  It sheds light on many grey areas and includes good lesson ideas.  There is an overview on Creating an Ethical School. 
Kanuka Grove Press, Massey University College of Education, Palmerston North.

From the front page: If you could give your child one gift or quality when she leaves school, what would it be?

Training Courses for Teachers in Living Values

What does the individual teacher do now about values education?  Put the Living Values one-day course on your professional development calendar now.  It can be run for your whole staff if you wish.  On this day you will:

  • explore the nature and impact of values across your school and in your classroom

  • extend your understanding of the meaning and scope of the wide field of values education

  • take part in an exploration of a school issue relating to values

  • set your own personal and professional goals.

The Children’s Charter on Children’s Rights
The chart begins: At the advent of the new millennium, children of the world came to Aotearoa New Zealand and sat down together to talk bout themselves as citizens of our planet.  These are their resolves:

Available free from Living Values or N.Z. National Commission for UNESCO www.unesco.org.nz

Visit the UNESCO site to sign Manifesto 2000 – remember 2000 is the International Year for the Culture of Peace.  How about a ‘Peace’ unit in term 4?

Manifesto 2000 www.unesco.org/manifesto2000

  1. Respect all life

  2. Reject violence

  3. Share with others

  4. Listen to understand

  5. Preserve the planet

Rediscover solidarity

Page Last Updated September 27, 2000