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South Australia – news – 30/10/07

School forum snapshot: St Brigid’s School Cluster Forum
A cluster forum was held with students, teachers and parents from St Brigid’s Catholic School, Catherine McAuley School, St Thomas More School and Xavier College in Adelaide’s northern metropolitan region.

The focus of the forum was to consider the importance of ‘living out’ values in the transition process as students move from the participating primary schools to Xavier College, the secondary school in the region. The students looked at what they could do to make transition to secondary school a smooth process, not only for their group but for groups to follow.

David Fawcett, the MP for Wakefield, facilitated the first session and talked about his definition of ‘values’. He highlighted the values of integrity, character and courage, and relayed stories of his experiences in the military services.

Discussions about what constitutes a good leader were the next step in the forum. Students were able to highlight the qualities of a school leader and name the values which underpin good leadership. They defined the qualities as:

  • Commitment
  • Resilience
  • Unity
  • Strength of character
  • Honesty



Students decided that, in order for transition to be effective, there must be opportunities for students to ‘live out’ their values and that, during the transition process, students must:

  • be respectful of each other
  • be confident and communicative
  • share experiences
  • be proactive – get involved in things
  • talk with others
  • maintain friendship groups
  • not change identity
  • appreciate what is being done for them.



William Light PS_water bottleSchool forum snapshot: William Light Cluster Forum
Values in transition was the focus for the forum at the following cluster of schools: William Light Secondary School, Cowandilla Primary School, Adelaide Secondary School of English and Thebarton Senior College. These schools facilitated a forum with parents, teachers and students to consider school values and how they can be made more visible and used to make schools a more welcoming place.

One outcome has been a student-designed water bottle reflecting the school values and signifying that students are welcome to the school. Parents have been asked to support the design process by getting children on board. This has been a fun way to promote the school values of Responsibility, Integrity and Excellence.

Twilight seminar
On Thursday 8 November from 4.15pm – 6.30pm in Adelaide’s Education Development Centre, a twilight seminar will be held on values education, whole school change and the importance of shared vision and values in moving schools towards a common goal.

Speaking will be the winners of National Awards for Quality Schooling in 2007:

  • Genia Janover, Principal, Bialik College, Victoria
  • Mary Asikas, Principal Seaford 6–12 School South Australia
  • Sr Brenda Kennedy, Principal Holy Family School, New South Wales.

 

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 & Children’s Services, Catholic Education SA and the Association of Independent Schools SA.