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Victoria – news – 30/09/07

The Social Values Education Project at Wantirna South Primary School

Wantirna South Primary School began their Social Values Education Project through a community consultation approach which first tackled the big question, ‘What makes a great school?’ The answer they uncovered was that the power lies in the attitudes, words and actions of each member of the school community. Continuing the consultation process, a values survey was distributed to parents and teachers. They identified five shared values that were strongly supported by all: care, honesty, inclusion, responsibility and respect.

The Social Values Education Project encompasses three aspects within the school community:

  1. Values Education Curriculum
  2. Cultural Development
  3. Parent Education.

Launch of Werribee Secondary College ‘core values’

A band of superheroes were on hand at the launch of Werribee Secondary College’s ‘core values’ on Wednesday 1 August 2007. What have superheroes and values education got in common? Some of our creative students have invented superhero comic characters armed with shields depicting Werribee Secondary College’s ‘core values’: respect, responsibility, honesty and integrity, cooperation and perseverance. Two of our superheroes are Mr Percy Verance and Respector Rabbit. Our Core Values Professional Learning Team will soon have our Superheroes poster proudly displayed at school. Around the college you will also notice our brass plaques which state that ‘Werribee Secondary College adheres to the following core values’. 

Gary Shaw, Senior Project Officer in the Department of Education and the Values Education Contact Officer for Victoria, was our special guest. He commented that we were the first school to invite him to an official launch. He also complimented us on our ‘good practice’ approach to the project within Werribee Secondary College.

Principal Steve Butyn challenged us to not only remember and recite the values but to ‘walk the talk’. And to conclude, Ms Sue Cowie from the Core Values Professional Learning Team, reminded the students of Harry Potter’s innate values, which led to the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Overlook values and there can be no serious talk about the human potential for good.

There are now many positive messages around the college which remind us of the values we all share. Values that will help make us more tolerant, selfless and caring human beings.

Sue Cowie
Core Values Professional Learning Team