Values are not something static and immovable. They are living, breathing entities, and as such, are susceptible to death and decay. Because of this, it is paramount that they are revitalised. Since the start of the year, we have been focusing on developing our school values, primarily that of respect. We felt that respect underpinned so many things; how one treats themselves, how they interact with others and navigate their community.

The end goal is to culminate in a respect charter. But even the charter is not enough. We know that morals and conduct do not solely exist in written documents. They must be a very part of our everyday existence. 

We started the year with workshops about respect. Each year group will have at least one workshop on respect over the course of the year. Through music, games, discussion and brainstorming, students have opportunities to think about this important value. 

Our key challenge is maintaining ongoing dialogue about our core values. Single workshops cannot create lasting change. It has to be something which is kept in the forefront of the mind so that it eventually changes the way we think and behave. We have sought to do this through an initiative called respect points, a student council initiative which takes the existing House points system, but rewards students for respectful behaviours. This could range from clearing away someone else’s tray in the dining hall to holding doors open for members of the school community. I’ve integrated respect into daily notices and workshops.

One of our guiding documents has been the UNCRC, something shared with all students in child friendly language. There is a keen desire to empower our learners by ensuring they understand their rights as children and young people. I feel that if students know how they should be treated, they are in a better position to challenge infringements and violations of their rights.

We have some way to go in this effort but the effects are already being felt. The number of negative incidents attributed to disrespect has fallen noticeably. I smile with pride when a student does something very respectful and another student quips “that’s got to be a respect point, sir”!

The respect points and workshops are more than isolated interventions—they’re building blocks of a larger cultural evolution. In the coming months, I’ll be working on bringing the voices of different stakeholders together into an overarching ethos across both primary and secondary divisions.