As first appeared in the December 2024 edition of the Muse magazine. Written by Angus Morton, High School Principal.
We recently repainted the interior of our preparatory school. As part of the process, classes were emptied and the walls throughout the building needed to be cleared. Anyone who has spent time in a prep school will know that this represents a great challenge, with so much of the pupils’ colourful work up on display. As I walked through the building on the final day of term, I noticed that the last thing to come off the walls were the values that were stuck above the doorway of each classroom. The words I walked past included: kindness, integrity, gratitude, inspire, tolerance and courage. I paused for a moment to reflect that, at the end of the day, when all that happens in a school is stripped down and the facts are forgotten, it is the values that remain. These values shape the character of the pupils that pass through a school.
THE ROLE OF EDUCATION AND PARENTS
Regardless of the educational model or type of school that pupils pass through, it is hoped that they will emerge or matriculate as young people equipped with knowledge, skills and values that will allow them to successfully navigate their life’s journey and to make a positive impact in the world. Most schools embrace the three-way partnership between pupils, parents and staff as the pupils develop. In selecting in which school to have their child educated, parents look at the values encompassed in the vision, mission or other statements of the school. Parents instil values in their children from the earliest moments of their lives. Parents, as role models, demonstrate the attitudes and values that their children adopt. Honesty, respect, compassion, empathy and many others are developed through the nurturing environment in which the children are raised. Ideally, these are then reinforced in the school. Each year a school will receive a new cohort of pupils coming from different family backgrounds. Part of the settling-in stage for new pupils involves alignment with the values of the school. With some pupils, this process is smoother than with others.
LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
Children often learn through the mistakes they make, and this is especially true in the development of attitudes and values. Some of the most profound teachable moments present themselves when dealing with “errors of judgement” or “wrong decisions” made by pupils who breach some school rules. Parents are encouraged to work with their child’s school in resolving the issues, and focus on the teaching at that moment, rather than the process or possible sanction aimed at reinforcing the lesson. A growth mindset is called for where pupils are motivated to explore and learn from their mistakes.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The impact of social media in shaping the attitudes and values of our children is significant. Kindness, respect, tolerance and empathy are not often characteristics of the interactions between children on social media platforms. The term “influencer” goes way deeper than simply impacting brand identity. There is very little external moderation of the language, attitudes and values that our children are exposed to or immersed in on the various platforms. The years spent at school are an important period in a young person’s life. It’s a time of growth, discovery, and shaping one’s identity. During these formative years, it’s crucial to instil values that will inform their decisions and actions so they can live fulfilling lives and make a positive contribution to society.