Middle Years 

Values and Character

Living our shared values is the responsibility of us all. We should never underestimate how much the young people in our care emulate behaviour from those closest to them. Last year in our new Strategic Plan we set these core values; respect, compassion, gratitude, resilience and optimism. We support the development of values by allowing the students to experience challenge, and to grow from practice, making attempts and experiencing failures in a climate of unconditional love and support. In myPEC we view mistakes as ‘takes’; take 1, take 2 … on the road to success. We ask the students to persevere, work outside of their comfort zones, and to seek help when it is needed. This was the message given to students at the Year 7 Adventure Day. We want them to cope when they forget their library book or PE Uniform.

‘Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.’ Helen Keller

Last year I read the book “Make Your Bed” and watched the 2014 University of Texas Commencement Speech given by Naval Admiral William H McRaven. I was amused to hear that he believes making your bed each morning is character building. I wonder how many of our students make their beds each morning? And how do we support them to develop character through doing things they don’t enjoy, but that matter?

In his speech, McRaven shares lessons from his Navy SEAL Training that shaped his character; lessons learned through hardship, dealing with adversity, not being treated fairly and having to sit with discomfort. As children transition to adolescence and adulthood, they need to deal with challenges from which we cannot protect them. The small steps and problems our students face are potential rungs in a ladder they can climb to develop character. If we remove the rungs, they may be forced to take giant leaps, perhaps when we are not there. Effectively, we are reducing their ability to manage future adversity. How we respond to challenges our students face creates a precedent they will draw upon in the future.

It can be hard being a parent. There will be times when the best course of action is to step in, but we must also recognise when our teenagers can solve a problem themselves. In working together with shared values, we provide solid foundations for your children to draw on in future years.

Here is the link to 2014 University of Texas Commencement Speech given by Naval Admiral William H McRaven, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OoCaGsz94

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years