Values Education in NSW Public Schools

On 25 March 2004 the NSW Government released a statement on Values in NSW public schools. It affirms that public schools have always taught values and outlines the comprehensive and multifaceted NSW approach to values education.

NSW public schools have always taught the values that are the basis of law, customs and care for others in our society.

Schools in NSW share with families and the community the responsibility for teaching values. While values are learnt predominantly in the home and modified through relationships and life experiences, parents and the community have high expectations about commonly held values also being taught in schools.

The demonstration of these values in all areas of public education is both the aim and a measure of success for public schools.

Public schools teach values, including the values that underpin learning. Public schools also provide students with opportunities to explore the values that lie behind diverse community attitudes to political issues and social concerns.

Values are taught explicitly in classrooms and through the activities and realtionships of the school and its community. In schools, core values influence how people communicate, work together and make decisions. They are reflected in the policies and procedures of schools and the Department.