Australian context

Inter-American Summit 2007 Conflict Resolution Education: International innovations and challenges

Gary ShawDepartment of Education VictoriaAustralia

Australian context

>20 million peopleFederal government since

1901Six states and 2 Territories23% born overseas6% - 7% indigenous

Australian context

• Liberal democratic tradition

• Responsible government• Written constitution• Parliamentary sovereignty • Frequent elections /

compulsory voting• Political Parties• Relations between level of

government

Australian schools

• 9,615 schools (72% government schools )

• 233,065 F/T teachers (67% female)

• 3,331,964 F/T students (67% in government schools)

• 130,447 F/T indigenous students

• 75.7% retention rate of F/T students to Y12

• 39.5% retention of F/T indigenous students to Y12

• 2004 ABS figures

In Victoria

• 2,306 schools (72% government)

• 833,674 F/T students• 85% retention to year 12• 6200 F/T indigenous students• 25% of students born in non-

English speaking country• @3500 new arrivals from non-

English speaking country each year

2006 DoE figures

National frameworks

• The Adelaide Declaration – National Goals for Australian Schooling

• National Safe Schools Framework

• The National Drug Education Strategy

• National Values Education Forums Project

Adelaide Declaration

• Goal 3 – Schooling should be socially just, so that:

• 3.1 student outcomes from schooling are free from the effects of negative forms of discrimination based on sex, language, language, culture and ethnicity, religion or disability: and of differences arising from students socio-economic background or geographic location

The National Safe Schools Framework• The Framework recognises the

need for sustained positive approaches that include an appreciation of the ways in which social attitudes and values impact on the behaviour of students in our school communities. Such approaches encourage all members of the school community to:

• value diversity• contribute positively to the safety and

wellbeing of themselves and others• act independently, justly, cooperatively

and responsibly in school, work, civic and family relationships

• contribute to the implementation of appropriate strategies that create and maintain a safe and supportive learning

environment.

National Drug Education StrategyPrinciples of drug

educationKey themes• Comprehensive &

evidence based• Positive school climates

& relationships• Targeted to needs and

contexts• Effective pedagogy

Nine Values for Australian Schooling• 1. Care and Compassion• 2. Doing Your Best• 3. Fair Go• 4. Freedom• 5. Honesty and

Trustworthiness• 6. Integrity• 7. Respect• 8. Responsibility• 9. Understanding,

Tolerance and Inclusion

National resources

• Mind matters• Discovering Democracy /

Civics• Talking Tactics• Values Education

A whole school approach to enhancing resilience

Effective Schools • The key success factors that help make

schools safe parallel the eight characteristics in the Effective Schools model which underpins all strategies and initiatives in Government Schools in Victoria

Victorian frameworks & policies• Safe Schools are Effective

Schools• Guidelines for managing

cultural and linguistic diversity

• The Victorian Essential Learning Standards

• Restorative practice

Framework for Student Support Services

Students are better prepared for learning

when they are healthy, safe and happy,

therefore, student welfare is the

responsibility of all staff working in a whole school context. Student

learning cannot be separated from welfare.

Themes from schools with good student wellbeing practice

• Effective leadership• Effective whole school

behaviour management system

• Wellbeing a school priority for staff and students

• Whole school approach• Positive student-student

realations

The Mind of Youth recommendation

• Develop a school culture that promotes belonging, connectedness and allows students to feel they can fit in. This may involve developing strong peer networks, promote relationships and reduce student anonymity.

Restorative Practices

Problem solving philosophy that in schools focuses on relationship management and repair

• What happened?• Who has been harmed?• How have they been harmed?

• What can be done to repair the harm done?

Assertiveness training• For responding to

bullying• Plan and practise

responses to incidents in a clear and polite manner

• Respond using assertive body language

Student participation

The Children’s Manifesto• What values do students

express in the manifesto?

• How would these compare to your school values?

Framework for student Support Services

Contact information

• Gary Shaw, DoE: Phone +61 3 9637 2031 Fax +61 3 9637 2170

• shaw.gary.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

• Victorian DE&T website• http://

www.sofweb.vic.edu.au