Dr Ruth Phillips, Academic in Residence
“Each generation has its dreams of what the world might be … you are needed, your integrity is needed, your vitality is needed, and your dreams are needed …” Winifred West, 1945
At Frensham Schools, the values are integrated into everyday life. The School’s values, including the pursuit of excellence, individual growth, and service to others, influence traditions and actions.
Traditions at Frensham connect learners to the past, present, and future, embodying the School values. The Frensham tradition of awarding Girdles and Irises for recognition of excellence embodies the unselfish pursuit of excellence as all students celebrate the achievements of an individual, birthday ribbons create connection and acknowledgement of a student’s growth, morning prayers focus our school community on the beauty of nature, music and the importance of personal development. All these traditions embrace Winifred West’s values of education for service, education in nature and pursuing excellence whilst serving others.
Traditions create shared experiences and a sense of belonging, which research shows is related to achievement and the ability to manage stress. The traditions at Frensham connect students to a larger community, supporting their development and resilience.
Values and learning
Values shape our decisions and provide internal feedback on whether actions align with personal well-being. When our behaviours do not align with our values, we can feel disconnected, anxious and unsettled.
Research indicates that values significantly impact students’ preferred learning approaches, especially as they advance academically Gamage, et.al. 2021). Values influence academic performance by guiding student engagement with tasks and responses to failures.
Strategic learners, motivated by curiosity, making a difference, and achievement values, persist, reflect, improve, and share their efforts. This focus allows them to contextualize failure and appreciate the power of effort in the lifelong learning journey.
Values are dynamic, evolving, and changing the way individuals interact with the world. Thus, at Frensham, the values established by Winifred West are prioritised. Anyone who was fortunate enough to attend the Year 12 weekend would have seen these values lived in Annabel’ Chauncey’s keynote in which she embodied the values of serving one another, the unselfish pursuit of excellence, to make the world a better place for young people in Uganda. Her vision, determination, and resilience all aligned with the values she developed through her family and Frensham Schools, and now that vision lives in the lives of the young people who will be the first individual in their family to even finish school and attend university.
The field of positive psychology has consistently demonstrated the power of values-based actions in the happiness and optimism of young people and adults alike (Seligman, 1995; 2002; 2011). Individuals who live by their values engage in what Seligman calls the purposeful life, a life associated with higher levels of happiness, contentment and stronger mental health. So, whilst values may not be in the NSW curriculum, it will always be part of Frensham Schools.
“She who comes keen and eager to help, who gives out the best that is in her, increases the school’s power for good and receives back her gift with interest. Give yourself.” ~ Winifred West, 1 June 1918
References
Gamage, K. A. A., Dehideniya, D. M. S. C. P. K., & Ekanayake, S. Y. (2021). The Role of Personal Values in Learning Approaches and Student Achievements. Behavioral Sciences, 11(7), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11070102
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. Free Press.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.