Developing values

The ‘developing values' strategies will assist students to develop an awareness of their own attitudes towards particular outcomes and ideals that are associated with a healthy, active lifestyle. Learning and teaching programs in the Health and Physical Education Learning Area encourage students to develop positive attitudes towards the following values:

  • an active, healthy lifestyle, by participating regularly in a variety of movement forms and acknowledging the contribution of the Learning Area to physical, mental, emotional and social health

  • personal responsibility, by being accountable for health and physical activity

  • social justice, by being inclusive and respecting the rights of others

  • personal excellence and the achievements of others, by striving for their personal best and acknowledging the achievements of others

  • collaboration, cooperation and teamwork, by working cohesively in groups 

  • fair play, by abiding by rules and respecting umpires' decisions

  • prevention and safety, by exhibiting safe practices and developing safe environments in the classroom, in play, in games and expeditions

  • the environment, by demonstrating conservation practices and using minimal impact techniques.

Facilitating values education

Teachers implementing a program should act as the ‘facilitator' in values learning experiences and remain non-judgemental of students who display beliefs that may not agree with their particular stance on an issue.

Teachers should also make students aware that:

  • sometimes people form opinions without being well informed

  • personal experiences often contribute to opinions

  • there will usually be a cross-section of opinions within any group

  • peers, family, society and culture will influence values.

Debrief immediately after a values learning experience to allow students to share feelings generated from the activity, summarise the important points learned, and personalise the issues/dilemmas to real-life situations.

The strategies included in this section are:

  • Choose a corner

  • My attitude my actions

  • Oxford style debate

  • Around the table

  • Values continuum

  • Values voting

  • Choose an emotion

  • Role-play (is outlined within Making Decisions strategies)

  • Informal debate

Beliefs… …determine values… …which underlie attitudes… …and are reflected in behaviours.
Beliefs are an underlying conviction about an issue or concept. Values are something believed to be worthwhile. Attitudes are feelings and inclinations towards actions, situations, people or things. Behaviours are actions that reflect beliefs, values and attitudes.