The NSW Board of Studies hosted a highly successful forum on Respect and Responsibility at the Australian Maritime Museum on Tuesday 30 May.

The Minister for Education and Training, Carmel Tebbutt, opened the forum and thanked all of the participants - especially the parents, teachers, students and community leaders in attendance - for their ongoing involvement and contributions in promoting the community values of respect and responsibility in schools.

The forum is one of a number of NSW Government initiatives aimed at promoting the key community values of respect and responsibility in NSW schools.

The forum - which was compered by media personality Lex Marinos - comprised a range of presentations and visual displays from 23 government and non-government schools from across the state. The school presentations and displays showcased the exemplary school-based programs that already exist in schools to support the development of respect and responsibility.

More than 200 senior educators, teachers, parents, students and community members took part in the forum. Two special guest speakers - Kate Brennan, the NSW Young Australian of the Year 2006 and Adam Goodes, the 2004 NAIDOC Sportsman of the Year, winner of the Brownlow Medal and a member of the National Indigenous Council - also addressed the forum. Kate gave the keynote address at the forum and Adam took part in a question and answer session on respect and responsibility.

Among the schools that presented programs was Merrylands High School, where its 800 students represent 50 cultures with 62% of students having a language background other than English. Merrylands High School works with staff, students and parents from its feeder primary schools in the area on a values-rich Respect, Responsibility and Right Choice program. Well-respected student leaders, staff and parents presented highlights of this initiative.

Another featured program was presented by St Ignatius' College, Riverview and Noor Al Houda Islamic College, Strathfield. In this inter-school program, the students from each school jointly participate in classes and cultural activities which allow them to get to know each other as Australians of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. The program is designed to promote respect for the individual and the rights of others.

Following the forum, the Board of Studies will develop a range of resources that support the development and implementation of values education programs in schools. The resources will include a DVD of the forum, 'school stories' from the presentations, a mapping of respect and responsibility education opportunities within the NSW K-12 curriculum and an annotated list of current values education resources.

Students from Kellyville Public School perform their Bollywood dance routine at the Forum.

Annie Sakava, Year 12 Student Leader at Merrylands High School presenting her school's showcase, titled The 3 R's: Respect, Responsibility, Right Choice.

Showcase presentations included:

Merrylands High School - works with younger students at nearby primary schools in its Respect, Responsibility and Right Choice program.

St Ignatius' College, Riverview and Noor Al Houda Islamic College, Strathfield - an interschool program highlighting respect for individuals and the rights of others.

St Edwards College Gosford - students learn civic responsibility and life values by working with local homeless people.

Beverly Hills Public School - respect and responsibility are incorporated into the school's management plan and affect the whole school community.

Peel High School, Tamworth - promotes values of inclusiveness and community connections. The school is seen as a safe place by students and their families.

Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta - teachers use identified core values in all curriculum planning; the aim is for consistent, effective, widespread teaching of values.

The Interschool Harmony Committee, Arncliffe - eight public and private schools from the Arncliffe area have a range of cultural appreciation programs. One program resulted in a new children's book by well-known author Nadia Wheatley, to be published later this year.

The following schools produced displays highlighting their school's respect and responsibility programs. These displays were exhibited at the forum in the Terrace Room of the Maritime Museum.

Baulkham Hills High School - cultural exchanges and a strong student leadership program.

Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre and Menai High School - cultural exchange program uses drama techniques to show how conflicts arise and can be managed (previously featured on SBS television).

Domremy College, Five Dock - behaviour management program, Restorative Justice.

Goulburn High School - students use their talents to help others in the Learning Plus program.

Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga - social skills program, You Can Do It, controls bullying and helps develop friendships.

Pymble Ladies College - runs Values In Action programs from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Trinity Catholic College, Lismore - a Youth Support website gives online help to students and parents.

It is anticipated that the Board's Respect and Responsibility resources will be available to all schools by Term 4.

To review all archived Board Bulletin articles and contents (in PDF format), click on the appropriate year - 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.