20 January 2012
We are probably all familiar with the core values aspired to by the Scottish Parliament and stated on the ceremonial mace at Holyrood, these being:
wisdom
justice
· compassion
· iintegrity
I believe that when a school community has a shared set of core values, shared by staff, students and parents /carers, then we have a context within which we are able to work together more effectively at improving the outcomes for our young people.
I also believe that when we have a shared set of values, we can navigate our way through challenging times more effectively and often come out of these times better than before.
With this in mind, I'm consulting on the Principles and Values that we, as a school community, should aspire to and should measure ourselves against.
On Thursday 19th January, I led a session with school staff which asked them to discuss and suggest the 10 values which they felt should be at the heart of what we do.
I will carry out the same exercise with our students and I would like to do the same with our Parents & Carers.
The next Parent Council meeting has been dedicated to this and any member of the wider parent body who would like to attend and contribute would be more than welcome. This meeting takes place at the Academy, on Wednesday 22nd February at 6.30pm.
However, if you are unable to attend and would like your ideas on this topic to be put forward, please contact one of our Parent Councillors and let them know your ideas on what the values of the school should be.
To contact our Parent Council please email galashielsacademy@scotborders.gov.uk or telephone the Clerk on 01896754788 and ask for Nicky Bertham. For Parent Council information please follow this link Parent Council
When I have consulted with all of the groups which make up our school community, I will form a working group including representatives from staff, students and our parent body, to "comb out" the values which have come through and then present these as the shared core values of Galashiels Academy.
Thank you for your support with this consultation.
Kenny McKay, Head Teacher, Galashiels Academy
