Our Core Values
At the centre of Alphington Grammar School’s philosophy is the aim to promote a holistic development of each child within the school - including their academic, creative, sporting and personal development. This development is supported by a range of core values: to respect others; to analyse critically; to show compassion; to think globally; to aim high; to live creatively; and to value diversity. These core values underpin both our pastoral and curriculum development.
To Respect Others – Alphington Grammar School promotes the building of relationships based on respect. Students are constantly exposed to messages about the rights of others and interact with students from culturally diverse backgrounds. The size of year groups gives us the ability to work closely with all students in each year level on issues to do with interpersonal relationships.
To analyse critically – Students at Alphington Grammar School are encouraged to approach their learning in a critical fashion, looking for patterns and making links in their learning. Analysis of information is a critical component of a 21st Century Learner’s armory.
To show compassion – Students are encouraged to explore the plight of others within our community and within the wider world. In Year 8 our contextual learning experience (see later explanation) focuses on the issue of asylum seekers and the causes of homelessness within our society and experience a placement within a relevant organisation where they work with community groups aiming to support such people. In Year 9 our contextual learning experience focuses on issues within our own City. Throughout the Middle Years our students are encouraged to strive to better understand the lives of others, and as a result, are actively encouraged to show compassion towards others.
To think globally – We live in a global village. Communications technologies have broken down the barriers and opened up the world in new and exciting ways. It is important that the young adults of tomorrow have some understanding of their own world. Our Middle Years curriculum provides opportunities for students to gain a better understanding of the world, and to interact within that world. Our international student program provides students with an opportunity to interact with students from other cultures.
To aim high – At Alphington Grammar School we encourage our students to aim high. We extol them to aspire to do more and to aspire to be more. The underlying message behind the first idea is that we encourage our students to strive to go the extra yard with their studies. Academically we want our students to aim to do the very best they can. In the sporting arena we want our students to try their very best. In their creative pursuits, we want our students to create something that is the best they can create. When we ask our students to aspire to be more we are asking our students to look at the ways they can be better people in this global world.
To live creatively – Alphington Grammar School has a strong culture of performance and creativity. Throughout the Middle Years students are encouraged to be part of our vibrant performing arts culture. Students can participate in school productions, or they may choose to be part of ensemble or performance groups. Every two years the school takes a performing arts production troupe over to Greece to perform. Our Visual Arts culture is equally dynamic. Students are encouraged to present a piece of work for our annual Art Show. There are voluntary Art classes run each week which enable students to pursue their passion for the arts. Throughout the curriculum of the Middle Years, students are encouraged to express themselves creatively.
To value diversity – At Alphington Grammar School we value diversity. Our students come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Our student population includes a large number of international students. Our Middle years programs focus on a wide range of issues and strive to encourage students to value diversity in the many aspects of their lives.