Values of Fairness & Justice
‘Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.’ H. Jackson Brown, Jr
‘It’s not fair! – I missed out! – It was my turn! – He got more than me! – Why does she get to do that and I don’t?’
Every day we hear those words from our children as they try to work through their understanding of justice and fairness. As parents and teachers, we work towards restoring the balance in a variety of ways. We consider each individual and their unique personality and learning styles.
For the first three weeks of Term 4, our Primary school students have focused on the values of Fairness/Justice.
At Assembly last week, I told our students about my activity tracker fairness dilemma whilst on a recent holiday. I elected to sit in the back of the car as I travelled with my husband and daughter to different coastal towns on the Limestone coast. We were quick to notice, due to our competitive checking at the end of each day, that my tracker increased in steps much quicker than theirs which we put down to the rough roads in the area we were travelling. To ensure it was on equal terms, each car trip I put my activity tracker in the front so it was fair! Of course this was the right thing to do!
If we want our children to be fair we need to lead by example. They see how we act when we are with others, how we make decisions and how we support others in need. It also involves setting up practises that promote fairness and children taking part in these such as playing games and turn taking. Noticing when your children have shown fairness is also important. Taking every opportunity to have discussions can also come from television shows, books or real-life experiences.
At school, discussions of fairness happen on a daily basis as we navigate through handball, soccer, lunch games and class activities. It is through our Pastoral Care program, our chapels, assemblies and discussions as incidents occur that lead to restoring the balance of fairness.
At school, this term Pastor Matt has been focusing on fairness and justice as he shares the Village Partnership program. Our students understand that bringing in an offering to support this partnership will change the lives of others who do not have as much as them. It also supports their understanding that we can make a difference in making this a fairer world.
Our students all agree that it is important to show fairness in all they do!
Yours in Christ
Debbie West-McInnes
Head of Primary Years
