Traditional schools often rely on a comprehensive list of rules and regulations to govern student behaviour. While such an approach may be effective in maintaining order, it can also stifle creativity, innovation, and personal growth. A more progressive alternative is the Choose Respect Charter, which promotes a culture of respect, responsibility, and support among students aged 14 to 18. In this article, I explore how the Choose Respect Charter is an effective way to develop creative, innovative, caring, responsible, and future-ready changemakers.
The Choose Respect Charter
Cultivating Caring, Creative, Innovative, and Responsible Changemakers
Written by Richard Davidson Founding Headteacher at Charterhouse Malaysia
Context Charterhouse Malaysia is an International School for students studying IGCSE and A Levels in Kuala Lumpur, we are the sister school of Charterhouse in Godalming, UK. Our Vision is Future Ready – Education for a New Reality and to accomplish this we
take a more progressive approach to some traditional elements of an educational programme but are also unafraid to start with a clean slate and be innovative with other aspects.
Title The Choose Respect Charter: Cultivating Caring, Creative, Innovative, and Responsible Changemakers Introduction
Traditional schools often rely on a comprehensive list of rules and regulations to govern student behaviour. While such an approach may be effective in maintaining order, it can also stifle creativity, innovation, and personal growth. A more progressive alternative is the
Choose Respect Charter, which promotes a culture of respect, responsibility, and support among students aged 14 to 18. In this article, I explore how the Choose Respect Charter is an effective way to develop creative, innovative, caring, responsible, and future-ready changemakers.
The Six Principles of the Choose Respect Charter
The Choose Respect Charter is built around six key principles, which emphasize the importance of respect, personal responsibility, and the inherent worth of every individual. By adopting these principles, schools can create an environment that encourages students to think critically, innovate, and develop a strong sense of empathy for others. Why the Choose Respect Charter Works for 14-18 Year Olds 1. Encourages Personal Growth and Self-Reflection
At ages 14 to 18, students are in a critical period of personal development. The Choose Respect Charter encourages self-reflection and personal growth by emphasising the importance of treating oneself and others with care and consideration. By making a conscious choice to act with respect, students learn the value of empathy, self-awareness, and the impact of their actions on others. 2. Fosters a Safe, Supportive, and Risk-Taking Environment
The Choose Respect Charter promotes a positive and inclusive atmosphere in which students feel safe and supported. In this environment, students are encouraged to take risks, embrace failure, and learn from their mistakes. By fostering a culture where failure is seen as a valuable learning opportunity, the Choose Respect Charter helps students become more resilient and adaptable, key traits for future changemakers.
3.
Builds a Strong Sense of Community and Peer Support
The principles of the Choose Respect Charter help to build a strong sense of community within the school. By recognizing the inherent worth of every individual, students learn to value diversity and the unique contributions that each person brings to the table. This sense of community extends to supporting one another during difficult times, including when experiencing failure. By learning to offer and receive support, students develop essential collaboration and teamwork skills that will serve them in their future endeavours as changemakers. 4. Develops Responsible Citizens and Future Leaders
The Choose Respect Charter encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and choices, fostering a sense of accountability and ethical decision- making. By understanding the consequences of their actions, students are better equipped to make responsible choices that benefit not only themselves but also their community and the world at large. This foundation in responsibility and ethics is crucial for
developing the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
5. Provides a Standard of Behaviour to Work Towards The Choose Respect Charter acknowledges that every member of the school community will fall short of its principles at times. However, by providing an explicit standard of behaviour, the Charter helps students understand what is right and acceptable. This gives them a benchmark to strive for, promoting continuous improvement and personal growth, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.
Conclusion The Choose Respect Charter is an innovative approach to fostering a school culture that nurtures creative, innovative, caring, responsible, and future- ready changemakers. By emphasising respect, personal responsibility, and the inherent worth of every individual, this Charter empowers students to develop essential life skills and values that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Furthermore, the Charter's focus on support, risk-taking, and learning
from failure equips students to tackle complex problems and drive meaningful change in the world. Schools that adopt the Choose Respect Charter are not only investing in their students' success but also contributing to a brighter, more compassionate future for all. By fostering a learning
environment that embraces support, risk-taking, and resilience, schools adopting the Choose Respect Charter are preparing students to face the challenges of the 21st century with confidence, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on their communities and the world at large. In doing so, these schools are playing a vital role in shaping the innovative, responsible changemakers who will lead us into the future.
It would be great to hear what you think about this approach and also what you do differently to the norm in your schools.
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