Turning School Values into Lived Virtues

Dr Adriam Camm, Principal and Managing Director

Most schools have a set of articulated values representing foundational beliefs that collectively identify and guide the direction of a school community. At Westbourne, our four values are Community, Courage, Creativity, and Scholarship. While values serve as a theoretical framework indicating what a school sees as important and worthy of pursuit, their transformative power is unlocked only when they evolve from abstract concepts into a system of lived virtues.  

Virtues are embodied values, consistently expressed in the behaviors, actions, interactions, and daily routines of individuals and the collective. Virtues also facilitate consistency across diverse situations, ensuring that decision-making and interpersonal interactions remain aligned. For instance, take the value of Courage. If Courage is considered a core value, the following virtues exemplify it: 

Bravery: Facing challenges or adversity despite fear or risk. 

Fortitude: Sustaining strength and resilience in adversity. 

Integrity: Standing firm in one’s principles and convictions even when challenged. 

Honesty: Having the courage to speak the truth, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. 

Humility: Courageously acknowledging mistakes, limitations, or weaknesses, demonstrating self-awareness and openness to growth. 

Advocacy: Courageously speaking up for oneself or others, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalised. 

Transitioning from articulated values to lived virtues requires deliberate, sustained effort across the entire school community. It involves embedding virtues deeply into the daily fabric of school life. This includes curricular design, pedagogical practices, and pastoral programs. It includes engaging young people in real conversations. It involves storytelling and highlighting real-life examples that serve to inspire and guide. Structured peer-to-peer mentorship programs, virtue-focused assemblies, recognition awards, and student-led initiatives further reinforce these ideals.  

Ultimately, when values become visibly and tangibly embedded in everyday actions and interactions as a system of virtues, the community grows stronger, more resilient, and aligned.  

At Westbourne this is one small way we realise our vision of shaping learners who inspire the world.