Integrity

Integrity is the state of being undivided; what we believe, say and do are consistent. People of integrity live into their values and are trustworthy and consistent. However, a scroll of social media may leave you wondering where integrity has gone. Everything seems much grander, much more perfect than they might really be. You see the curated, photoshopped, filtered version of reality. Politicians, sportspeople and celebrities can be poor examples of integrity as they attempt to explain their way around breaches of integrity with blame, excuses and denial. At Avondale School we are committed to developing integrity in each of our students. 

Researchers tell us that parents, teachers and adult role models have a powerful impact in the development of integrity and it’s never too early to start. Here are some ways to teach your child or young person about integrity:Develop a values vocabulary. Talk about your own values and why they are important to you. Let your children know that living into your values can be challenging. Discuss the hard choices you have made; both those where you made a good decision and those where you made a poor decision.

Talk about consequences of actions. Help children to understand that our choices and actions have consequences to others and ourselves. As we guide children through predicting consequences, we help them to become critical thinkers.

Affirm and reward honesty and integrity. Notice when your child takes responsibility, tells the truth or makes a difficult choice. Praise them for their integrity. Avoid making punishments a disincentive to telling the truth.

Be a person of integrity. Be intentional about being a positive role model. Own your mistakes, do what you say you will do and be honest. Avoid those small white lies that make parenting easier in the short term.

Ephesians 4: 20-25 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus…take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense.

Mrs Deb Cooper

Principal