Being a WKC Student Our Values

Introduction As a student at Westminster Kingsway College, it is important that you demonstrate the following values in your actions and conversations: Democracy Individual Liberty Respect and Tolerance The Rule of Law

By the end of this session you should be able to: Understand ‘democracy’ and how you can help to make decisions in the College Describe ‘individual liberty’ and how student rights and responsibilities should balanced. Discuss ways in which we can challenge discrimination in the College community Explain why it is important for all students to follow the College’s rules and policies

Democracy We expect all students to be democratic when they are in the College. The idea of democracy at the College is that: Students have a right to have their say on issues of importance to them within the College. Students have the right to talk about what can be changed to make things better.

Activity Debate and Vote Should mobile phones be banned in classrooms in the College?

Why mobile phones should be allowed in classrooms Mobile phones help students complete their assignments. Students can find out the answers to their questions without asking the teacher. They give students a chance to work with each other. They can be used as recording devices and can help students keep track of what they need to do. If there is an emergency in your family, the parent/carer can call his/her child quickly. Mobile phones can serve as notepads or as an alarm for setting study reminders. If students have a hard time remembering test dates, they can use the calendar.

Why students shouldn’t use mobile phones in classrooms. Some students use their mobile phones for entertainment. Students can cheat during tests by searching for answers online or texting their friends for answers. Phones might disrupt classes and tests. Students don’t really use their brains and look everything up on the Internet. Young students can get easily distracted from their studies. Students might take pictures of things that they shouldn’t be taking pictures of.

Task: Democracy Discuss the following with the other members of your group: Do you think that mobile phones should be banned from the classroom? Now vote to say whether you are for or against.

Individual Liberty Question: What is meant by the word ‘liberty’ ‘the freedom to make choices, for example, about their clothes, food, and their way of life’ Do you think that having ‘liberty’ means that we can do whatever we feel like. Why? Why not? What would stop us from doing whatever we feel like?

Individual Liberty - Activity Which of the following take away other people’s freedoms or break the rules. Explain why? A student sits in the cafeteria and shouts about how immigrants should not be allowed in the country. A group of students sit in the corridor waiting for their class to start. A student needs to make a phone call so she picks up someone else’s mobile phone, without permission, and makes a call A student thinks College is really boring so decides not to go anymore. A student is worried so decides to bring a knife into the College.

Respect & Tolerance Respect: Caring about the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. Tolerance: willingness to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, you might not agree with or approve of them Discrimination: when someone is treated unfairly or differently Discuss the following in small groups: Do you think that people from different cultures and religions get on in this country? What could be done to improve things? How can we challenge discrimination in the College?

The Rule of Law In College, it is important to have rules and policies which govern the behaviour of students to ensure their wellbeing and safety. These are shown in the Student Charter and the Behaviour for Learning and Employment Policy.

College Disciplinary Code The College Disciplinary Code has three levels: Stage 1 – Stage 2 – Stage 3 Activity: In your small groups, decide which level of the disciplinary code should be used to deal with the following behaviours: Theft Damaging College Property Failure to follow a reasonable instruction Having a weapon in college Possession of cannabis or other drug.