Fundamental Principles

Connectedness

Wholeness

Being

Key Concepts

Interdependence

Interrelationship

Participatory

Non-linearity

Whole systems

Multiple perspectives

Independence

Multiple levels

Fully human

Creative expression

Growth

Responsibility

Key Values

Compassion

Community

Ecosystems

Diversity within unity

Sustainability

Cultural identity

Love

Responsibility

Discernment

Spirituality

Wisdom

Social Issues

Cultural identity

Globalisation

Loneliness

Inclusion

Ecosystems

Poverty

Equity & equality

Ethics

Change

Curriculum

Inter-disciplinary

Interaction

Integrated

Inquiry

Identity

Choice

Process

Dialogical

Relationships

Collaborative

Co-creative

Co-operative

Sharing

Celebrative

Whole person

Whole community

Whole of life

Systems thinking

Meta-cognitive

Multi-levelled

Integrative

Experiential

Reflective

Questioning

Imaginative

Inspirational

Transformative

Journeying

Perspectives

Critical constructivism

Contextual

Multi-faceted

Multiple intelligences

Cosmic

Constructive postmodernist

Evolutionary Epic

Metaphoric

Outcomes

Meaningful

Positive relationships

Friendly

Trusting

Belonging

Serving

Healthy

Whole

Happy

Caring

Empathic

Confident

Independent

Expressive

Curious

Preferred futures

Participation

Resilience

Competence

Purposeful

Participation

Needs

Belonging

Self transcendence

Love

Self actualisation

Teaching &

Learning Strategies

Service learning

IT&T integration

Paradox & enigma

Whole language

Project based learning

Experiential learning

Open learning

Whole brain  

Meaning quests

Vocational education

Enterprise learning

Indigenous education

Storying

Visualization

Contexts

Ecosystem  

Whole space/time

Objective

Subjective

Symbolic

Fundamental Principles and Key Concepts

Connectedness

The concept of an interconnected reality which originated in the philosophy of holism and was further developed through ecology, quantum physics and systems theory.

• Interdependence - The function of each part of a system is mutually dependent on the functioning of other parts and the system as a whole.
• Interrelationship - A complex network of relationships exists among the parts of a system and with other systems.
• Participatory - The observer is always intimately connected to their environment, creating the reality they "observe".
• Non-linearity - Complex patterns of interaction, described through feedback loops, self-organising systems or chaos theory, are more common than simple linear cause-and-effect interactions.

Wholeness

The concept that "the whole is more than the sum of its parts". Whole systems have emergent properties that can't be deduced by studying their components.

• Whole systems - Thinking about whole systems involves shifting our attention from the parts to the whole, from objects to relationships, from structures to processes, from hierarchies to networks. It also includes shifts of emphasis from the rational to the intuitive, from analysis to synthesis, from linear to non-linear thinking.
• Multiple perspectives - Complex systems interact in complex ways and can be seen from many different points of view. There is no "one answer".
• Independence - Systems can operate as largely independent autonomous wholes  - that can be far from equilibrium with their environment.
• Multiple levels - Systems often include a network or holarchy of sub-systems that interact in complex ways.

Being

Being is about fully experiencing the present moment; it is about inner peace, wisdom and insight; it is about being honest and authentic.

• Fully human - A recognition of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of being human.
• Creative expression - A recognition of the importance of opportunities for creative expression of individuals ad communities.
• Growth - Transformation and growth allow each person to reach for the highest aspirations of the human spirit.
• Responsibility - Personal and collective discernment and responsibility for choices and actions at local, global and cosmic levels.