About Our School

We are very proud of and committed to the respectful environment we have created at Ngunnawal Primary School. We place the highest priority on maintaining this quality work.

And from our school song:

We learn that 'life's a boomerang'
What you give comes back to you
This golden rule of life will see us through.

Our Philosophy

At Ngunnawal Primary School we create a positive, cooperative and supportive climate where children, teachers and parent/carers work together to develop and maintain respectful and quality relationships.

Our relationships are based on the understanding that all human behaviour is generated by efforts to satisfy the basic needs for:

  • Survival
  • Love and Belonging
  • Power and Recognition
  • Freedom and Choice
  • Fun

We expect that each person - staff, children, parents/carers - will take responsibility for their own behaviour and accept the agreed consequences for unacceptable behaviours. Developing and maintaining our positive school climate relies heavily on caring and cooperative behaviour from all members of the school community.

We believe that modelling, teaching and expecting respectful relationships is fundamental to the achievement of high quality learning outcomes.

Our staff is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of all the children. We believe this approach, coupled with warm, secure learning environments, proactively encourages appropriate behaviours.

Our Expectations

  • At Ngunnawal Primary School we do not tolerate harassment or violence of any kind.
  • Children have the right to learn and teachers to teach, without disruption.
  • Children and staff feel safe at school.
  • We expect that all members of our community will treat each other with respect and care.
  • We use positive language and practices at all times.
  • Where appropriate, children are encouraged to use assertive responses, eg.'Stop that. I don't like it.'
  • Children are expected to respond by stopping their inappropriate behaviour when asked.
  • If assertive behaviour does not result in the other child stopping, then we expect, encourage and teach children to seek adult help.
  • Children report all forms of harassment and violence to an adult.

Our Strategies

At Ngunnawal Primary School we assist children to improve their relationships through the following strategies:

  • We are committed to meeting the learning and social needs of all the children.
  • We listen to children's stories and experiences of situations.
  • We de-brief with children.
  • We help children to commit to changing their behaviours.
  • We communicate with parents/carers.
  • We work with children to analyse, understand and improve relationships.
  • We work through curriculum to teach about the interaction of concepts such as gender, power, culture and violence.
  • We implement, where necessary, our process of consequences for inappropriate behaviour, within a supportive framework.

Building Relationships

We use the following means of maintaining a climate of respectful relationships within our school.

  • All staff work within a positive and respectful model of teaching/learning.
  • We provide engaging, purposeful learning programs.
  • We promote a love of learning and production of 'quality' work.
  • Fun and enjoyment are key components of the learning process.
  • We offer programs to improve self esteem, social skills, cooperative behaviour and life skills.
  • Staff are addressed by first names.
  • Trained Anti-Sexual Harassment Contact Officers and Anti-Racial Harassment Contact Officers are available to assist children.
  • Our School Counsellor works with staff and children.
  • Executive staff are committed to providing time to listen to and follow-up children's experiences and concerns.
  • Staff place a high value on Professional Development and improving knowledge about respectful practice.

Programs and Structures

The following programs and structures are employed to assist children in the development of their relationships at our school:

  • Fun Safe Play (FSP) Mediators who assist children on the playground.
  • Class Meetings promote democratic processes and provide a supportive forum to address relationship issues.
  • Student Council actively promotes the 'voice' of students, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that all students are included.
  • Special Needs Team develops strategies to assist children to improve their learning outcomes.