At Mawarra Independent School:

• We believe that children are naturally curious with an innate desire to learn

• We believe that each child prefers different learning styles and techniques and that these may change over time

• We aim to create a learning environment that is child centred, inclusive and caters to each child's learning style

• We believe in teaching life skills to all students including responsibility, self-care and budgeting

• We involve all children in cooking and gardening through our kitchen garden program

• The children are exposed to, and included in, risk taking. This may include climbing trees, using hand tools, having a go at new activities

• During maintenance and daily cleaning activities students may be sweeping, watering, wiping, taking out bins, using hammers, vacuum cleaners and electrical tools

• We comfort students who are upset, we hug if the child seeks it

• We engage in outdoor learning, even when it’s wet and cold

• We have an earth-friendly approach to our daily routine, with food scrap bins, worm farms and recycling bins in all areas

• We believe in taking responsibility for our actions

• We have a multi-age approach where all children work together and are challenged according to their ability rather than their age

• We encourage compassion, kindness, tolerance and cooperation rather than competition

• We do our best to tread lightly on Country, and acknowledge and respect the Gubbi Gubbi people, the traditional custodians of this land

• We recognise that parents and families are the child's first teachers and that children learn best when they are involved in their learning