Our Gilgai

We act with KINDNESS

At Gilgai Plains, we believe Kindness is the foundation of a positive and supportive learning environment. We explicitly teach and encourage our students to demonstrate kindness in their words, actions, and attitudes each day.

We expect students to:

• Speak respectfully to peers, staff, and visitors.
• Use polite language such as “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.”
• Include others in play and group activities.
• Offer help to classmates who may be struggling.
• Show care for younger students and act as positive role models.
• Demonstrate empathy by listening and responding thoughtfully when others are upset or in need.
• Take pride in contributing to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school community.

Kindness at school also means taking responsibility for one’s actions, resolving conflicts respectfully, and understanding that our words and behaviours impact others. By working together, we can support our children in developing strong character, compassion for others, and the social skills they need to thrive both at school and beyond.

We behave with RESPECT

At Gilgai Plains, Respect is about building understanding, valuing differences, and recognising the worth of every individual. We explicitly teach students that respectful behaviour helps create a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment for all.

We expect students to:

• Speak and act courteously toward peers, staff, and visitors.
• Listen attentively when others are speaking without interrupting.
• Appreciate and celebrate differences in culture, background, ability, and opinion.
• Assume positive intentions and approach disagreements calmly and thoughtfully.
• Follow school rules and classroom expectations.
• Care for school property, personal belongings, and the environment.
• Use appropriate language and tone, even when feeling frustrated.

Respect also means taking the time to understand others’ perspectives and showing patience and empathy during challenging situations. We encourage students to remain engaged in conversations until everyone feels heard and understood.

We act with ZEST

At Gilgai Plains, Zest is about approaching learning and life with enthusiasm, energy, and a positive attitude. We encourage students to fully engage in their learning and school experiences always giving their best effort.

We expect students to:

• Smile and greet our school community
• Approach learning tasks with focus, effort, and a willingness to try.
• Participate actively in class discussions, activities, and school events.
• Demonstrate perseverance when work feels challenging.
• Show curiosity and a desire to learn new things.
• Maintain a positive attitude toward learning and personal growth.
• Take care of their physical and emotional wellbeing so they are ready to learn each day.

Zest at school means being ready to embrace opportunities, contribute positively to the classroom environment, and take pride in personal effort and achievement. Students who act with zest help create vibrant, engaging classrooms where learning is energising and meaningful.

By working together, we can support our children in developing resilience, motivation, and a lifelong love of learning.

We love LEARNING TOGETHER

At Gilgai Plains, Learning Together means fostering a genuine love of learning while working collaboratively with others. We believe that learning is most powerful when students are curious, engaged, and willing to both contribute to and learn from those around them.

We expect students to:

• Approach learning with curiosity and a willingness to grow.
• Work cooperatively with classmates, sharing ideas and listening to others.
• Contribute positively to group tasks and discussions.
• Respect and value the knowledge, skills, and perspectives of others.
• Take responsibility for their own learning while supporting the learning of their peers.
• Demonstrate persistence and commitment when developing new skills and understanding.

Learning together means recognising that everyone has something valuable to contribute. We encourage students to celebrate one another’s successes, offer support when challenges arise, and embrace opportunities to deepen their knowledge as a community. By partnering with families, we aim to nurture confident, collaborative learners who are motivated not only to achieve individually, but also to grow and succeed alongside others