School Philosophy

Building a learning community that promotes respect and achievement

Kurnai College defines a Learning Community as a community where:

  • Learning is the focus and all members of the college community accept the responsibility for increasing their own learning and assist others to increase their learning

Kurnai College’s four pillars underpin all aspects of our work. They are:

  • Engagement
  • Excellence
  • Work Ethic
  • Relationships

Kurnai College supports and promote the principles and practices of Australian democracy. Kurnai College is committed to:

  • An elected government
  • The rule of law
  • Equal rights for all before the law
  • Freedom of religion
  • Freedom of speech and association
  • The values of openness and acceptance of differences and diversity
  • The safety of all children

The current Strategic Plan focuses on building teacher capacity through Professional Learning Teams, improved data literacy and Assessment for Learning practices. We are committed to creating positive learning environments through the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support Framework, incorporating a restorative approach that is informed by knowledge of generational poverty. The college values student, family and teacher voice.

Kurnai College has moved to a year level team approach to drive curriculum and pedagogical development. Peer coaching, instructional rounds and coaching are all strategies that inform this work. Kurnai College will also provide instructional leadership development opportunities for teaching staff over the period of the new plan.

Kurnai College has developed a strong ICT network and is building our E-learning capacity at every opportunity. Stage 2 of the Morwell campus redevelopment is underway and the College is utilising a Language and Culture centre at the Churchill Campus. This centre enhances the range and depth of LOTE delivery across the college, with an emphasis on Chinese to complement and build our existing international program and students' international perspective. Kurnai College takes pride in its inclusive learning environment and has done extra work to address ​​​the Marrung - Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026 and to build its intercultural understanding.
Kurnai College continues to explore creative pathways options for its students that capitalises on its partnerships with external providers, including Federation University. Consistently improving participation and retention rates, as well as VCE results, prove testimony to the growing profile Kurnai holds in the post compulsory landscape of Gippsland.

Kurnai College looks to the future with a sense of optimism and a positive frame of mind. With a stronger focus on our Kurnai identity and of belonging to one College, combined with an understanding of and commitment to our purpose, we move confidently forward striving to provide the best possible learning opportunities for all members of our Learning Community.

Kurnai College welcomes all students and we are particularly proud of our efforts to be a more inclusive Learning Community. The College has been recognised for its work in forging links with the Koorie community and continues to welcome students from all backgrounds, working with all to achieve success.

Enactment of the School Philosophy

The Kurnai College Strategic Plan will be the main focus when enacting the school philosophy. The main components include environmental context, student learning, student engagement and wellbeing and student pathways and transition. Our mission is divided into each of these categories and is carried out across all campuses.

The Kurnai College Vision sits at the centre of everything we do. Regular evaluation processes will be in place to measure performance in all areas of the school with respect to the implementation of the vision and values of the school.

The process at our school can be represented as the vision with values and beliefs at the centre. In an outer ring there is a set of principles. Beyond that is a set of practices. In all of our work we are governed by the question; "Is this work or process in line with the school vision, values and beliefs, and does it fall under a branch of the current Strategic Plan?" This question is a fundamental part of the practice of all leaders in the school.