For more than 170 years, Geelong Grammar School has pioneered transformative and progressive education. Our approach is holistic, supporting each student academically, creatively, emotionally, morally, socially and spiritually, so that they are equipped not just to succeed, but to live with purpose.
Enabling Wisdom – Christus Nobis Factus Sapientia
Intersecting the science of learning and the art of teaching to shape a world worth living in
Making a positive difference
At GGS, we believe that education grounded in character is a protective force: not reactive, but proactive. Our five actions are the virtues we seek to strengthen in every student, and to model as a community.
As our students venture into the world, we strive to see strengthened in them courage, compassion, curiosity, civility and connection, actions that will help shape a world worth living in.
Strengthening agency and grit
Seeking to understand
Responding with care
Honouring our shared humanity
Being present for one another
Underpinning our five actions is a deeper framework of virtue, drawn from Neo-Aristotelian character education, one of the most rigorously researched approaches to human development available to educators today.
We understand virtues across five categories: moral, intellectual, civic, performance and theological. These are not abstract ideals. They are the qualities we habituate through daily choices, role modelling and community life, with love at the centre of everything we do.
This is our compass.
We have three strategic educational pillars that underpin our approach to an Exceptional Education. It is our vision that all students, at every campus, will experience learning across these pillars in a significant way.
Experiential learning through and with nature
Adventure Education builds on the lessons of the School’s transformational Timbertop programme, which helps our students develop confidence and competence in practical ways, promoting independence, self-reliance and resilience.
Placing wellbeing at the heart of our learning community
Positive Education brings together the science of positive psychology with contemporary teaching to encourage individuals, schools and communities to flourish. Positive Education focuses on specific skills that assist students to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote mindfulness and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Cultivating the skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem posing and problem solving
Creative Education teaches the skills and attitudes to be creative in any context. Creative Education prioritises educators as facilitators, coaches and collaborators in the classroom and moves away from the silos of knowledge-based, exam-based, standardised learning to an education that recognises the common skills which lie between subjects.
Parents of today value choice in the educational environment to best suit their child’s and their family’s needs. We’re a choice for families who want their children to be safe, well and purposeful at school; for families who seek an environment that prioritises ethicality, collaboration, inclusivity, progression and substantiation.
Modelling ethical standards and behaviour
Collaborating proactively and professionally to encourage, support and improve engagement
Encouraging and celebrating diversity and thinking that underpins justice, acceptance, trust and compassion
Committing to a rigorous improvement agenda that prioritises contemporary practices
Evidence-based decision making to inform professional practice
The VRQA Minimum Standards for School Registration includes a standard concerning the school’s adherence to Australian democratic principles and practice.
This standard is as follows:
The programs of, and teaching in, a school must support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:
Geelong Grammar School is committed to the principles of a liberal democracy.
We believe in an accountable, democratically elected government.
We respect and observe the rule of law, and believe that no person is above the law.
We believe in equal rights for all before the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender or other attributes.
We believe not only in the freedom of religion, but also the need to practice tolerance and understanding of others’ beliefs.
We believe in the value of freedom of speech and freedom of association, but also acknowledge that we have the responsibility not to abuse this freedom.
We believe in the values of openness and tolerance, and value and respect all members of the school community regardless of background.
