Building Character

Rob French, Principal

After a significant 2023 — our 100th year of providing our learners with an outstanding community within which to learn — we entered the new school year with great pride and enthusiasm.

Along with the busyness of school life, which included sporting events, music concerts, productions, camps, exchange programs and special commemoration days such as ANZAC Day, we have been focusing on key areas of our Strategic Priorities.

In particular, we are finessing The Character Initiative – a flagship program at Kilvington. This initiative was first launched in 2015, and has since developed into a robust framework that serves as a point of difference for the School. 

As part of the program, each year we introduce a new character trait that's integrated into the curriculum and co-curriculum program. 

This year, we chose the character trait 'Perseverance', which is also one of the School’s core values. Our teaching staff work with students during mentor and class time to help develop this key attribute in our learners.

In Senior School, we hold Character and Connection Days where each year level engages in a series of 'character-building' activities. These activities, often hosted by external providers, help to foster character development by deepening students' understanding of key issues and of themselves.

Moreover, our Character and Connection Days offer valuable opportunities for students to connect with their peers and staff, nurturing a sense of community and support within each cohort.

This year, we introduced 'The Character Development Team' to further bolster The Character Initiative. Led by Martine Walls, the Director of Character and Wellbeing, this team consists of passionate volunteer teachers and staff from across the School. Despite being in its early stages, the group meets regularly with the goal of advancing our commitment to student character and wellbeing. We're excited about the potential of this initiative to solidify our position as a leader in this space.

New students who enrol or spend time at the School, including domestic and international students, often find the activities and programs that are part of the Character Initiative to be not only positive but also profound experiences. These experiences tend to stay with them long after they graduate or return home from Kilvington.