Our Guiding Principles
Founders’ Guiding Principles
A clear foundation for our whole College community
Created as the mission and vision for North West College, these principles honour the founders’ wishes and continue to guide how our College develops and grows.
Academic and creative excellence
To be a school where academic excellence is infused with the creative arts.
Positive values
To be a haven for positive, socially responsible values.
Small, personalised classes
To be a co-educational charter school for students in Years 7–13, with no more than 20 students in each class.
Modern teaching and lifelong learning
To use the benefits of modern pedagogy to enhance student learning and encourage positive attitudes towards lifelong learning throughout the whole community.
Long-term stability
To operate the school in a financially prudent and conservative manner, ensuring long-term stability and remaining financially risk-averse.
What these principles mean for our students
Learn. Create. Grow.
Every student is known, supported and challenged
We learn with purpose, create with confidence and care for our community.
Learn widely and strive for excellence
To encourage students to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge, and to strive for individual excellence in academic subjects and the creative arts.
Care and character
To encourage students to care for themselves, one another, their community and their environment, while developing healthy self-esteem and self-discipline.
Personalised learning
To teach every student as an individual, providing learning programmes that cater for different needs and abilities within each class.
Clear progress and reporting
To rigorously assess student progress and performance and report it clearly to parents and guardians, providing timely, relevant information and showing the value North West College adds to each student’s educational experience.
Strive for your individual excellence.
What these principles mean for parents and guardians
Partners in Learning
North West College values parents and guardians as important partners in each student’s education.
How North West College works in partnership with our community:
Welcoming participation
By encouraging parents and guardians to be actively involved in their child’s learning and in the wider school community.
Building strong partnerships
By working together with families to support each student’s learning, wellbeing and development.
Communicating clearly and openly
By providing timely, relevant information about learning, progress, achievement and school life.
Listening and responding
By valuing the knowledge families have of their children and providing opportunities for open, constructive communication.
Keeping families informed
By ensuring parents and guardians understand their child’s progress, strengths and areas for development.
Working together when challenges arise
By approaching concerns collaboratively and focusing on positive outcomes for the student.
Respecting every family
By recognising the different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives within our school community.
Creating connection
By providing opportunities for parents and guardians to feel welcomed, informed and part of North West College.
Our aim is to build strong, respectful partnerships with parents and guardians so that every student is well supported throughout their learning journey.
What these principles mean for our staff
Belief in Action
Skilled people. Passionate practice. Excellent work.
At North West College, we attract and retain staff who believe in and support our guiding principles.
We value staff who bring skill, passion, professionalism and a commitment to excellence to their work. Their contribution is recognised and valued by colleagues, students, parents and guardians.
Our staff work collaboratively, support one another and maintain high expectations for themselves and their students.
Together, we bring the guiding principles of North West College to life through the way we teach, communicate, support our students and contribute to the wider school community.