Welcome to Charles Weston School, an IB World School at the heart of the growing Molonglo Valley. Our vision is to foster inquiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate learners who contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive world through intercultural understanding and respect.
At Charles Weston School, inclusion is at the core of everything we do. We believe every child has the right to learn and thrive alongside their peers, and we are deeply committed to ensuring all students, regardless of background, ability, or learning need, are supported to reach their full potential.
Our approach is grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring that learning is accessible, engaging, and challenging for every student. Through flexible teaching strategies, multiple ways of accessing content, and responsive classroom environments, we put students at the centre of their learning. This is not just a philosophy, it is embedded in the culture, structures, and daily practices of our school community.
Our highly skilled teachers are dedicated to this inclusive approach, using evidence-based teaching practices to support every learner. This commitment is reflected in:
- The way we design learning experiences that cater for diverse strengths and needs
- The collaboration between teachers, specialists, and support staff to personalise learning
- The positive and respectful relationships that underpin our school community
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
As an IB World School, we implement the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which develops curious, critical, and reflective thinkers. Students engage in six inquiry units throughout the year, exploring transdisciplinary themes that connect learning across subjects. These themes, Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organise Ourselves, and Sharing the Planet, help students develop a deep understanding of the world and their role in it.
We are proud to be a culturally diverse school, with students and families from all over the world who bring a rich variety of languages and perspectives to our community. This diversity enhances learning, fosters global connections, and strengthens our commitment to international-mindedness.
Developing Student Agency
We believe that student voice and agency are fundamental to a thriving school community. Our active Student Parliament provides students with real opportunities to contribute to decision-making processes, ensuring their ideas, perspectives, and leadership help shape our school. Through this, students learn about civic responsibility, collaboration, and the power of advocacy, strengthening their role as engaged citizens both within and beyond our school.
Academic Excellence, Wellbeing, and Positive Learning Culture
Through our IB curriculum and explicit literacy and numeracy instruction aligned with Strong Foundations, we maintain a strong academic focus while equally prioritising social-emotional development.
Our school is guided by the GROW values, which shape our Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) expectations:
- Growth Mindset – embracing challenges and lifelong learning
- Respect – valuing ourselves, others, and our environment
- Organisation – developing independence and responsibility
- Wellbeing – nurturing resilience and emotional intelligence
In addition to PBL, we have a whole-school approach to social-emotional learning through the MindUp program. This evidence-based program empowers students with mindfulness strategies, self-regulation skills, and an understanding of how their brains work, helping them to manage emotions, focus their learning, and develop empathy and optimism.
We are committed to developing the IB Learner Profile attributes, empowering our students to be:
- Caring
- Principled
- Balanced
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Inquirers
- Communicators
- Reflective
- Open-Minded
- Risk-Takers
A Hub for Learning and Community
Our modern and inclusive facilities cater for 550 students from Preschool to Year 6 and include purpose built STEM spaces, a community room, a large hall, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a community oval. These spaces support both student learning and local community engagement, making Charles Weston School a true hub for our growing neighbourhood.
Above all, we believe in the power of partnership. Families play a crucial role in their child’s education, and we value the strong connections we build between home and school. When schools and families work together, children flourish, and we are committed to working alongside you in the best interests of every child.
If you are new to the area, I warmly invite you to visit and experience our school firsthand. Please contact us to arrange a tour, we’d love to welcome you.
Laurel Rodrigues
Principal
Charles Weston School
