Blue Gum Community School in Hornsby NSW

Preschool + Primary School on Sydney’s North Shore

A place where children explore the rich possibilities of childhood, while becoming independent, and interdependent. Blue Gum’s ethos is grounded in the Australian tradition of ‘a fair go’ ‐ a strong commitment to social justice, especially the right of each child to feel valued; develop a sense of belonging; and be equipped with the essential academic and interpersonal skills for success and a meaningful life with others.

Blue Gum Community School values the remarkable capabilities of students, recognising school as a significant stage of life – full of discovery, learning and forming relationships. Guided by the NSW Curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework, Blue Gum Community School provides a site of recognised best-practice, nationally and internationally. Our approach prioritises opportunities for students to learn with others every day through conversation, research and collaborative investigations. Our teachers design daily learning experiences and provocations for students that invite deep inquiry, questioning and reflection, as they work towards mastering new skills.

“At Blue Gum we make time for thinking, reflecting, experimenting and talking through ideas. Instead of rushing students from one activity to the next, we recognise that time spent working with a peer, or in a small group – to unravel a mystery or solve a problem – provides a rich resource enabling extended exploration to develop deep understandings. Through working together, thinking with others and navigating different points of view, the learning process becomes even richer. This highlights the central importance and significance of relationships within Blue Gum’s approach to teaching and learning, for both adults and children.”

- Jill McLachlan, School Principal