As Strathnairn School prepares to welcome its first students in 2026, the foundation team is taking a thoughtful approach to building a school culture that will shape the community for years to come. At the heart of this vision is a simple but powerful idea: every word matters.

The power of language

Principal Nicole Nicholson and her team are committed to creating an environment where language reflects care, encouragement, and understanding. An approach known as “affective language,” focusses on helping everyone understand how their actions impact others.

“We want to hear words of care, encouragement, and understanding in every classroom, in the playground, and at the school gate,” the school explains in their recent newsletter to families.

Rather than simply telling children what to do or not do, affective language helps them understand the emotional impact of their choices. Simple phrases like “I’m proud of how you helped your friend” or “It worries me when you run in the corridor” give children meaningful feedback about how their behaviour affects those around them.

This approach builds emotional intelligence and empathy from the earliest years, helping children develop a deeper understanding of their role within a community.

Creating inclusive communication

Strathnairn School recognises that many families in the Ginninderry community speak more than one language at home. This diversity is viewed as a strength, and the school is committed to ensuring its shared language is accessible and welcoming for everyone.

When children, parents, and staff all use consistent language to discuss concepts like respect, kindness, and responsibility, it builds a stronger sense of belonging and trust across cultural backgrounds. This shared vocabulary creates common ground, regardless of where families come from or what languages they speak at home.

The school’s commitment to clear, caring communication extends beyond the classroom to every interaction, from morning drop-off conversations to parent-teacher meetings and community events.

For families choosing Strathnairn School, this means joining a community that values emotional safety, cultural inclusivity, and genuine connection as much as academic achievement.

Join the Founding Team

As the school builds towards its 2026 opening, three key positions are currently available for people who want to be part of creating this special community from the ground up:

Administration Officer (Full-time Permanent)
This role offers the chance to shape administrative systems and processes from day one, creating a welcoming first point of contact for families and visitors whilst supporting the smooth operation of the school.

Building Services Officer (Full-time Permanent)
A hands-on role for someone who takes pride in creating and maintaining safe, beautiful spaces where children can learn and grow. This position directly supports the physical environment that enables the school’s vision to flourish.

Community Engagement Officer (Full-time Temporary with Possibility of Permanency)
This unique role is perfect for someone with experience in social work or community development who wants to build deep, lasting relationships between the school and the Ginninderry community. The Community Engagement Officer will help ensure the school reflects the voices and values of the families it serves.

School Leader – Inclusion (Full-time Permanent)
We are seeking a courageous, compassionate, and expert School Leader to help us build a school where every child belongs, every family is valued, and every educator is empowered to teach inclusively. This is a rare opportunity to shape inclusive education from the ground up, leading a team to embed Universal Design for Learning, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and culturally responsive practice across our school.

Executive Teacher – Early Childhood (Full-time Permanent)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced School Leader with early childhood qualifications. This role is pivotal in establishing high-quality teaching and learning practices for our preschool to Year 2 cohort and in building strong partnerships with families, staff, and the ECEC service. The successful candidate will lead the development of inclusive, play-based, and evidence-informed pedagogies aligned with Set Up for Success, the Early Years Learning Framework, and the Australian Curriculum. They will champion collaborative practice, build staff capacity, and foster a culture of wellbeing and high expectations.

To learn more about the current vacancies, please visit the ACT Goverment Careers & Employment page.

For more information about Strathnairn School, visit the school’s website. Enrolments for 2026 are now open through the ACT Government’s public school enrolment portal.

Strathnairn School will open in 2026 for students in preschool to Year 2, with plans to expand in subsequent years.