The following principles and characteristics underpin the operation of Woodleigh School:

• “The heart comes before the head.”
  Sound education only takes place in an environment where students feel valued, respected, and listened to. Students need to develop a healthy sense of their own self worth, including a sense of their individual strengths and weaknesses. In such an environment students are more likely to engage in learning with enthusiasm and confidence.
  
• “Woodleigh School has a belief in the integrity of the young.”
  The School has an essential faith in young people, a positive expectation that the good will emerge from most given situations. Woodleigh School avoids all unnecessary confrontation with young people and seeks to work with cooperation and good will.
  
• “Woodleigh School celebrates the uniqueness of each individual.”
  Woodleigh School values diversity, respects individual differences, and seeks to celebrate the intrinsic dignity and integrity of every individual. Woodleigh School acknowledges individual achievements and personal bests and encourages personal growth.
  
• “Woodleigh School seeks to develop a life long passion for learning.”
  Contemporary education is concerned with developing attitudes to learning for life and not just immediate outcomes.
  
• “Woodleigh School seeks to develop a passion for life.”
  We believe it is essential that young people operate in an environment that is positive and essentially optimistic about human nature and the world we live in. There is always a place for humour, fun, and lively spirits at Woodleigh School.
  
• “Education happens best in a supportive and caring community of only moderate size.”
  The sense of being a harmonious community, where personal relationships with others matter, is important at Woodleigh School. As communities become larger, they risk becoming institutions where individuals are less easily seen and management and a sense of belonging is lost. Woodleigh School’s style of operation can remain personal and flexible while it remains of moderate size. At Woodleigh School the child remains at the centre, not the institution. At the same time it is large enough to provide adequate choice and diversity. A sense of comfort and personal safety are also vital precursors to effective education.
  
• “Woodleigh School is future orientated.”
  Woodleigh School aims to provide its students with the critical skills, knowledge, and attitudes to meet the challenges of life beyond school. Research over the last decade emphasises the real difficulties of the years directly after Year 12 where not only academic skills but the acquisition of a broad range of life skills are critical to success. Above all, Woodleigh School emphasises independence, initiative, and personal responsibility.
  
• Woodleigh School is also only focussed on those features of schooling that are future orientated. Woodleigh School aims to provide a contemporary and Australian style of education that is relevant to the adult world our students will move in to. Its style is thus deliberately relaxed and informal.
  
• Other principles and characteristics.
  • choice leads to engagement and genuine participation
  • cross age activities are educationally valuable
  • the physical environment has a significant impact on the quality of a school
  • the cocurricular programs of the School are not just “nice extras” but often extremely important means to develop many essential skills, qualities, and attitudes.

The qualities we seek to develop in our students:

• Optimism (related qualities : a passion for life, enthusiasm, joyfulness)
  
• Confidence (related qualities : a robust sense of self esteem, assurance, personal pride, respect for oneself, personal integrity)
  
• Independence (related qualities : initiative, self discipline, self motivation)
  
• Determination (related qualities : doing your best, courage of one’s convictions, commitment, focus, ability to work hard, strength of character to seek personal excellence)
  
• Creativity (related qualities : the ability to be innovative, enterprising, flexible, a good problem solver, adaptable)
  
• A passion for learning (related qualities : intellectual curiosity, a spirit of enquiry, a high respect for intellectual endeavour)
  
• Compassion (related qualities : empathy, sensitivity, caring, respect for others, tolerance of other’s views and values and preparedness to be inclusive of others, the capacity to form warm and strong relationships, loyalty and support for one’s friends) 
• Integrity (related qualities: honesty and trustworthiness)
  
• A concern for justice (related qualities : a vital sense of fairness, ethics, and right conduct; understanding the responsibilities of being an active member of a community; a sense of social responsibility and a preparedness to serve others)
  
• The capacity for reflection (related qualities : thoughtfulness, perception, depth)
  
• A sense of balance & perspective
  
• Youthful enthusiasm and idealism combined with a growing maturity
  
• A Global perspective: citizens of the world as well as of Australia, the local community, and Woodleigh
• The ability to be a productive member of society (at various levels)
• A commitment to the principles and priorities of Australian democarcy (including elected government, the rule of law, equal rights before the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speaking and association and the values of openness and tolerance).