Building a community of kindness
At Birkdale South State School, our CARE Program sits at the heart of everything we do. It is designed to help every child develop the social, emotional and personal skills needed to thrive both at school and in life.
Our CARE Program is built around our five school Values of the Heart (CARE Values):
- Community of Kindness
- Appreciation
- Respect
- Resilience
- Effort
These values guide how we learn, play, solve problems and interact with others every day. Through explicit teaching, modelling and celebration of positive behaviours, students learn what it means to be a valued member of our school community and how they can contribute positively to the lives of others.
Through our learning program we also embrace values of the mind; Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity and Courage.
At the start of each year and at each assembly our students say their 'School Pledge.'
CARE Awards
Students are recognised and celebrated throughout the year for demonstrating our CARE Values through our CARE Award Program.
As students consistently demonstrate our Bee-Leafs in action, they work towards:
- Bronze CARE Award
- Silver CARE Award
- Gold CARE Award
These awards acknowledge students who consistently demonstrate kindness, appreciation, respect, resilience and effort across a range of school settings. Students are celebrated publicly for their achievements, reinforcing the importance of positive character, strong relationships and responsible citizenship.
The CARE Hub
Our dedicated CARE Hub provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for students throughout the school day and for children requiring 'soft starts' in the morning.
The CARE Hub is available for students who may need:
- A calm space to regulate emotions
- Support with friendships or social situations
- Assistance transitioning into the school day
- A quiet reset before returning to learning
The hub is staffed by our dedicated Student Care Coach, who works closely with students to build confidence, resilience and positive relationships.
Students also have access to support from our:
- Youth Worker
- School Chaplain (Chappy)
Together, this team helps ensure every child feels connected, supported and ready to learn.
Friendship zones
During both first and second break, the CARE Hub hosts a range of supervised friendship activities where students can connect with others in a safe and inclusive environment.
Activities may include:
- Board games
- LEGO and construction activities
- Creative play
- Social games and friendship-building opportunities
These Friendship Zones provide additional opportunities for students to build relationships, develop social skills and experience a strong sense of belonging.
Monday morning support dog visits
Returning to school after the weekend can sometimes be challenging for children. To help create a positive and welcoming start to the week, a specially trained Support Dog visits our school on Monday mornings.
The Support Dog helps:
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Support positive transitions into the school week
- Encourage calm and emotional regulation
- Create opportunities for positive social interactions
Many students look forward to these visits, which help reinforce the caring and supportive culture that makes Birkdale South such a special place to learn and grow.