One of Sydney’s newest and fastest growing schools has made it a priority to establish culture and wellbeing in response to its increasing popularity.

Since opening on a temporary site last year, Box Hill Public School has had enrolments double in size by an additional 300 students with 15 new teachers also joining the team to expand to 26 classes.

With the school’s fast growth, Box Hill Public School Principal, Mel Mackie, felt it was important to slow down and engage with the community after a busy first year.

“Our school grew so quickly, and we wanted to show the strong sense of warmth and belonging we have fostered, even though we are so new,” Mrs Mackie said. “So many people were exploring our grounds and were surprised by how new everything is. The community really love the nurturing environment we have created.”

Drawing inspiration from the popular sports comedy Ted Lasso, Mrs Mackie has established a vibrant and welcoming school culture where students and staff feel a strong sense of belonging.

“I am a huge Ted Lasso fan, so we’ve embraced the symbol of ‘Believe’ with the iconic blue and yellow sign displayed throughout the school,” she said. “Starting last year with our K-2 students, we wanted a message that connected with the school motto of ‘Integrity, Perseverance and Excellence’ and resonated deeply with the students.

“Knowing our school was set to grow rapidly, we sought values that would be timeless, relatable, and easy to remember. Inspired by the show, our school’s values now reflect this ethos: Be Kind, Be Brave, Be Curious... BELIEVE!”

Mrs Mackie emphasised the importance of encouraging both students and staff to believe in themselves, in each other, and in the wider school community to be the best they can be.

“I admire how Ted transformed team culture so quickly, bringing together a diverse group with calm determination, humour, kindness, and heart,” she said. “He consistently brought out the best in his team, leading them to success while imparting valuable life lessons.”

The response from the school community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many parents have praised staff for their genuine dedication to placing students at the centre of everything they do. This focus on wellbeing and inclusivity has contributed to increased enrolments, with word-of-mouth playing a crucial role across various sectors.

“We have received fantastic feedback about how our teachers care for the children,” Mrs Mackie said.

“One parent, initially anxious about her daughter starting Year 1 due to a negative experience at another school, now proudly shares how happy her child is, how she’s making friends, and how the school community supports her at every step. She has even encouraged friends to enrol their children at Box Hill.”

The school principal attributes the success of the school to establishing a strong sense of wellbeing amongst the staff and ensuring they feel safe and valued. This has been achieved through fostering a safe and fun workplace, with activities such as pre-term holiday bonding events, motivational quotes, themed morning teas and wellbeing challenges to name a few.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we have implemented measures that prioritise staff wellbeing to strengthen these connections,” Mrs Mackie said. “When staff feel valued and supported, it creates a positive environment that ultimately benefits the students, leading to happier, more engaged children.”