Ivanhoe Grammar School Named 2026 Australia School of Character
We are delighted to announce that Ivanhoe Grammar School has been officially recognised as a 2026 Australia School of Character by Character.org, an international organisation dedicated to advancing character education in schools worldwide. This is the highest level of recognition within the Schools of Character framework and celebrates schools that exemplify excellence in embedding character into every aspect of school life.
International certification reflects Ivanhoe Grammar School’s sustained commitment to fostering a culture where students feel connected, supported and inspired to grow as individuals. Following a rigorous evaluation process, including a detailed application, documentation review, and a virtual site visit in March 2026, evaluators commended the School for the warmth, inclusivity and pride consistently expressed by students, staff, parents and alumni.
Central to this success is Ivanhoe’s longstanding belief in the importance of developing young people of character. The Ivanhoe Learner Attributes, deeply embedded in learning, wellbeing, leadership, and community life, guide students across moral, civic, intellectual, and performance domains of character. Evaluators noted that these values are lived daily, shaping relationships, behaviour, reflection and growth rather than focusing solely on academic outcomes.
Ivanhoe’s strong relational culture was repeatedly highlighted throughout the evaluation. The School’s House Program strengthens belonging and connection by bringing students together across year levels, helping them form meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community.
Families spoke passionately about the sense of community at Ivanhoe Grammar School, describing a warm, down-to-earth environment where character education is both explicit and authentically lived. Leadership was identified as a key strength, with the School’s values-driven approach setting a clear and consistent direction for the entire community.
Evaluated across the 11 Principles of Character Education, Ivanhoe Grammar School met the highest standard required for national recognition. While celebrating this achievement, the School remains committed to continuous growth, working on opportunities to further strengthen student voice and inclusive leadership pathways.
“This recognition as an Australia School of Character is the culmination of work across the School over several years. It reflects our embedded dedication to our ethos, purpose, and the strong culture of character at Ivanhoe. We hope we are the first of many schools in Australia to be accredited,” said Deputy Principal/ Head of Plenty Campus Fiona Devlin.
