We’re proud of what our school has to offer students and families. Being a large school (currently 590 students in total) with 2 campuses, we have something for everyone.
We have a fantastic staff team who keep children at the centre, work as a cohesive team and are willing to go above and beyond to provide outstanding opportunities for students.
Over the years we have put a great deal of effort into choosing the right people to join our team. We have purposely sought out people who have strong interpersonal skills and relate easily to the children, parents and their colleagues….people who want to be part of a team and enjoy team successes….people who like to share and support those around them.
I’m very proud of what we have created at Buninyong Primary School. What we have achieved is a product of an unwavering focus on doing our best for the students. When schools do this, everything else falls into place.
Teaching and learning programs at our school are strong, supported, and led by an Assistant Principal who has teaching and learning as their core responsibility. Teachers within year levels work closely as teams and spend time with each other every week to plan and share ideas. Our teachers go to great lengths to cater to individual student needs, which is what every parent wants for their child.
A second Assistant Principal has Student Wellbeing and Engagement as their core responsibility and works with students, staff and parents to ensure we provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, both in the classroom and the playground. The Wellbeing and Engagement Assistant Principal works closely with our Disability and Inclusion Leader and a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator. Together they organise and manage a range of programs across the school to provide the support and encouragement that students need.
Our school features a popular specialist program, with weekly sessions in Japanese, PE, Music, Art, and STEM. These programs provide opportunities for students to pursue interests and extend their knowledge and skills.
A stand-out feature of Buninyong PS is the range of extra-curricular activities, enabling students to enjoy a broad education and have the opportunity to challenge themselves and pursue their interests. Programs of note include:
- Four Scholarship Programs (Music, Visual Arts, Photography and Master Chef ) for students in grades 4-6, providing an amazing extension opportunity for selected students.
- A Ready Set Grow Program for grade 3 students interested in gardening.
- A trip to Japan every second year for selected students from grades 5 and 6.
- Alternating between a school concert one year and a fete the next.
- Grade 6 leadership teams that give students a genuine opportunity to shape and contribute to the school.
- A High Achievers Program for students in grades 5 and 6.
- Taking a large group of grade 6s to the GRIP Leadership Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre each year.
- All of the above is in addition to the usual intervention programs, camps, excursions, sleepovers, swimming lessons, sporting events, etc.
The overall school environment is welcoming and inclusive. If you come for a visit, you will see settled classrooms with engaged students. You will encounter friendly students and staff who look to engage with anyone who comes by. You will see a school playground where students are very active and are comfortable sharing the play space with whoever is around. Our students love welcoming new students and clamber over each other to be the ones to show them around and look after them.
Another feature of our school is a strong home-school relationship. We make great effort to keep parents informed and on board, as we know that the potential for improved learning and behaviour is greatly increased when the school and parents work together. We understand that parents’ capacity to get involved with school varies from family to family, and we keep the door open for parents to get involved in a variety of ways.
We are lucky to have two very different campus options. Our Buninyong Campus is a large school environment with all of the action and opportunities you’d expect. Our Scotsburn Campus offers a small school environment with the strong connections between students, parents and staff that you would expect. Both are terrific options and meet the needs of different students and families.
Anyone who pays a visit to our school can’t help but be impressed with the friendly atmosphere and the learning environment. If you are weighing up primary school options in Ballarat, please give us a call and make a time to pop in and take a look for yourself.
Bernie Conlan
Principal