Welcome to Monbulk Primary School. We are a family at Monbulk Primary School, and we are strongly connected to our local community.

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At Monbulk Primary School we build confident learners of outstanding character, who are valued members of our community. We know that R triple C is the way to be! Our school values of Respect, Courage, Compassion and Co-operation guide our school community in how we learn, work and play together.

All Monbulk Primary School staff are highly committed to our profession and the children of the Monbulk community.  We deeply value collaborative partnerships between home and school, working together to help children learn and grow.

Children are involved in a rich and varied learning program in and out of the classroom. Our focus on Sustainability permeates every aspect of our learning which empowers and equips children to understand how we can make a difference in our school, our community, and our world. Students have access to a range of Specialists classes including Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education, STEM and Kitchen Garden, as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. There are many opportunities for families to become involved in the school community, including helping with reading programs, in the Kitchen garden, or helping with fundraising activities.

We are strongly connected to our local community, and community members are invited to participate in a wide range of activities that support the operation of the school. Our connections with local sporting teams, CFA, RSL, CWA and the Monbulk Historical Society help continue the proud tradition of our school in the community.

We are a warm, welcoming and friendly school community, working together to help children develop in their learning, confidence and character. We are very proud of our school, and the work of our students and staff, and invite you to learn more about our great school.

Estelle Alder
Principal

Vision and Values

At Monbulk Primary School we build confident learners of outstanding character who are valued members of our community.

Confident Learners are curious, resilient, take risks, and share their ideas. They know what they’re learning, use different strategies to improve and give and receive feedback.

Students of Outstanding Character show our values of Courage, Compassion, Co-operation and Respect.

Valued Community Members have a sense of belonging, and are accepting and inclusive of others. They understand their responsibilities towards their community, and are actively connected to their school and wider community.

Our Mission

We work collaboratively in all areas; planning, learning, teaching, decision making and problem solving.

We all share responsibility for the learning, engagement, and wellbeing of all students at our school.

We use evidence and data to inform our teaching, professional learning, and to guide decisions.

As a whole staff we work collaboratively, share responsibility, and use evidence to achieve our Vision.

Our school values are:


 

R triple C is the way to be!

 

Our school values are Respect, Courage, Compassion and Co-operation.

Respect – We do what’s right. We keep ourselves and other safe, and take care of our school and belongings.

Courage – We show strength. We are brave, honest and resilient.

Compassion – We help others. We are kind, include others and accept each other’s differences.

Co-operation – We work together. We work as a team, and follow instructions straight away.

Getting Involved

At Monbulk Primary School we welcome parent/carer/kin involvement in our learning community. We know that strong links between home and school foster student learning and community engagement. We have plenty of opportunities for parents to assist and be part of their child’s learning. They include:

  • Parent Helpers (in classrooms)
  • School Council
  • Kitchen Garden (cooking and gardening)
  • Excursions
  • Camps
  • Fundraising (Foodie Fridays, Sushi & Sausage Roll Thursdays, Book Fair, School Fair, Mother’s & Father’s Day Stalls)

We understand that some parents have more flexibility than others. We value and appreciate any family involvement which we is a huge part of what makes our school such a wonderful place to learn and work.

To volunteer in a school, you need to have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), presented to the office for our records.

To apply for a WWCC click on the link below:

https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply-1

Bushfire At-Risk Register Schools

School procedure for the bushfire season

Monbulk Primary School listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) as we are at risk of bushfire attack. As such, there are special arrangements and requirements for the maintenance and operation of the school.

Fire Danger Ratings and warnings are used in Victoria to provide clear direction on the safest options for preserving life.

Monbulk Primary School will be closed when a Catastrophic Fire Danger has been declared by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Central District.

Monbulk Primary School may be closed when an Extreme Fire Danger has been declared by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Local Government Area (LGA) of the Yarra Valley.

​We provide families with as much notice as possible of a closure by letter, SMS message and Compass notifications. ​Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, regardless of improvements in the weather forecast.  This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child.

​It is also important to note that:

  • No staff will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger Days.
  • Out-of-school-hours care will also be cancelled on these days.
  • School camps and excursions will be cancelled if a Catastrophic Fire Danger Day is determined for the Bureau of Meteorology district in which the camp is located.

​Families are encouraged to develop and enact their Bushfire Survival Plan regardless of school closure. On Catastrophic and Extreme days children should never be left at home or in the care of older children.​

What can parents do?

  • Make sure your family’s Bushfire Survival Plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed.
  • Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers.  Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters, by checking our website and by talking to your child’s teacher or any other member of the teaching staff about our Emergency Management Plan.
  • If you’re planning a holiday or short stay in the bush or in a coastal area, you should check warnings in advance of travel and remain vigilant during your stay.
  • If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s Bushfire Survival Plan.
  • You can access more information about children’s services closures on the Department of Education and Training website – see http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/closures.aspx​

For up-to-date information on this year’s fire season see:

History

On the 18th of January, 1887, in response to a petition signed by 57 local settlers, State School No. 3265, the then “Dandenong Forest Village Settlement State School” was opened. The building itself was second-hand, the white ant-eaten buildings transferred by bullock wagon to Monbulk from Wellington Road State School in December 1886.

The site on which the school was situated was incredibly rough, described by the first head teacher, James B Boyle, as “…in the very heart of the forest, surrounded by trees 100 feet high” In 1899, following the establishment of an official post office in the town, the school was re-named Monbulk school. Since then the school has had a long and occasionally colourful history, facing a measles outbreak in 1911, and burning down in 1913. The school was rebuilt in 6 months and still stands today, as our historic building on the corner of Main Rd and David Hill Rd.

Many generations of Monbulk locals have attend Monbulk Primary School, and we cherish and celebrate our history and community connection.

Monbulk School Grade 2. 1989
1901, Teachers Mr & Mrs Tipping, Minnie Martin, Miss Peters.
School Grades 1-3, 1924.
Monbulk Main Street Scenes from 1940s
School Group 1909