Vision
Our vision is to develop self sustaining, life long learners in a recognised centre of educational excellence.

School Mission Statement
To provide in a nurturing environment, a quality education that challenges all students to attain their highest potential academically, socially, creatively and physically.

Values
We are committed to the values of:
RESPECT, LEARNING, TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY.

Bacchus Marsh Primary School is Victoria's oldest and first operating state school. The original school was situated in the Avenue of Honour in 1850 and has been on its present site since 1865. The year 2000 saw Bacchus Marsh Primary School celebrate 150 years of state education. The school is situated in a semi-rural community within commuting distance from the nearest major city, Melbourne.

Bacchus Marsh Primary School offers a genuinely broad curriculum. Our students have access to a range of specialist programs including Art, Physical Education, Sport, Music, Library, Science and ICT. The school provides Reading Recovery for students requiring additional assistance. Our key curriculum emphasis is on the development of competence and confidence in literacy and numeracy, with the Early Years and Middle Years literacy and numeracy approaches major initiatives. An integration program operates at the school. The school is supported by Student Services personnel.

Learning Technologies are an integral part of the classroom program with 165 computers P-6. The school has a computer ratio of 1: 3.6 children, well below the government target.

All students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of enrichment activities including intensive swimming programs, camps and excursions, instrumental music, the grade six musical production, sports teams and gifted and talented programs. Our school provides a before and after school program as a service to the local community.

Welcome to our wonderful school.


Bacchus Marsh Primary School is Victoria's first State School and has a proud and wonderful history of providing quality education to the township of Bacchus Marsh and surrounding districts.

We have always been an important part of the Bacchus Marsh community and continue to be a school central to community needs.


We pride ourselves on providing a caring, stimulating environment for all the children at our school.
We welcome you to visit our school at any time.

Please phone 5367 2745 to make an appointment.

lan Wren
Principal

In the beginning...


The Bacchus Marsh Primary School was here before the gold rush, even before Victoria itself. Possibly the first government school in Victoria, it was initially located along the Lerderderg River, in what is now the Avenue of Honour.

The school began on 13th May 1850 as the Bacchus Marsh National School, a one teacher school with a voluntary enrolment of 34. In April 1863, it amalgamated with three other small schools in the area; Korkuperrimul National School, Maddingley National School, and the Church of England School, becoming the Bacchus Marsh Central Common School.

The school moved to the Mechanics' Hall in Young Street, and in May was given the number 28. Its enrolment, still voluntary, had risen to 100.

John Pascoe Fawkner attended the opening in November 1865 of the school's brand new brick school house built in Lerderderg Street.

1872 saw the advent of the Education Act, which brought secular, compulsory and free education to Victoria.

The Bacchus Marsh State School, as it became known, now had an enrolment of 200. Almost 100 years later in 1970, the school changed its name again to Bacchus Marsh Primary School, No 28.

2000 sees the school still located at Lerderderg Street with an enrolment of 640, and the original 1865 school house forming the nucleus of this much enlarged school.

The school is committed to:
- Nurturing in students a belief in their own worth and uniqueness

At Bacchus Marsh Primary School we:
- Encourage all students to develop a high level of self-esteem, confidence and social awareness

- Provide a challenging and comprehensive curriculum which is as broad and flexible as possible to meet the changing needs of society

- Provide opportunities to extend the academic, creative, social, emotional and physical development of each student

- Foster and develop personal qualities of respect for individuals in the school and the wider community through promoting cooperation, tolerance and consideration for others

- Our school values are respect, learning, integrity and teamwork
- Cater for individual differences to enable all students to experience success
- Place emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills

Student Wellbeing

At Bacchus Marsh Primary School there is a consistent and positive approach to student welfare. We are committed to the strategies of:

- Giving positive reinforcement to improve self-esteem
- Acknowledging and celebrating student achievement
- Expecting individual students to take responsibility for their own behaviour
- Providing support and supervision in the playground
- Encouraging understanding and awareness of the school rules

The staff at Bacchus Marsh Primary School are committed to providing a strong, safe and nurturing environment for all students in our school. We have a very positive and happy environment and atmosphere at Bacchus Marsh Primary School.

We believe strongly in the teaching of social skills to establish, maintain and develop constructive social relationships. We aim to teach children to manage interpersonal difficulties, to contribute collaboratively and constructively to peers, family, school and the community.

Before And After School Care

GENERAL INFORMATION

The School Council operates an Out of School Hours Care Program for children attending Bacchus Marsh Primary School and St. Bernard's Primary School. The program provides high quality Before Care and After Care in a safe, enjoyable and caring environment. It is provided at minimal cost and enables parents to pursue options relating to employment, training, recreation and personal interests.


At the program, qualified & experienced OSHC staff plan a balance of activities to meet the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, recreational and creative middle childhood development needs of children.


Play is recognised as an important part of children's learning and development, which is demonstrated by the variety of games and resources provided at the program. Children's health and well being is catered for in a variety of ways including varied and nutritious meals and snacks, a Sunsmart policy, qualified First Aiders and a program which is inclusive with regard to planning for individual needs, cultural relevance, children with additional needs and gender equality.

WHEN AND WHERE

The Before School and After School Club operates from 6.30am - 8.30am and 3.15pm - 6pm Monday to Friday during school terms from the Bacchus Marsh Primary School Multipurpose Room. Staff members are not legally responsible outside these hours. All parents interested in using the program on a full-time, part- time or casual basis are required to complete an enrolment form available from Bacchus Marsh Primary School or St. Bernard's Primary.