“A small school with big results!”
At Wantirna Primary School, our students are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is for all children to have a high quality education where they thrive, achieve and belong.
We focus on providing a safe, caring and supportive environment, which encourages students to become independent and confident lifelong learners.
Our teachers provide personalised Teaching and Learning opportunities for all students that challenge the students’ thinking.
Being a small school means that all staff get to know all students, which helps to provide a supportive learning environment that caters for each individual’s needs, interests and abilities.
Vision & Values
Wantirna Primary School has four school values which underpin our teaching and learning.
These values are reinforced consistently through the school and every classroom has a copy of these values hanging up in their class.
.
COMPASSION
Learning together and supporting each other to achieve the best possible outcomes for all.
ACHIEVE
Developing and acquiring knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to reach our individual personal best.
RESPECT
Recognising and accepting the differences in ability, race, religion and beliefs of others.
ENGAGE
Displaying initiative and commitment in all facets of learning.
School History
The school was opened on 21st January 1912, with five pupils on the roll. By the end of 1912 this number had grown to twenty-nine. The school was originally known as “Bayswater West” and the name changed to “Wantirna” in 1913. “Wantirna” is an aboriginal word meaning “gurgling stream”, no doubt referring to Dandenong Creek.
Some notes from the archives:
- One of the first projects undertaken by the original school committee was the provision of a shelter shed.
- An interesting motion in the Minute Book from 1912 reads “That we again apply for a pound for pound subsidy for a shelter shed.”
- In 1913 the School Committee erected a wire fence to keep out stray cattle.
- At the first meeting of the “Mother’s Club” held on 28th July 1928, a proposal to take the children to the Melbourne Zoo was discussed; that word “fundraising” was also mentioned.
- Teaching aids purchased by the school committee in 1913 included a roller map, a pine shelf with 4 brackets, a shadow stick, a waste paper basket and an enamel soap dish.
Many changes have occurred since these very early days with many extensions and upgrades to our school. If you walk around the school today you will see how far technology has come. If only our students from 1912 knew about what was to come.