About Us

Botanic Ridge Primary is a government school with an early childhood setting which opened Term 1 of 2020. It is situated in the semi-rural suburb of Botanic Ridge which is 45 km south-east of Melbourne’s central business district.

There is provision at Botanic Ridge Primary School for children from Foundation to Year Six with facilities for a long term enrolment of 600 children. An integrated Family and Community Centre caters for three & four Year old Kindergarten and Maternal health is also onsite. The Family and Community Centre is operated by the City of Casey, the Kindergarten by Kids First Australia.

Botanic Ridge Primary School is committed to creating a positive climate for learning where we will develop independent learners and problem solvers through explicit teaching and co-directed learning. Learners who are directly supported to design, develop and assess their learning through opportunities encompassing voice, agency and leadership.

We have a strong and relentless evidence-based focus on literacy and numeracy and a rich curriculum supported by teaching approaches that underpin the development of intellectual curiosity, problem solving and discerning thinking amongst our children.

We have an environment that supports an appreciation of different cultures and supports children to deepen their understanding of, and respect for, differences through respectful curiosity and their friendships with other children. We provide a learning community where we teach our children about our environment, Australia and its past, inclusive of our indigenous people. We value social and emotional growth and our staff teach this through the Hour of Power. Our children learn about the importance of behaviours that demonstrate, respect and understanding of all people who inhabit our land and our planet. As a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) school we value positive language, clear expectations and positive acknowledgements.

Commitment to Children & Parents

Children will have access to cutting-edge resources and learning spaces that are capable of supporting different learning styles and recognise that children learn in different ways
Children will learn in an environment where literacy and numeracy learning are supported through evidence based explicit teaching and high impact teaching strategies
Children will learn in an environment where individual needs are recognised and catered for

Parents and carers will receive regular updates on their child’s progress
Parents and carers will have the opportunity to be involved in the school’s programs
Botanic Ridge Primary school is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we learn and play, the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respect to their deep knowledge of country and to their stories, traditions and living culture. We are committed to building a brighter future together.

Logo Narrative

The symbology behind the logo elements hold multiple meanings.

The 3 gum leaves depict connection to Country.

The blue hues represent water, the red/copper hues represent earth and the green represents native flora.

Gum leaves are used in ceremony practices by the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri as a means to welcome guests to Country.

The leaves face different direction, representing people’s diverse journeys, but coming together; showing our connection to each other.

The circles, represent community, staff and children and the different generations of people from past, present and future sharing space, time, energy and knowledge.

Principal’s Message

As Principal, I am proud to lead a school where children are placed firmly at the centre of all we do, and where every family is welcomed with warmth and respect.

At Botanic Ridge Primary School, we believe every child is unique and full of promise.

Our school is a calm, orderly and welcoming environment where every student is known, valued and challenged. We hold high expectations for learning and behaviour because we believe that consistency, clarity and care create the strongest foundation for growth. Every child deserves to feel safe, confident and capable and every classroom reflects that belief.

We are proud to be a strong and connected community. Our school is more than a place of learning; it is a hub for families. We value the partnership between home and school and understand that when adults work together with shared expectations, children thrive. We warmly encourage families to engage with our community events, explore our grounds and become active participants in school life.

Learning at Botanic Ridge Primary School is purposeful and engaging. We know that students learn at different rates and in different ways, and we design our teaching to ensure that every child is supported, extended and challenged. Through explicit instruction, consistent classroom practices and carefully planned differentiation, we ensure that all students, including those who need additional support or greater challenge, experience success and growth.

Our staff work collaboratively to provide a rich curriculum and meaningful leadership opportunities. We aim to develop confident learners, thoughtful citizens and resilient young people who are equipped to contribute positively to their community.

We are incredibly proud of our students and the culture we are building together. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about what makes our school special.

I look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Emma Fuller

School values, philosophy and vision

Botanic Ridge Primary School Statement of Values and School Philosophy is integral to the work that we do and is the foundation of our school community.

Students, staff and members of our school community are encouraged to live and demonstrate our core values of respect, responsibility, safety and growth.

House Groups

Our houses represent four influential families from the local Aboriginal community and symbolise our continued commitment to upholding the Aboriginal perspective in education.

All children who enrol at Botanic Ridge Primary School will be placed into either Terrick, Charles, Harrison or Walker. We ensure siblings are placed in the same house group.

Our School

Botanic Ridge Primary School is comprised of state of the art buildings alongside open and flexible outdoor learning and play spaces. This includes the following features:

– Five Learning Communities
– Sports Oval
– Outdoor basketball courts
– Shaded outdoor play equipment
– Shaded sandpit
– Shaded outdoor learning spaces
– Full size gym
– Canteen/food service are & shaded eating tables
– Music and Performing Arts room
– STEM and Art pavilion
– Over 500 trees
– City of Casey kindergarten, Community and Family room, Maternal & Child Health Nurse (please note all questions regarding City of Casey facilities will need to be directed to casey.vic.gov.au)

We invite you to view our virtual school tour video to look at the school in closer detail.

Our Staff

Leadership

New Principal in 2026 – Emma Fuller
Assistant Principal – Megan Comben
Business Manager – Trisha Brumbaugh
Learning Specialists – Scott Bloomfield, Kat Symons, Simone Newsome

Wellbeing Leader & MIPS – Kat Symons
Disability Inclusion Officer – Bec Anderson

Home Group Teachers

Foundation A – Alicia Sonn
Foundation B – Taya Kenna
Foundation C – Ashleigh Green
Foundation D – Chelsie Selleck
1A – Andrew Dixon
1B – Alicia Crang
1C – Anisa Akkusoglu
2A – Melissa Smallwood
2B – Terri-Lee Evans
2C – Fiona Laidlaw
2D – Josie Mains
3A – Lauren Lacey
3B – John O’Donovan-Schulz
3C – Julie Redpath
34A – Kylie Heib/Simone Newsome
4A – Sarah Watson/Rachel Karadeas
4B – Liam Young
4C – Matt Smith
5A – Devrim Cubik
5B – Kat Coxon
5C – Michelle Hulse
56A – Caitlyn van den Elst
6A – Avis McInnes

Specialists

STEM – Steven Hennig
Art – Pauline Chepsey
Physical Education – Lucy Hoogenboom/Kathryn Van
LOTE Indonesian – Sarah Stanley
Music – Pat Johnstone

Education Support

Administration – Nicole van Brakel
Administration – Sara de Pradines
Administration – Zoe Carroll
Youth worker – Lindy Culpin
Ed Support – Amanda Houldcroft
Ed support – Kristy Christodoulou
Ed Support – Gina Hayes
Ed Support – Zoe Williamson
Ed Support – Elisabet Babio Fernandez
Ed Support – Karina Nash
Ed Support – Nadeesha Mathara Arachchige Dona
Ed Support – Bec Wiesniak
Ed Support – Abbey Young
Ed Support – Ross Hamilton
Ed Support – Jarrod Cook
Ed Support – Madison Foster
Library – Grace Brumbaugh
Technical Support – Carey Le Bas

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Our School Policy

Botanic Ridge Primary School is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to protecting children from harm.

Our comprehensive child safety framework outlines our school’s strategies to support student safety and wellbeing. The framework includes the following policies, codes and procedures:

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Child Safety Code of Conduct

Complaints Policy

Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedures

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy

Bullying Prevention Policy

Volunteers Policy

Visitors Policy

Acceptable Use Agreement – Digital Technology

Our students and their families are important partners in keeping our students safe. We value feedback and ideas on how we can continuously strengthen our child safety framework.

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions in relation to our child safe policies and practices, please email botanic.ridge.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Anaphylaxis Policy
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Homework Policy
Currently being updated

Mobile Phone – Student Use Policy
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Complaints Policy
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Personal Property Policy
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Aboriginal Learning, Wellbeing and Safety Action Plan
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Student Dress Code Policy
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Parent Payment Letter
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Link to DET Policy

Student Wellbeing & Engagement Policy
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Asthma Policy
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Attendance Policy
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Bullying Prevention Policy
Download

Child Safety Responding & Reporting Obligations Policy & Procedures
Download

Child Safety Code of Conduct
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Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Download

Statement of Values & philosophy
Download

Annual Report to the School Community 2024
Download

Strategic Plan 2026-2029
Botanic Ridge Primary School (5224) – 2025-2028 – School Strategic Plan (1)

SunSmart Policy
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Duty of Care Policy
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Visitors Policy
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Camps and Excursions Policy
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Health Care Needs Policy
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First Aid Policy
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Administration of Medication Policy
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Volunteers Policy
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Acceptable Use Agreement – Digital Technology
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Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy – Parent Code of Conduct
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Addressing Racism in Schools Policy
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Photographing, Filming, Recording Students Policy

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