About Us

Botanic Ridge Primary is a new 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 475 children. An integrated Family and Community Centre caters for Four Year old Kindergarten and Maternal health is also onsite. The Family and Community Centre is operated by the City of Casey, who are the Department of Education and Training’s funding partners in the project.

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 self directed learning. Learners who are 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 daily 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.

Our children also participate in a Learning Quest each term that allows them the opportunity to wonder, plan, discover, create and share about a range of issues.

Commitment to Children & Parents

Children will have access to cutting-edge resources and flexible 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.

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

I extend a warm welcome to you and your family. It is a rare privilege to be the founding Principal of a new school and it is one that I embrace with pride and immense enthusiasm.

I am thrilled to walk beside this new community in their children’s educational journey particularly as we are partnered with the City of Casey through the Family and Community Centre.

Our school has dedicated and professional educators who are committed to working together with a focus on providing a learning environment that has high expectations, develops the full potential of each child, and insists on continuous improvement for all children.

As a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support school, our students are intrinsically motivated to contribute to our ever changing world, in a way that is ethically and morally sound and for the benefit of the wider community and environment.

Our website offers a snap shot of life at Botanic Ridge Primary School. For further information, we encourage you to contact our office to arrange a tour so that you can receive more detailed information about the innovative supportive and individualised programs that we offer as well as experience firsthand the caring community atmosphere that exists in our school.

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:

– Two Learning Communities
– Sports Oval
– Outdoor basketball courts
– Three sections of outdoor play equipment
– Shaded sandpit
– 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

Principal – Lisa Vandenbosch
Assistant Principal – Megan Comben
Business Manager – Trisha Brumbaugh
Learning Specialists – Scott Bloomfield & Jess Spinucci

Wellbeing Leader – Jess Spinucci
Disability Inclusion Officer – Bec Anderson

Home Group Teachers

Foundation A – Taya Kenna
Foundation B – Melissa Smallwood
Foundation C – Alicia Sonn
Foundation D – Chelsie Selleck
1A – Emily King
1B – Alicia Crang
1C – Liana Rauber
1D – Scott Bloomfield/Ally Goulding
2A – Kayla Burden
2B – Tara Ottenhoff
2C – Samantha McKenzie
2D – Kellie White
3A – Hayley Blain/Amy Taylor
3B – Caitlyn van den Elst
3C – Kat Symons
3D – Rachel Karadeas
4A – Merrilee Rayner
45A – Matt Smith
56A – Julie Redpath
56B – Jarryd Stirling

Specialists

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

Education Support

Business manager – Trisha Brumbaugh
Administration – Nicole van Brakel
Administration – Sara de Pradines
Ed Support – Lindy Culpin
Ed Support – Amanda Houldcroft
Ed support – Melissa Pyne
Ed Support – Alana Camilleri
Ed Support – Zoe Williamson
Library – Grace Brumbaugh
Technical Support – Carey Le Bas

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Our School Policy

Anaphylaxis Policy
Download

Homework Policy
Download

Mobile Phone – Student Use Policy
Download

Complaints Policy
Download

Personal Property Policy
Download

Spare
Download

Student Dress Code Policy
Download

Parent Payment Letter
Download

Link to DET Policy

Student Wellbeing & Engagement Policy
Download

Asthma Policy
Download

Attendance Policy
Download

Bullying Prevention Policy
Download

Child Safety Responding & Reporting Obligations Policy & Procedures
Download

Child Safety Code of Conduct
Download

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Download

Statement of Values & philosophy
Download

Yard duty & Supervision Policy
Download

Duty of Care Policy
Download

Camps & Excursions Policy
Download

Digital Learning Policy
Download

Annual Report to the School Community 2023
Download

Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025
Download