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Ballarat Grammar

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Fees A$9,380 - 28,240
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1800
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum
Typical class size 8
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Introduction

Ballarat Grammar is a boarding school in Australia with a history dating to 1876 and a campus strategy spanning Wendouree, Mount Rowan Farm, and City Cite for Year 9. The Senior School offers multiple Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority pathways, including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the VCE Vocational Major, with VET options in Years 10–12 as part of VCE pathways, VCE VM, or School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships. Languages can be studied by Distance Education through the Victorian School of Languages. The school combines heritage buildings with modern learning spaces, a science wing, libraries, performing arts venues, and specialist arts facilities, plus sports facilities, a 25m indoor pool, and a rowing and sailing centre on Lake Wendouree. Co-curriculars emphasize Outdoor Education, the Arts, Service and Wellbeing, with a Round Square program guiding leadership, international exchanges, and global projects. A strong service ethos sits alongside pastoral support and boarding houses.

201 Forest St, Wendouree VIC 3355, Australia

The Essentials

Ballarat Grammar has 1,800 pupils, typical class sizes of 8.

Location
201 Forest Street, Wendouree, VIC 3355, Australia

Stages
Junior School, Middle School and Senior School

Type
Boarding

Additional learning support
Learning Enhancement supports students with additional needs; English Co-ordinator provides classroom support; English as a Second Language support is offered; International students join boarding and have after-hours ESL classes with specialist teaching staff.

Country affiliation
Australia

Religious affiliation
Anglican

School day structure
Primary classes operate 8:45am–3:25pm with supervision 8:15am–8:45am and 3:25pm–4:00pm; Camp Australia OSHC runs 3:40pm–6:00pm after school.

Bus service
Directly outside Gate A on Howitt Street is the Ballarat bus service running into the city proper.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Ballarat Grammar has five Boarding Houses on the Wendouree main campus: Larritt House (girls), Hayhoe House (girls) and Woodbridge House (girls); Dart House (boys) and Wigan House (boys). Each Boarding House is supervised by a Head of House and supported by tutors (MODs) under the Director of Boarding. Boarders live in single and multi-occupancy rooms in the Boarding Village and have meals in the Memorial Dining Hall; the Mount Rowan farm campus offers boarding activities for students. Meals are prepared by experienced chefs and vegetarian meals are available upon request; menus are published daily on Nexus.

Uniform Requirement
Uniform consists of a regulation brown blazer for all students. Girls wear a regulation knee-length kilt (or regulation trousers) with a regulation cream blouse and tie; boys wear regulation grey trousers with a cream shirt and tie. Summer options include a blue summer shirt for both genders and a summer dress or shorts for girls; footwear is black polished leather lace-up shoes and a regulation school bag is required; hats and hair accessories are regulated; sports uniforms include a gold polo top with navy shorts and related items for girls' and boys' teams.

Food Options
The Canteen is operated by Chartwell's and is open at recess and lunch; lunch orders can be placed online via Flexischools or dropped into the canteen before 8:50am. Food selections are regularly updated with salads in summer and soups/pasta in winter; vegetarian meals are available upon request.

House System
Year 7–8 students are supported by a Homeroom teacher, while Year 9–12 students belong to a House and have a House mentor group. The House system comprises fifteen Houses: Beckworth, Butler, Cuthbert, Dart, Hayhoe, Krome, Larritt, Macpherson, Manifold, Nevett, Queen's, Robin, Smith, Wigan and Woodbridge. All students are connected to a House and the Pastoral Care framework uses House mentors and homeroom staff to provide wellbeing support; the House Cup recognises achievement across sport, service, public speaking, debating and the arts.

Governance and Ownership
Ballarat Grammar is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee and is governed by a Board of 10 Directors. The Bishop of Ballarat is the President and ceremonial leader of the School; governance is guided by best-practice principles and the Board oversees strategic direction.
Fees

Annual tuition at Ballarat Grammar ranges from AUD 9,380 to AUD 28,240 for 2026/27.

Application fees and admission deposit

- Application Fee: AUD 250 per child (non‑refundable).
- Admission Deposit: Junior School (entry into Prep) AUD 4,000; Middle and Senior School AUD 6,000.
- Additional Admission Deposit for Boarding Students: AUD 3,000.
- Minimum payment on acceptance: 50% of the Admission Deposit, with the balance payable within 90 days or by 31 October (whichever is earlier); the Deposit is credited to the Tuition and Boarding Fees on commencement.

Tuition fees (per instalment and annual) — Day students (2026 schedule)

- CEEd (Centre for Early Education): see separate schedule.

- Prep: per instalment AUD 2,345 — Annual AUD 9,380.
- Year 1: per instalment AUD 2,470 — Annual AUD 9,880.
- Year 2: per instalment AUD 2,675 — Annual AUD 10,700.
- Year 3: per instalment AUD 3,135 — Annual AUD 12,540.
- Year 4: per instalment AUD 3,550 — Annual AUD 14,200.
- Year 5: per instalment AUD 3,785 — Annual AUD 15,140.
- Year 6: per instalment AUD 3,940 — Annual AUD 15,760.
- Year 7: per instalment AUD 4,630 — Annual AUD 18,520.
- Year 8: per instalment AUD 5,685 — Annual AUD 22,740.
- Year 9: per instalment AUD 5,940 — Annual AUD 23,760.
- Year 10: per instalment AUD 6,760 — Annual AUD 27,040.
- Year 11: per instalment AUD 6,900 — Annual AUD 27,600.
- Year 12: per instalment AUD 9,200 (Year 12 fees are allocated in three equal instalments) — Annual AUD 27,600.

All instalment figures above represent the termly instalment amounts (except Year 12 which is charged in three instalments).

Boarding fees (per instalment and annual) — where applicable (2026 schedule)

- Year 7 Boarding: per instalment AUD 3,535 — Annual AUD 14,140.
- Year 8 Boarding: per instalment AUD 3,880 — Annual AUD 15,520.
- Year 9 Boarding: per instalment AUD 4,510 — Annual AUD 18,040.
- Year 10 Boarding: per instalment AUD 6,320 — Annual AUD 25,280.
- Year 11 Boarding: per instalment AUD 6,320 — Annual AUD 25,280.
- Year 12 Boarding: per instalment AUD 8,427 (charged in three instalments) — Annual AUD 25,280.

- The Boarding Fee incorporates a standard laundry allocation; excess laundry, damage to boarding facilities and other boarding‑specific additional costs will be charged to individual accounts as required.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual Tuition and Boarding Fees are normally charged in four equal instalments (one per school term). Year 12 Tuition and Boarding Fees are charged in three equal instalments (beginning of Terms 1, 2 and 3). Each term's fees are payable prior to the commencement of that term.
- A term's written notice to the Principal is required prior to removal of a student; failing to provide this notice will result in one Term's fees being charged.
- A student will not be permitted to commence a new term unless the term's fees have been paid or a formal direct debit instalment arrangement has been agreed with the Finance Department prior to the commencement of that term.
- Late Payment Fee: 1.5% per month charged on accounts not paid by the commencement of each term.
- For Full‑Fee Paying Overseas Students, fees are charged in two equal instalments (per semester) with specific semester payment deadlines and a requirement that fees not be in arrears.

Other compulsory or recurring levies and charges

- Netbook (device) Levy: Years 7–12 AUD 640 per annum; Years 3–6 AUD 420 per annum (covers device allocation, support and compulsory insurance; excess may be charged for claims not covered by warranty).
- Music lessons: AUD 54.50 per half‑hour lesson (payable at the commencement of the relevant term).
- Voluntary Building Fund Donation: AUD 90 per term (non‑compulsory, tax‑deductible when claimed).
- Ancillary charges that may appear on school accounts: Uniform Shop purchases, House Dinners, Boarder's Activities, excursions, trips, printing/volume charges, and other miscellaneous items.
- City Cite (Year 9 Melbourne Experience): core program costs covered by fees, but accommodation and meal costs for City Cite are additional and not included in the standard tuition fee; boarders receive a rebate where accommodation/meals are not required.
- VET (Vocational Education & Training) contributions: Ballarat Grammar contributes a subsidy for eligible VET subjects (a percentage cap applies); balance payable via the School Account.
- Fee Payment Protection (Fees Trust): charged at 2.5% of total fees (recommended) to provide payment of school fees in the event of a fee‑paying parent's death or total incapacity, and provides fee refunds where a student is absent from school for more than two consecutive weeks due to illness or accident.

Refunds and special refund-related rules

- Application Fee: non‑refundable.
- Admission Deposit: non‑refundable but is credited to the student's Tuition and Boarding Fees upon commencement.
- Year 12 full annual fee is payable in full regardless of the date the Year 12 student departs, once the year has commenced.
- Fee refunds for prolonged medically certified absence (more than two consecutive weeks for illness or accident) are available under the Fees Trust cover, subject to the terms of that protection.
- Failure to provide a full term's written notice of withdrawal will result in one Term's fees being charged.

These refund rules, late payment and notice requirements operate in conjunction with the School's standard account terms and any specific arrangements agreed with the Finance Department.

Fee payment options and methods

- Cheque payable to: Ballarat Grammar.
- Bank direct deposit / bank transfer (families are asked to quote the payer name or family number and notify the school when making payment).
- BPay.
- MasterCard and Visa: accepted with no surcharge.
- American Express: accepted with a surcharge of 0.95% on Amex transactions.
- Direct debit instalment arrangements can be established with the Finance Department for regular payments.

Contact details for the Finance or Business Office are provided for setting up payment plans or discussing account matters.

Other relevant fee-related terms

- Sibling rebates on Tuition Fees: second child 15%, third child 30%, fourth and subsequent children 45% (applied where siblings are enrolled concurrently on the same family account). A 10% reduction of Boarding Fees applies to second and subsequent boarding children of the one family boarding concurrently.
- Fees paid in advance: a discount is applied on amounts paid in advance (2026 rate example: 4.50% p.a. on amount in excess of AUD 1,000; nil under AUD 1,000).
- Insurance and liability: the School does not accept responsibility for loss/damage to personal property; parents are advised to maintain private health/accident insurance for students.
- The School reserves rights to pursue overdue accounts, including legal proceedings where necessary; families are encouraged to contact the Finance Department early if experiencing financial hardship to discuss support options.
Academics

Ballarat Grammar teaches Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
The Senior School tailors learning through multiple VCE pathways and offers the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major as an alternative pathway. VET options can be taken in Year 10–12 as part of a VCE pathway, VCE VM pathway or School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship, including VET Ag Studies, VET Sport & Recreation, VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) and VCE VET Music Industry (Sound Production). A language may be studied through Distance Education with the Victorian School of Languages. The curriculum is broad to meet the abilities, interests and needs of all students.

Exam Results
In 2022, 11% of Ballarat Grammar Year 12 leavers achieved ATARs of 95 or above.

Higher Education Progression
The Career Centre provides guidance on tertiary study and careers; Heads of House, House mentors and subject teachers assist senior students with choices for university or TAFE and other pathways.

Gifted and Talented
The Inclusive Education Team provides remediation, gifted education and oversight and organisation of Special Provision.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Wellbeing skills and mindsets are taught explicitly through the Positive Education Program, the House Mentoring System and Year 7 homerooms in the Senior School, as well as through Junior School and CEEd Programs. The aim is to equip students to flourish, handle setbacks and achieve their goals. Wellbeing themes at Senior School focus on Relationships, Respect, Resourcefulness, Resilience, Responsibility and Resolve. The House system provides weekly meetings and house activities that support mentorship, leadership and a sense of belonging. The Health Centre and counselling services support students' social, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Enrichment, Intervention and Support classes are conducted at various year levels to provide additional opportunities and/or support. A comprehensive Reading Intervention program occurs in Year 1, and the English Co-ordinator works with teachers to address the needs of all students, particularly those making slower progress. Teacher Assistants are used for extra support in classes where students have special needs. Learning Enhancement identifies and supports students with additional needs, with goals set collaboratively and an appropriate educational plan agreed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
International Students join local students on campus and receive dedicated pastoral support and after-hours ESL classes with specialist teaching staff. English language benchmarks and AEAS testing determine whether intensive English study is required with Avalon College; offers are conditional upon completing the required English study.

Mental Wellbeing
The Health Centre provides medical support during school hours and extends to support students' social, mental and emotional health. The School Chaplain and fully qualified School Psychologists are available for counselling, and counsellors are involved in the wellbeing program and provide professional learning for staff.

Safeguarding
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is committed to protecting students from all forms of harm. Policies and procedures promote a child-safe culture, including safeguarding officers and training and screening for staff, volunteers and contractors; the school ensures that students with disabilities and those from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds have access to special care and support.
Parent Experience

History
The history begins in 1876 with the establishment of Queen's College. The Anglican Diocese founded Ballarat Grammar School in 1911. In 1973 the two schools amalgamated to form Ballarat and Queen's Anglican Grammar School, which is today known as Ballarat Grammar.

Community
An active Old Grammarians' Association connects past Ballarat Grammar students with the school and the wider community. The Association hosts regular events, including the Annual General Meeting and a range of reunions such as Gala reunions and milestone year gatherings. The arts and performing arts life on campus is supported by facilities such as the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts. The school's partnerships extend to organisations like Round Square and the CoRE Alliance, enriching the student experience.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located near Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, the main Wendouree campus features heritage buildings, state-of-the-art, purpose-built learning spaces, sporting facilities and green spaces. The Mount Rowan Farm campus spans 50 hectares and offers farm and environmental learning opportunities; it is about 10 minutes from Ballarat. City Cite is an off-campus Year 9 experience located in Melbourne's CBD. The Centre for Early Education (CEEd) is a purpose-built facility on the Wendouree Campus with bright, interactive spaces for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Central learning facilities include a science wing, a Middle and Senior School Library, and the Chapel of St. Mark; Junior School spaces include the Inquiry Centre, Dance and Drama rooms, Music, French and Life & Faith spaces.

Sports Facilities
The Wendouree campus features The Rintel Centre, a multi-purpose indoor stadium. An all-weather, multi-sport facility includes a running track, hockey and soccer pitches, tennis courts and cricket nets. The RG Bath Pool is a 25m indoor swimming pool with an outdoor terrace. Tunbridge Oval and Old Grammarians' Pavilion are on site. The John Ross-Perrier Watersports Centre, known as The Boatshed, on Lake Wendouree provides facilities for rowing and sailing.

Academic Facilities
Central Learning Facilities include a science wing for hypothesis, experimentation and learning, and the Middle and Senior School Library for reading, learning and research. The Chapel of St. Mark is a place for quiet reflection and learning about ourselves. The Beckworth Centre for the Arts houses eight art studios and three gallery spaces; the Gullan Auditorium offers rehearsal studios and performance spaces for dance and theatre; Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts is a fully equipped theatre and auditorium with learning and rehearsal spaces and a recording studio. The Junior School has specialised spaces including the Inquiry Centre, Dance and Drama rooms, Music, French and Life & Faith rooms. The Centre for Early Education (CEEd) is a purpose-built facility on the Wendouree Campus for ages 6 months to 5 years; the Mount Rowan Farm Campus provides a Year 4 learning space and a working farm with stock and agricultural learning opportunities for all year levels, particularly VCE/VET.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-curricular programs include Outdoor Education, Sport, The Arts and Service, with Wellbeing and Round Square offerings. The Arts facilities include the Beckworth Centre for the Arts, Gullan Auditorium and Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, supporting visual and performing arts. The John Ross-Perrier Watersports Centre (The Boatshed) on Lake Wendouree provides facilities for rowing and sailing. The Mount Rowan Farm Campus offers agricultural and environmental learning opportunities, with stock and farm activities. Ballarat Grammar runs a weekend activities program for boarders, including day trips to the beach and sporting events in Melbourne, service activities, bike rides, surfing, movie nights and cooking.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Ballarat Grammar uses the Australian Curriculum together with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) in the Junior School. The learning framework is organized around a Program of Inquiry with Units of Inquiry that guide teaching and learning and foster international-mindedness. Enrichment opportunities are available in a variety of forms, including externally-based competitions and challenges, and there is an emphasis on individual and group mathematical inquiries. Transferable 21st‑century skills are developed through inquiry, collaboration and critical thinking.

Arts & Creative
Dance and Drama are integral to the Junior School Arts program, with specialist spaces for both disciplines. Music education spans from classroom lessons to instrumental study, singing and ensemble participation, with Year 2 string tuition and opportunities to join choirs and bands. Co-curricular choirs and ensembles include Earlybirds Choir (Prep-3), Year 5/6 Choir, Bright Sparks, Viva Voce, Junior Strings, Middle Strings, Bangers 'n Smash, Training Band and Guitar Ensemble. An annual Junior School Art Exhibition is held in the Beckworth Centre for the Arts.

Cultural & Language
Languages offered include Mandarin Chinese, French and Latin; Junior School students receive French instruction from Prep, with formal French classes continuing in the Middle School. There is a French language exchange program with the James Cook International School in Noumea for some students. The Round Square program also supports regular international language and history tours.

Social & Hobbies
Off-campus learning is a feature of the Junior School through a Camps program starting in Year 2, with a range of coastal, bush and regional experiences. The Round Square ethos underpins outdoor education, cross‑age learning and collaborative activities during these camps. These experiences foster teamwork, resilience and social connection among students.

Community & Service
Service learning is a core focus across Ballarat Grammar, with a Service Committee working closely with the Round Square program to promote service across the School. Students participate in local and global community projects and volunteer activities, with dedicated opportunities for each key stage (Junior School action in service; Years 7–9 Experience Service; Years 10–12 Service is Leadership). Partnerships with external organisations support meaningful community impact.

Leadership & Professional
A student-led Round Square Committee (Years 7–12) provides opportunities to engage in service, adventure and fundraising, emphasizing leadership as action and teamwork. The program connects students with a network of like-minded schools and international conferences, expanding leadership experiences beyond the classroom.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing is built into the curriculum through a Positive Education Program and House Mentoring System, with aims to develop optimism, connectedness, gratitude and perseverance. The School offers chapel services, on-site health support and counselling, and a dedicated Health Centre with qualified nurses and psychologists. There are eight Day Houses and five Boarding Houses, with weekly House meetings that foster mentoring, leadership and community belonging.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught from Prep and students are immersed in French in the Junior School. In the Middle School, students choose Mandarin Chinese, French or Latin as their language. The Junior School delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).

Immersion Programs
French is taught from Prep and students are immersed in the language. Timetabled formal French classes are introduced from Year 2. Year 5 students (and possibly some Year 4 and 6 students) may participate in a French language exchange program with James Cook International School in Noumea.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
CRICOS Provider Code: 00129E
Admissions

Admissions
The school has an enrolment process. There are waiting lists for a number of year levels, and the application should be submitted at least two years before prospective commencement. The enrolment application is not an offer of place and does not guarantee an offer of place. Key entry points are Prep and Year 7. Prep – Apply now for 2027 and 2028 Prep. Year 7 – First round interviews for entry 2027 have concluded; final opportunities for Year 7 2027 entry are closing fast. Apply – Prep to Year 12 – Applications for Prep to Year 12 take approximately 10–15 minutes. Apply – Centre for Early Education (CEEd) – Complete the application form and email the completed form to [email protected] with requested documents. For enquiries regarding Prep to Year 12 entry contact the Admissions Office on +61 3 5338 0830 or complete an enquiry form. For CEEd enquiries contact the CEEd office directly on 03 5338 0896 or [email protected].

Scholarships
Ballarat Grammar offers a range of scholarships and bursaries across Academic, Art & Design, Drama, Dance, Music, Boarding General Excellence Bursary, Indigenous Scholarships, and Bursaries. They are open to new and current day and boarding students who demonstrate the school's values, leadership potential and a commitment to service to the School community. Applications are open for new and current students entering Years 5 to 11 in 2027 for Academic; Drama, Dance and Music scholarships for Years 7 to 11 in 2027. Boarding General Excellence Bursary is available; Indigenous Scholarships – Expression of Interest; Bursaries; Named Scholarships. The Scholarships Information Brochure provides more information. Next scholarship testing for 2028 occurs in October and registrations open later this year. For more information contact [email protected].

Waitlist
There are waiting lists for a number of year levels; strong encouragement to submit the application at least two years prior to prospective commencement. The enrolment application is not an offer of place and does not guarantee an offer of place.
School Events
The school has not added events
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