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Burwood Heights Primary School and Kindergarten

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$1,980
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 525
Type Co-educational
Opened 1966
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages French
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School
Introduction

Burwood Heights Primary School and Kindergarten is a government, co-educational school at the corner of Hawthorn and Mahoneys Roads, East Burwood, Victoria 3151. It is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) alongside the Victorian Curriculum for reporting and assessment. The program covers English, Mathematics, The Arts, Integrated Studies (Science, Technology and Studies of Society and Environment) and Health and Physical Education, with specialist sessions in Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Science and French. The school operates an on-site Kindergarten. An IB unit of inquiry guides learning across six transdisciplinary themes, promoting student agency and international-mindedness. The Garden Village Annex provides a hands-on outdoor learning space that supports inquiry and resilience. ICT is integrated with modern technology, and there is English as an Additional Language support, plus small-group literacy and numeracy assistance. The Bright Sparks STEM program and performing arts opportunities, including Dance, Glee and Choirs, expand student experiences.

Cnr Hawthorn & Mahoneys Roads, East Burwood, VICTORIA 3151

The Essentials

Burwood Heights Primary School and Kindergarten has 525 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Corner Hawthorn Road and Mahoneys Road, Burwood East, Victoria 3151, Australia

Stages
Kindergarten; Primary (Prep to Year Six)

Type
Co-educational government primary school with on-site Kindergarten; accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)

Pupil Nationality Mix
60% of students are English as an Additional Language learners; nine international students; total enrolment 383 with 80 in kindergarten

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; Individual Learning Programs; ABLEs; support for students with disabilities; Language other than English (French); and additional programmes such as Real Life Adventures, Mindful Movement Programme, Homecrafts, Robotics and Coding

Country affiliation
Australia

School day structure
Before school supervision begins at 8:35am; dismissal at 3:30pm; grounds supervised until 3:45pm; before/after school care available through TheirCare
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The uniform is compulsory. The school colours are gold and royal blue. The uniform includes a Summer Dress and Winter Pinafore; sports tops for PE; black shoes with white socks.

Food Options
Lunch orders are provided by Classroom Cuisine on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; Subway is used on Tuesdays. Classroom Cuisine orders must be placed before 8:30am online at classroomcuisine.com.au; Subway orders are due at the office by the Thursday prior.

House System
Every child is placed in one of four houses: Cowan (Blue), Florey (Green), Flynn (Red), Kenny (Gold). Students earn points for classroom, yard, sporting events, and House Spirit; the house with the most points wins a House Party at the end of the year.

Governance and Ownership
The school is accredited under the Department of Education's CRICOS registration (CRICOS provider name and code: Department of Education, 00861K), indicating it is a government/public school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Burwood Heights Primary School and Kindergarten ranges from AUD 1,980 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Kindergarten enrolment application fee: AUD 25 (non-refundable).
- Kindergarten confirmation fee / deposit: Confirmation fee AUD 50; a kindergarten fee deposit of AUD 50 is payable on acceptance of enrolment and is retained as part payment on term fees.

Tuition / school-fee summary by program and year group

- Primary school (Prep–Year 6): No tuition fee is charged for standard curriculum instruction for domestic students; the school requests parent contributions as set out below.
- Curriculum contributions (per student, 2025): AUD 315.
- Other contributions (per student, 2025): AUD 60.
- Extra‑curricular items and activities that are above the standard curriculum are user‑pays (examples: specific homecrafts, optional excursions, camps, instrumental music, etc.). One listed example: Homecrafts for Years 3–6 shown as a user‑pay item (AUD 120 in the 2025 notice).

- Kindergarten (3‑year‑old and 4‑year‑old funded programs, 15 hours/week): detailed term fees and concession amounts are listed below. These programs operate with Department of Education funding and a Kindergarten Fee Subsidy may reduce fees for eligible families.
- Standard fee schedule (per term):
- Term 1: AUD 440.
- Term 2: AUD 490.
- Term 3: AUD 490.
- Term 4: AUD 490.
- Total for the year (standard): AUD 1,980.
- Fees for families eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy (per term):
- Term 1: AUD 25.
- Term 2: AUD 75.
- Term 3: AUD 75.
- Term 4: AUD 75.
- Total for the year (subsidised): AUD 320.
- The same term amounts apply to both the 3‑year‑old and 4‑year‑old (15 hr/week) funded programs.
- The enrolment application fee, confirmation fee and deposit described above apply to kindergarten enrolments.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoices: Invoices for kindergarten and for parent contributions/charges are issued prior to the end of each term and must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice. For kindergarten, the first term's fees (or agreed deposit) must be received prior to the child commencing; for children commencing mid‑term a pro‑rata invoice may be issued and must be paid within the timeframe set by the school.
- User‑pays activities (camps, excursions, extra curriculum items): these are charged separately with clear notices of cost and finalisation dates; unpaid user‑pays amounts may mean a student cannot attend unless exceptional circumstances are approved by the Principal. Financial assistance options (for eligible families) include the Department's Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and school payment plans.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Burwood Heights operates as a day primary school and kindergarten; no boarding program or boarding fees are offered.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Uniforms and related items:
- Uniform items are available to purchase through the school; sample unit prices shown on the current uniform order form include (GST inclusive): short‑sleeve polo AUD 20.00; long‑sleeve polo AUD 22.00; windcheater AUD 24.00; culottes AUD 23.00; double‑knee pants AUD 24.00; shorts AUD 19.00; slouch hat AUD 10.00; raincoat AUD 35.00; jacket AUD 37.00; school bag AUD 33.00; art smock AUD 16.00. Larger sizes or special‑order items may cost more. A second‑hand uniform sale is run periodically.
- Book club and discretionary purchases: Book Club orders are optional and may be paid by credit card or Qkr!/other online payment channels as specified in the ordering information.
- Camps, excursions and external providers: these are charged on a user‑pays basis when they fall outside the standard curriculum and will be invoiced or notified separately. The school will provide consent forms and clear cost notices for such activities. Financial support arrangements are available for eligible families.

Refund information

- Kindergarten application fee: the enrolment application fee (AUD 25) is retained to cover administrative costs and is non‑refundable. The confirmation fee and deposit are applied as part‑payment of term fees as described above.
- Refunds for other payments (primary contributions, camps, excursions, extra‑curricular items): parent requests for refunds are considered on a case‑by‑case basis and are provided where the school deems it reasonable and fair, taking into account whether a cost has been incurred and relevant Department policy; specific camps/excursions may have separate refund rules stated on their consent/payment notices.

Fee payment options

- Accepted payment methods include: Compass (online payments), credit card, and cash where permitted; other specific activities (e.g., Book Club) may accept Qkr! or credit‑card payment systems as indicated in activity notices. The school also operates payment plans and will discuss options for families experiencing financial hardship.

Notes on optional / voluntary payments

- Voluntary school contributions supplement government funding and support additional resources and programs. Participation in fundraising and voluntary contributions is encouraged but, where items are genuinely voluntary, students will not be excluded if a family does not contribute; mandatory user‑pays items (e.g., certain camps or paid programs) require payment to participate.
Academics

Burwood Heights Primary School and Kindergarten teaches IB (PYP).

Curriculum
The Victorian Curriculum is used for reporting and assessment. Subjects taught are English, Mathematics, The Arts, Integrated Studies (covering Science, Technology and Studies of Society and Environment), Health and Physical Education. The classroom teacher covers most areas of the curriculum with specialist sessions in Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Science and French. The school is accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Unit of Inquiry is part of the curriculum. English as an Additional Language is available, along with welfare, integration, small group writing and maths support, 1:1 reading, Maths extension groups and the Bright Sparks STEM program.

Student Teacher Ratio
There are 425 students and 25.5 full-time equivalent teaching staff, with twenty classes. The student to teacher ratio is about 16.7:1 and the average class size is about 21 students.

Exam Results
Grade Three NAPLAN Reading in 2024: 88.9% of students achieved strong or exceeding results, compared with 81% for similar schools and 68.7% state average. Grade Three NAPLAN Numeracy in 2024: 89.1% strong or exceeding; similar schools 79.5%; state 65.5%. In 2024, 95.1% of students achieved at or above age expected standards in Mathematics by teacher judgement, compared with 91.8% for similar schools and 85.9% state average.

Gifted and Talented
maths extension groups are available and the Bright Sparks – STEM program supports advanced learners.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school's curriculum emphasises the wellbeing of individuals and the group. It provides support for students' emotional and social needs. It fosters personal attitudes and an understanding of the world that contribute to international mindedness. It offers wellbeing-focused programs such as Mindful Movement Programme and Real Life Adventures.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
It provides additional assistance for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners and for students with disabilities. It uses ABLES for assessment of students with disabilities and develops Individual Learning Programmes. It aligns learning with the Victorian Curriculum F-10 and the IB Primary Years Programme philosophy.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
It offers a Language other than English (French) as part of the curriculum. It provides additional assistance for students who are English as an Additional Language learners.

Mental Wellbeing
It includes programs that support mental wellbeing, including Mindful Movement Programme and Real Life Adventures. It addresses students' emotional and social needs as part of the learning program.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Safety Policy committing to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and has zero tolerance for child abuse. Staff, volunteers and the school community have defined responsibilities under child safety policies, codes of conduct, and mandatory reporting obligations. A dedicated Child Safety Officer oversees policy implementation; mandatory reporting training is required for staff. The school commits to reporting suspected abuse promptly and to informing families about child safety standards; posters and resources are accessible in classrooms.
Parent Experience

Community
Burwood Heights Primary School is an IB World School committed to providing high-quality education, care and safety to all students, to prepare them to become active, engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community. The school sits at the heart of the community; a place of belonging where staff and families work together to ensure each student's time at Burwood Heights Primary School is happy and rewarding. The school runs a four-house system—Cowan, Florey, Flynn and Kenny—with points earned in the classroom, yard and sports, and a year-end House Spirit Competition that ends with a House Party. Year 6 students are elected by peers for leadership roles, including School Captains, Sports Captains, Arts Captains, and the Student Representative Council, and the school offers Dance, Choir and Glee as part of its extracurricular activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Garden Village Annex is a hands-on outdoor learning space that began as a kitchen garden and evolved into a play area for inquiry-based learning. The Annex provides a real, hands-on environment that supports student engagement and the development of self-confidence, resilience, tenacity, independence and everyday living skills. The campus includes Kindergarten facilities and a range of classroom spaces across Prep to Year 6 to support both structured and exploratory learning. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is state-of-the-art, with modern technology and innovative educational software to support teaching and learning. Outdoor spaces include a Prep playground, down ball courts, a mini adventure playground, an adventure playground, an oval with a basketball court, and a dedicated outdoor learning space.

Sports Facilities
Physical Education focuses on building a love of physical activity through positive and enjoyable experiences in which students learn and build on their skills, develop self-esteem and confidence, and enhance social competencies and problem-solving abilities. They learn the rules and skills needed to participate in a wide range of sports, and resilience and appreciation of others' achievements are fostered. Lessons emphasize listening, following instructions, giving their best effort, cooperating and encouraging others, playing fairly, and having fun. Outdoor spaces support sport and physical activity, including an oval and a basketball court, along with adventure playgrounds and other outdoor play areas. The school also offers movement-related activities through its Dance and related performing arts programs as part of its broader physical culture.

Academic Facilities
Burwood Heights Primary School is an IB World School authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP promotes inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning across six themes and centers student agency through the Learner Profile. The program includes specialist subjects such as French, Science, Cooking, Digital Technology, Visual Arts and Physical Education. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is integrated with state-of-the-art technology and innovative software, supported by ongoing teacher professional learning to foster confident, capable digital learners. The Garden Village Annex provides outdoor learning space that supports cross-disciplinary, hands-on exploration as part of the curriculum.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Dance classes operate across year levels with before-school, lunchtime and after-school sessions and lead to performances at school and community events, including an annual Performing Arts Concert. The Glee program offers audition-based groups (Glee A and B for older students and Glee C for younger students) with opportunities to perform at school and community events. The Allegro and Allegretto Choirs rehearse and perform as part of school events, with additional dance and performance opportunities through The Garden Village Annex and other extracurricular activities. An Extracurricular Timetable coordinates Dance, Choir, Glee and other activities, providing students with diverse opportunities to develop performance skills and collaborate with peers.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school teaches through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and delivers the Victorian curriculum. Prep to Year Six students participate in at least ten hours of inquiry-based learning each week. Reading and writing are taught through the Write-to-Read program, a multi-sensory approach to literacy. The school also provides English as an Additional Language support and programs for students with special needs, and fosters emotional and social development and international-mindedness.

Arts & Creative
Specialist programmes include Physical Education, Music and Visual Arts, with additional focus on Science and Information and Communications Technologies. A Language other than English (French) is taught, and English as an Additional Language support is available. The school provides opportunities for creative and practical learning through Real Life Adventures, Mindful Movement Programme, Homecrafts, Robotics and Coding.

Cultural & Language
Language other than English (French) is taught as part of the curriculum. The school provides support for English as an Additional Language learners and for students with special needs. The program emphasises understanding of local and global issues and fosters personal values to develop international-mindedness.

Social & Hobbies
Real Life Adventures, Mindful Movement Programme, Homecrafts and Robotics and Coding are offered as additional programmes. These activities extend learning beyond the standard curriculum and encourage teamwork, creativity and practical problem-solving. Students have opportunities to engage in hands-on projects and collaborative exploration.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Students' emotional and social needs are supported. Mindful Movement Programme promotes wellbeing and mindful living. Real Life Adventures provides experiential learning experiences that build resilience. Homecrafts supports practical life skills and personal growth.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. French is offered as a Language Other Than English (LOTE). An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports students with language needs. The LOTE program aims to develop proficiency in French and promote intercultural awareness.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is an International Baccalaureate World School authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Prep enrolment should occur in the year before the planned start. This enables the child to participate in activities designed to help them familiarise themselves with school life, such as the Prep Transition Program and Prep Orientation Day. These days are usually held in October and November of the year preceding school commencement. Enrolment in advance ensures the child can participate in these transition activities.

2. A child is admitted to the beginning of a year if their fifth birthday falls on or before 30 April of that year. This age criterion determines the year of entry and guides enrolment planning. Families should align their enrolment with the eligibility cut-off to ensure entry into the desired year.

3. When enrolling, evidence of date of birth and a certificate of immunisation is required. If the child was born overseas, a copy of the passport and visa is also submitted with the enrolment form. These documents support the enrolment process and eligibility for admission.

4. Immunisation certificates can be obtained from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), Medicare Australia, or the child\'s GP. The certificate is typically required as part of the enrolment submission. Parents should arrange the immunisation certificate before completing the enrolment form.

5. Enrolment forms for 2026 and 2027 are provided on the enrolment pages. A completed enrolment form should be submitted as part of the process to secure a place. Applicants should follow the instructions on the form to ensure accuracy.

6. The school zone guarantees a place for residents within the zone. Enrolments are managed using the Placement Policy to ensure access to the designated neighbourhood school. The policy may allow enrolment at another school if places exist.

7. Prep enrolments follow the Department of Education\'s statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline. Families should refer to Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) for the official guidance on when and how to enrol into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government primary school. The timeline provides key dates and steps for the application process.

8. International Students are welcomed. Burwood Heights Primary is CRICOS registered with code 00861K, and the International Student Coordinator is Fran Mason. Victorian government schools provide international students with English language tuition and welfare support as part of the international student program.
School Events
The school has not added events
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