doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
C

Coatesville Primary School

Australia, Melbourne

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 800
Type Co-educational
Opened 1953
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages French
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Coatesville Primary School is a government, co-educational primary in East Bentleigh, Melbourne's south-east, offering Prep to Year 6 and about 800 students. The school teaches the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and the Australian Curriculum, with an authorised IB PYP World School status. The curriculum emphasizes curiosity, critical thinking and learner agency, while building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy through inquiry-based learning and authentic tasks. Wellbeing sits at the heart of everyday learning, with a safe, connected environment and supportive relationships. Facilities include specialist programs in Visual Arts, Music and French, supported by two full-time PE teachers. Small class sizes and contemporary learning spaces foster collaboration. The school also runs diverse after-school activities, arts and performance opportunities, and cross-age projects; and it offers an extensive language background, including Hebrew, Greek and Russian. Coatesville emphasises parent partnerships and community involvement, with leadership roles for students from across year levels. Today.

21 Mackie Road, East Bentleigh (Bentleigh East), Victoria 3165, Australia

The Essentials

Coatesville Primary School has 800 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
21 Mackie Road, East Bentleigh, Victoria 3165, Australia. Coatesville Primary School is located on Mackie Road in East Bentleigh, a well-established residential suburb within the City of Glen Eira in Melbourne's south-east. East Bentleigh is in Melbourne's south-east in the state of Victoria.

Stages
Prep to Year 6

Type
Primary, Co-educational, Government

Additional learning support
A range of targeted and extension programs support students who require additional assistance as well as those working above expected levels, delivered through in-class differentiation and, where appropriate, short-term targeted intervention.

Country affiliation
Australia
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school uses a student uniform for Prep to Grade 6 and it must be worn during school hours, on travel to and from school, and on excursions. Uniforms can be purchased from the PSW retail store in Cheltenham or online; second-hand uniforms are available.

Food Options
The Ville is the school's canteen, offering healthy food options. It operates five days a week.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a government school. Governance is provided by a School Council.
Fees
Application fees
- There are no application or enrolment fees for entry to Coatesville Primary School. Coatesville operates as a Victorian government primary school (day school), and routine enrolment does not carry an application charge.

Tuition fees (by year group and per term / per year)
- Compulsory tuition: AUD 0 per term and AUD 0 per year for all year levels (Prep to Year 6). There are no compulsory tuition fees charged to families for standard instruction.

Voluntary contributions and other chargeable items
- The school may request voluntary financial contributions (for example: curriculum contributions or other voluntary donations) and may charge for specific user‑pays items or optional extras such as camps, excursions, instrumental music, certain extracurricular programs, or specialised excursions. These contributions and user‑pays charges are separate from tuition and are determined and approved by the school council. Amounts for voluntary contributions and user‑pays items, if any, are set at the school level and communicated to families.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing schedule for voluntary contributions and user‑pays items is set by the school council. Charges are commonly issued: per activity (for excursions and camps) or on a termly or annual basis for curriculum contributions, depending on the item. Payment deadlines and any instalment or payment plan arrangements are decided and published by the school council as part of the school's parent payment arrangements.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. Coatesville Primary School is a day primary school and does not offer boarding or residential accommodation.

Other costs or fees (typical categories parents should expect)
- Uniform purchases (school uniform items are a family cost where uniforms are required).
- Essential student learning items or book packs (parents may be asked to supply or purchase stationery or booklists).
- Camps, excursions and incursions (user‑pays; charged per activity or event).
- Optional extracurricular or specialist programs (for example instrumental music, language immersion programs, outside providers, or certain clubs) which may carry separate fees.
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) / vacation care and third‑party before/after‑school programs (fees charged directly by the provider).
- Any voluntary fundraising contributions, purchase of optional school photos, or voluntary donations to the school community.
- The presence of these categories and whether a cost applies to a particular family or student is decided by the school council and relevant third‑party providers.

Refund information
- There are no tuition refunds because compulsory tuition is not charged. Refunds for paid optional items (for example camps, excursions, optional programs, or third‑party activities) are managed according to the school's parent payment and refund arrangements and the Department of Education's Parent Payments and Financial Help for Families policies. Refund decisions typically consider whether costs have already been incurred by the school or third‑party providers; individual refund eligibility and processes are determined by the school council and the school administration. Financial assistance and confidential payment plans are available for eligible families.

Fee payment options
- Schools commonly accept a range of payment methods for voluntary contributions and user‑pays items. Typical payment methods used across Victorian government primary schools include:
- BPay (individual school biller code and reference),
- Direct deposit / bank transfer to the school's account,
- Electronic card payments (EFTPOS or credit card) at the school office or via a parent portal,
- School payment portals (for example Compass, Qkr! or similar platforms) where used by the school,
- Centrepay deductions or instalment plans where available,
- Cash payments at the office where permitted.
- The exact payment channels available for a particular charge are set by the school and included in the school's parent payment information. Payment plans and confidential financial arrangements are available to support families experiencing hardship.

Summary statement for parents
- Coatesville Primary School charges no compulsory tuition or application fee for Prep–Year 6. Families may be asked to make voluntary contributions or to pay for specific optional or user‑pays items (uniforms, camps, excursions, OSHC, optional programs). Billing schedules, payment methods, refund rules, and any assistance options are established by the school council and implemented by the school in line with the Victorian Department of Education Parent Payments and Financial Help for Families policies.
Academics

Coatesville Primary School teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
The school teaches the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is an authorised IB PYP World School. The curriculum emphasises curiosity, critical thinking and learner agency. Learning balances strong foundations in literacy and numeracy with rich inquiry, problem solving and authentic learning experiences. Wellbeing sits at the heart of learning, with a safe, connected environment and strong relationships. Coatesville serves Prep to Year 6 and has approximately 800 students in 2026.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student wellbeing and voice are central to Coatesville Primary School's work. Leadership opportunities are embedded across all year levels and are supported through structured programs that promote agency, collaboration, empathy and confidence. Coatesville Primary School is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School, with a focus on developing curious, knowledgeable and compassionate learners who contribute positively to the world. The school prioritises student wellbeing and voice within its IB-PYP framework and its broader wellbeing initiatives.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A range of targeted and extension programs support students who require additional assistance as well as those working above expected levels. These supports are delivered through in-class differentiation and, where appropriate, short-term targeted intervention. Government funding is used to maximise impact and ensure students receive timely support.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is central to the school's approach, with formal wellbeing and engagement strategies guiding curriculum and practice. Student voice and leadership are embedded across year levels, with programs that promote agency, collaboration, empathy and resilience.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is provided through a Child Safety Policy (2025), a Child Safety Code of Conduct and associated reporting obligations. The School's Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy guide responses to concerns, with a commitment to safe, respectful learning. Corporal punishment is prohibited by law.
Parent Experience

History
The school was established in 1953 and is located on Mackie Road in East Bentleigh, Melbourne's south east. It is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. Strong parent partnerships and deep community connection have been defining features since its establishment. Enrollment is approximately 800 students in 2026 and year levels taught are Prep to Year 6. It is part of the South East Victoria Region.

Community
The Communicator is published bi-weekly and shared with families through Compass, providing updates on events, student achievements, important notices and highlights from across the school. What's On lists events via an online calendar and families can subscribe to the calendar. The school offers Out of School Hours Care through TeamKids and a five-star rated canteen, The Ville. An Acknowledgement of Country recognises the Bunorung people of the Kulin nation and pays respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
School Council plays a vital role in governance and strategic direction. Parent involvement is supported through Working Bees. The Ville is the school's five-star canteen. Out of School Hours Care is provided through TeamKids. A Secondhand Uniform Store operates via email orders. The Communicator newsletter is published bi-weekly to keep families informed. The calendar of events is accessible through the What's On section.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Coatesville Primary School offers contemporary learning environments that support collaboration, creativity and high-quality teaching practice. The facilities and grounds are well maintained and continually enhanced to meet the needs of a modern learning community. Small class sizes across Prep to Grade 6 are prioritised, and a comprehensive specialist program includes Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education and French. The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School.

Academic Facilities
Visual Arts is taught weekly by a specialist teacher. Music includes weekly classroom lessons and instrumental and choral opportunities, with Junior and Senior Choirs. French is offered as the Language Other than English. Two full-time specialist Physical Education teachers support a sequential, skills-based program from Prep to 6.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Choirs rehearse weekly and perform at school and community events. Guitar, drum kit and keyboard lessons are available during school hours for students in Grade 1 to 6. Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is provided by TeamKids. Snowsports Camp at Mt Buller is available for Grades 3–6. Bike Education and National Ride 2 School Day are part of the program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
Visual Arts is taught weekly by a specialist and covers painting, drawing, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and technology. Visual Arts fosters self-expression, imagination, creativity, and critical thinking, with students presenting responses to their artworks. Coatesville exhibits artwork around the school, and bi-annually holds an Arts Fiesta Week featuring multi-age art activities, a whole-school Art Show, workshops and community involvement in collaborative projects. Music includes weekly classroom lessons and is complemented by instrumental and choral opportunities, with Junior and Senior Choirs rehearsing weekly and performing at school and local community events, and a biennial whole-school performance at the Palais Theatre.

Cultural & Language
French is the Language Other Than English, with Prep–Grade 6 students having a weekly LOTE lesson. French focuses on listening, reading, speaking and writing and is developed through inquiry-based units of work. Students can participate in a French Poetry competition (Grades 3–6) and correspond with French penpals from Paris and Meudon (Grades 4–6). The school's 35% language background includes Hebrew, Greek and Russian as the largest LOTE groups, and Hebrew studies are offered as part of extracurricular language activities.

Social & Hobbies
SOCCERWISE and SPORTWISE provide an after-school multi-sport program for Prep to Grade 6, held Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Music programs offer opportunities beyond classroom time, including choir rehearsals and instrumental lessons during school hours. Visual Arts and performing arts activities, including arts-focussed events like Arts Fiesta Week and school performances, provide cross-grade social and creative engagement.

Community & Service
Arts Fiesta Week celebrates Visual Arts with multi-age activities, a whole-school Art Show, workshops and community involvement in collaborative projects. The French poetry competition and French penpal exchanges connect students with the broader community beyond the school. The Junior and Senior Choirs perform at school and local community events, contributing to local cultural life, and cross-age activities such as plays, athletics, and music programs strengthen community ties.

Leadership & Professional
The school runs student leadership programs including School Captains and Vice-Captains, House Captains and Vice Captains, and a Student Representative Council with four Action teams focused on Student Voice, Sustainability, Student Wellbeing and Building Community. These leadership structures provide formal roles for students to contribute to school decisions and events. Cross-age collaboration through plays, athletics, and music supports leadership development and peer support.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Two full-time specialist Physical Education teachers deliver a sequential, comprehensive program from Prep to Grade 6, including swimming and a broad range of fitness activities, ball handling, gymnastics and athletics. Intra-school carnivals (Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics) and weekly inter-school competition (Bentleigh District Primary School Sports Association) are held, with Winter and Summer seasons offering Football, Soccer, Netball, Sofcrosse, Rounders, Tennis, Cricket and more. A Snowsports Camp (Mt Buller) runs for Grades 3–6, and all students are encouraged to walk or bike to school, take part in extra-curricular sporting activities, and ride bicycles stored in the bike-shed with helmets worn.
Languages

Language Provision
French is offered as the Language Other Than English (LOTE). Prep to Grade 6 students have one LOTE lesson per week. The program supports intercultural knowledge and language awareness through the IB-PYP Programme of Inquiry, with a focus on listening, reading, speaking and writing. Students participate in the French Poetry competition (Grade 3–6) and penpal exchanges with Paris and Meudon (Grade 4–6).
Admissions

Admissions
1) Zone and eligibility. Coatesville Primary School has a Designated Neighbourhood Boundary (Zone). The zone can be checked on Find My School to determine eligibility. Residents within the zone are guaranteed a place at the school based on their permanent residential address. All children who reside within the zone and are eligible to attend a Victorian government primary school are welcome to enrol.

2) Enrolment documents and submission. Prepare the enrolment documents and hand deliver them to the school office for verification. Required documents include a completed enrolment form, an original birth extract (or equivalent if born overseas), and an immunisation status certificate. Three residency documents must be provided to show address within the boundary, such as a rates notice, lease or rental agreement, and a utility bill, all in the custodial parent's name. If enrolling overseas students, information is available from DET; also provide emergency contact numbers and the name of the previous school if transferring.

3) Priority order. Enrolment follows a priority order. First, residents within the Designated Neighbourhood Boundary have priority. Second, students with a sibling at the same permanent address attending the school have priority. Third, where enrolment is restricted, preference goes to those nearest the school, followed by applicants on specific curriculum grounds, with all other applicants considered in order of distance. In exceptional compassionate cases, enrolment may be considered outside the priority order on a case-by-case basis.

4) Prep enrolment specifics. Prep enrolments require proof of age showing the child has turned five by 30 April in the starting year and an immunisation certificate. A written request for early enrolment may be made for younger children, which requires a Principal written recommendation for consideration by the Regional Director; the Regional Director makes the final decision. Prep enrollees are expected to attend an interview with a Leadership Team member in the year prior to commencement.

5) Transfers. Transfers from neighbouring schools require the current principal to authorise the transfer before enrolment is accepted. The Principal or Assistant Principal may contact the previous school's principal to discuss the transfer, and the transfer note or immunisation certificate may be requested. Transfers are not ordinarily allowed during term unless extenuating circumstances and both schools agree.

6) Tours and interviews. School tours are conducted during Term 2, with dates advertised on the school site. For Prep intake, an interview with a Leadership Team member is expected in the year prior to commencement.

7) Notification and holds. Local government school principals meet in August each year to confirm the list of enrolments for the following year. A letter confirming enrolment is sent to the residence of the enrolling student after this meeting. If a parent has enrolled in more than one school, the application will be placed on hold at both schools until further contact.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Australia View all schools in Melbourne View all schools in Australia IB curriculum schools in Australia Open days & tours in Melbourne What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools