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St Margaret's Berwick Grammar

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$8,708 - 36,696
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 801
Type Co-educational, Girls School, Boys School
Opened 1926
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages French, Mandarin, English
Typical class size 18
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

St Margaret's Berwick Grammar is a dual-campus independent day school in Victoria, Australia, serving ages 3 to 18. The Berwick Campus houses ELC, Junior School, and Senior Girls, while Officer Campus hosts Senior Boys. The curriculum blends the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in the Junior School with the Australian Curriculum across the senior years. Years 10–12 follow the Victorian Certificate of Education (Units 1–4), with some cross-campus VCE units offered off-campus. Languages include French and Mandarin in the Junior School, with Chinese or French available in the Senior School. Distinguishing features include the Odyssey Year 9 Leadership and Character Development program extending into Year 10, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award pathway, alongside a Careers/outcomes and university focus with cross-campus subject choices. The school offers performing arts, visual arts, and music programs, a High-Performance Centre, science labs, and extensive libraries. Extra-curriculars span sport, drama, debating, ensembles and service learning.

Berwick Campus (ELC, Junior School, Senior Girls): 27–47 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, Victoria 3806, Australia; Officer Campus (Senior Boys): 80 Tivendale Road, Officer, Victoria 3809, Australia

The Essentials

St Margaret's Berwick Grammar has 801 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Berwick Campus (27-47 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, VIC 3806, Australia) is home to the Early Learning Centre, Junior School and Senior Girls. Officer Campus (80 Tivendale Road, Officer, VIC 3809, Australia) is the Senior Boys campus.

Stages
ELC and Junior School are co-educational. Senior School is single-sex with Senior Girls on the Berwick Campus and Senior Boys on the Officer Campus; Year 7–12 form the Senior School levels.

Type
Independent private day school. ELC and Junior School are co-educational; Senior School is single-sex with Senior Girls and Senior Boys on separate campuses.

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available as needed.

Country affiliation
Australia

Religious affiliation
Non-denominational

Bus service
Chartered bus services are provided by Alston Coaches, including SMBG1 Transfer between Berwick and Officer campuses and additional routes SMBG2 Warragul, SMBG3 Emerald, SMBG4 Cranbourne, SMBG5 Clyde. A free campus bus allows drop-off and pick-up at a single campus.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Homestay is offered for international students as full-board accommodation with a host family. The arrangement provides a single room, three meals a day, utilities, cleaning services of common areas, study facilities, and use of living spaces, for a full school year (End Jan – Mid Dec).

Uniform Requirement
The school has two uniforms: Summer Uniform (Terms 1 and 4) and Winter Uniform (Terms 2 and 3). Uniforms are supplied by Noone Imagewear and can be purchased at Beaconsfield or Officer locations. A Second-Hand Uniform Shop on the Berwick Campus offers pre-loved uniform items.

House System
The House System comprises Campbell (blue), Cunningham (red), Gipson (yellow). It is run across the School from Prep to Year 12 as a vertical, multi-age structure with Heads of House and Wellbeing leadership, enabling participation in a wide range of House-based sports and activities.

Governance and Ownership
Governance is led by the School Council, which consists of up to 10 councillors. St Margaret's School is a Company limited by guarantee, trading as St Margaret's Berwick Grammar, and is a not-for-profit organisation. The St Margaret's Berwick Grammar Foundation Limited coordinates philanthropy and fundraising for the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at St Margaret's Berwick Grammar ranges from AUD 8,708 to AUD 36,696 for 2026/27.

Application and Acceptance Fees

- A non-refundable and non-transferable New Student Application Fee of AUD 130 (incl GST) per child is payable when lodging an enrolment application.
- An Enrolment Acceptance Fee of AUD 2,200 per child is payable within 14 days of an offer of a place to confirm enrolment; Enrolment Acceptance Fees are neither refundable nor transferable.
- For families transitioning a 4‑Year‑Old ELC child to Prep, a non-refundable deposit of AUD 2,000 is payable in Term 1 and is applied against the child's Prep fees the following year.

Tuition Fees (annual and per term, by year level)

Note: the annual Total School Fee shown below is the school's stated Total School Fees (Tuition Fees plus Consolidated Charges). Per‑term figures are calculated by dividing the Total School Fee by four (four school terms).

- Pre-Prep (2 days): Tuition/A nnual total AUD 8,708 — Per term AUD 2,177.
- Pre-Prep (3 days): Tuition/A nnual total AUD 13,059 — Per term AUD 3,265.
- Pre-Prep (4 days): Tuition/A nnual total AUD 17,416 — Per term AUD 4,354.
- Pre-Prep (5 days): Tuition/A nnual total AUD 21,767 — Per term AUD 5,442.
- Prep: Tuition Fees AUD 19,372; Consolidated Charges AUD 3,799; Total School Fees AUD 23,171 — Per term AUD 5,793.
- Year 1: Tuition Fees AUD 19,372; Consolidated Charges AUD 3,799; Total School Fees AUD 23,171 — Per term AUD 5,793.
- Year 2: Tuition Fees AUD 21,971; Consolidated Charges AUD 3,960; Total School Fees AUD 25,931 — Per term AUD 6,483.
- Year 3: Tuition Fees AUD 21,971; Consolidated Charges AUD 4,592; Total School Fees AUD 26,563 — Per term AUD 6,641.
- Year 4: Tuition Fees AUD 21,971; Consolidated Charges AUD 4,592; Total School Fees AUD 26,563 — Per term AUD 6,641.
- Year 5: Tuition Fees AUD 23,964; Consolidated Charges AUD 5,862; Total School Fees AUD 29,826 — Per term AUD 7,457.
- Year 6: Tuition Fees AUD 23,964; Consolidated Charges AUD 5,862; Total School Fees AUD 29,826 — Per term AUD 7,457.
- Year 7: Tuition Fees AUD 28,053; Consolidated Charges AUD 6,307; Total School Fees AUD 34,360 — Per term AUD 8,590.
- Year 8: Tuition Fees AUD 28,053; Consolidated Charges AUD 6,307; Total School Fees AUD 34,360 — Per term AUD 8,590.
- Year 9: Tuition Fees AUD 28,053; Consolidated Charges AUD 8,461; Total School Fees AUD 36,514 — Per term AUD 9,129.
- Year 10: Tuition Fees AUD 29,505; Consolidated Charges AUD 7,191; Total School Fees AUD 36,696 — Per term AUD 9,174.
- Year 11: Tuition Fees AUD 29,505; Consolidated Charges AUD 6,580; Total School Fees AUD 36,085 — Per term AUD 9,021.
- Year 12: Tuition Fees AUD 29,505; Consolidated Charges AUD 6,580; Total School Fees AUD 36,085 — Per term AUD 9,021.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Full‑year accounts are issued in December; account statements are available monthly via the School's Nexus system. All fees and charges are to be paid in advance.
- Payment frequency options: annual (single payment), quarterly, or monthly instalments. Specific available options include:
- Annual — by 31 January (single payment).
- Quarterly — due 10 January, 10 April, 10 July, 10 October.
- Monthly — 10 instalments on the 10th of each month commencing in January (10th of the month).
- Any outstanding balance is to be settled by the School's stated final due date for the year (examples of instalment due dates and final settlement dates are provided on school accounts). Late payment administration charges of AUD 100 per instalment may be applied where an instalment is not paid by the due date.

Fee payment options and finance

- Primary payment is by Direct Debit from a bank account or by credit card via the School's Direct Debit arrangement.
- The School works with an education payment provider (Edstart) that allows families to package school fees and education‑related costs and pay over extended periods. Edstart can include fees for uniforms, textbooks and extra‑curricular activities.

Consolidated charges, levies and other compulsory/additional fees

- Consolidated Charges: amounts are included in the Total School Fees and vary by year level (shown alongside Tuition Fees above). Consolidated Charges cover costs outside direct tuition (details vary by year level).
- Building Levy: AUD 1,050 charged annually per family (families with children only in Pre‑Prep are exempt).
- Payroll Tax Levy: a levy is charged to cover payroll tax where applicable; an example levy of AUD 1,600 per student (maximum AUD 3,200 per family) is applied in the School's stated schedule. Families with children only in Pre‑Prep are exempt from these levies.
- Optional and other charges: charter bus services, music tuition, specialist coaching (e.g., tennis), booklists (purchased via Campion), uniforms (purchased via Noone Imagewear or the School's second‑hand uniform shop), and before/after school care provided by an external provider. Charges for optional activities and services are billed in January or as applicable.

Boarding

- Boarding is not provided as a school residence option. Homestay arrangements are used for international students requiring accommodation.

Refunds, withdrawal and fee obligations

- Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Enrolment Acceptance Fees are neither refundable nor transferable. The ELC to Prep deposit is non-refundable and is applied to Prep fees the following year.
- Written notice of one full term must be provided to the Principal when withdrawing a student before the end of an academic year. If required notice is not provided, one full term's school fees will be charged. Students who receive Scholarships must remain enrolled until the agreed completion date; if a student leaves early the family may be obliged to repay any tuition fee discounts granted under the Scholarship Agreement. Overdue accounts may result in withdrawal requests or restriction from participating in optional activities until accounts are brought up to date.
- Where accounts are handed to debt collection, parents/guardians are liable for all costs including legal and collection fees.

Late payments and penalties

- A late payment administration charge of AUD 100 per instalment may be applied for instalments not paid by the due date. Students with overdue instalments may be prevented from attending voluntary camps or tours and families may be asked to withdraw children where fees remain outstanding. Legal recovery costs may be charged where matters are referred for collection.
Academics

St Margaret's Berwick Grammar teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Junior School uses the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). Specialist programs include learning two languages (French and Mandarin) alongside music, information literacy, art and more. The Senior School (Years 7–12) provides a broad curriculum with core subjects such as English, Health/Physical Education, Humanities, Languages (Chinese or French), Mathematics and Performing Arts, plus Science and a wide range of electives. Years 10–12 follow the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with Units 1–4, and some VCE units may be offered off-campus via cross-campus arrangements. The Odyssey Year 9 Leadership and Character Development program runs into Year 10, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award program provides leadership experiences. A Careers/outcomes and university focus supports progression to tertiary study, with cross-campus pathways expanding subject choices.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes.

Exam Results
Class of 2025 VCE Results: Duces of 2025 are Bridie Craig and Kiara Gunasekara (ATAR 99.25) and Oliver Pinnock (ATAR 96.2). Three students achieved an ATAR of 99+; 17% achieved 95+; 39% achieved 90+. 100% of students passed the VCE and 95% received offers from their top 3 course preferences.

Higher Education Progression
2025 graduates had 95% of students receiving offers from their top 3 course preferences. Fields of study include Science (17%), Law (14%), Management/Business/Commerce (13%), Health (11%), Education (10%), Society/Culture (10%), Information Technology (7%), Architecture/Construction (4%), Engineering (4%), Psychology (4%). Tertiary destinations include Australian Catholic University, ANU, Bond University, Collarts, Deakin University, Monash University, Melbourne University, RMIT, Swinburne University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, and Victoria University, among others.

Gifted and Talented
ASPIRE provides support and INSPIRE provides extension for students in the Learning Diversity program; the Junior School Learning Diversity department serves Prep to Year 6 with ASPIRE (support) and INSPIRE (extension).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides high-quality wellbeing programs that integrate pastoral care with academic progress. The Wellbeing program is anchored by the House System, which provides longitudinal pastoral support to students throughout St Margaret's Berwick Grammar journey. Through House and Mentor programs, every student has a designated teacher who is directly responsible for their wellbeing, supported by Heads of House and the Head of Wellbeing as part of a wider network of wellbeing staff. The program links academics, athleticism, artistry and adventure to progressively build relationships, strengths, purposes and resilience from a wellbeing and educational perspective. The Wellbeing team includes Directors of Academic Growth, school psychologists, and international student coordinators, with assemblies contributing to wellbeing and a program that is age-appropriate. The 5c's of Wellbeing—Communication, Community, Care, Connection and Curriculum—shape the approach, and the Growing Good Men program sits within this framework.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Junior School Learning Diversity department supports identified learning needs with ASPIRE for support and INSPIRE for extension, providing personalised learning from Prep to Year 6. Staff work with classroom teachers, specialist teachers and Learning Assistants to tailor learning to individual needs and to stretch students' learning. Learning Diversity staff differentiate learning across all subject areas and enhance communication between students, parents, teachers and external agencies. They also write Individual Education Plans and undertake internal school assessments in English and Mathematics as required. Learning Diversity is a shared responsibility, with a commitment to knowing students and equipping them to reach their personal summit of success.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
If required, students enrol in the English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) with a School‑selected provider, and evidence of enrolment is provided to St Margaret's Berwick Grammar. On completion of ELICOS, the school may request that the student extend their studies at the ELICOS provider or enrol in additional English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes upon commencement. Students are allocated approximately two EAL study sessions with a qualified teacher during a fortnightly study cycle, with the cost of the EAL program detailed in the International Fees.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed as part of the wellbeing program. The Senior Boys Wellbeing Program aims to nurture and guide students to discover the best version of themselves, informed by the latest research and tailored to the needs of adolescents. The program brings together pastoral care and academic progress, with the House System providing longitudinal support and a designated teacher for wellbeing. The wellbeing framework includes Directors of Academic Growth, two school psychologists, international student coordinators, assemblies, and a structured framework that includes the school's 5c's of wellbeing: Communication, Community, Care, Connection and Curriculum. The Growing Good Men program is integrated into the wellbeing strategy.

Safeguarding
St Margaret's Berwick Grammar provides a Child Safe and Wellbeing Policy, emphasising safety and wellbeing as the primary concerns and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on child abuse. The policy commits to providing a child-safe environment where children feel safe and their voices are heard, with particular attention to Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities or vulnerabilities, international students, and LGBTIQ+ students. The policy applies to all members of the School Community, including staff, council, volunteers, contractors and visitors, across all settings including excursions, camps, online environments and international student contexts. It aligns with safeguarding standards and outlines reporting obligations and duty of care responsibilities; Appendix 1 of the policy applies the standards at SMBG. The policy reflects the School's safeguarding commitments and the inclusive safety framework for all students.
Parent Experience

History
St Margaret's Berwick Grammar began as St Margaret's School for Girls, founded in 1926 by Dora Gipson in the Toorak Presbyterian Church manse, and named for Queen Margaret of Scotland. The school moved to Malvern in 1927 and purchased the Berwick campus in 1929, opening at Berwick in 1930 with Campbell House as a boarding house. In 1941 the school consolidated onto a single Berwick campus, and in 1947 it was purchased by parents and Old Girls; the school was incorporated and a School Council was established in 1948. In 2009 a purpose-built boys' campus, Berwick Grammar, was established on Tivendale Road, Officer, to support growth and sporting facilities. In 2021 the two schools were formally brought together as St Margaret's Berwick Grammar, with a Diamond Education Model and a new visual identity.

Community
St Margaret's Berwick Grammar has a broad community framework including an Old Girls and Boys Association with over 2,000 life members. The Old Girls and Boys Association provides a link for former students to maintain friendships and participate in social activities. The St Margaret's Berwick Grammar Foundation coordinates philanthropy across the school community. News and Podcasts share school happenings, and the House Jog-a-thon is held as a community fundraising event for the Junior School.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents' and Friends' Association is active and growing and runs a range of social and fundraising events. Mothers' Day Stalls and a Mothers' Day Lunch are held, with Chantelle Baxter as guest speaker. The Mothers' Day Lunch was sponsored by Peake Real Estate. The SMS and BGS Presentation Ball is hosted at The International Brighton, and a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle runs at Bunnings in Pakenham. The Second Hand Uniform Shop operates with volunteers to support families. The Twilight Fair is held every two years, with a Twilight Family Movie Night on the alternate year, and additional events include Fathers' Day Stalls, a Wine Night, a Dad's Breakfast, a Car Show and a Trash and Treasure Car Boot Sale; volunteers are encouraged to attend meetings.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has facilities that support learning from Early Learning to Year 12. Classrooms are equipped with technological tools and an individual laptop and device program enhances learning. The facilities include Rosanove Auditorium, a Performing Arts School, an Art and Design Technology Centre, and a High-Performance Centre. There are gymnasiums, sporting ovals, a VCE Centre, specialty science labs, food technology kitchens, and extensive libraries to support a broad curriculum.

Sports Facilities
Gymnasiums and sporting ovals are available for a range of team and individual sports. The High-Performance Centre provides dedicated training and facilities for athletic development. Outdoor ovals support field sports and PE activities. The facilities support sport and physical education across the school.

Academic Facilities
Rosanove Auditorium, Art and Design Technology Centre, and VCE Centre form core academic facilities. Specialty science labs and food technology kitchens support science and culinary subjects. Libraries are extensive. Classrooms are equipped with technological tools and the school operates an individual laptop and device program.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Performing Arts and Music offers co-curricular performance opportunities. There is an instrumental music program and an ensemble program including Junior Orchestra, Junior Vocal Ensembles and Choirs, and Junior School Productions. Private tuition is available from specialist music teachers. Artistry provides opportunities across art, design, dance, debating, drama and music.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers an extensive range of co-curricular activities beyond the classroom. These opportunities include extensive academic enrichment programs, Drama, Music, Debating, and participation in sports carnivals and weekly competitions. The Year 9 Odyssey Leadership and Character Development Program provides leadership development and culminates in Year 10. The Odyssey program includes the Duke of Edinburgh Awards pathway with community service components.

Arts & Creative
The Arts program offers a broad Co-Curricular Arts menu: printing, painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, woodwork, and design, plus debating. The Performing Arts and Music program provides an instrumental music program and an ensemble program, with private tuition available. The Junior Orchestra, Junior Vocal Ensembles and Choirs, and Junior School Productions are among co-curricular opportunities.

Cultural & Language
Chinese and French are offered as languages within core studies. Global opportunities and cross-campus electives provide cultural exposure and field experiences. The Mungo/Central Australia Cultural and Community Service Journey is an optional cultural journey, and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards include a community service component.

Social & Hobbies
Pupils can choose from a range of activities including Music and Performing Arts, Chess Club, Bricks for Kids, robotics, and Writers Club. These activities extend beyond the classroom and are designed to foster community, belonging and personal development. The program also includes cross-campus electives and curiosity pods to broaden interests.

Community & Service
Mungo/Central Australia Cultural and Community Service Journey is an optional cultural journey with a community service component. The Duke of Edinburgh Awards are integrated into the program and include community service elements.

Leadership & Professional
The Year 9 Odyssey Leadership and Character Development Program leads students in leadership and personal development, culminating in Year 10. It focuses on organisation, independence, curiosity, goal setting, and leadership, supported by cross-campus elective opportunities and global experiences.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A broad physical education program and sport offering includes specialist sports staff, basketball, cricket, netball, soccer, softball, tee-ball, and tennis, with carnivals such as Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming. Health and Physical Education are part of core studies, and many co-curricular options supplement the sports program. Activities outside class include Music and Performing Arts, plus clubs like Chess Club and Writers Club that promote wellbeing through creativity and social engagement.
Languages

Language Provision
French and Chinese (Mandarin) are taught. In the Junior School, two languages (French and Mandarin) are offered as specialist programs under the IB Primary Years Programme. In the Senior School, languages are available as core subjects with Chinese or French in Years 7–10, and in Years 11–12 Chinese Second Language and Chinese or French are available as part of the VCE.
Admissions

Admissions
Online Enrolment Application begins the admissions process. The school is open entry and enrolls students throughout the year at all year levels, with main intakes at the start of the academic year in Early Learning (3-year-olds), Prep, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 10; there is no cut‑off. Expressions of interest are encouraged early, and current intakes include 2026, 2027 and 2028. Applicants must provide birth certificate, immunisation history statement for applications to ELC–Year 6, latest school reports, and visa documents if applicable; AEAS test results are required for English language entrants to Year 5 and above. An entrance interview with a senior staff member occurs when a place becomes available. Offers are typically sent about one week after the interview (two to three weeks after assessments for scholarship candidates), and acceptance requires signing the Offer, paying the Enrolment Confirmation fee and submitting required forms. Joining information is provided in the term before entry and joining details appear on the parent portal; tours and personal visits can be booked.

Scholarships
St Margaret's Berwick Grammar offers merit and means-tested scholarships. General Excellence Scholarships are available for Years 8–11; expressions of interest for 2027 are open. These scholarships support new students who would not otherwise attend SMBG and who demonstrate strong alignment with the 4 As (Academics, Athleticism, Artistry, Adventure). The remission amount varies according to need and availability; applications involve Apply and Interview. Academic scholarships (open in 2027 for 2029) and other categories (Music, Dance, Art and Design, Sport) have specific eligibility, audition/portfolio requirements and may be closed in some years; 2026 opportunities closed on 12 October 2026. Timelines for scholarship processing span from early March (open) to late June (offers). Register your interest for 2027 Scholarships; 2026 process includes milestones from March to June with offers in late June.

Waitlist
Waiting List: After receipt of a completed enrolment application, the child's application is added to the waitlist for the nominated year level based on the date of submission. Priority is given by date of application, then by sibling of a current student, then by children and grandchildren of old girls and boys. All joining students have an entrance interview with a senior staff member. If an offer is made, there is a 14‑day acceptance window. Offers are typically sent about a week after the interview; scholarship candidates may receive offers two to three weeks after assessments.
School Events
The school has not added events
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