About
Welcome to Macedon Primary School
I am delighted to step into the role of Principal at Macedon Primary School, where I am eager to contribute to our community’s growth and success. With over twenty-five years of experience in education, I am committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
Macedon Primary School, nestled at the base of Mount Macedon, holds a special place in our hearts. With a rich history spanning almost 150 years, we have been dedicated to providing top-notch educational experiences for our students. Our passionate teaching and support staff bring expertise and dedication to ensure that each child achieves their full potential.
Our school embraces a culture of high expectations, guided by our motto, “caring, sharing, learning.” We believe in creating a supportive community where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. Our close-knit teams of educators work collaboratively, not only within their classrooms but also in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). In these PLCs, teachers engage in ongoing professional development, sharing best practices, analysing student data, and refining instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of our students.
One of the unique features of Macedon Primary School is our stunning natural environment. Middle Gully Reserve, a lush bushland reserve adjacent to our school, serves as an outdoor classroom where students immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences. From exploring local flora and fauna to participating in environmental initiatives, our students develop a deep appreciation for nature while enhancing their academic skills.
In addition to our strong academic focus, we place a significant emphasis on holistic development. Our extensive camping and outdoor education program provides students with opportunities to develop teamwork, responsibility, and resilience while forging lifelong memories and friendships.
At Macedon Primary School, we value the partnership between our school and parents. Together, we create a supportive network that ensures the success and well-being of every child. I am excited to collaborate with each family and continue building upon the strong foundation of excellence that defines Macedon Primary School.
I look forward to meeting and working closely with all families who become part of our vibrant Macedon Primary School community.
Warm regards,
Andrew Bloomfield
Principal
School Profile
Macedon Primary School is located 60 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and serves the semi-rural community of Macedon. Established in 1869, the school maintains a current enrolment of 242 students and draws additional enrolments from nearby postcodes predominately from south of Woodend. In recent years, Macedon has experienced a slow and steady increase in young families moving into the area. There is a considerable level of parent participation in various aspects of the school with the school special outdoor education and environmental activities well supported.
Currently, there are 24 staff members; a principal, 10 full-time teachers, 8 part-time teachers and 6 part-time educational support, comprising of 3 integration aides and 3 office staff. The part time teachers provide specialist programs in Art, Physical Education, STEM, Forest School, Social and Emotional Learning and Literacy/Numeracy support. The Leadership team comprises of the Principal and 2 Leading Teachers who drive the improvement agenda for all aspects of the curriculum (teaching, learning and assessment practices), whilst staff work in Professional learning Teams (PLTs) to collectively plan the programs that support student academic, social, emotional and physical growth. The principal also works collectively with School Council to foster a community approach to educating the students, holding a shared belief that building learning communities is the best approach. Macedon Primary has a collective commitment to growing the whole child.
The school motto, “Caring, Learning, Sharing”, encapsulates the ethos of the school community and the following mission statement underpins the strategic direction and decisions that are made to improve the School as a learning community:
To provide comprehensive and innovative programs to enable our children to reach their full potential and to equip them with the skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners. To develop in children a sense of resilience and the ability to value themselves and others. To encourage the qualities of initiative, persistence and excellence to be successful in an ever changing world.
The school values outline the behaviours and attitude we hope to see in all members of the school community to foster the ideal learning environment for the students:
Respect: Showing care for yourself, others, property and the environment
Responsibility: Being accountable for your words and actions
Creativity: Producing original ideas and using your imagination
Integrity: Being honest, sincere and trustworthy
Teamwork: Working together and learning collaboratively
The school is fully committed to the KidsMatter framework being a proactive initiative focusing on children’s mental health and wellbeing; the school values are a crucial element of the KidsMatter whole school approach.
The school offers an attractive and engaging learning environment with the school undergoing a refurbishment (admin areas) and rebuild (classrooms) in 2003. The well maintained grounds include an adventure track, various climbing equipment and oval for active play, as well as numerous passive play areas including a dry creek bed and multiple sand pits. Middle Gully is a 1.6 hectare environmental reserve across the road, which boasts a solar powered eco-shed, vegetable and herb gardens, chook pen, dam and wetlands. The reserve is the key resource for the school’s focus on environnmental and outdoor education.
Environmental education and sustainability are embedded in the curriculum through regular hands-on learning activities, grade level study topics and a kitchen garden program. Long term scientific investigations focusing on local flora, fauna and natural resources are also being developed. A weekly parent based Landcare program supports the Middle Gully Environmental initiatives. There is a strong emphasis on outdoor education involving camping in tents, hiking, bike riding and orienteering. These activities are aligned with the school based camping program from Foundation to Year 6 where they explore the local landscape on bushwalks and bike rides in the older grades. Students in years 3-6 attend external camps in locations throughout Victoria providing more outdoor educational experiences and opportunities to study contrasting environments in great depth.
The school offers a range of extra-curricular activities including instrumental music tuition in keyboard on Mondays and Guitar on Fridays. These user pay programs are utilised by many families from Grade 1 upwards. School Council operate an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service with both the before and after care programs becoming more popular in recent years as families juggle the challenge of work-family commitments.
Macedon Primary is a community school, not just in words but in the attitudes, actions and values we endeavour to uphold with everyone, every day.
Staff
Principal & Admin
Classroom Teachers
Mr Barry Van Weeghel
Disability inclusion / Specialist SEL teacher
Jedda
School assistance dog
Specialists
Student Support / Intervention
Reports Plans & Policies
Annual Report
Policies
Administration Of Medication Policy
Child Safety And Wellbeing Policy
Collection Statement Primary School
Digital Learning (Internet, Social Media And Digital Devices)
Electronic Funds Management Policy
Parent Payments Letter To Parents
Personal Property Policy Students
Photographing, Filming And Recording Students Policy
Physical Activity & Healthy Eating Policy
Policy Review & Communication Policy
Privacy Policy (External Link – Updated by DET)
Statement Of Values And School Philosophy
Student Wellbeing And Engagement Policy
OSHC
Welcome to the Macedon Primary School Combined Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service. We aim to provide your child/ren with care of the highest possible standard within a safe, secure and stimulating environment.
In response to the community needs of the Macedon area, Macedon Primary School Council in 1988 established and now operates a Combined Out of School Hours (OSHC) Service. The Service incorporates Before School Care and After School Care.
The Service operates to provide a high quality primary school-aged care in a safe, enjoyable and caring environment. It is provided at minimal cost and enables parents to pursue options leading to employment, training, recreation and the pursuit of personal interests. The Service includes a wide variety of activities that are prepared and implemented in a friendly environment, which accounts for children’s social, emotional, intellectual, language, physical and creative needs. In this way the Service endeavors to complement the school’s activities and be consistent with the school’s policies and practices.
Vicki Leening is the Coordinator for the Before School and After School program. The program runs from 7:00am – 8:45am, the after school program runs from 3:30pm – 6:30pm and staff remain until the last child is picked up.
All families planning on using our Service need to complete a OSHC Enrolment Form for all new students. Students previously enrolled in our service will complete an OSHC Enrolment Form Update each year which is emailed out in the November of the previous year. It is very important to have current contact numbers and people listed who are authorised to collect child/ren. Bookings are then made through the Coordinators during the program or during school hours by telephoning the office on 5426 1518 or emailing oshp@macedonps.vic.edu.au, and can be either on a permanent or casual basis.
The program comes under the Education and Care National Regulations 2011, and Education and Care National Law 2010, and works within the OSHC National Framework.
Each week a program plan is displayed in the Communication Book with a broad outline of activities. Child initiated activities are an important part of our program and are noted on the plan as they happen.
Breakfast is available at Before School Care.
At After School a healthy two course afternoon tea is provided
The snack is varied and where possible children’s preferences are included;
A plate of seasonal fruit/vegetables is offered.
Staff are hands-on and build a trusting relationship with your child/ren. Our objective is to have an environment the children feel welcome and comfortable in. Your input as parents is very important to us and we welcome any involvement or suggestions.
The staff are looking forward to getting to know your family and particularly your child/ren during the year.
