About BNPS
Principal’s Message
On behalf of the Bayswater North Primary School community, I would like to welcome you to our school.
My name is Meredith Graunke, although most people know me as ‘Sam’ – a nickname my older sister gave me. It’s a little confusing but people get used to it quickly. I am incredibly proud to be the Principal of Bayswater North PS, a school with a 100 year history and connection to the Bayswater community.
Bayswater North PS, in the Maroondah district, has extensive grounds with a beautiful natural outlook and plenty of green spaces and native gardens. The children at Bayswater North Primary School enjoy two grassy ovals, a full-sized gym, basketball and netball courts, hall and a variety of shaded playgrounds and sandpits. Over the past century, Bayswater North Primary School has played a pivotal role in our community, providing generations of students with quality education and a strong sense of belonging.
At Bayswater North PS, we are committed to fostering our students’ curiosity and love of learning, and place a strong emphasis on promoting and developing student well being. Alongside a strong foundation in English and Mathematics, our students engage in a broad and integrated educational program that includes Science and STEM, The Humanities, and Geography. In addition, students engage weekly with specialist classes for Indonesian, Performing Arts, Health & Physical Education and Visual Arts.
We pride ourselves on connecting with families, and working in partnership to bring about the best possible outcomes for our students. Parent support and involvement in our school is highly valued, whether it be through helping in classrooms with reading, attending whole school events or joining our School Council and sub-committees.
Our school values have recently been reviewed, and with input from students, teaching staff and parents we are excited to identify our values as Connection, Respect and Perseverance. These values represent who we are and how we operate. At BNPS you are part of something bigger than yourself, your unique qualities are valued and respected, and we will work together to reach our goals no matter how challenging.
I welcome prospective families to contact the school and arrange a tour to see for yourselves all we have to offer.
Our Values
The following core values reflect the beliefs that we hold about how children learn, how our school will operate and how we relate to one another in order to become effective citizens.
CONNECTION
We support teamwork, and the goals of a group ahead of personal goals. Being part of a bigger community gives us meaning and a sense of purpose.
RESPECT
We respect one another’s right to safety and dignity at school. We will speak to each other with calmness, politeness and civility.
PERSEVERANCE
We recognise that learning is hard, but we can reach our learning goals with the guidance of our teachers and the support of our friends.
Chaplaincy
The core business of schools is to educate young people towards becoming competent, resilient and successful members of society. In this aim to develop the whole person, schools provide members of their community with a variety of support services along with educational opportunities.
One distinctly unique and valuable contribution to the life of any school is through a chaplaincy program funded by the Commonwealth Government. School chaplains are involved in pastorally caring for the whole school community, providing a presence and building positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders including Eastern Access Community Health, Anglicare and Child First. In this way, a school chaplain becomes part of the fabric of the school community, pastorally caring for those in need, modelling positive relationships and implementing proactive programs. A chaplain also encourages involvement between the wider community and the school community as both groups work together towards positive outcomes for our young people.
Alan Silverwood is Bayswater North Primary School’s chaplain. He is at the school two days a week (Wednesday and Thursday), providing support to a wide range of students and their families. To speak with Alan, you can call the school to set up a time.
Student Wellbeing & Positive Education
At Bayswater North Primary School, we have a dual focus on student learning and wellbeing.
We use a structured two year cycle based on the PERMA+ model from positive psychology to explicitly teach concepts and skills that support students to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote mindfulness, encourage a healthy lifestyle and support our students academically.
Specifically, we have embedded the URStrong Friendology program across the school to teach the language and strategies students need to establish friendships and sustain positive relationships with peers.
For further information regarding Positive Psychology and the resources utlised by Bayswater North, please visit the websites linked below.
Through teaching these valuable life skills, Bayswater North Primary School provides its students with an increased capacity to learn effectively, as well as offering them a strong foundation on which they can build a successful life.
Accreditations & Policies
Staff
School Leadership Team
Principal
Sam (Meredith) Graunke
Inclusive Education / Well Being Learning Specialist
Katie Riley
Classroom Teachers
Prep – Yr 2 Team
Samantha Tyrrell, Mary Holland, Beth Wilton, Maria Aloizos, Liz Demarte
3/4Team
Sandra Gray, Cate Cordeux, Caroline Akaruru
5/6 Team
Melissa Billson, Katie Riley, Janelle Sharkey, Steph Parsons, Carly Baker
Specialist Teachers
L.O.T.E. – Indonesian
Mary-Ellen Dowling
Physical Education
Scott Hannah
Visual Arts
Ebony Dijk
Performing Arts
Mariel Koroibulu
Literacy Tutor
Narelle Cox
Educational Support Staff
Narelle Cox, Cathy Reid, Cathy Duck, Michelle Ceccomancini, Lauren Demarte, Rachelle Ingwersen, Ryan Henry, Teresea Parks, Ana Novaceanu, Emma Horne, Tegan Annells, Kirstie Murphy
School Chaplain
Alan Silverwood
Administrative Staff
Business Manager
Donna Eichinski
Administration Support
Debbie Brown, Tegan Annells
I.T. Technician
Joseph Dowsett
Student Voice & Leadership
Student Voice & Agency
All students are empowered to learn and achieve, experiencing high quality teaching practice and the best conditions for learning which equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning and shaping the world around them.
Victoria’s vision for learning (Department of Education and Training, 2018)
Victoria’s vision for learning recognises the fundamental importance of empowering students and the contribution that student voice, agency and leadership make to improved student outcomes, health and wellbeing.
At Bayswater North PS we use student voice to guide decision making for certain aspects of the curriculum and extra curricular opportunities. Students’ ideas are heard and acted on, and this both empowers students and builds confidence and engagement with daily school life.
Student Leadership
At Bayswater North, we offer many opportunities for students to take a leading role in our school.
We have an extensive senior student leadership team, comprising of School Captains, House Captains, Well Being Leaders and several other roles.
We also believe that students can lead from any point within the school, and that they do not need to wear a badge for this. Examples of this can be found in our Prep/Yr 6 Buddy Program and our Playground Ninja teams.
The Junior School Council (JSC) at Bayswater North Primary School consists of one student representative in each class from grades 3-6. It is an important platform that seeks to build student voice and agency.
The role of the JSC is to provide a voice for the student body and to take a leadership role in implementing change, organising events, and addressing student needs. The council works to promote a spirit of cooperation and collaboration among students, teachers, and families, and to create a positive school culture and community.
The JSC members are elected by their peers and are responsible for organising activities, fundraising, and liaising with the school administration. They also provide valuable feedback and ideas to school leaders about student needs, interests, and concerns. In addition, the JSC provides an opportunity for the students to learn important leadership skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and organisational skills.
Overall, JSC plays an important role within our school community, as it allows students to have a voice in decision-making and to take an active role in shaping their school experience. Through their initiatives and actions, the council is able to make a real difference in improving the school environment for all students, and promoting a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
2023 Student Leadership Roles:
Bayswater Education Plan
The Victorian Government is transforming local education through the Bayswater Education Plan.
What is the Baywater Education Plan?
The Bayswater Education Plan (the Plan) aims to build pride and confidence in our government schools and focus on the wellbeing, engagement and achievement of all children and young people in Bayswater.
It will also provide a framework to map infrastructure needs so that our students have access to the facilities essential for them to reach their full potential.
Who is involved in the Plan?
The Plan will formally connect five local schools (one secondary and four primary).
The schools involved in the Plan include our school, Bayswater Secondary College, Bayswater Primary School, Bayswater West Primary School and Bayswater South Primary School.
The Plan continually seeks your input and the support and knowledge of the wider local community such as local industry, business, early childhood, and tertiary providers. This not only strengthens future partnerships, but ensures we capture the educational needs of our local community to deliver them in our local schools.
What is being delivered?
From the 2020-21 state-wide Planning and Acceleration fund, the Plan was allocated $500,000 in planning funding.
Additionally, Bayswater Secondary College has received $12.43m to upgrade and modernise facilities.
Schools have been working hard to support and progress the Plan. There is more work to be done, and it’s an exciting space to be in for the five schools and the wider community.
Our school, along with the other four schools in the Plan, took part in school, staff, parent and broader community engagement activities. These shared voices will steer the direction of the Plan to make sure it represents the educational needs and aspirations of our local community.
For information and updates surrounding the latest building works and the community engagement report, head to https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/schools/Pages/BayswaterEdPlan.aspx as well as the VSBA Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/VictorianSchoolBuild/
How can I get involved?
Whether a student, parent, family member, carer, staff member, educator and/or member of the local community, the Plan will benefit you. Your involvement in shaping the Plan continues to hold it accountable to ensure the highest quality education for local students.
We encourage all community members to have an active voice of the Bayswater Education Plan. It is a long-term investment and that means we need the local community to be involved in the journey to ensure the plan reflects our needs and goals. We’ll strive to keep our school community updated through our website and newsletters, or you can get in touch with us directly.
Contact
For more information on how our school is working with the Plan contact Sam Graunke (Acting Principal) or the school on 9729 1744, or by email on bayswater.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au
For more information on the broader vision and ongoing activities of the Plan contact:
Denise Kotsikas – Project Director, Bayswater Education Plan
Denise.Kotsikas@education.vic.gov.au
+61 3 7505 4308