History

Malvern Primary School

Malvern PS, opened in 1884, is located in the south-eastern Melbourne suburb of Malvern and is part of the SAGE network of government schools in the South Eastern Victorian Region. The school was fully accredited as a member of the Council of International Schools in 2007. The accreditation framework and statements of philosophy and objectives has provided a strong basis for ongoing school improvement during the review period.

A comprehensive and enriching learning environment is provided for all students. The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum (AusVELS), with priority given to the development of Literacy and Numeracy skills. Horizontal curriculum planning throughout the school is a strength, and the vertical integration of the curriculum across all curriculum areas and grade levels is well advanced. The learning program is complimented by specialist programs in Visual Arts, Languages Other Than English (LOTE- Mandarin was introduced in 2012 at the Prep level), Library, Physical Education, eLearning, Music, Drama and the provision of learning support through Special Needs and Extension activities. Since becoming an internationally accredited school, efforts have been made to ensure programs reflect an integrated and broader understanding of international and intercultural elements.
Malvern Primary students on exchange at our sister school Youfu West Street Primary school.

Nanjing Youfu West Street PS in China

A sister school relationship has been established with Nanjing Youfu West Street PS in China and exchange visits by students and staff take place annually.

The learning program is further enriched through the use of classroom-based technologies, including the use of interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, desktop computers and netbooks. A 1:1 netbook program has been established for students in Grades 4, 5 & 6.

A breadth of extra-curricular activities, cultural experiences, excursions, incursions and camps is also provided, ensuring a vibrant and engaging learning environment that supports all students in reaching their full potential. The school is currently structured on 29 straight grades, with grade-level coordinators at each year level.

The school site includes three adventure playgrounds, two tennis courts, three artificial turf areas and a Rec Centre. A significant proportion of the school grounds, known as Penpraze Park, are a shared facility with the City of Stonnington. The grounds and facilities are neat and well maintained and provide a variety of spaces for both active and passive play and access to shaded areas.

The buildings are many and varied, ranging from three heritage listed buildings, permanent classroom structures and relocatable units that provide spaces for all aspects of the schools operations, classroom accommodation and numerous offices and storage spaces. A number of the school’s facilities reflect usage as a secondary school (Malvern Girls High School relocated in 1993), in particular the very large gymnasium which provides an excellent venue for a range of school programs and events. A multi – million dollar Building the Education Revolution (BER) grant greatly benefited the school in significantly improving the facilities available to the school community.

A new four classroom block was constructed. The refurbished Paul Collier Building provides six classrooms, two cooperative learning spaces, a community room, languages and withdrawal rooms, two flexible learning spaces, kitchen and toilet facilities. The school is about to embark on a $3.9 million maintenance and capital works program.