About Us

Principal message

Welcome to Banum Warrik Primary School

It is with great joy and gratitude that I welcome you to Banum Warrik Primary School.

I wish to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians on the land on which Banum Warrik Primary School stands – the Wurundjeri lands of the Woi-wurrung people.

 

We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations People. We thank them for enriching our nation with their diverse language, rich culture and inherent connection to Country.

Banum Warrik Primary School resides within the Cloverton estate in Kalkallo and is located along the Hume Freeway, 50km north of Melbourne. It is part of the North-West Victoria Region (NWVR).

Our school is built on four pillars: Values, Diversity, Inclusion and Community. Together, we have the power to create positive change, foster meaningful connections, and uplift each other. By building relationships and listening to one another, we develop our understanding and acceptance of each other for who we are. We come together as a diverse and vibrant group, united by the shared knowledge that everyone belongs, and everyone is valued. Let us embrace our diversity and celebrate the richness it brings to our community.

We are bound by the values of respect, resilience, integrity, and authenticity, and it’s by living these values every day that makes our community truly exceptional.

Our school vision, reflects the belief that every individual has the potential to be their best self and achieve success. We strive to create an environment that fosters a love of learning, encourages personal growth, and inspires excellence in all aspects of school life. Our aim is to make this vision truly meaningful and lived by all.

I hope you’re able to spend some time navigating our website and find out more about what our school has to offer.

I look forward to meeting you.

Take care. Stay safe.

Anthony Potesta
Principal

Name

Banum Warrik Primary School (pronounced bar-num warr-rik), are Woi-wurrung words meaning grassy plains.

In March 2023, the Victorian Government announced that Aboriginal language names would be the preference for new schools opening from 2025 onwards. This initiative was to further promote Aboriginal self-determination, language, and culture across the state. The initiative was brought forward for the 2024 new schools’ naming program.

The preferred new school names were chosen in collaboration with Geographic Names Victoria and Traditional Owner groups. A two-week community consultation process took place, which received over 7,000 submissions.

Vision

Every individual has the potential to be their best self and achieve success. We strive to create an environment that fosters a love of learning, encourages personal growth, and inspires excellence in all aspects of school life.

Motto

Embracing Diversity, Supporting Inclusion, Striving for Excellence

Mission

To provide a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where individuals can achieve their full potential. We are committed to delivering high-quality educational opportunities that foster critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Objective

To empower individuals to become responsible, compassionate, and engaged citizens, who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Values

Banum Warrik Primary School’s values are Respect, Resilience, Integrity and Authenticity.

Respect

We teach students the importance of Respect by understanding what it means to have respect for self, for others and for the environment – in the school and within the community.

Resilience

Developing Resilience is important in helping students to persevere when faced with challenges and understand that developing a productive disposition is a way to develop strong habits for learning.

Integrity

Teaching and modelling Integrity will allow students to better understand right from wrong and create an environment where students are trusted to do what is right and just.

Authenticity

Above all, we will support students to be proud of who they are and to understand what it means to be true to their Authentic self.

Our values will be explicitly taught and scaffolded across each year level to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of our values as they grow and mature through school.

Learning Spaces

Dingo Dens and Learning Burrows

Our school has indigenous design features such as our name and a Yarning Circle. The architects also included indigenous animals in the design features across the school.
Our outdoor paths have embedded footprints of the bandicoot, dingo, emu, eastern grey kangaroo and eagle, used as directions to move around the school.
Following this theme, we decided to link the main learning spaces with the chosen animal. Our learning areas are called: Bandicoot Learning Burrow and Dingo Learning Den. The classrooms are referred to as ‘Burrows’ and ‘Dens’ as it forms part of the habitat for each animal.

School House Names

Warin | Wombat

The Wombat is a strong and determined animal, known for its bravery and resilience. Once a wombat sets its mind on something, it will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Wombats are also incredibly resilient animals. They have survived in Australia for millions of years despite droughts, bushfires, and other natural disasters. This resilience is a symbol of Australia’s ability to bounce back from adversity.

Green symbolises growth, renewal, and the ability to bounce back.

Gurrng-Gurrng | Kookaburra

The Kookaburra commands respect within Aboriginal traditions. It is said that to laugh back at the Kookaburra, or to harass or insult this bird, might bring misfortune. One legend even states that a child who mocks the Kookaburra will grow crooked teeth as punishment.

Red symbolises love, admiration, courage and respect.

Gurrborra | Koala

The Koala symbolises calmness and a connection to nature. Koalas have a strong sense of intuition, symbolizing the need to trust one’s instincts and inner wisdom.

Orange symbolises the ability to stand out as who you want to be.

Gawan | Echidna

The Echidna remains grounded at all times. One legend claims the Echidna is strong, being able to lift stones far larger than itself so it can dig to find truth and meaning. The Echidna represents honesty with yourself and with others to resolves issues, to learn from them and avoid greediness for a greater good.

Blue symbolises trust, honesty, and dependability.