Showcasing our schools
In the Education State, every child can get the best possible education.
Our public schools offer:
- excellent teaching and learning
- safe and welcoming environments
- access to modern school facilities
- support for every child and young person to learn and be engaged.
Here are just some of the stories about the people, places, learning and communities that make our public schools great.
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
Students at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) love having the opportunity to combine their performing arts passions with classroom studies.
Students and parents love the school for its amazing teachers, live-streamed and in-person concerts for their school community, and a focus on wellbeing.
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Ocean Grove Primary School
Environmental sustainability is a huge part of life at Ocean Grove Primary School.
The ResourceSmart School tries to have as many sustainable aspects to learning and school life as possible.
This includes initiatives to reduce water and electricity usage, encourage recycling and composting and a garden where students learn about biodiversity.
'Our community love anything to do with sustainability,' said Principal Scott McCumber.
'Being 600 metres from the beautiful Ocean Grove Beach on Wadawurrung Country, they want to look after this environment.'
Through the Greener Government Schools initiative, the school was able to add solar panels to their buildings, adding renewable energy to their sustainability teaching.
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Preston South Primary School
Staff at Preston South Primary School inspire students to achieve their personal best in a respectful and cooperative environment.
Hear from parents and teachers about what they love most about their school. This includes the culture, facilities, teaching, wellbeing and inclusion programs and a great school community.
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Glen Eira College
A unique science immersion program at Glen Eira College sees students from years 7-9 learn science in Japanese.
The program combines language and science studies while building cultural connections for students and teachers.
'We’ve got very multicultural staff as well as students,' said Science Immersion Teacher Karen Muramatsu.
'Everyone’s proud of where they come from and what kind of languages they can speak, and very keen to explore different languages.'
The college was recognised for their program at the 2024 Victorian Education Excellence Awards, winning the Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award.
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Footscray High School
Opportunities for creativity and hands-on experience are just some of the things that make Footscray High School great.
Students passionate about art, design and technology benefit from specialist facilities at the school.
They even have a farm where students learn about sustainability, horticulture and environmental science.
The school runs a tutor program with school alumni as well as an accelerated program for high achievers.
Parent Phillipa said the school had been great at tailoring programs for her daughter’s passions and needs, for example offering an accelerated theatre studies program.
'There’s a lot of options,' Phillipa said.
'I feel like she can actually do what she wants at the school and is encouraged to aim high while being herself.'
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Mooroopna Primary School
Community, teamwork and a focus on strong oral language skills are some of the things that make Mooroopna Primary School great.
The school shares a site with Mooroopna Children and Families Centre and Our Place, giving families easier access to education, health and community services.
The school saw some children needed extra support with speech and language and teamed up with these services and the school community to help.
They created the Mooroopna Oral Language initiative, which supports children to get help early and be ready for school by:
- screening children for oral language development at 3-years-old
- giving a 2-year window for children to get extra help before starting school
- building in language development as part of daily teaching
- giving educators help from an on-site speech pathologist
- hosting activities, like story time sessions, designed run by families, teachers and health workers.
In 2025, the school and their partners received a Continuity of Early Learning award at the Victorian Early Years Awards.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open, visit Victorian Early Years Awards for details.
To read more about Mooroopna Primary School and other VEYA winners, visit: Winners of the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards | vic.gov.au
Bairnsdale Secondary College
Whether they are playing lawn bowls, table tennis or soccer, Bairnsdale Secondary students show courage, respect and teamwork on and off the field.
The college won the Spirit of Sport Award at the 2025 Victorian School Sports Awards. They were recognised for playing fair, looking after injured teammates and showing kindness to opponents.
Principal Tony Roberts said the school aimed to exemplify the Bairnsdale community’s deep commitment to ‘having a go’.
'The spirit of sport is more important than the result,' Tony said.
'It reflects who we are and what we stand for, and we look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for all students to get involved in sporting activities and build the resilience.'
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Balwyn High School
Students and parents at Balwyn High School say they value the school’s approach to balancing student wellbeing and academic excellence.
Clubs, sports, art programs and an accelerated learning program help stretch and challenge students in the classroom and beyond.
At the same time, social and emotional learning lessons, disability inclusion and intervention programs help support students.
Student Nethmi said she appreciated the wellbeing support programs at school, particularly the wellbeing centre.
'Students are welcome to come any time to talk to a counsellor or therapist or even if they just want to come have a chat at recess or lunch,' Nethmi said.
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