Merri-bek Primary School

Merri-bek Primary School is situated in Coburg, which is a suburb in the inner urban north of Melbourne. The physical layout of the school is an open plan learning structure on two storeys with four main learning areas accommodating multi-age classes of Prep, Year 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. The school has a multi-purpose auditorium used for performing arts, assemblies, and physical education lessons. Our staff consists of 23 teachers (several part time) and six Educational Support Staff. We also have four administrative and maintenance staff, one Learning Specialist and two Principal Class staff. The school grounds include an artificial turf playground, a nature play courtyard with a creek running through, an adventure playground, a sandpit area, grass play surfaces and shaded passive areas with vegetable and native plant beds.

Our school promotes a set of values which empowers our students to make positive contributions to their school and the wider community.  Our school values are Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.  Our students live and learn by our value of RESPECT.

Merri-bek Primary School’s vision is to be a community of inclusive, innovative, and inspired learners. The school’s socio-economic profile based on families’ occupations and education is considered in the low band which represents high parent education level and high socio-economic advantage. The school curriculum reflects the Victorian Curriculum framework, with specialist programs in The Arts, Physical Education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and we are currently offering the Spanish language.  We also implement the Positive Education philosophy and run a Community Garden program. A range of extra-curricular activities are provided which include sport, music, lunchtime clubs, breakfast club, music program, fencing and coding. The school is in the fourteenth year of its one-to-one Apple MacBook program from Year 3 to Year 6 students.

At our school, staff work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities, to develop a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum, support the health and wellbeing of students, and challenge our students to reach their potential, wherever their starting point.

Merri-bek Primary School is a vibrant place of learning and personal growth. We expect students to do their personal best, invest effort into their learning, and take up opportunities that arise to showcase their talents, explore their interests, and continually develop new knowledge and skills.

We aspire to develop students who will thrive in the new millennium.  We understand that students need to develop greater creative thinking and problem-solving abilities and be more self-motivated than ever before. Our teachers support and guide our students to be thinkers and enquirers, who wonder and pose questions and demonstrate resilience, kindness, gratitude and empathy. 

Merri-bek Primary School is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Community is central to Merri-bek Primary School and our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement, and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

We believe in student empowerment and present many opportunities for students to develop their sense of community, agency, and leadership skills through our Student Leadership Program. We also have school captains, house captains, junior school council representatives, wellbeing leaders, sustainability leaders, courtyard captains and elected student leaders in other curriculum areas.

We value the strong sense of community that exists between staff, students, and their families. We have a dedicated School Council and Parent and Friends Association that work enthusiastically in support of our school programs and to provide opportunities for our community to come together.  We love our school and hope you enjoy your time with us.

Thank you for considering Merri-bek Primary School for your child. Please contact the office to arrange a time for a personalised tour with me. I look forward to meeting with you and showing you all the great things that we have to offer at our school.

Thank you for visiting our website and welcome to our school.

Maria Giordano

Principal