Our School
Welcome to Hamlyn Banks Primary School
We collectively thank the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of this land, for sharing this special place with us. We respect their Elders, past and present, and promise to take care of the land and each other, continuing to learn from First Peoples.
It has been my pleasure to serve as Principal of Hamlyn Banks Primary School since 2017, and I am deeply proud of the work we do with and for our community. Our vision clearly defines our purpose: to ensure students and staff are passionate learners, shaping bright futures together.
Our daily mission is to provide an outstanding education for every young person, delivered by exceptional educators. I hold a strong personal belief that when a high-expectation, high-support workplace is created, students are the ultimate beneficiaries.
Our Guiding Principles
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- We are accountable for the academic achievement and progress of every student.
- We embrace collaboration as co-labour, respectfully challenging and encouraging one another while holding high expectations.
- We measure our effectiveness through learning outcomes, not feelings or effort alone.
- We give every student our best, every day.
- We provide the support and adjustments required for all students to succeed.
- We build strong relationships and demonstrate unconditional positive regard for every student.
- We teach First Nations perspectives and history accurately, every year.
Teaching and Learning
Students at Hamlyn Banks Primary School experience explicit and responsive teaching within a well-sequenced, carefully designed curriculum. We place a strong emphasis on mastering essential literacy and numeracy skills, which form the foundation for all future learning.
Our curriculum is knowledge-rich and text-rich, enabling students to learn deeply about the world and to think critically. We prioritise the development of strong verbal communication skills, with students regularly expected to speak publicly using appropriate academic vocabulary.
Applying skills and knowledge is a key feature of our program. Students are provided with frequent opportunities to purposefully use their learning through presentations, projects, challenges and learning expos.
Student learning is closely monitored and assessed, with targeted literacy and numeracy interventions provided when needed. We are firmly committed to the learning and growth of every student.
Wellbeing and Partnerships
Alongside our robust curriculum and effective instruction, we are proud of the positive, inclusive school community we have built. Student wellbeing is a priority, and we value strong home–school partnerships, recognising parents and carers as children’s first teachers.
I invite you to book a school tour and immerse yourself in our community to experience what life is like at Hamlyn Banks Primary School.
Nigel Holloway
Proud Principal
Our Team














































School Council
President – Annabelle Citroen
Vice President – Jessie Walsdorf
Treasurer – Peter Booth
Parent Rep – Melinda Antonenko
Parent Rep – Jessica Blacksell
Parent Rep – Kerry Dickman
Parent Rep – Amy Finn
Staff Rep – Nigel Holloway
Staff Rep – Jane Preston
Staff Rep – Krystina Simpson
Frequently Asked Questions
How does HBPS encourage strong school attendance?
Glad you asked! Every child has their very own Golden Ticket, and once a month we hold a Golden Ticket Draw.
Students need to have been at school every day (appointments don’t count as an absence for this purpose) for their ticket to be in the draw.
The lucky students get to select an Attendance Award. The prizes are epic, like, hot chips for the whole grade or casual dress day for the whole school.
Does HBPS offer Out of School Hours Care?
We sure do. Kelly Club runs before, after, curriculum day and holiday care.
Visit their website for more information and to enrol your child.
We strongly recommend registering your child even if you don’t plan on using the service.
This means if for some reason, you can’t get to school at pick up time, we can sign them in to be looked after.
What are the school’s operating hours?
Morning supervision starts at 8:45am, and class starts at 9am sharp.
The school day concludes at 3:15pm and after school yard supervision ends at 3:30pm.
Students that have not been collected by this time are to be enrolled in After School Care.
How do I enrol my child?
All the information you need to enrol can be found on our ENROLMENT PAGE.
How do I know what house my child is in?
The office team will confirm your child’s house on enrollment.
Siblings are normally in the same house group.
Does my child need to wear a school uniform?
Yes – Noone is our uniform supplier.
You can purchase from their online shop.
Students can choose black school shoes or black runners.
What happens if my child is sick or gets injured at school?
The most important thing to know is that we will take good care of them.
We have a sick bay that is attended by a First Aid qualified staff member at all times.
You will receive an automated notification any time your child attends sickbay.
If we believe your child requires further medical attention, or if they have had a head knock – we will call you.
Are there programs and activities available during play times?
There most certainly is, and, they’re a blast. We run a Clubs Program. Think Hair Dressing, Coding, Lego, Chess, Art, Karaoke and boardgames.
We change the clubs up regularly so there is something new to try all the time.
Students are also welcome to visit the library to enjoy a quiet read.
Our yard features lots of other play options including two large Gaga Pits, Loose Parts Play area, table tennis table, passive play spaces, fitness equipment, a stage and more!
Sample Clubs Program
How will my child learn about First Nations histories and cultures?
Every year, each grade level engages in a Unit of Work specifically about Australia’s history, first people and cultures.
We also include First Nations’ perspectives across the curriculum.
We offer a monthly Mob Meeting – where all our First Nation’s students and families are invited to get together for a yarn.
What school camps will my child attend?
Year 3/4: Cave Hill Creek Camp
Year 5/6: Camp Kangaroobie
What Life Skills education will my child experience, in addition to the core curriculum?
We offer a range of programs including puberty education, bike education and a swimming program.
We also run targeted programs for small groups that build social skills, emotional regulation and problem solving skills.
How do I make payments and give permission for events and activities?
Compass is our one and only, go to platform.
You will download a single App and it will be your one stop shop for giving permissions, making payments, getting updates, contacting teachers, reporting absences and everything else.
How will HBPS keep me up to date on my child’s learning progress?
We take great pride in knowing exactly how every student is progressing academically.
At the start of each term, you will also get a Term Curriculum Overview.
This lets you know exactly what curriculum your child will be learning across the term.
In Terms 2 and 4 you will get a Semester Report.
This includes a comment from your child’s teacher and an achievement scale against the Victorian Curriculum.
In Terms 1 and 3 you will get a Progress Report.
This one page report lists all the assessment tasks your child has completed and their scores.
It’s colour coded so you can see precisely how your child is progressing against our expectations.

Will HBPS work with my child’s NDIS therapists team?
We sure will. We have really strong processes in place to ensure we work in partnership with therapists, whilst protecting core learning time and minimising disruption to the teaching and learning program.
How does HBPS deal with bullying?
Each term we proactively run what we call a Personal Safety Audit.
For our younger students, this is a meeting where they talk about what Bullying is and what to do about it.
Every child fills in a simple form, where they can let us know if they feel like they are being bullied.
For our older students, we run the refresher session and they then fill in a google survey.
Our students know exactly what to do if someone is being mean, unkind or bullying – and we respond promptly.
Is Breakfast Club available?
Every single morning, our team serves up toast, fruit cups and cereal to anyone that wants it.
For many of our students, this is ‘second breakfast’.
What special events and extra curricular programs do you offer?
We take a balanced approach to special events and extra curricular activities – providing a good range of opportunities, while ensuring that core instructional time is not interrupted.
Our core business is ensuring academic achievement for every student.
Some of our events and activities include a start of year community picnic, end of term celebration afternoons, band and choir, concert and the most fabulous art show you will ever attend.
How do I notify the school if my child is absent?
This can be done directly via the Compass App. Easy.
What should I do if my child is late or needs to leave early?
If your child is late to school, they need to be accompanied to the school office to sign in and receive a pass – this is the only way they will be able to access their classroom after the 9am bell has rung.
Students can be collected from school early for appointments at the beginning of recess time (11am) or the beginning of lunch time (1:40pm).
Please inform the school office and they will ensure your child is ready and waiting to be collected from the office.
How do Parent Teacher Interviews work and when are they held?
We run Parent Teacher Meet and Greets in Term 1.
This is your opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and share anything you think they need to know about your child.
In Term 3, we hold Student Led Conferences.
This is our students’ opportunity to take the lead and share their learning with you.
What do students do for lunch—are there canteen or lunch-order services?
We do not operate a school canteen.
Each term we have a ‘special lunch order day’.
Students have two opportunities to eat during the school day. 11:30am and 2:10pm.
Many students eat their lunch at the first break, and snack at the second – but we let the students decide this for themselves.
How is technology used in the classroom, and what are the expectations for devices?
We provide all the technology that students will use at school.
Families are not expected to purchase a device.
We intentionally delay the use of technology until Year 3 – where it is used with purpose and for limited amounts of time.
Is my child expected to complete homework?
Yes and no.
We ask every child to read, or to be read to, every night.
That’s our non-negotiable.
Beyond that, teachers and our intervention staff will often seek family support in completing additional practice tasks to support students’ school learning.
How can parents get involved in school activities or volunteering?
Families are invited to offer their support and assistance in ways that work for them.
We have families that assist with keeping our yard tidy, putting up displays, assisting in the library, washing sick bay linen and the list goes on.
If you have the capacity and are interested in supporting at school – let us know via the school email account.
Our History
1995

1996
1997
Gallery
Policies and Plans

Policy Handbook

Strategic Plan

Annual Reports

Annual Implementation Plan
Child Safety Statement
Hamlyn Banks Primary School is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe.
Our child safety framework includes policies, codes and procedures that explain how we support and maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students and protect them from harm. These documents are all available in our Policy Handbook.
We are also committed to continuous improvement of our child safety framework. Our students and their families are important partners in keeping our students safe.
We value feedback and ideas on how we can continuously strengthen our child safety framework.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please Contact Us.
Employment Opportunities
How to Apply
Hamlyn Banks Primary School seeks applications from teachers and education support staff who are looking for a high expectation, high support workplace.
If you are committed to your professional growth, and committed to instructional excellence we might just be the school you’ve been searching for.
All positions are advertised via Recruitment Online.
Come see what we have to offer.
We run school immersion visits for education professionals during Week 2 of each term.
To register your interest in visiting, contact our office team on 03 5278 3100 or email
hamlyn.banks.ps@education.vic.gov.au
