Our School

From the Principal

Baxter Primary is a vibrant, community-based school established in 1890 and situated 3km from the township of Baxter. Currently we consist of 7 multi-age classes and 2 straight Foundation classes with a total enrolment of 195 students. The school is proud of its long history and service to the community.

Baxter Primary School has beautiful surroundings with large spacious outdoor areas. These include two grassed sports fields, senior and junior playgrounds, a basketball court, vegetable garden, sensory garden and a multi-functional outdoor space. These areas encourage learning through play and promote high levels of movement and exercise for good physical and mental wellbeing. We also completed a $2.5 million redevelopment of our Junior School in 2020.

Baxter Primary School is a caring community where students are encouraged to reach their full potential and become successful citizens. Parents are encouraged to play a significant role in the guidance of their children’s education, together with our experienced, caring and nurturing staff.

Working collaboratively we aim to build a community of responsible and resilient learners who strive to achieve academically, creatively and socially. We value being kind, respectful, inclusive and encouraging of others.

At Baxter Primary we are deeply committed to teaching and learning.  We offer a structured Literacy program that promotes skill development in reading and viewing, writing, speaking and listening in a supportive and stimulating environment. Planning is based on the Victorian Curriculum and is supported by best practices around literacy acquisition.  We use explicit teaching across all year levels. At Baxter Primary our two-hour daily literacy blocks are non-interrupted learning time for children in Foundation to Year 6. Our staff are developing their professional knowledge of the Science of Learning, which is now guiding the pedagogy in our classrooms.

Baxter Primary School has an open-door policy where parents, students and staff are encouraged to build respectful relationships with each other. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum for all students from Foundation to Year 6 in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, Technology, Science, Humanities, The Arts, Health and Physical Education.

Our teachers plan in teams, focusing on a low variance and guaranteed curriculum for all students. We use student data to personalise learning in our quest to improve student learning outcomes. We operate as a Professional Learning Community (PLC).

Our school utilises the services of a part-time Chaplain to support our students and their families. Our Respectful Relationships Program and Buddy Program enhance our children’s sense of wellbeing and belonging.

Other enrichment programs and extracurricular activities include instrumental music, environmental activities, lunchtime clubs and a wide range of sporting activities. We also offer our students a weekly Breakfast Club.

A Before and After School Care facility is available Monday to Friday and includes a school holiday program.

For a personal tour with me or for further information please don’t hesitate to contact the school on 5971 1391 or via email at baxter.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Principal
Nick Schneider

 

Meet the Staff

Administration Staff

N Schneider

N Schneider

Principal

M Bremner

M Bremner

Assistant Principal

J Emmett

J Emmett

Business Manager

L Anderson

L Anderson

Administration

T Callahan

T Callahan

Administration

Classroom & Specialist Teachers

J Dahlstom

J Dahlstom

Learning Specialist

E Ball

E Ball

Foundation

J Ellaway

J Ellaway

Foundation

D Albutt

D Albutt

Year 1

J McNeill

J McNeill

Year 1

S Koutros

S Koutros

Year 2/3

T Williams

T Williams

Year 2/3

C Evans

C Evans

Year 2

L Frowd

L Frowd

Year 3/4

T Ould

T Ould

Year 3/4

N Shute

N Shute

Year 5 & Leading Teacher

E Taylor

E Taylor

Year 5/6

J Baxter

J Baxter

Physical Education

M Hardy

M Hardy

STEAM

J Morris

J Morris

Visual Arts

Education Support Staff

E Kildea

E Kildea

Education Support

M Kupsch

M Kupsch

Education Support

J Martin

J Martin

Education Support

E Newton

E Newton

Education Support

A Burke

A Burke

Education Support

I Cloney

I Cloney

Education Support

L Martin

L Martin

Education Support

J Olver

J Olver

Education Support

Facilities

Baxter Primary School was established in 1890 and is situated in an attractive rural setting 3km south of the township of Baxter on the Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula. The school is proud of its long history and service to the community. Baxter Primary School has had 3 locations and came to the current site on Grant Road in 1955.

It still has the main 1930’s school building incorporated into the current administration wing. A BER building was built in 2011 and is now known as our Senior Building. In 2020 a brand new building was constructed and has become our Junior Learning Centre (JLC). Our JLC is complemented by a fabulous undercover decked area, new student toilets and a colorful, outdoor amphitheater.  The existing variety of buildings are still in use as a LOTE (Indonesian) room, music room, science room, library and playgroup room. The facility also includes an indoor gym with an adjoining canteen.

We have large grounds with a football and soccer oval, junior and senior playground, basketball court, rebound wall and seated garden areas. Children at Baxter Primary School have many choices of sport and play time activities.

School Hours

9:00am | Commencement

10:00am | Fruit snack

11:00am – 11:30am | Morning recess

1:20pm – 1:30pm | Lunch eaten in class

1:30pm – 2:15pm | Lunch break

3:15pm | Dismissal

Bus Times

Type Location Time
Morning Pick Up Sages Road 8.42am
Morning Pick Up Baxter Post Office 8.47am
Afternoon Pick Up Leaves School 3:22pm

Bus Service

Bus Service: Peninsula Bus Lines – A myki card is required to travel on the school bus.

Please visit myki.com.au or phone 136954 for further information.

School & kindergarten term dates

Term 1: 29 January (school teachers start) to 28 March*

Term 2: 15 April to 28 June

Term 3: 15 July to 20 September

Term 4: 7 October to 20 December

*The first day of Term 1 is a student-free day in all government schools to allow for appropriate planning to take place for the arrival of students. Students will commence on 30 January 2024.

Term 1: 28 January (school teachers start) to 4 April*

Term 2: 22 April to 4 July

Term 3: 21 July to 19 September

Term 4: 6 October to 19 December

*The first day of Term 1 is a student-free day in all government schools to allow for appropriate planning to take place for the arrival of students. Students will commence on 29 January 2025.

Curriculum Days

During the year School Council approves 4 pupil free curriculum days to enable staff to undertake professional development.

On these days children do not attend school and you will be given ample warning so that you can make alternative arrangements.

Parents will be advised of the dates as soon as possible.

X