Meet the Principals of Truganina’s newest schools!
October 2023 in Meet Your Neighbours
For anyone with a growing family – or thinking about starting one, living in close proximity to good schools, kindergarten, and childcare centres, are a significant factor in deciding where to buy and build.
At Westbrook that decision is about to be made even easier, with not just one, but two new schools – Warreen Primary School and Bemin Secondary College, about to open down the road in 2024 – adding to the already extensive line-up of great schools right on the estate’s doorstep!
Putting a great education literally on the doorstep of the estate’s growing number of families, the new primary school will be located at 20 Hercules Drive, Truganina; while Bemin Secondary College will be housed over two campuses – a Junior Campus (years 7 – 9) at 30 Everton Road and a Senior Campus (years 10 – 12) based at 805 Morris Road.
Both schools will officially open on day 1 of Term 1 and we’re delighted to chat with the two new principals as they prepare to welcome their first intake of students next year.
Joanna Stanford, Founding Principal, Warreen Primary School
How many students are enrolled for 2024? And which year levels?
“We have students enrolled at every level from foundation to year 6, with most enrolments in foundation.”
What have been the biggest challenges involved in opening a school from scratch?
“We’re building our new school from the ground up. With every challenge, comes the excitement of creating a school culture that focuses on learning through our school motto of Believe Belong Become, and our school values of Respect, Excellence and Belonging.”
How is construction coming along?
“Construction on the project is going along well. You can view all recent progress photos and find all project information on the VSBA website at https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Warreen-Primary-School.”
What educational programs, facilities and other features will the new primary school have?
“Our school will focus on foundational core literacy and numeracy concepts, skills and understandings. We are also committed to delivering high quality inquiry learning, focusing on humanities, science, civics and citizenship and the ethical capabilities. These will be underpinned by our social and emotional learning that will ensure our students are resilient, brave, and creative learners.
“Our specialist programs will be based around STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical) learning. We also have a comprehensive Health and Physical Education Program.
“When the school opens in Term 1, 2024, it will include: an administration and library building; 3 learning neighbourhoods; a community hub; a car park; hard courts; outdoor play spaces; and a sports field.”
What are you most proud of now Warreen Primary School is about to open?
“I am so proud of the school that our Assistant Principal, Business Manager and I are building together. We all live by our school values, and this has been reflected in choosing our uniform, school logo, curriculum and all-important aspects of our school.
“I just can’t wait for the first day of school. I am so looking forward to welcoming our school community to our wonderful school. Our buildings and classrooms are state of the art, and it will be wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of our students when they enter our classrooms to start their education journey with us. They will be a part of an excellent school where they will believe they can be their very best, have a strong sense of belonging, and know that we are supporting them to become the very best versions of themselves.”
Joanne Camozzato, Principal, Bemin Secondary College.
What year levels will be located at the Everton Road (Junior 7 – 9) Campus and Morris Road (Senior 10 – 12) Campus?
“In its first year of operation, Bemin Secondary College will open to Year 7 (junior campus) and Year 10 (senior campus) students only, and progress by year level thereafter. The 2024 school zones are available at findmyschool.vic.gov.au.”
How many students are enrolled for 2024? And which year levels?
“We have over 90 year 7’s enrolled at this stage and over 170 Year 10 students currently.”
How are forward enrolments looking beyond 2024?
“The junior campus will be able to enrol up to 600 junior students when the first stage of the school is complete, while the senior campus will be able to enrol up to 800 senior students.”
Where are students being drawn from – nearby, further afield?
“The majority of our families are all within 5 kilometres of the school. Students are mainly coming from the suburbs of Truganina and Tarneit.”
What have the biggest challenges involved in opening a school from scratch?
“Working simultaneously on both big picture strategic planning (for example, the curriculum program for the next three years and staffing required) through to less strategic but more logistical details which ensure the smooth opening of the school for staff and students (for example, planning equipment purchasing for all the Food technology classrooms and gym).”
How is construction coming along?
“Construction on the project is going along well. You can view all recent progress photos and find all project information on the VSBA website at https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Bemin-Secondary-College.”
What educational programs, facilities and features etc will new campus have?
“The school is designed to contribute to the community infrastructure with its facilities being used across two campuses for the delivery of both educational and community projects.
“When the new junior campus opens from Term 1, 2024 it will have: an administration and library building; 2 learning neighbourhoods; an arts and technology building; a science and technology building; a community hub (includes the indoor gymnasium court); and plenty of outdoor play spaces. The new campus will accommodate an administration centre; a library and VCE Study Centre; a General Learning Building; a Science Building accommodating general, physics, biology and chemistry laboratories; a Technology Building; and a Community Hub/GYM (double court gym; Food kitchens; Performing Arts learning spaces).
“Our learning program for Year 7 will provide for all of the key Learning Areas including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (including History, Geography, Civics, Economics and Business), Health and Physical Education. It will also include a substantial Arts program incorporating Visual and Performing Arts and a technologies program that includes Design and Technology as well as Digital Technology. Plus, students will also explore STEM and Arts personal interests through our inquiry based “Innovate Program”. All students will be involved in the Check and Connect program – which supports wellbeing as students transition to high school.
“The school will have a learning program for Year 10s that offers students the opportunity to focus on areas of specialisation related to both their future schooling and intended pathways beyond school. All Year 10 students will engage in English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (including History, Geography, Civics, Economics and Business, and Holocaust Education), Health and Physical Education. Like the Junior Campus, it will offer a substantial Arts program incorporating Visual and Performing Arts and a technologies program that includes Design and Technology as well as Digital Technology, and students will be able to choose semester subjects from both the wide choices available in the Arts and Technologies programs.
“All our Senior students will also engage in a Pathways Mentoring program which will support them to explore their strengths, set personal learning goals and pathways. This program also provides the foundation for getting ready for the world of work, the later stages of schooling and course counselling.”
Both principals expect that the two new schools will complement, and be integrated with, one another, providing a great opportunity to establish smooth pathways from kinder to primary, to secondary and beyond. The two have worked closely together to ensure they can provide a clear transition which will enable children to grow and develop in a supported manner from childhood to young adulthood, citing aspects such as the same uniform supplier and complimentary systems to ensure families have ease of access to information and communications.
Information surrounding official opening events for both schools will be communicated through school channels closer to the start of the school year.”
Enrolment queries.
Warreen Primary School. Send an email with the subject 'Enrolment for Warreen Primary School' to vsba@education.vic.gov.au”
Bemin Secondary College Email Joanne.Camozzato@education.vic.gov.au or vsba@education.vic.gov.au