doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
H

Harkaway Primary School

Australia, Melbourne

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1876
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Located at 65 King Road, Harkaway, VIC 3806, Australia, Harkaway Primary School is a Victorian Government primary school and an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. Established in 1876, the school celebrated 150 years of educational service in 2026 and sits in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, about four kilometres from Berwick High Street. The school combines the Victorian Curriculum with the IB-PYP framework to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners who foster intercultural understanding and respect. Across Foundation to Year 6, literacy and numeracy are core learning areas, with LOTE Chinese taught weekly to build language skills and cultural awareness. The Digital Technologies curriculum supports coding and computational thinking, and a BYOD program is available for Grades 3–6. The school also offers swimming, athletics and VEXiQ robotics, while classrooms are equipped with laptops, iPads and SMART Boards, The school emphasises student wellbeing, leadership and global mindedness.

The Essentials

Location
65 King Road, Harkaway, VIC 3806, Australia. Nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Harkaway Primary School is about 4 kilometres up the hill from the Berwick High Street.

Stages
Foundation (Prep) to Year 6

Type
Victorian Government primary school

Additional learning support
Wellbeing & Learning Specialist
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is a Victorian Government primary school.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application or enrolment fee for students at Harkaway Primary School; the school is a Victorian Government primary school and does not charge an application fee.

Tuition fees (Prep/Foundation – Year 6)
- Tuition for all year levels (Prep/Foundation through Year 6) is AUD 0 per term and AUD 0 per year; standard instruction required by the Victorian Curriculum is provided free at government schools.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Any requests for payments to families are managed under the Victorian Parent Contributions/Parent Payments framework. Voluntary curriculum contributions, other voluntary contributions and user‑pays extra‑curricular items (for example, optional excursions or elective activities) are handled according to that framework. Schools must publish their parent contribution arrangements and may offer flexible payment options for voluntary contributions, but contributions are voluntary and cannot be enforced. Schools must not charge merchant fees for electronic transactions or apply late‑payment penalties for voluntary contributions.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered at Harkaway Primary School; there are no boarding fees. Harkaway is a single‑campus primary government school (Prep–Year 6).

Other costs and fees (examples parents should expect)
- Uniform: A compulsory school uniform is required; costs vary depending on the supplier and individual items.
- Stationery / booklists: Schools commonly publish year‑level booklists or include essential classroom materials within a curriculum contribution; parents may be asked to supply or purchase specific items for their child.
- Camps, excursions and incursions: Some activities are user‑pays (optional or beyond the standard curriculum) and attract charges; eligible families can apply for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) to help cover these costs.
- Optional extracurricular programs and private lessons: Activities such as private music tuition, private sports programs or other third‑party offerings are usually charged separately on a user‑pays basis.
- Before‑ and after‑school care / OSHC: Outside school hours care is provided by third‑party providers in many primary school communities and is charged separately from school contributions; fees for these services are set by the provider.

Refund information
- Refunds for paid items or activities are managed according to Department guidance and the school's local refund arrangements. Where the school has not incurred costs, a full refund is generally recommended; where the school or a third‑party provider has already incurred non‑refundable costs, refunds may be partial or not available. Refunds for cancelled activities should be processed through the school's finance system in accordance with Department requirements. Schools are encouraged to adopt a fair, reasonable approach and to offer financial support options for families experiencing hardship.

Fee payment options (commonly available in Victorian government primary schools)
- Common payment methods used by Victorian government primary schools include: Compass (online card payments), BPAY, direct deposit/EFT, EFTPOS or credit card at the school office, Centrepay and cash. Schools must not pass merchant fees to families for electronic payments. Individual schools set which of these methods they accept and publish payment instructions for parents.
Academics

Harkaway Primary School teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
The school is an authorised IB World School implementing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP). It integrates the Victorian Curriculum with IB principles to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners and intercultural understanding and respect. Literacy and Numeracy are learning areas across the primary years, with additional subjects including LOTE Chinese, Digital Technologies, Physical Education & Sport and VEXiQ Robotics. LOTE Chinese is taught to Foundation to Year 6 with weekly lessons to foster language skills and cultural understanding. The Digital Technologies curriculum includes a BYOD program for Grades 3–6, focusing on computational thinking, coding and programming, while Physical Education & Sport promotes health, teamwork and achievement, including swimming and athletics; VEXiQ Robotics provides hands-on STEM experiences.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a Wellbeing and Engagement programme that supports the emotional, social, and academic development of every child. Diversity is celebrated and every student feels included and supported. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and mindfulness activities are part of the programme, along with bullying prevention initiatives. Student leadership opportunities, such as the Student Representative Council, and other ways for students to have a voice are encouraged, with active parent involvement in wellbeing workshops and school activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides an inclusive environment where every student is safe, valued, and empowered. Diversity is celebrated and all learners are included and supported within the school community. The wellbeing and engagement programmes are designed to address a range of learning and development needs, promoting belonging for all students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school publishes an Assessment Policy that includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) students. A Language Policy supports learners to develop language skills, and the school offers a Language Other Than English (LOTE) program in Chinese to foster language and cultural understanding.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and mindfulness activities that promote self-awareness, focus, and resilience. Bullying prevention strategies are in place to maintain a safe and respectful environment. The wellbeing initiatives aim to support students' mental health and overall well‑being.

Safeguarding
The school is committed to child safety and the wellbeing of all children and young people. A safe and inclusive environment is prioritised, with clear expectations and procedures to protect students and ensure their voices are heard in decisions that affect their lives.
Parent Experience

History
Started in 1876, Harkaway Primary School is a Victorian Government primary school located at 65 King Road, Harkaway, VIC 3806. The school is nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, about 4 kilometres up from Berwick High Street. In 2026 the school marked 150 years of educational excellence. The school exists to empower learners to shape their world and emphasizes learning together and looking out for each other, with a focus on connection, discovery and individualized teaching to nurture globally minded citizens.

Community
The school operates as a Victorian Government primary school with a Blog and a School Calendar to share news and events with the community. It follows a mission built on four Signature Ideas: Multiage settings, Cooperative teaching, Global mindedness, and Inquiry Learning. Core values include Relationship, Relevance, and Rigour, and learner Habits such as resilience, organization, persistence, getting along, and confidence. The school emphasises parent and community partnerships, inviting families to participate in school events and wellbeing workshops, and maintains a strong commitment to child safety and an inclusive environment.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. Classrooms are equipped with the latest resources, including laptops, iPads, and SMART Boards. Grades 3-6 participate in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme to support personalised learning. The VEXiQ Robotics programme provides hands-on STEM learning, with robotics activities integrated into the curriculum. Swimming programmes are available for Foundation to Year 6 with qualified instructors and accessible facilities.

Sports Facilities
Swimming Programmes are available for Foundation to Year 6, with qualified instructors and small class sizes. Athletics and Cross Country provide opportunities to participate in school, district, regional, and state-level events. Our students have a history of success at state-level competitions. Physical Education emphasizes building resilience, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation for health and wellness.

Academic Facilities
Classrooms are equipped with laptops, iPads, and SMART Boards. Grades 3-6 BYOD programme supports personalised learning. Digital Technologies curriculum includes coding and programming through game design software, robotics, and other tools. LOTE – Chinese provides weekly lessons for Foundation to Grade 6. The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school provides engaging extracurricular activities to spark creativity and build confidence. Jump Rope for Heart is run at Harkaway Primary School to promote physical activity. VEXiQ Robotics offers hands-on STEM activities and competition opportunities. Students can take on leadership roles through the Student Representative Council (SRC). Robotics feature in school events and news.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. The IB-PYP framework aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The IB programmes encourage students to become active, compassionate lifelong learners who understand that others may differ, yet can be right. The program fosters global mindedness and inquiry-based learning across the curriculum.

Cultural & Language
The school offers LOTE – Chinese for Foundation to Grade 6 with weekly lessons to broaden global perspective and enhance communication skills. The Chinese program goes beyond language instruction by exploring Chinese culture, traditions and customs to foster cultural awareness and global connections. Students learn basic vocabulary, pronunciation, and reading and writing of simple characters; lessons are interactive with games, songs, and multimedia resources. The program prepares students to thrive in an interconnected world by equipping them with language skills and cross-cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
The school runs VEXiQ Robotics as an extracurricular activity; students engage in collaborative robotics projects that challenge creativity and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The robotics program supports teamwork, perseverance, and lifelong learning through building and programming robots. The school hosts robotics events, including a robotics event with sixteen teams registered. Teams have represented Australia at world championships in VEX IQ competitions.

Community & Service
The school maintains a Bushfire Safety Committee to coordinate safety and emergency planning. The school engages in climate-change education initiatives, including student manifestos and the Generaksi climate education game. The school fosters community engagement through open days and school tours to welcome families and prospective students. The school has a long history of serving the local community across 150 years.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are offered through a Student Representative Council (SRC). The school has a PYP Co-ordinator on staff. The IB framework includes signature ideas such as global mindedness and cooperative teaching, which shape student leadership and collaboration. Students develop professional skills through teamwork, inquiry and communication as part of the IB-PYP program.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical Education and Sport are part of the curriculum at Harkaway Primary School. The Wellbeing and Engagement program supports emotional, social and academic development, including social-emotional learning, mindfulness activities and anti-bullying strategies. Jump Rope for Heart is one of the school's health and fitness activities. Student engagement and leadership opportunities support a positive and inclusive school culture.
Languages

Language Provision
Chinese is taught as a Language Other Than English (LOTE) from Foundation to Grade 6 with weekly lessons. The program focuses on language skills and cultural awareness, including basic vocabulary, pronunciation and tones, and reading and writing simple Chinese characters. Lessons are interactive, using games, songs, and multimedia resources to engage learners.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) World School.
Admissions

Admissions
1) Determine if you are in the school's zone. In-zone students are guaranteed enrolment; families outside the zone may apply, and offers depend on the availability of spaces as the school operates close to capacity. 2) Book a weekly school tour to experience the school community; to arrange a tour, call 03 9707 1475 or book online. 3) Review the Department of Education and Training's Placement Policy for enrolment guidance. 4) Access and complete the Enrolment Form and download the Prep Handbook. 5) To determine your designated primary school zone, use Find My School; if you are outside the zone, contact the school office to discuss options. 6) Enrolments for 2026 are now open.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Australia View all schools in Melbourne View all schools in Australia IB curriculum schools in Australia Open days & tours in Melbourne What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools