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Wales Street Primary School

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Fees A$755
Ages 3 - 12 years
Pupil numbers 597
Type Co-educational
Opened 1891
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Italian
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Wales Street Primary School is an IB World School (PYP) serving Foundation to Year 6 students, ages 3 to 12. The school offers the Primary Years Programme alongside the Australian Curriculum and uses an inquiry-based approach to learning. Students develop reading, writing and mathematics skills while applying knowledge across subjects through six transdisciplinary themes. The school emphasises communication and personal attributes, with an additional language offered from age seven; Italian is taught weekly to all students. Facilities are being upgraded under Stage Two Master Plan, including a full-sized gym, a multipurpose performing arts space and an Arts and Wellbeing Hub; a new library with lift to the second storey; improved access between buildings; and flexible outdoor spaces for sport and recreation. The school promotes Respect, Responsibility and Kindness and offers extensive leadership and extracurricular opportunities, with active involvement from students and the wider community. It welcomes families from overseas too.

Wales Street, Thornbury VIC

The Essentials

Wales Street Primary School has 597 pupils, typical class sizes of 24.

Location
Wales Street, Thornbury, Victoria, Australia. Located in Thornbury, the Melbourne suburb, Wales Street Primary School serves Foundation to Year 6. It is an International Baccalaureate World School. The school day starts with a First Bell and ends at the end of the day, with a timetable that includes recess and a split lunch.

Stages
Foundation to Year 6

Type
IB World School (Primary Years Program)

School day structure
First Bell 8:55–9:00; School day 9:00–3:30 with six sessions; Recess 10:40–11:10; Lunch eating 12:50–1:00; Lunch play 1:00–1:50.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The uniform is compulsory for all students and must be worn every day; colours are red and navy.

Food Options
Lunch orders are available through Spriggy Schools; not available on Tuesdays.

Governance and Ownership
The School Council and its sub-committees form an essential component of governance, with participation from parents and carers.
Fees

Annual tuition at Wales Street Primary School ranges from AUD 755 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No application or enrolment fee is charged for local (zoned) students; enrolment is completed using the standard Student Enrolment form.

Tuition / Annual parent contributions (per student)

- The school provides free instruction under the Victorian curriculum; the school requests voluntary Parent Payment contributions rather than charging compulsory tuition.
- Curriculum Contributions (recommended annual amount, per student): AUD 360.00. This covers classroom stationery and consumable materials, online subscriptions, digital learning support and contributions to specialist programs.
- Other Contributions (recommended annual amount, per student): AUD 200.00. This covers items such as employment of a registered nurse (first aid and staff/community health) and school grounds maintenance. The nurse component is listed as AUD 130.00 and grounds maintenance AUD 70.00 within this category.
- Tax-deductible suggested contributions (optional): Building Fund AUD 150.00; Library Fund AUD 45.00. These are voluntary, tax-deductible donations.
- Total suggested (annual, per student) if all recommended contributions and suggested donations are made: AUD 755.00.

Per-term equivalents (standard four-term year)

- Curriculum Contributions per term: AUD 90.00 (AUD 360.00 ÷ 4).
- Other Contributions per term: AUD 50.00 (AUD 200.00 ÷ 4).
- Tax-deductible contributions are normally paid annually but, if spread equally across four terms, Building Fund ≈ AUD 37.50/term and Library Fund ≈ AUD 11.25/term.

Tuition / fees by year group

- The published Parent Payment Contributions are not differentiated by year level; the same Curriculum Contribution and Other Contribution amounts are recommended per student across Foundation (Prep) to Year 6. Optional extra activities (user‑pays) such as camps and some excursions are charged separately when scheduled.

Extra‑curricular and user‑pays items

- Excursions, incursions, optional school camps (Year 4, Year 5, Year 6), swimming programs, some sports programs, graduation ceremony and similar activities are charged on a user‑pays basis and invoiced when organised. These costs vary by activity and will be advised prior to the event. Payments for these items are processed through the parent portal.

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) / Before & After School Care — fees and payment

- Before School Care (per session): AUD 18.00.
- After School Care (per session): AUD 22.00.
- Early‑finish days (per session): AUD 30.00.
- Curriculum Day care (per session): AUD 60.00.
- OSHC invoices are issued in arrears (fortnightly); accounts are expected to be paid promptly on receipt. Overdue accounts may lead to follow-up and possible cancellation of care if unresolved. Late collection fees apply (AUD 15.00 for the first 15 minutes or part thereof).

Billing schedule and payment terms (school contributions and charges)

- Parent Payment contributions are annual recommended amounts; parents may make payment via instalments. Payments may be made from 1 February 2026 via the Compass parent portal; a range of instalment options are available through Compass. Payment in full can also be made via EFTPOS at the school office. Compass is the preferred payment channel for these contributions.
- OSHC billing is fortnightly in arrears; payment methods for OSHC include direct debit / card via the My Family Lounge app, credit card (in person or by phone) and other direct debit arrangements. Cash is not accepted for OSHC.

Boarding fees

- Not applicable. Wales Street Primary is a day primary school and does not offer boarding or residential accommodation.

Other costs and compulsory items

- School uniform is compulsory and uses the school colours red and navy; uniforms are purchased through the school supplier (Primary School Wear / PSW). Uniform costs are charged separately at point of purchase and vary by item.
- Camps, special excursions, some sporting programs, instrument hire (if applicable) and similar activities are charged as user‑pays items when scheduled. Families will be advised of these individual costs in advance.
- Families are occasionally asked to supply small consumables (for example, tissues) to support classroom needs.

Refund information

- Refunds for parent payments are discretionary and considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Refund decisions take into account whether a cost has already been incurred and relevant Departmental guidance and school policies; refunds are provided where the school deems this reasonable and fair. OSHC overpayments are handled via the OSHC finance procedures described in the service handbook.

Fee payment options (accepted methods)

- For Parent Payment contributions (curriculum and other contributions, donations, and most school invoiced items): payment via the Compass parent portal (preferred, with instalment options) or EFTPOS at the school office. Other accepted methods may be arranged through the Business Manager.
- For OSHC: Direct debit / card via My Family Lounge, credit card (in person or by phone), and other electronic payment methods; cash is not accepted. Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is applied through Centrelink where eligible, reducing the family's OSHC fees. Statements reflect CCS reductions and are managed according to government requirements.

Financial support and hardship arrangements

- The school offers payment plans, access to Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF), State Schools' Relief and Centrepay for eligible families; confidential discussions about alternative payment arrangements can be arranged with the Business Manager.
Academics

Wales Street Primary School teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 12.

Curriculum
The school provides an international education for students from Foundation to Year 6 as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The school delivers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and uses an inquiry-based approach to learning. Learning is underpinned by the explicit teaching of skills and concepts, enabling students to apply their learning across the curriculum. There is a strong focus on reading, writing and mathematics as students deepen their knowledge throughout the school. The school promotes the values of Respect, Responsibility and Kindness and offers extensive extra-curricular and leadership opportunities, with active involvement from the school community.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years Programme. The IB curriculum is trans-disciplinary and inquiry-based, developing research, thinking, social, self-management and communication skills, and aims to cultivate learner profile attributes such as caring, courageous, open-minded, principled, balanced, reflective, and capable communicators and thinkers. Social and emotional learning is embedded in all programs and supports the development of self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, and empathy. A Whole School Positive Behaviour for Learning framework is used with a clearly defined Agreed Behaviour Matrix and explicit teaching of expected behaviours. Respectful Relationships is embedded across classrooms as a lead program, and URSTRONG is being introduced as a whole-school approach to fostering friendships and healthy relationships. The Junior School Council and peer support programs give students voice and leadership, while the welfare team includes a part-time Primary Welfare Officer and a School Nurse to provide wellbeing support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The welfare team provides targeted support for students with social and emotional needs, including ongoing school-based counselling available with parental permission. The school has a part-time Primary Welfare Officer who works with students experiencing social and emotional issues and may refer students to the visiting DET Educational Psychologist as needed. A School Nurse provides daily health support and health education for staff and students. These welfare services address a range of wellbeing and support needs within the IB framework and school programs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The EAL program supports students as they integrate into the school's academic and social programs. LOTE learning broadens students' knowledge, extends cognitive skills and enhances understanding and appreciation of others. Language strands—listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting—are taught simultaneously, enabling students to learn language, learn about language and learn through language. The program provides stimulating and inspiring experiences, and all children are valued for their efforts and individuality and are encouraged to have a go. The mission statement, learner profile and attitudes are displayed and explored during the LOTE program, and small group instruction sessions support English development according to individual needs and abilities.

Mental Wellbeing
Social and emotional learning is embedded in all programs and is foundational to wellbeing. Respectful Relationships and Positive Behaviours for Learning support mental wellbeing by promoting emotional literacy, personal strengths, problem solving and coping strategies. Mindfulness practices, including meditation, calming strategies, stretching and yoga, are part of wellbeing routines. The school fosters student wellbeing through student leadership structures such as the Junior School Council and through programs that promote inclusion and positive relationships.

Safeguarding
The school is committed to a child-safe environment and wellbeing policies guide safeguarding practices. Families are invited to provide feedback and are kept informed about child safety processes; the Principal can be contacted with questions. Policies include a Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy, Code of Conduct, Volunteers Policy and a Child Safety Risk Register, along with other related policies. The Child Safe Standards cover establishing a culturally safe environment, embedding child safety in leadership and governance, empowering children to participate in decisions affecting them, informing families, staff training, online safety, and ongoing review. Information about child safety materials and policies is accessible to families via the school's documents and Compass platform.
Parent Experience

History
Wales Street Primary School in Northcote opened on 1 October 1891, after operating from February that year, and was the second Northcote school after Helen Street State School. It began in two rooms of the Northcote Wesleyan Sunday School in High Street; the Wales Street site comprised four classrooms, a headmaster's office and a bell tower, with a white picket fence at the front. It was originally named Prince of Wales Park State School, later known as Northcote Primary School No. 3139, and is now Wales Street Primary School. Between 1891 and 1913 it was an adjunct to State School No. 824 South Preston, and on 1 July 1913 Wales Street became its own entity under head teacher George H. Hardress. After an 1892 economic depression caused a closure and a period of overcrowding from 1900, by 1913 the school housed 809 pupils (designed for 280), and by 1915 the east wing and west wing increased capacity to 1147; attendance peaked at 1232 in 1920."

Community
Wales Street Primary School is an internationally minded, community-focused school dedicated to lifelong learning and helping students achieve personal best. As an accredited IB school, it delivers the Primary Years Program since 2015, with an IBO evaluation in 2019 to further improve delivery. The school promotes parent and carer participation as partners and uses a teacher-directed, child-centered approach with high expectations and differentiation."

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The School Council and its sub-committees form an essential component of the school's governance, and provide an important avenue for participation from parents and carers."
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is implementing Stage Two Master Plan to upgrade facilities. The plan includes a full-sized gym and multipurpose performing arts space for all users, an undercover community meeting space, and enhanced outdoor green spaces for active and passive uses. A Flexi-Pave outdoor basketball/netball court will replace the asphalt court, and a new library with lift will be added to the second storey of the Speight Street Building, meeting accessibility standards. Obsolete LTC portables will be replaced with double-storey portable classrooms, and classroom upgrades will be made on the second storey of the Speight Street Building, with improved movement between buildings. The Arts and Wellbeing Hub will support sport, recreation, art and culture and the facility will be available for after-hours community use.

Sports Facilities
Full-sized gym; outdoor green spaces; Flexi-Pave outdoor basketball/netball court.

Academic Facilities
New library with lift facilities to the second storey in the Speight Street Building; upgrades to second-storey classrooms; double-storey portable classrooms will replace obsolete LTC portables; improved access between buildings.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Arts and Wellbeing Hub for sport, recreation, art and culture; after-hours community use of facilities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Learning is inquiry-based and cross-disciplinary, guided by six transdisciplinary themes. The PYP emphasises developing language skills and personal attributes, including an additional language from age 7. Teachers have access to IB resources and professional development to support the programme.

Arts & Creative
Instrumental music is provided through external providers; it operates within a user-pays model and runs during school hours. Providers include Cat Canteri, Steve Mayhew, and ABC Music Group, offering group, paired or private lessons in violin and piano. The school does not run its own funded instrumental program but supports access to music lessons as part of a holistic education. AMEB exam preparation is available through external providers.

Cultural & Language
Italian is taught weekly to all students from Foundation to Year 6, with elements of the IB PYP integrated into the lessons. The program develops listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and connects learning to Units of Inquiry through collaborative tasks. All students study an additional language from at least seven years of age, and an Italian Day is celebrated biannually.

Social & Hobbies
Student voice is fostered through opportunities to contribute to learning and school life. Whole-school leadership opportunities include the Junior School Council and school captains, with the JSC comprising one student from Grade 4–6 plus four captains and meeting weekly. The JSC organises fundraising activities each term, advocates for student ideas and participates in decisions about fundraising allocations.

Community & Service
Fundraising activities are organised termally by students to support school improvements and external charities. Money raised supports school projects and external charitable causes, with fundraising led by student groups such as the Junior School Council.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are provided across the student body, including Junior School Council, school captains and peer mediators. JSC members are elected by peers and serve for a year, meeting weekly to plan activities and contribute to school life. Staff support and structure leadership opportunities to build communication, collaboration and responsibility.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation of learning, with Respectful Relationships and Positive Behaviour for Learning embedded in school programs. The school emphasises the values Be Kind, Be Responsible and Be Respectful in interactions. The Positive Behaviour for Learning framework promotes a safe, supportive learning environment and uses data to monitor progress.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches in English. An Italian language program is offered to develop communication skills and knowledge of the Italian language and culture. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided to assist students learning English.
Admissions

Admissions
1) Residents within the Wales Street Primary School zone are guaranteed a place. Siblings who already attend the school are also guaranteed a place. Evidence of residence is required (100 points), such as a council rates notice, lease agreement, utility bill, driver's licence, or health care card.

2) Foundation (Prep) enrolments follow a statewide enrolment timeline. Information and resources about the enrolment timeline are available on the Department's Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) page. Families should submit the enrolment form along with proof of address using the 2026/27 Student Enrolment Form and the Enrolment Documentation Checklist.

3) To enrol, complete the Student Enrolment Form via the blue tab on the Enrolments page. The enrolment form must be submitted with evidence of address. The 2026/27 Enrolment Form and the Enrolment Documentation Checklist are provided for this purpose.

4) Enrolment forms are available from the school office if you cannot download them. Tours for the 2028 intake were announced in March 2027. The Foundation Orientation Program runs during October and November each year, with Parent Information Sessions conducted during this time.

5) Foundation enrolments are due by 31 July. Year 1-6 enrolments involve the Principal and/or Assistant Principal contacting the previous school for transfer students. Families moving into the school zone late in the year are encouraged to submit enrolment forms by October, when class placements are organised and teachers allocated.
School Events
The school has not added events
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