Our School
Vision
At Springside we deliver excellence. Our community works in harmony to develop creative learners who think, act and contribute positively to an ever-changing world.
Values
Respect
Optimism
Responsibility
Excellence
@ Springside we R.O.R.E.
Motto
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
Leadership
Welcome to Springside Primary School,
As the proud Principal of Springside Primary School, I am honoured to lead a school that is dedicated to providing an exceptional education for every student. With my experience in teaching and leadership roles both in Australia and abroad, I can confidently say that our school is committed to evidence-based educational practices, with the student always at the centre. Since 2020, we have based our assessment and instructional practices on the body of research known as the Science of Learning, using Explicit Direct Instruction to teach all students, in every subject, every day.
Formerly known as Caroline Springs College – Springside Campus and Springside P-9 College, Springside Primary School has grown steadily over the years and currently enrols more than 900 students.
At Springside Primary School, we believe in offering a well-rounded education that prepares our students for a successful future. Our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program (SWPBS), for which we are recognised as a GOLD Level school, fosters a positive and respectful school culture. Ongoing reporting to families through Seesaw keeps them informed and engaged in their child’s progress. Our commitment to early identification and intervention for students with specific learning difficulties ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive. Additionally, our Student Excellence Program (extension) and Masterclasses (intervention) allow us to challenge and nurture the talents of all our students.
We take pride in our state-of-the-art facilities, including our two Science Labs for hands-on experiments and our Digital Technologies Lab. The Food Tech Room promotes cooking skills using produce from our very own Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (including cheeky chickens), lovingly maintained by our students. We even hold the Spade and Spoon Markets to showcase the fruits of our labour.
To ensure the well-being of our students, we have an Inclusion Hub and Friendship Stop, providing a safe and structured space where students can learn pro-social behaviours during lunch and recess breaks. We value a strong connection to country and culture and promote the inclusion of all cultures at our school. We believe in nurturing adaptable and responsive students, supported by encouraging families, dedicated staff, and an enthusiastic School Council and Parents’ Association. I am also proud of our strong partnership with the management of our Springside Primary School Kinder. We ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners with access to school facilities, learning and well-being practices, and buddy programs prior to starting school.
In addition to our Student Action Teams led by our School Captain, “Persuade the Principal” is a pivotal part of our community, where students have the opportunity each week to persuade the principal to co-create a plan and empower others to support student-led projects for the school and wider community. This initiative fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging student voice and leadership while enhancing our school’s commitment to inclusive and impactful community engagement. Our decision-making process is driven by community input and student voice, guided by the Victorian Curriculum, which promotes individual learning and success. We offer specialist classes in AUSLAN, Physical Education, Visual Art, Performing Arts, Digital Technology, and Indonesian, enabling students to explore their interests and talents.
I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you to Springside Primary School. Together, with our dedicated staff and engaged community, we strive to provide the very best education for our students, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Kind regards,
Gab Zorko
Principal of Springside Primary School and Kindergarten
History
Springside College started its life as a stand-alone school in 2012. Previously a campus of Caroline Springs College, Springside was the fourth and final addition to the multi-campus setting. Springside College is a Kindergarten to Year 9 educational setting that was constructed in two stages. Stage 1 opened in 2009, catering for students from Kindergarten to Year 4 with a total of 154 enrolments. Stage 2 followed in 2010, catering for students from Kindergarten to Year 9 with a total of 570 enrolments. Our student population has continued to grow with 771 enrolments for the 2019 school year and in 2020 we have an enrolment of 778 students.
With the opening of the new Springside West Secondary College (no affiliation) in 2018, Springside P-9 College has transitioned to a P-6 Primary school. In 2020 we commenced operation as a P-6 school and have been renamed to Springside Primary School.
We have a most supportive and enthusiastic school community, School Council and Parents and Friends team who are dedicated to, and actively involved in, supporting the college to be the very best it can.
Mission Statement
To embed a ‘Professional Learning Community’ culture at Springside Primary School, where we work collaboratively and interdependently to significantly improve the outcomes of every child at our college. This will be achieved through:
- having high expectations of ourselves and others in our ‘Professional Learning Community’
- a shared belief that all students can and want to learn, and have the right to achieve their full potential
- delivering an authentic Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum that is differentiated to meet the individual learning needs of our students
- authentic assessment practices that are be used to identify and monitor our students progress and their next learning
- delivering a Twenty First Century learning environment for all members of our ‘Professional Learning Community’
- ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all members of our ‘Professional Learning Community’
- building teacher knowledge, skills and capacity
- utilising research based best practice and authentic evidence
- providing relevant and timely feedback for staff and students
- monitoring and reflecting on our progress
- recognising and celebrating our successes
- recognising and acknowledging areas for improvement and working collaboratively and strategically to address them
Our Purpose
At Springside Primary School we have a strong focus on student growth across all aspects of their school and beyond school lives. As well as focussing on growth in student learning outcomes, we have our students’ engagement and wellbeing at the forefront of our actions. Our priority at Springside Primary School is to meet the individual learning needs of every student and to enhance their learning opportunities and achievement. We believe every child can learn and that every child has the right to learn. We take seriously the responsibility we have in ensuring each child realises their full potential and grows to participate and contribute to their future community. This is best achieved by parents, students and staff collaboratively working together in partnership.
We are in final year of our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, with 2020 being a year of School Review. This plan outlines our priorities and strategies in achieving ongoing whole school improvement. There is a strong focus on Literacy, Numeracy and 21st Century Skills as well as building resilience to enhance student wellbeing and engagement, and providing purposeful research-based programs for all students. Supporting this is our ‘Springside Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum’ and our ‘Springside Instructional Model’ which underpin our focus on high quality learning and teaching. To further support this we have a strategic approach to enhance the capacity of our teachers, many of whom are graduates in their first, second or third year of teaching. We are also developing a ‘School-wide Positive Behaviours’ approach to enhancing the already high expectations we hold for our school community.