Principal’s Welcome
Mr Kris Johnson – Acting Principal of Billanook Primary School
Welcome To Billanook Primary School
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Billanook Primary School website. Please explore the information on this site as a brief introduction to our community. Billanook Primary School is situated in the attractive, natural bushland setting adjacent to Mount Dandenong National Park in Montrose. We are fortunate to be in a truly beautiful environment providing our students with the opportunity to run and play in both natural and developed play spaces.
Billanook Primary School is a truly special place where every child is known, valued and supported to thrive. At the heart of our school is a commitment to educating the whole child. We believe learning extends beyond academic achievement to include social, emotional and physical development. By nurturing curiosity, creativity and wellbeing alongside strong literacy and numeracy skills, we ensure our students grow into confident, capable and compassionate young people.
Our school provides a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels a genuine sense of belonging. We understand that children learn best when they feel secure and supported, so we prioritise positive relationships between students, staff and families. Diversity is celebrated, differences are respected and every voice matters. This culture of inclusion helps students develop empathy, resilience and the confidence to be themselves.
The values of Respect, Kindness, Grit and Aspiration are woven into everything we do at Billanook Primary School. Respect guides the way we treat one another and our community. Kindness shapes our interactions and builds strong, caring relationships. Grit encourages perseverance and a growth mindset, helping students face challenges with determination. Aspiration inspires our learners to set high goals and believe in their ability to achieve them.
Our teachers deliver excellent, evidence-based pedagogical practices and programs to ensure every student is supported to learn and succeed. Through explicit teaching, differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment, we carefully monitor student progress and tailor learning to meet individual needs. High-impact teaching strategies, collaborative planning and targeted interventions allow us to respond to data and provide timely support or extension. This commitment to best-practice instruction ensures that all students are challenged, engaged and equipped with the skills they need to achieve strong academic growth.
Together, these values and practices create a positive and supportive learning culture where students are encouraged to aim high and work hard while caring for those around them. At Billanook Primary School, we are proud to partner with families to help every child flourish; academically, socially and emotionally, preparing them not only for the next stage of schooling, but for life beyond the classroom.
I welcome all enquiries and encourage you to attend a tour to experience the strong sense of community at Billanook Primary School.
Kris Johnson
Acting Principal – Billanook Primary School
Online Tour
The best way to start learning about us. We have professionally produced dozens of videos showcasing our amazing school.
Our School Values
Within our learning community our Values underpins teaching and learning, guides our interactions and relationships and is modelled in all operational processes of the school. The Billanook Primary School community has a consistent and positive approach to behaviour and uses our Values and Restorative Practices, to foster a school climate where personal responsibility and self-discipline are developed.
Values activities can be adapted to be a part of any lesson whether it be Literacy, Numeracy, Inquiry or the specialist areas. Using reflection time, appreciation statements, cooperative learning activities or ‘energisers’ to keep concentration levels up are all part of the engagement process.
Inclusion activities are used extensively at the beginning of a school year through our Settle In Program to ensure that children know each other well and build bonds of friendship and respect.
Wellbeing Assemblies
Each fortnight students at Billanook meet for a wellbeing Assembly, with members of our community in attendance. This whole-school assembly is held on a Monday afternoon and is a platform used to celebrate students who are following our school valuess and also to deliver a wellbeing message.
Wellbeing foci that we cover include:
- Bucket Filling – Have you filled a bucket today?
- Cyber safety
- Anti-bullying – don’t be a bystander
- Qualities of good friends – Friendship soup
- Celebrating diversity
- Acts of kindness
- Team building challenges
- Mindfulness
These Wellbeing Assembly messages are followed up our classrooms after assembly and often at Year Level Assemblies later in the week. Our wellbeing messages are ingrained into the curriculum to ensure that they are not token efforts. We believe it is important to explicitly teach the skills and strategies students need build their capacity to be resilient, socially responsible and respectful in their relationships.
Respect - Show courtesy to ourselves, others and our environment
Affirming the value and uniqueness of each person. Treating others the way you would like to be treated; recognising and appreciating individual and cultural differences; and offering feedback that encourages growth.
Kindness - Always be friendly, generous and considerate of others
Treating others with care; stating appreciation for unique qualities, gifts, skills and contributions; avoiding negative remarks, name calling, hurtful gestures and behaviours.
Grit - Keep working towards your goals, even when they are challenging
Keep working towards your goals, even when they are challenging.
Aspiration - Strive for your personal best in everything you do
Striving for your personal best, reaching for the sky!
Aiming to improve on your own personal efforts; striving towards an optimum level across all aspects of the curriculum.
Book a School Tour
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