About BPS

Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to Blackburn Primary School.

I am incredibly privileged to be the 28th Principal of Blackburn Primary School, a school with a proud history of over 130 years, providing high quality educational experiences for the students of the Blackburn area.

BPS is a family-friendly school, with a strong sense of community, connection and belonging. We are privileged to enjoy high student achievement, well-behaved and focused students, strong teaching teams, and dedicated and enthusiastic parents.

Our parents have high expectations of the school’s academic provision and our committed teachers, support staff and supportive school community work together to facilitate high quality learning opportunities.

As learning and teaching paradigms are being rapidly reshaped by changing technology and global events, students at Blackburn are being educated to confront their challenges with confidence, optimism, resilience and integrity. The school offers a progressive approach to educating students from Prep – Year 6. The school leadership team and staff of professional educators purposefully provide optimal learning experiences for each and every student and as such, provide all children with learning that is personalised, contemporary, evidence-based and technologically rich. Our students enjoy and engage in a broad and differentiated curriculum promoting creativity, resilience and a growth mindset. The strengths, talents and learning styles of each student is harnessed and celebrated.

BPS is set on a substantial site with outstanding facilities and attractive grounds. All classrooms are well-resourced and provide an engaging and stimulating learning environment where student work is displayed with pride. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is utilised throughout the school to enhance teaching and learning and incorporates the use of Smart TVs, laptop computers, robotics and iPads. Outside there are extensive play areas for junior and senior students with a range of playgrounds, sandpits, a large oval, basketball/netball/tennis court, kitchen garden and quiet play areas.

Classroom programs, along with Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education, kitchen garden and LOTE (Mandarin) specialist programs, offer students an education that prepares them well to transition seamlessly into Year 7 and beyond.

I look forward to meeting you at Blackburn Primary School and introducing our wonderful students and school leaders who will proudly show you around our school with its mix of excellent learning spaces, specialist classrooms, gymnasium and library and share with you all the wonderful things that happen at BPS that inspire our students and welcome your family as we share the exciting journey of primary school together.

Believe, Persevere & Succeed.

Scott Minetti

Our Origins

The mid 1880s was a time of transformation in the city of Blackburn. The telephone had only been invented 10 years earlier, motorised carriages were beginning to chug into the pages of history, and Australia had a population of a mere three million. Our town had recently changed its name from Blackburn Creek to Blackburn.

At the time, families had to travel almost two miles to Seagoe Common School No. 463 (now the site of Box Hill High School) for their children’s education. Amidst this era of development, the community unanimously voted to build a central school in Blackburn.

The Early Years

Blackburn School, as it was known then, officially opened on May 1st 1889, by Founding Principal John Williams, with his sister Ellen Williams, on board as head teacher. The original schoolhouse was the only building on site and housed the 80 founding students in two rooms – infant and older students. The school catered from the foundational years into Year 8 and grew in numbers quickly. By 1901 the average attendance reached 102 students with three teachers on duty. With an increase of 20 students over the next three months, extensions were necessary and Principal John Williams campaigned for additions and changes to the school to accommodate the growing school population.

In April 1902, an additional room was built adjacent to the old schoolhouse, designed to be a replica of the old schoolhouse and shared a common wall. This new accommodation would cater for 80 additional pupils and is currently our Art Room. Additionally, a porch on the North side of the building was completed along with a cloak room and toilets.

By 1911 the school had grown considerably and an acre of land to the East of the old schoolhouse (currently our school oval, Gym and Junior Building) was acquired from Mr. A Zerbe, a local orchardist for 100 pounds.

A Legacy of Community

The historical archives show that the Blackburn School Band has almost 100 years of history of playing and learning together. The original brass band was formed in the late 1920s and had a range of ages playing together. The current school band continues to evolve from its brass band roots and remains an acclaimed and respected part of the school community today.

The years of the Second World War saw Blackburn, along with every other town in Australia, saying farewell to those who were sent overseas to serve in various capacities. Many former scholars of Blackburn School left their familiar surroundings, to volunteer for the war effort.

By the early 50s in post-war Blackburn, Blackburn School became a primary school exclusively from Preparatory classes to Grade 6. By the 60s and 70s, a number of other primary schools had opened in the area, due to the post-war baby boom.

Looking Forward

Blackburn Primary School continues to grow and embody the best of the Blackburn community and culture and continues to be a school of incredible history, innovation, community and learning.

School Values

BPS graduates understand that our core school values – Responsibility, Co-operation, Celebrate Diversity, Manners and Respect, Fairness and Honesty, and Friendship – are fundamental human values. They underpin life at Blackburn Primary School, defining how students, staff and community treat each other and approach school life. Both students and staff can articulate what these values mean in practice, ensuring they are lived out daily, not just talked about.

We actively recognise and celebrate students who contribute to the school experience through their commitment to learning and community spirit. Through our credit and house systems, we reward good citizenship and kindness, supporting students as they learn to intrinsically embody these traits. Ultimately, we are proud to be recognised within our local community as a school that fosters open-mindedness and social responsibility, providing students with ample opportunities to learn and demonstrate good citizenship through our values program.

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of Blackburn Primary School and explore our learning spaces, facilities, and vibrant school environment.