Gunbower Primary School

2027 Prep Enrolment:

All Victorian government primary schools follow the statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline. The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child at a Victorian government primary school.

You can apply to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) in 2027 from Monday 20 April 2026.

What you need to do:

1. Contact our school (03) 5487 1323  to book an optional school tour.

 2. Download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack from Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) (available by Monday 20 April 2026). This pack includes guidance on the application process.

3. Submit an enrolment application by Friday 31 July 2026.

Optional: Our school uses the Department of Education’s secure digital enrolment system called VicStudents. This means you can submit your Foundation (Prep) application online and receive updates through the system. If you have any questions about the online enrolment process, please contact our school. Paper enrolment application forms are also available on request.

4. You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 3 August and Friday 14 August 2026.

5. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should accept the offer by Friday 28 August 2026.

6. Take part in school transition sessions during Term 4, 2026.

7. Prepare your child to start Foundation (Prep) from Thursday 28 January 2027.

Enrolment applications submitted after 31 July 2026 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department’s Enrolment Policy.

For more information about the Foundation enrolment timeline, visit: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep).

Other year level enrolments

We also accept enrolment applications for students in other year levels. You can submit a request at any time in the school year.

Eligible students who live within our school zone are guaranteed a place, while students outside the zone may be enrolled if there are available places.

If you are seeking enrolment at any other year levels, please contact our school for more information.

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Yorta Yorta people, the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present, and emerging.

Gunbower Primary School prides itself on being a family-centred, welcoming school with an inclusive, friendly, and happy learning community atmosphere. The school is set in the rural township of Gunbower approximately 200 km north of Melbourne. At census in 2026, the school had 23 students. The school comprises an original two-classroom building plus a 2011 BER building (containing flexible learning spaces for 2/3 classes and an administration suite). In 2026, there are 2 classes comprising of Prep/1/2, and Grade 3/4/5/6. There is 1 full-time teacher and a 0.64 teacher who shares the G3/4/5/6 class with another part-time teacher two days a week. Support for students is delivered by the school principal who is also in the Mental Health and Wellbeing leader role. There are 2 part-time aides supporting students in each classroom.

The school continues to provide a safe and supportive environment with dedicated and enthusiastic teachers and support staff. It is a highly stimulating and engaging environment that caters to the needs of every child. Staff pride themselves in catering to their students' individual learning needs, using highly regarded, research-based teaching and learning methods. There is an ongoing focus on improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students and strengthening student intellectual engagement and self-awareness. Students are encouraged to strive to become their best versions of themselves as happy, healthy individuals who can contribute to and flourish within their community. The school's vision is to provide a comprehensive education for all students enabling them to reach their academic, social, emotional, and physical potential. Our school motto of ¿Learning for Life¿ reinforces this vision.

The well-being of students at Gunbower Primary is our first priority. We aim to create an environment where children feel safe and secure. We actively encourage student voice, and our school values are deeply embedded in everything we do. In 2024, we continue to embed our school values of:

·    RESILIENCE: Aspiring to learn with a growth mindset as lifelong learners

·    RESPECT: Valuing and caring for others, our environment, and ourselves

·    RESPONSIBILITY: Taking ownership of our choices, words, and actions.

These three values sit under the umbrella of LEARNING, which the school community sees as a vital part of what the school offers.

Specialist classes are provided weekly in Library (MARC van), Visual Art (MACC van), PE, and Music. LOTE (Auslan) is delivered through a hybrid model of online and teacher delivery. The Tutor Learning initiative, along with Tier Three student support also runs two days a week. Access to technology is strong with 1:1 iPads for students in grades Prep - 3 and laptops for students in grades 4 -6. All staff at Gunbower Primary are dedicated, and work cohesively, sharing high expectations for themselves, their peers, and students. Staff have a highly effective, cooperative team approach, which supports the teaching and learning program. Additionally, staff are committed to continuous improvement and achieving excellence in their teaching and learning. 

Gunbower Primary School places a strong emphasis on developing school, family, and community partnerships in a small rural district. A very strong partnership exists between parents and staff, with high levels of parent participation through School Council, Parents Club, School Concerts, and fundraising activities.

Our school zone

Our school zone is available on findmyschool.vic.gov.au. Findmyschool.vic.gov.au hosts the most up-to-date information about Victorian school zones for 2020 onwards.

Students residing in this zone are guaranteed a place at our school, which is determined on the basis of your permanent residential address.

The Department provides guidance through the School Placement Policy to ensure that students have access to their designated neighbourhood school and the freedom to choose other schools, subject to facility limitations.

You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on the Department’s website under School zones.  

Enrolment

Enrolment information can be found here and is also available at the school office.

Parent Payment Information

The Department of Education's Parent Payment Policy can be found here. Information on arrangements for our school can be found here on our policies page.