Our Vision
At Berwick Primary School, our values guide how we learn, how we act and how we care for one another. They shape every classroom, every interaction and every opportunity for our students.
Respect | Excellence | Kindness
Est. 1857
Our History
Over 165 years of education, community, and growth in the heart of Berwick.
1857
The School Begins
Berwick Primary first opened on 23 November 1857, beginning life in an old shepherd's hut near the old Berwick hospital. The first head teacher was named O'Malley.
1861 – Peel Street Era
A New Home in Berwick
A new and bigger school was built on a new site to replace the first schoolhouse. It was located on the triangular area bounded by Peel Street and the road to Harkaway. The original building now houses a cafe and the National Trust.
1862
A Common School
The school was officially registered as a common school in 1862, reflecting the expanding educational framework across Victoria.
1869
Moving On
The school relocated to yet another site in 1869, continuing to grow and adapt to the needs of the expanding Berwick community.
1873
Becoming a State School
Following the Education Act of 1872, the school was officially declared a state school in 1873 — the year most consider the formal founding of Berwick Primary.
1875
Growing Enrolments
By 1875, the school had reached 155 enrolled students — a clear sign of Berwick's growth as a thriving regional community.
1887 – 1918
Early Head Teachers
Three head teachers shaped the school across three decades of growth — Rankin, McCann, and Barker.
1911
The Coronation Tree
An oak tree, supplied by Mr Loveridge, was planted to mark the coronation of King George V — now known as the “Coronation Tree”.
1926
The Chirnside Bell
Andrew Chirnside, then owner of Edrington Estate, donated a bell to the school — still proudly displayed in the school foyer today.
1961
Memorial Iron Gate
104 years on, former students presented the school with a memorial iron gate bearing No. 40 — once the entrance to the Peel Street school.
1970
A New Name
The school was officially renamed Berwick Primary School in 1970, cementing its identity as a cornerstone of the local community.
2001
Back to Berwick
As plans for a new site took shape, a special "Back to Berwick" event was held in 2001 to celebrate the school's rich history and farewell the beloved Peel Street campus.
2003
A New Campus Opens
The brand-new school opened on Fairholme Boulevard in Berwick in 2003, providing modern facilities for a new chapter in the school's 145-year story.
2012
Spanish Program Launched
Spanish was introduced as a specialist program, taught to all students from Foundation to Year 6 by a dedicated specialist teacher.
Today
Excellence in Every Classroom
With 850+ students and 90+ dedicated staff, Berwick Primary continues to set the standard for primary education in Victoria — guided by the VTLM 2.0 and a proud tradition stretching back to 1857.
Our Houses
Our house names honour four families who shaped the Berwick community. Streets around the township are also named after these local identities.
Beaumont
Llewellyn D Beaumont took up farming in Berwick in 1892 on "Ardblair", breeding cattle, making cheese and introducing sheep to the district.
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Gardiner
Captain Robert Gardiner settled in Berwick around 1837 and is acknowledged as the founder of Berwick, building "Melville Park" west of Cardinia Creek.
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Langmore
Dr Percy Langmore practised medicine in Berwick from 1907 to 1955, named Citizen of the Century by the Berwick Pakenham Gazette in 2000.
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Wilson
The Wilson family were early settlers, buying land in 1854. For three generations they worked the quarry where Wilson Botanic Park now stands, supplying bluestone for the Melbourne–Gippsland railway.
Discover moreSchool Council
The purpose of School Council is to assist with the planning and governance of our school and to support the principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for students.
What is School Council?
School Council has three main responsibilities:
Finance
Overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation.
Strategic Planning
Participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan.
Policy Development
Developing, reviewing and updating policies that reflect a school’s values and support the broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.
2026 School Council Elections
The School Council election will be held during March. All councillors except the principal have a two year term of office. Nominations are now open and will close at 4:00pm on Wednesday 5 March.
For more information, please visit education.vic.gov.au
Council Members
| Principal | Paul Poliviou |
| President | Matthew Tippett |
| Vice President | Lucey Porch |
| Treasurer | Emily Lidgerwood |
| Parent Reps | Matthew Tippett, Inam Haider, Juanita Sawkins, Deb Enderby, Lucey Porch, Erin Anderson, Kristen Atkinson, Jemma Morton, Nalin Dissanayake, Aman Dhillon. |
| DET Reps | Amelia Davey, Andrew Healy, Rebecca Hale, Emily Lidgerwood |
Key Policies and Annual Report
Our policies cover a range of topics and are regularly reviewed. If you cannot see the policy you are searching for, please contact us at berwick.ps@education.vic.gov.au and we will be in contact.
Strategic & Annual Plans
Medical & Safety
General Operations
Privacy Policy
The Schools' Privacy Policy and Collection Statement can be viewed via the links below.
The Department of Education and Training (which includes all Victorian government schools, central and regional offices) values the privacy of every person and is committed to protecting information that schools collect. The Department has developed a new Schools' Privacy Policy and related documents for all Victorian government schools.
All staff, service providers (contractors) and agents, (whether paid or unpaid) of the Department, and this Victorian government school (our school), must comply with Victorian privacy law and this policy.
In Victorian government schools the management of 'personal information' and 'health information' is governed by the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) (collectively, Victorian privacy law). This policy explains how our school collects and manages personal and health information, consistent with Victorian privacy law.
Child Safe Standards
Berwick Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. As part of the Victorian Government's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust report, there is a new regulatory landscape (Ministerial Order No. 870) surrounding child safety, underpinned by new Child Safe Standards. This order came into operation on the 1st of August 2016.