Camp Hill Primary School is located in Bendigo, a major regional centre in Victoria. The school is one of Bendigo’s oldest and has operated continuously on the site since 22nd January 1878. The first enrolment figure for the school was 1290 students. The building and entire school site is listed with Heritage Victoria, included in their statement of significance is the following: “The Camp Hill Central School is of historical significance as an important landmark in the City of Bendigo. Due to its size, siting and central position, it became regarded as the most important school in the city. The incorporation of the city's fire tower, and its use as both lookout and warning bell, are important.”
The majestic building is centrally located in Rosalind Park, with most students either driven or walk to and from school. The current school population is 381 students and 31 staff members. The school has a very strong and positive reputation within the Bendigo community and as a result is seen as a desirable location for parents to enrol their children. The introduction of the Neighbourhood School Policy with an accompanying school zone in 2006, has allowed the school to offer classes within a manageable teaching size, with the aim to maintain class sizes as small as possible.
Camp Hill Primary School aims to develop in each student an ability to maximise their potential and respect for themselves and others. We maintain and continue to build a peaceable school, where the school culture is positive, stimulating, harmonious and safe. The school was the first “Kids Go For Your Life School” in the region. We uphold the principles of healthy living which influences policies and practices within the school.
The school is working towards a broad view of environmental education for sustainability, including the development and management of the school grounds and buildings to ensure that not only are the physical surrounds enhanced but they provide educational and environmental experiences for the students. The school is developing links with community groups and organisations to maximise the potential of the school site and our educational programs. The range of specialist programs offered to students is seen as a strength of the school and highly valued by the school community. The quality of these programs add depth to the teaching and learning offered at Camp Hill Primary School. The following specialist classes operate: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Library, Indonesian and Reading Recovery. Additional Performing Arts experiences available to students include: the famous Camp Hill Short Circus, the Dance Troupes, Rhythm Band and Choir. The students involved in these groups represented Camp Hill Primary School at many regional events.
Successfully gaining Performance and Development Culture Accreditation through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, late in 2005 demonstrated that Camp Hill Primary School provides quality assurance for the development and management processes in the school that enable teachers to teach as well as they possibly can. Accreditation has not been perceived at Camp Hill Primary School as simply a compliance requirement, rather an opportunity to continually improve effectiveness.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in all school activities and to become partners with their teachers in developing positive educational outcomes for their students. Parental involvement is identified as an important component of the school. The school provides support to parents through a well regarded Out of School Hours Care Program.
The Camp Hill Primary School Council, as the prime decision making body, follows a team approach involving input from subcommittees which are made up of councillors, teachers and school leadership.
For the purpose of the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards Camp Hill Primary School falls into the Not For Profit/Community Service Organisation category. The school meets the criteria for this category as it operates for a purpose other than return to stakeholders and although the school trades in a surplus no person or organisation is paid a dividend.
