About Us
Background
The school opened as a part time school with Menzies Creek, in a two room shack called the “Pines.” The name of the school changed from Upper Ferntree Gully, to Upwey, then Belgrave and finally Tecoma in 1961. Since its opening Tecoma Primary has established a proud history of providing high quality education to students that are drawn predominantly from Tecoma, Belgrave and Upwey.
Tecoma Primary School is an integral part of the community and has developed and maintains an excellent reputation. It strongly emphasises the importance of a close home-school partnership. This emphasis is reflected in the day-to-day involvement of parents in school activities and participation in decision-making. Families are generally very supportive of the school and each other. A genuine feeling of community spirit surrounds the school, with school facilities often being used after hours by other community groups.
The school has a current enrolment of 450 students.
School Values
At Tecoma Primary School, we value: Respect, Integrity, Learning, Creativity, Personal Best and Community.
Learning Programs
Tecoma Primary School provides a balanced and inclusive curriculum, meeting children’s academic, social and emotional needs and levels of development.
Following a strong Transition Program from preschool, the school offers a comprehensive and sequential Victorian curriculum.
Digital Technologies are integrated into classroom practice via a school wide network, supported by laptops, notebooks and iPads, in classrooms.
Acknowledging the diversity of learning styles, interests and talents, the school provides a wide range of enrichment opportunities including:
- Reading Room supporting 48 children in Grades 1 to 6
- Tutoring program
- Swimming, sporting clinics, interschool sports
- 3 – 6 camping program
- Tecoma Primary School Community Big Breakfast
- Instrumental and percussion music, choir, school band, musical productions
- Tecoma Pre-school – Year 4 Buddies Program
- Prep-Year 5 Buddies
- KidsMatter School – Bounceback Program
- Restorative Practices
- Life Education
- Year 6 Student Leadership Program – School Captains, House Captains, Junior School Council, Performing Arts, Music, Science, Computer, Environment and Art Captains
- Curriculum based incursions / excursions
- University of New South Wales Testing
- Before and After School Care Program
- Science Progam
Curriculum
Tecoma Primary School provides a broad curriculum that ensures opportunities and successes for all children. Our school has a reputation for its positive, caring environment which promotes and celebrates endeavour and the pursuit of excellence.
We promote excellence in learning by providing quality programs that challenge and interest all students.
Tecoma fosters the development of self-esteem, confidence, independence and co-operative skills.
The Victorian Curriculum Foundation (Prep) – 10 (F – 10) sets out what every student should learn during their first eleven years of schooling. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship.
The Victorian Curriculum F-10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian priorities and standards.
The design of the Victorian Curriculum F-10 is set out below:
| Learning areas | Capabilities |
| The Arts · Dance · Drama · Media Arts · Music · Visual Arts · Visual Communication DesignEnglish Health and Physical EducationThe Humanities · Civics and Citizenship · Economics and Business · Geography · History Languages – Japanese Mathematics Science Technologies |
Critical and Creative Thinking Ethical
|
- Cross Curricular Learning in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia and Sustainability spans across all curriculum areas.
See https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/ for more detailed information about the Victorian Curriculum.
The Victorian Curriculum matches the level to the grade as follows:
Foundation Level – First year of school (Prep)
Level 1 – Grade 1
Level 2 – Grade 2
Level 3 – Grade 3
Level 4 – Grade 4
Level 5 – Grade 5
Level 6 – Grade 6
Tecoma Primary School places particular emphasis on the development of Literacy and Numeracy skills.
We have specialist staff operating comprehensive programs in the areas of:
- Reading Room Literacy Support (Grade P-6)
- Literacy and Numeracy tutoring
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts – Music
- LOTE – Japanese
- Physical Education
All students attend weekly Science & Library sessions.
The use of Digital Technologies (laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, iPads, interactive white boards) is interwoven into the Curriculum to enhance and optimise student learning.
All students have the opportunity to participate in a range of educational programs and activities including:
- Swimming Program
- Camps and Excursions
- Band
- Choir
- School Productions
- Bike Education
- Perceptual Motor Program
- Garden Club
- Lego CLub
- Art Club
- Junior and Senior Code Club
- Japanese Club
- Aerobics
- Sports training
- Dance
- Mindfulness
- Volleyball (Grade 5 and 6)
- Inter school Sport
- House Sports in Cross Country, Swimming & Athletics
Annual Report & Strategic Plan
Staff of 2022
Rohan Thompson – Principal
Di Double – Assistant Principal
Karin Hartnell – Business Manager
Heather Lynch – Office Manager
Anthea Cresswell – Office Administrator
Marnie Martin – Office Administrator & Uniform Shop
Felicity Young – Prep Team Leader & Prep Classroom Teacher
Kathy Perushyn – Prep Classroom Teacher
Helen Kesarios – Prep Classroom Teacher
Paulina van Elmpt – Grade 1 Classroom Teacher
Neshadi Weeratunga – Grade 1 Classroom Teacher
Deb Langford – Grade 2 Classroom Teacher
Chelsey Robins – Grade 2 Classroom Teacher
Trevor Wilson – Grade 2 Classroom Teacher
Hayley Ward – Grade 3 Team Leader & Grade 3 Classroom Teacher
Liam Wright – Grade 3 Classroom Teacher
Helen Neal – Grade 3 Classroom Teacher
Gemma Porter – Grade 3 Classroom Teacher
Laura Rawnsley – Grade 4 Team Leader & Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Phil Darbyshire– Leading Teacher & Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Tahlia Bye – Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Soleda Graham – Year 5 Team Leader and Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Stuart McLean – Leading Teacher and Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Dilek Ugrasbul – Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Lisa Hoskins-Faul – Grade 6 Classroom Teacher
Polly Swan – Grade 6 Classroom Teacher
Monica Griffiths – Grade 6 Team Leader & Grade 6 Classroom Teacher
Jane McManamon – Art Teacher
Sally Connell – Music Teacher
Nicole Cumming – Physical Education Teacher
Masae Uekusa – Japanese Teacher
Kath Young – Education Support Staff
Megan Wilson – Education Support Staff
Rita Senior – Education Support Staff & OSHC Assistant
Jennie Tuvey – Library Technician
Adelle Young – OSHC Coordinator
Daniel Gasson – OSHC Assistant
Bree Schafter – Literacy Tutor
Shelley Smith – Numeracy Tutor
Mel Rowland – Numeracy and Literacy Tutor
School Council
Tecoma Primary School Council
The School Council is the governing body of the school and supports the Principal and Teaching Staff in ensuring our school delivers on its mission statement which is:
“At Tecoma, we strive to create a responsive co-operative, innovative, teaching and learning environment. We aim for development of the whole person as a committed lifelong learner who embraces self-development, achievement and contributes to their community.”
It is a representative body, with a membership comprising of both parents and teachers reflecting the important partnership between the school and home.
Elections are conducted during Term 1 each year and elected members are on School Council for a two year term.
Your 2022 School Councillors
The school council is made up of seven parent members (4 executive) and 4 DET members all of whom work together as a team.
Executive Team
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Parent Members