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ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 ARE NOW OPEN!
Please come into our office to collect an enrolment form or an application form.
**If we are your closest school, you can collect an ENROLMENT form. You are an automatic and guaranteed enrolment.
** If we are not your closest school, and you have considered/toured your neighbourhood school, and would still like to enrol at CNPS, you may take an APPLICATION form. Once we have finalised our enrolments, we will offer places to people on our application list.
** We will be in touch on August 1st to confirm your child's place at our school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to view questions that you may have about how the school operates.
CHASING DREAMS
Our wonderful 2025 prep students have made a video showcasing what our beautiful school is all about! This may be of particular interest to new familes who would like to familirise their child/ren with the school.
School Times:
School Times:
9:00 – 11:00 – Session 1
11:00 – 11:30 – Recess break
11:30 – 1:25 – Session 2
1:25 – 1:35 – Eating time (in rooms)
1:35 – 2:25 – Lunch break
2:25 – 3:25 – Session 3
3:25 – Dismissal
Term Dates 2025:
Term Dates 2025:
Term 1: Tuesday 28th January – Friday 4th April
Term 2: Tuesday 22nd April – Friday 4th July
Term 3: Mon 21st July – Friday 19th September
Term 4: Monday 6th October – Friday 19th December
Subjects
Subjects
Mathematics
Mathematics
At Castlemaine North Primary School, we are passionate about designing Maths lessons that are engaging, enjoyable and meaningful.
We believe that anyone can do maths, and that it is creative, exciting and useful.
Literacy
Literacy
From matching sounds with letters, to writing full paragraphs while using literary devices, we aim to foster a life-long love of reading and writing through our Literacy program.
Big Question Time (BQT)
Big Question Time (BQT)
Big Question Time is a program where a 'big question' is explored in depth over a number of weeks through inquiry-based learning, an educational approach that focuses on investigation and problem-solving.
During BQT, students are not only presented with information, but challenged to further their understandings through questions and investigations.
Health & Physical Education
Health & Physical Education
Regular movement and physical activity is essential for human wellbeing. This is provided at our school through games, sports and other activities such as gymnastics, dance, athletics and swimming lessons. Physical, social, psychological and cognitive skills are enhanced through these activities.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts
Weekly Art sessions nurture students' abilities to creatively express themselves and enhance motor skills through painting, drawing, sculpturing and more, while learning to appreciate the beauty of art.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
Combining elements of dance, drama and music, our Performing Arts program promotes creative expression and boosts students' confidence through a range of fun, endorphin-pumping performance-related activities.
Indonesian
Indonesian
Our Indonesian program offers students the opportunity to learn a language other than English, enables them to explore different cultures and lifestyles, and provides a broader perspective of the world around them.
More Links
More Links
About CNPS
About CNPS
Castlemaine North Primary School was established in 1878 and is located in a residential area of Castlemaine, drawing students from the town and surrounding district. The current enrolment is 281. The nearest major regional centre is Bendigo, which is approximately 30 kilometres to the north.
The buildings are a mix of the original 1878 building, a 1970s construction which has been refurbished and our BER learning spaces along with a Mod. 5 (portable) building. Other facilities include an Art room, Library and Performing Arts room. The school has extensive playing facilities with areas set aside for passive and active recreation. Considerable effort is made to ensure that buildings and grounds are attractive learning environments for students.
Castlemaine North Primary School places a strong emphasis on providing a diverse and creative curriculum. An integrated inquiry approach to learning is a feature of the school, with all classes engaging in "Big Question Time" each week. All classes are supported by specialist programs in L.O.T.E. (Indonesian), Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Physical Education/Health. Additional programs include the ‘Play is the Way’ pro-social skills program, swimming, instrumental music, choirs, circus skills, Reading Recovery, camps, excursions, bicycle education and Preparation for Puberty.
Parent and community participation complements and extends the quality programs provided by staff, with parent involvement a strong feature of the school. This partnership enables our parents to participate in many aspects of school life and gives rise to a cooperative school culture where a spirit of mutual respect is evident. A strong and positive School Council and an active Parents and Carers Association guide policy decisions, develop and maintain facilities and raise additional funds for the school.
Acknowledgement of Country
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Djaara people as members of the Dja Dja Wurrung community as the first peoples of Castlemaine and the surrounding areas. The Dja Dja Wurrung have been custodians and caretakers of the land and waters for many centuries and continue to perform age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We acknowledge the Jaara people as the custodians of the lands and waters of Castlemaine and we thank them for the care they have taken of country, the waters, the mountains, trees and animals. We also recognise all other Indigenous people of Castlemaine.
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