We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands we work and play on: the Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wurundjeri, Djab Wurrung, Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk People.
We honour the deep knowledge systems, cultures, languages and stories that have been nurtured on First Nations Countries for countless generations, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, community and education.
May we walk together in the spirit of learning, respect and partnership.
Left-Right: Paul McAloon, Melissa Pompe, Fiona Hindson-Plews, Annika Dalgleish
We have recently welcomed two new Education Improvement Leaders to our team.
Melissa Pompe and Annika Dalgleish will be joining Fiona Hindson-Plews (Education Improvement Leader) and Paul McAloon (Curriculum Access Leader). Please feel free to reach out via email, or approach them for a chat if you see them around.
MELISSA POMPE
Despite being known as a VCE General Mathematics teacher, Mel started her teaching career in a prep classroom in 2007. In 2008, she made the move to teach mathematics and science at Ballarat Secondary College (now known as Woodmans Hill Secondary College). Her passion for science then led her to teach Science Education at Federation University.
Mel returned to secondary education, spending 10 years at Ballarat High School where she developed her leadership capabilities, taking on learning specialist, leading teacher and assistant principal roles within both teaching and learning, and wellbeing. At the same time Mel was teaching General Mathematics within a highly organised team, implementing best practice teaching and learning strategies that resulted in high outcomes for all students.
Mel has a passion for teaching and learning and is excited about supporting Central Highlands school to achieve the best results for all students.
ANNIKA DALGLEISH
Coming from a Primary school background where she has taught from Foundation to Year 6, Annika also has experience as a Literacy Leader and Learning Specialist. Annika loves building connections, examining documentation systems and structures, and helping educators to be their best. She is highly qualified in Literacy, with a Masters of Applied Linguistics from the University of Melbourne. Her passion for Literacy instruction encompasses pre-Foundation skills, Disability and Inclusion support, English as an Additional Dialect or Language support, all the way to VCE.
See what professional learning is coming up at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership in Ballarat.
Explore more professional Learning Opportunities here.
ARC contains high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources to help you plan and implement the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0. We will continue to add more resources to support Victorian school leaders, teachers and students.
Click the link and use the search bar and/or apply search filters to find the right resources, at the right time, for you and your school.
The City Network is proud to launch their collaborative Marrung Plan – Getjawil Wungurrwil Marna.
The on-country launch at Yuille’s Wetlands included a Welcome to Country and water ceremony performed by Wadawarrung woman, Shannen Mennen, and songs by Sebastopol Primary School students. SEIL, Anne Gawith, spoke of the work undertaken to establish the plan, and how this is just the beginning of our collaborative work towards growing connection and culture, and fostering self-determination for our First Nations students.
Endorsed by all schools in the City Network, principals and Koorie Education Empowerment Leaders (KEELs) will be able to assess their progress and plan their actions using tools within the Getjawil Wungurrwil Marna booklet. Understanding that this work is ‘everybody’s business’ the plan will be made available for all staff within the city network.
Artist: Princey Taylor is a young Dja Dja Warrung person completing Year 12 student at Ballarat High School.
Artist’s statement:
Getjawil Wungurrwil Marna, meaning ‘all hands together’, represents the powerful connection shared among Indigenous people. It symbolises the strength found in community and how we are strongest when lifting one another up and empowering people within our culture. The hands encompass each other to create an Earth, drawing on the colours and symbolism of both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The centre circle of hands represent country, showing that our land can only be sustained, protected and cherished when we all embrace and celebrate our cultures. The artwork reflects the idea that the Earth is at the centre of who we are, and that we, in turn, are deeply connected and responsible for it.
Students from Ararat North, Lake Bolac, Maroona, and Willaura Primary Schools recently came together to continue the tradition of combining for their annual athletics day. The event brought small schools together in the spirit of community, participation, and sportsmanship.
These joint events provide valuable opportunities for students to connect with peers beyond their own school, strengthening social skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. By interacting with a wider group of students, children are able to build new friendships, practise teamwork in a larger setting, and develop resilience through healthy competition. For small schools in particular, these shared experiences enrich school life and reinforce the importance of collaboration, community, and inclusive participation.
May | 2026
Students at Beaufort Primary School no longer need to worry about a wet-day timetable this year! They are the proud recipients of a state-of-the-art roof covering their large outdoor court area, allowing play and sport in all weather.
Martha Haylett MP joined students to officially open the new structure, celebrating an exciting milestone for the school. The project was made possible through a Local Grants Fund opportunity, bringing a fantastic new space for active play, learning, and community connection.
Maybe your school could be next! See the link below.
Grants Opportunity:
Local Grants Fund - Western Renewables Link
June | 2026
Students have also been enjoying their recent acquisition of a Ninja Playground, which has quickly become a popular addition to the school grounds. The new equipment is providing plenty of opportunities for active play, challenge, and fun, encouraging students to test their balance, strength, and coordination while staying engaged with their peers.
MARC Van (Mobile Area Resource Centre) is providing rural schools with valuable opportunities to engage in Geography and STEM learning in new and exciting ways. Through hands-on activities, real-world connections, and interactive resources, students are able to deepen their understanding of the world around them while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry skills.
These experiences help bring learning to life, particularly for rural students, by broadening horizons and connecting classroom knowledge to global contexts and future-focused STEM pathways.
May | 2026
Students P-6 Shark Tank Invention Challenge
Students from P-6 have been exploring creativity and innovation through a “Shark Tank” invention challenge. They designed products to solve real-world problems, guided by criteria including research, protocol, design, and identifying the benefits of their ideas.
Persuasive Pitch to the Sharks
Students presented their inventions in a persuasive pitch to a panel of “sharks,” showcasing their ideas with confidence and explaining why their product should be supported. The experience highlighted strong communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Bullarto Brother Bucks Reward System
As part of the challenge, students were rewarded with Bullarto Brother Bucks, an initiative linked to school values and School-Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB) expectations.
June | 2026
There was also a classroom scone bake off. Judges struggled to determine a winner but landed on a traditional recipe with lemonade and yoghurt.
It’s been a busy term at Landsborough Primary School. With new student enrolments occurring, it meant it was time for
an update to their wall mural. In 2024 a new tradition was started with every student that walks through the doors, or staff member employed at the school, having their favourite character added to the growing mural. This provides everyone with a lasting memory of fantastic book and movie characters throughout their years at school.
Handprinted on the wall by principal, Ben Gallagher (Mr G) each student and staff member gets to watch their character come to life before their eyes and with more than 30 characters on the wall now it is looking very full! From classic book characters such as Harry the Dirty Dog, Grug, Possum Magic and the Hungry Caterpillar to more modern characters Thelma the Unicorn, Pig the Pug, Mario and Whizz there is something for everyone.
The real beauty of the mural is that it is continually growing, and at all times, it is never truly complete, it’s always sitting at around 97.54% done, knowing that as someone new arrives a new character will once again be added. Before the end of the term Mr G will be adding the student’s names and years, they were painted to each character to complete the memory of the characters they chose to represent them on the Landsborough Primary School Mural.
The mural helps to maintain connection between past students and staff members and the school, whilst strengthening the ongoing connections with the school community. Community members and families are often coming in to admire the mural and talk about the character selections as well as talking to future Foundation students about characters that they might pick when they come to the school.
New Characters added for students and staff in 2026 are:
Spiderman for Billy, Whizz for Shaelah, The Unicorn on the Loo for Bridgette, Cat in the Hat for Cora, Buzz Lightyear for Col, Matilda for Miss Jess, a horse for Edwina, R2D2 for Mr Morgan and Patch for Charlie.
June | 2026
As part of pre-NAIDOC Week celebrations, Ararat SC welcomed Chef Cat Clarke to lead First Nations students through a hands-on Indigenous cooking experience.
Students prepared a delicious menu featuring:
Kangaroo pizzas with bush greens
Crocodile sausage rolls
Lemon myrtle chicken and rice
Wattle seed chocolate mousse
Throughout the session, Cat guided students through each recipe, sharing the cultural significance of Indigenous ingredients, where they naturally grow, and how they can be sourced today. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate First Nations culture through food, storytelling and shared learning.
The day also included a special presentation recognising Year 12 studens, Kiah Arch, who was proudly awarded a Marrung Scholarship. Congratulations, Kiah, on this outstanding achievement!
Did you know the Academy offers free learning space hire for schools?
With spaces from meeting rooms to learning studios that fit up to 55 people, the Academy is the perfect place for your next leadership meeting or whole school curriculum day. To submit a booking request, fill out the form here.