About River Gum Primary School

River Gum is a Primary School located in Hampton Park, between Dandenong and Cranbourne. The school caters for a wide range of social, economic and cultural backgrounds.

At River Gum Primary School students own their learning and teachers use their pedagogical knowledge to personalise learning. We value community, relationships and reflection.


Check if you live in the zone to attend River Gum Primary School.

Click the Find my School button.

BOOST Program

The BOOST program (Building Oppurtunity Ownership Student agency and Teamwork) is having an extremely positive impact on students' engagement and learning.

Students in Year 6 choose from 36 electives throughout the year and participate in 4 each term. Students also have daily English and Maths classes with a consistent teacher.

The idea is to prepare our Year 6 students for a smooth transition to high school so we have designed the program to resemble a high school timetable for the all of Year 6 also.

This focus was chosen because of the new FISO priorities of Learning and Wellbeing Data from ATOSS that let us know that students in Year 6 were apprehensive about high school and were concerned about the great unknown.

We also had feedback from the local high school that in general, Year 6 students were ill-prepared for high school.

We wanted our students and families to have genuine choice in choosing what subjects they are learning about, so by choosing from 36 electives throughout the year it allowed all students to choose electives that they're passionate about.

We are seeing students have great success in their chosen fields.

    Student academic benefits:
  • Foster student agency so students feel they have a say over what they learn at school
  • Learn core curriculum Maths and Literacy from teachers who are building expertise through a year of professional learning and mentoring in either Math or English
    Student social benefits:
  • Learn time management and how to work in a rotating schedule in a familiar environment so as the lessen the impact of shock during Year 7 transition.
  • Learn and build relationships with a variety of teachers
  • Work collaboratively with the majority of the cohort to ensure they build friendships heading into high school.
  • Work in a less traditional setting that caters to all skill sets and encourages collaboration.
    Benefits for students with additional needs:
  • Whilst students with additional needs may struggle in traditional school settings, an opportunity to participate in an elective program allows them to engage and succeed within an inclusive culture, giving them agency over what they're learning and giving voice to students to work on their chosen passions.

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

River Gum Primary School is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. River Gum Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse. River Gum Primary School is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.

Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in River Gum Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Newsletter

Principals Message

At River Gum Primary School we believe that all students can achieve.

We set aspirational targets in learning and wellbeing through high expectations and our collective efficacy.

We are dedicated professionals committed to supporting our learners. We are genuine in our belief of our school motto: “Together We Can- for every child every day .” I am really proud of our school and our achievements as a staff to strive for student outcomes which allow students to thrive and reach their full potential.

We offer opportunities for all students to experience effective evidence based learning pedagogies and teaching strategies. We are innovative in our thinking and adapt and differentiate our practices to bring about continuous improvement for our school community. As a Professional Learning Community we collaborate with each other at high levels in planning, practice improvement, implementation and evaluation. We welcome feedback from our school community.

This is captured in our school vision “At River Gum our students own their learning and our teachers use their pedagogical knowledge to personalise learning. We value community relationships and reflection.”

Our school culture and climate frames our work, our success determined by high levels of trust, a safe and orderly learning environment, leadership that is shared, and a focus on what matters most.

Respect | For ourselves, others and our school. We understand that our attitude and behaviour impact on people around us.

Equality |We ensure that everyone has equal access and opportunities to succeed and grow.

Inclusion | We embrace diversity and make others feel welcome.

Excellence | We try our best. The school community at River Gum is both friendly and welcoming.

I look forward to working with you, as we strive together in partnership to provide the very best learning environment for your child. Thank you for considering our wonderful school for your child’s learning journey.

If you have any further questions, please call 9799 1216.

Robyn Trzeciak | Principal

School Council

The school council has particular functions in setting and monitoring the school’s direction.

School councils have 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 and review: developing, reviewing and updating policies that reflect a school’s values and support the school’s broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.
Other key functions of school councils include:
  • raising funds for school related purposes
  • maintaining school grounds and facilities
  • entering into contracts
  • reporting annually to the school community and the Department
  • creating interest in the school in the wider community
  • representing and taking the views of the community into account
  • regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds
  • operating a children’s service at the school.

School Council Members

Robyn Trzeciak, DET Member - Principal

Amy Parsons, DET Member

Kerrie Ford, DET Member

Lyn Hempel, DET Member

Allison King, DET Member

Sanja Dinek, Parent Member

Nicole Miles, Parent Member

Michelle Delceppo, Parent Member

Jade Pantic, Parent Member

Zohra Hasib, Parent Member 

Laurel Gardner, Parent Member

Dilushi Rathnayaka, Parent Member

Lynn Fields, Community Member

Nga Tekopua, Community Member