History:
St Damian’s School, Bundoora, was established in 1966 under the care of the Sisters of the Order of St Clare (Poor Clares). The order administered the school until 1983 when a lay principal was appointed. Initial enrolment was 40 students. This eventually peaked at 780 in the early 1980s, and the current enrolment is around 390 students.
Description:
St Damian’s is a Catholic primary school catering for students from Prep to Year 6.
St Damian’s has modern, well-equipped classrooms, a large library, an art room and a computer laboratory as well as a large oval, basketball courts, an adventure playground, shaded areas and a safe drop-off point.
We strive to be a living faith community, where the values of the Gospel are seen to be lived by all members through sacramental celebrations and social interaction with the parish community.
We recognise that each student is unique and we strive to create a nurturing and secure environment. Opportunities are given for children to develop to the best of their ability, as our learning is child-centred. A comprehensive curriculum is offered to all children, where special talents are recognised and encouraged.
Staff share a common understanding of the school's goals and objectives and seek to grow both professionally and personally. We recognise parents as prime educators and encourage them to take a cooperative role in the total education of their child.
Features:
Some particular features of St Damian's are:
• a Religious Education program in partnership with home and school
• a Pastoral Care program, including a Student Welfare Group
• a comprehensive and challenging curriculum
• exemplary literacy practices Foundation to Year 6, including Reading Recovery at Year 1
• Mathematics
• a safe Internet network throughout the school
• an extensive range of digital devices including iPads, laptops, interactive whiteboards in every learning area and other peripheral devices (spheros, ozobots, ollies) to support technology learning
• eSmart school
• study of a Language – Italian: Foundation –Year 6
• after-hours language lessons in Italian (CO-AS-IT)
• before/after-school hours care provided by Camp Australia
• keyboard lessons, available from the Primary Music Institute
• a camp experience: Foundation to Year 6
• an attractive, safe and happy environment
• a daily tuckshop.
St Damian's is a feeder school to the following secondary colleges: Loyola College, Watsonia (co-ed); Parade College, Bundoora (boys); and Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg (girls).