.jpg)
All learning areas at Northcote Primary School provide opportunities for students to play a key role in providing input and feedback on their learning. We have spent time researching and trialling different ways of collecting feedback from students. This involves using a range of strategies including ‘thumbs up/thumbs down’, traffic light system (Green – I can do this, Orange I am getting there, Red – I need help), exit slips etc. These strategies provide students with a voice, as well as an opportunity to reflect on their own learning.
At various points throughout the year, we undertake different student perception surveys, for instance the Departments Attitude to School Survey and Pivot. This allows us to capture the thoughts, perceptions, issues, and areas for improvement from the students as vital stakeholders in the learning taking place at school.
We support students to take more agency, responsibility, and ownership of their own learning using learning intentions and success criteria. Teachers work closely with students to set learning goals and monitor their individual progress towards these learning goals as a powerful learning tool. The culmination of this is the celebration of a learning conference with students, parents and teachers.
The Junior School Council is a key part of student life at Northcote Primary School, promoting student voice, leadership and active involvement in our community.
Two students from each Year 3–6 class are elected annually to represent their peers. Meeting fortnightly, they share ideas, raise student issues, lead initiatives, and support fundraising and citizenship projects. JSC members are role models who help make Northcote a place where all students feel heard, valued and empowered.
At Northcote Primary School, the house system is all about developing leadership skills and helping every student recognise their potential as a leader. It’s about building qualities like responsibility, initiative, and the ability to stand up for others. Our House Captains are great examples of these values. They listen to their classmates, understand their concerns, and speak up for them when needed.
House Captains take on a range of responsibilities throughout the year, such as leading assemblies, making announcements, and showing new families around. They help create a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of belonging for everyone. They set high standards for themselves and take pride in being role models for others, encouraging participation and making sure all voices are heard, especially those who might feel shy or left out.
House Captains are proud to represent Northcote Primary, whether it’s in school events, decision-making, or supporting their peers. Their leadership helps shape a school culture where students feel supported, valued, and empowered to make a difference.
Renaming Our Houses: Inspired by the Kulin Nation
As part of our ongoing commitment to cultural respect and awareness, we have renamed our school houses in recognition of the Kulin Nations, the alliance of five Indigenous Australian nations in south-central Victoria. Our school is located on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung land, and we acknowledge this as the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people. The other four nations of the Kulin Nation—Boonwurrung, Taungurung, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Wathaurong—are our neighbours.
After thoughtful consultation led by our House Captains, we selected new names for our houses that honour the cultural significance of the Kulin Nations: Boonwurrung, Taungurung, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Wathaurong. The territory of the Kulin Nation spans from the shores of Port Phillip and Western Port, extending up to the Great Dividing Range and the valleys of the Loddon and Goulburn Rivers. For thousands of years, the Kulin peoples have lived in harmony with this land, and their deep connection to the environment continues to this day.
In renaming our houses, we aim to honour the rich history and cultural significance of the Kulin Nations. This change acknowledges and respects the history and heritage of the land on which our school stands. Through this process, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of Kulin traditions and strengthen our connection to the land we all share. By recognising their legacy, we aim to cultivate greater respect for the enduring presence of the Kulin peoples and their ongoing relationship with this place.
Sustainability is a big part of who we are at Northcote Primary School, and we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. We are building a culture where caring for the environment is a part of everyday school life. To drive this vision, we’ve established the Green Team—a passionate group of student leaders dedicated to making our school and the local community more sustainable.
Through the ResourceSmart Schools program, the Green Team follows a framework based on four key themes: reducing waste, conserving water, improving energy efficiency, and creating a sustainable school environment.
Meeting fortnightly, the Green Team works together to set meaningful goals and create initiatives that inspire the school community to take action for a greener future. As leaders in sustainability, they bring their ideas to life through whole-school campaigns, improving recycling systems, and developing creative solutions to reduce waste. Their efforts play a key role in driving real change, shaping a cleaner, greener future for our school and beyond.