It all started in 1870…
In 1870, members of the local community came together to found Wandin Yallock Primary School, planting the seeds of what would become a rich and enduring educational tradition in the Yarra Valley. Over the decades, the school continued to grow and evolve, adapting to new generations of learners while holding fast to the core values of respect, responsibility and resilience. By 2013, the final stage of our modern building works had been completed, giving students flexible and beautiful learning studios that encouraged creativity, collaboration and powerful learning, all while preserving the charm and spirit of the original school.
As the years passed, Wandin Yallock strengthened its commitment to relational, purposeful education. Teachers and support staff embraced a whole-school approach built on strong positive relationships, evidence-based practice and a genuine belief in the potential of every child. The school used comprehensive assessment tools, explicit teaching methods and student-learning data to inform planning and continually refine practice. Our wellbeing approach was rooted in prevention, early intervention and restorative practices, ensuring that every child was supported emotionally, socially and academically. As a School-Wide Positive Behaviour school, we consistently taught and reinforced our shared values, helping children understand what respectful, responsible and resilient behaviour looked like each day.
The curriculum grew richer and more diverse, offering students opportunities in French, Physical Education, Art and STEM. Our rural environment, established gardens and school farm provided hands-on learning experiences that fostered curiosity and connection to nature. The partnership with the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead and Education Centre offered unique leadership opportunities, with students proudly hosting visiting schools and engaging with the authentic history of the region’s earliest pioneers. Strong learning partnerships with families, combined with a community-funded stadium, strengthened the school’s connection to its community and expanded opportunities in sport, events and extracurricular activities.
In 2022, the school community finally came together — after a two-year delay — to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Wandin Yallock’s 150th birthday (plus two). Past students, staff, families and community members gathered to share memories, honour the school’s long history and reflect on the generations of children who had learned, played and grown within its grounds. The celebration captured what had always made Wandin Yallock special: a strong sense of belonging, pride in its heritage and a deep commitment to supporting every child’s future.
Looking back across more than a century and a half, Wandin Yallock’s story was one of community, connection and continuous growth. From its humble beginnings to its modern learning studios, from early farming families to future-minded STEM learning, the school remained grounded in its vision of nurturing confident, capable and compassionate young people — children who were supported to shine academically, socially and emotionally.
Continuing Our Story Together
Although our 150th (plus two) celebration marked a remarkable milestone in Wandin Yallock’s history, our story is still being written and we would love our past students, staff and families to remain part of it. Memories from your time at Wandin Yallock help keep the spirit of the school alive for future generations, preserving the friendships, achievements and everyday moments that shaped who we became.
We warmly invite you to share your memories in as much detail as you like so we can continue adding to our Wandin Yallock Memory Book. We have created a Google Form as an easy way for our community to record their experiences and contribute to our ongoing story. If you prefer a physical copy of the form, you can contact the school office and we will happily provide one.
These cherished stories help us honour our past while staying connected as we move into the future. We encourage you to stay in touch, follow our updates and continue sharing your connection to Wandin Yallock, no matter how many years have passed.
