Welcome to Bardon State School.
Nestled in the heart of a vibrant and supportive community, Bardon State School is a place where every child is known and valued. With around 250 students, our school sits in that ‘just right’ sweet spot - small enough to ensure strong relationships and personalised support, yet large enough to offer a rich array of programs and opportunities. Strong partnerships between students, families, and staff are at the core of what we do—and they result in happy, engaged children who are excited to come to school each day. We’re proud to offer a learning environment that is both personal and dynamic, where curiosity and confidence are nurtured, and where consistently strong academic results reflect the high expectations we hold for every learner.
Since opening in 1948, Bardon State School has been recognised as both a leader and innovator in education. We are proud of our long-standing academic success, with our Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results consistently exceeding National, State and Regional benchmarks across all areas. While we celebrate this achievement, we know that education is not a race - it’s a lifelong journey. Our role is to lay a strong foundation: nurturing curiosity and wonder, teaching vital skills, and building the dispositions our students need to be enthusiastic and capable lifelong learners.
Our teaching approach is grounded in a balance of explicit instruction and inquiry-based learning. By the end of their Prep year, students are well on their way to becoming confident readers and writers, and are introduced to our school-wide learning assets: being Thinkers, Researchers, Collaborators, Communicators, and Self-Managers. These capacities are explicitly developed as students progress through the school. By the time they leave us for high school, our students are equipped with a deep understanding of their own strengths, challenges, and strategies for learning. Feedback from alumni and families consistently highlights how well our students adapt to the demands of secondary school - academically, socially and emotionally.
In the early years (Prep to Year 2), our inquiry-based pedagogy draws on the Walker Learning approach. Through play-based investigations, carefully facilitated by skilled teachers, students engage in rigorous, curriculum-aligned learning. As they move through the school, they transition into project-based learning, exploring inquiry questions that link subject areas and create authentic, real-world learning experiences. Student voice is valued at every stage, and learners are supported to ask and investigate their own questions through a structured inquiry cycle.
At Bardon State School, we take a holistic approach to student development. We extend and challenge our most capable learners, enrich the learning experiences of all students, and provide targeted support for those who need it - whether socially, emotionally, physically, or academically. We are fortunate to have a highly skilled team on site and also benefit from the expertise of regional support staff when needed.
Our students are supported by experienced, highly skilled classroom teachers, specialist teachers, and support staff who are passionate about helping every child thrive. In addition to a strong academic foundation, students have access to a wide range of opportunities that extend their learning beyond the classroom. Specialist programs in Music, The Arts, Japanese and Physical Education are complemented by diverse extracurricular offerings - choirs, bands, representative sport at district, regional and state levels, enrichment and extension opportunities, and academic competitions with other schools. These programs are always evolving to reflect the interests and talents of our students and to ensure all learners are challenged, engaged, and inspired.
Our beautiful school grounds provide ample space for learning and play. Students enjoy a mix of traditional playgrounds, open ovals, and natural areas for imaginative, loose parts play. We also make full use of our surrounding environment, including the creek area adjacent to our school grounds, which provides a rich setting for our Prep to Year 2 Forest School sessions. Held weekly throughout the year, these two-hour sessions immerse students in nature, encouraging exploration and deep connections to place while supporting learning across the curriculum. These experiences promote resilience, confidence, and independence - qualities that students carry with them into the classroom. We are also fortunate to have direct access to the beautiful heated outdoor pool at the neighbouring Karalee Country Club, where students attend swimming lessons during the school year.
In 2024, our School Review brought together the voices of students, staff, parents, and the wider community. This collaborative process resulted in the creation of our Strategic Plan, which outlines our priorities for the next four years. It reflects our shared purpose and continues to guide our innovative work with learners of all ages. Our vision—Empowering lifelong learning with curiosity and wonder to make our world a better place - is at the heart of everything we do.
If you’d like to find out more about Bardon State School, we warmly invite you to contact our office. We’re always happy to speak with prospective families and would be delighted to arrange a personal tour. We look forward to welcoming you.