School History

Founded in the 1860s, Toolern Vale and District Primary School has a long and proud history of serving the local community. On 5 November 1867, an application from interested local parents to establish a school was forwarded to the Board of Education for approval.

In 1869, two acres of Crown Land from the Green Hills reserve were gazetted as the school site. Plans were approved for a 27-foot by 18-foot stone school building with a shingle roof, including a schoolroom, residence, outhouse and furniture. On 20 July 1869, Mr John Dunstan was appointed as the school’s first teacher, with Mrs Jane Dunstan serving as work mistress. A further three acres of land were added to the school grounds in 1879.

A significant moment in the school’s history occurred on Thursday 11 March 1965, when devastating fires swept through the district. The school was destroyed, with only the toilets remaining. During this time, students travelled to Bacchus Marsh State School to continue their education until the current buildings were brought onsite.

In 1994, Sydenham West Primary School merged with Toolern Vale Primary School on the Toolern Vale site, and the school was renamed Toolern Vale and District Primary School.

In 2019, the school proudly celebrated its 150th Anniversary, recognising a century and a half of learning, resilience, and community spirit.