About Us

School Profile

Holy Name Primary School was originally staffed by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Currently the school experiences the enrichment of more than 27 nationalities incorporating a multicultural flavour into our school community.

Over the years the school has seen many changes and has been fortunate to have made renovations and extensions in order to meet the school needs and it’s curriculum demands.

Holy Name Primary School is multicultural with varied family structures, The school has many children involved in outside school activities, enjoys an active parental involvement presence and encourages parental decision-making and responsibility.

Holy Name Primary School offers progressive, individually focused and challenging education programs based on the domains of the Victorian Curriculum F-10. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship. The Victorian Curriculum F–10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian priorities and standards.

The school also provides:

Student support teachers
Sacramental programs – Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation
P–2 swimming program
Year 3/4 Gymnastics
Year 4 Camp
Year 5/6 Camp
Prep – Year 5 ‘Buddy’ Program
An inter-school sports participation
LOTE (Italian), Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Physical Education specialists
Student participation in the biennial whole school production
Before and After School Care (co-ordinated by an independent before and after school care specialist)
Music and instrumental lessons (on site lessons)
Free lunch time clubs – Art, Book Club, Craft, Choir, Craft, Mini Vinnies and Performing Arts run and supervised by staff.
Chess Club run by Chess. Ed.
Access to G.A.T.E.WAYS programs (challenging and innovative programs for gifted and highly able children

Holy Name Primary School is a feeder school to:

Parade College (Preston and Bundoora)

St Monica’s College

Santa Maria College

Holy Name is a school which operates with the consent of hte Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is operated and governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schols Ltd (MACS). MACS governs and operates 292 Catholic schools in the Archdioceses to continue the mission of Catholic education to proclaim the Good News and equip our young people with hte knowledge, skills and hope to live meaningful lives and enrich the world around them. Because the good work of educating the young is a co-responsible task led by every member of the Catholic school community, School Advisory Councils have been esetablished to provide a crucial point of connection between the wider school community and school leaders. This governance model was desinged to ease the administrative burden on our schools and parishes, allow parish priests to focus on the mission of education in the parish, enable greater collaboration between schools and ensure greater consistency in school policies and procedures. More information on MACS is available at www.macs.vic.edu.au.

Vision Statement

We are faith centered

We are life-long learners

We are a supportive community

We are happy

We are Holy Name

School History

The foundations of Holy Name Parish were laid in pre-war days, when the late Father O’Grady purchased land in Robb Street for future developments. On 2nd April 1939, His Grace Archbishop Mannix blessed and opened the Church-School. Revered Father A.J.Cleary was appointed the first Parish Priest on 1st September 1952, when Preston East was separated from the Sacred Heart Parish and became a new parish known as Holy Name.

Originally Holy Name Primary School was staffed by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan; today it’s employees are predominantly lay staff. We acknowledge the work of the Sisters of the Good Samaritian for their contribution to our school.

Holy Name School is situated in the municipality of Darebin in Robb Street Reservoir. The school was originally registered as being in the suburb of Preston East but its address is now officially Reservoir.

The original school population was mainly from Anglo-Saxon backgrounds with its first enrolment of 45 children. Today the school experiences the enrichment of more than twenty-seven nationalities.

The Parish buildings consist of the Church, Presbytery, School, and school grounds, Parish Hall and Cleary House. The school building is located adjacent to Holy Name Church to which we have access for Liturgies and School celebrations.

From 1939 the school experienced a steady growth in its number of enrolments thus necessitating its building expansion. Over the years the school has catered to the needs of staff and students with extensions being made in various areas. By 1959 there had been the addition of 11 rooms which saw the school through its height in enrolments. There were no further extensions until 1986-1988 when the new school Library and administration block were built and then later in 1996 when there was the need for a Performing/Visual Arts Centre and shelter areas in the playground.

Media

Holy Name Primary School is very proud of the various occasions which have been recognised by the local media. Please find below an overview of events that have featured the Holy Name Primary School community and its student’s achievements. Please click on each newspaper article to read.

Melbourne Victory U/12 Tour of Jakarta

Congratulations to Patrick who was picked to play with Melbourne Victory in an Under 12 competition in Jakarta, Indonesia. He played against various academy teams from around the world. It was a great opportunity for Patrick to be able to play against teams from Spain, Italy, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia.

December 5, 2022

Miniroos Centre of the Year: Holy Name Primary School

Congratulations to Adrian and Carmela and all the Miniroos Coaches for their work in setting this wonderful program up for students. Below is an excerpt from the Football Victoria website: https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/2021-fv-community-awards-announced-congratulations-all-our-winners

“Based in Preston, Holy Name Primary School has a network of dedicated parents and staff who have created an inspiring program for kids aged between 4-11. The school has a ‘no-profit’ motive, meaning all funds are directed back to improving facilities and opportunities for its players.

Holy Name prides itself on being accommodating to families of all backgrounds and cultures, resulting in a strong bond forming between people in what is a heavily multicultural community in Melbourne’s north.

This approach has led its Miniroos program to thrive. 30 kids signed up for Holy Name’s Autumn program with the highlight of the year being a Family Fun Day where the Miniroos program was the shining light that brought kids and their families together through their common interest of football. With another 60 kids expected to take part over Summer, Holy Name Primary School’s Miniroos program is continuing to go from strength to strength.”

November 5, 2021

Holy Name Australian Open Tennis Future Champion Nominee

Congratulations to Vanessa who was one of eight ANZ Future Champions chosen to go behind the scenes at this year’s Australian Open Tennis. The experience included meet and greets with Dylan Alcott and Alicia Molik and one very special court session.
Well done Vanessa!

Nominated by her coaches and team-mates, Vanessa was chosen for displaying ‘great sportsmanship, passion, enthusiasm and
dedication’, on and off the court. She received a medal at the presentation on 24th January, and was featured in the Preston Leader newspaper. She said that the entire VIP day was a great experience and made her want to be a tennis player when she grows up. Serena Williams is her favourite player; she said “watching her play is a real inspiration”.

February 4, 2020

Holy Name Auskicker of the Year nominee

Congratulations to Lachlan for being the 2019 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year nominee for Round 2. What an amazing video that was submitted all the way from Italy.

Enter your Auskicker today by submitting a video at nab.com.au/auskick for their chance to win.

Holy Name Primary School teacher Tarryn Stokes finished second on All Together Now, much to the delight of her students. Inset: Performing in the grand final.

Picture: TIM CARRAFA

An all-together star

Reservoir teacher runner-up in new hit TV singing show

A RESERVOIR primary school teacher has hit her highest note, finishing second in the grand final of a hit national talent competition.

Tarryn Stokes teaches piano and singing at Holy Name Primary School and said she had been working on stepping out of her shell.

“I’ve been working on my personal growth and getting through anxiety and not worrying about what people think,” Ms Stokes said.

That attitude, and an impressive vocal range, took Ms Stokes all the way to the top of the TV singing show All Together Now.

The teacher delivered the last performance of the night and finished second in Sunday’s grand final with a stunning rendition of The Pretenders’ I’ll Stand By You.

Her performance had 78 of the 100 judges on their feet, behind winner Lai Utovou, whose cover of Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk swayed 87 of the 100 judges.

Ms Stokes, who has been singing since she was a child, said she was inspired by her students and liked to reciprocate the good vibes.

“I like to set an example and influence people in a positive way,” she said.

“My students are inspired by me stepping out and giving it a go. I like to lead in that way and help people.”

Holy Name principal Caroline Galea said the school community had known Ms Stokes had the talent but it would have been a huge step for her to go on the show.

Ms Galea said the whole school had been behind the usually reserved teacher.

“(The students) are absolutely thrilled. They get the message that if you believe in what you’re doing you can aspire to do anything that you want to do,” Ms Galea said.

Ms Stokes is expecting a baby in January and said her future involved taking time to be a mum.

“It’s a little more tiring singing while pregnant and breathing becomes harder but I’ve been trying to manage the energy levels and still do what I love,” she said.

– Richard Pearce and Nui Te Koha

Final straw for school

Use of plastics to be reduced under student-led initiative

A SUSTAINABILITY superhero in Reservoir has attracted national attention in his campaign to bring metal straws to school.

Thanks to Holy Name Primary School student Cameron, lunch box makers Smash Foods will next year launch a range of reusable metal straws.

It all began when Cameron applied for a Nude Food grant to get reusable straws at his school fete after he learned about the impact of single-use plastic.

Cameron said after he discovered the Skip the Straw campaign, which highlights the danger plastic presented to sea turtles, he started talking to his friends about single-use materials and the existence of metal straws.

“It makes me feel sad knowing that nearly all species of sea turtles are on the endangered list,” Cameron said.

“Many of the plastic straws we use end up in the ocean, harming and killing our marine wildlife.”

The Grade 5 student applied for a grant of $1500 to provide free metal straws with all the drinks sold at his school fete and encourage customers to keep using them at home.

In response to Cameron’s application, staff members from Nude Food Movers and their partner Vegemite visited the school to give them the good news.

They announced lunch box makers Smash Foods, the owners of the Nude Food grant, would create 500 straws for Cameron and his school and launch a new range of metal straws in 2019.

Cameron’s parents Tim and Marla said they were “thrilled” to hear the news.

“(Cameron) and his classmates were very excited to learn that they were the lucky recipients of the reusable metal straws that will be used at the school fete,” Tim said.

“More importantly, they were happy to know their school is making a difference on the war on waste.”

Smash Foods managing director Jason Harbinson said the grant program was designed to foster change and also encourage and support the students who were creating that change.

“Our goal is to not only reduce waste in the school environment but to create the next generation of waste and Nude Food warriors, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to make sustainable choices that will be with them for life,” he said.

LETTER SPARKS CONVERSATIONS (30/10/2018):

Preston Leader

STUDENTS at Holy Name Primary School have been hand picked to decorate a 1.2m tall letter M as part of RSL Victoria’s #remember project.

A giant ‘Remember’ sign will be displayed at some of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks in November, including the Shrine of Remembrance and Government House.

RSL Victoria state president Dr Rob Webster said the project was a great catalyst for children to learn about why November 11 was an important part of Australian history. “To remember is an opportunity to reflect on the enormous sacrifices made by so many Australian men and women in conflicts past and present,” he said.

(RSL Victoria’s Kirsty Kennedy and Peter Smith with students Maya, Keeley and Oscar)

POSTER ON RIGHT TRACK (8/2018):

Preston Leader

IF EVERYONE knew the stay behind the yellow line message as well as Chloe Hidalgo, then safety around trains wouldn’t be an issue.

The Holy Name Primary School student (pictured) has won the Metro Trains’ annual Rail Safety Week poster competition. Her poster highlighted the importance of standing behind the yellow line as a train approaches.

The competition, open to Grade 5 and 6 students from across Melbourne, encourages students to be safe around trains. Chloe said she was shocked and overwhelmed to be named the competition’s winner.

She earned a school visit last week from Metro’s community education unit and Dumb Ways to Die characters for a special presentation of her prize. She received an Xbox One console and a Dumb Ways to Die showbag.

Picture: Ellen Smith

SAM SERVES UP ACE INITIATIVE (1/5/2018):

Preston Leader

Sam Stosur with Holy Name Primary School students Luca, Mila, Olivia, Lana and Ben. Picture: TONY GOUGH

STUDENTS at Holy Name Primary School in Reservoir got to meet a grand slam champion last week as part of the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots program.

Australian tennis pro Sam Stosur visited the school to gift students tennis racquets and launch the initiative for 2018, which will see 110,000 racquets in the hands of first-year primary students.

Stosur said tennis was an important part of her childhood and it was fantastic to see children get the chance to take part in the sport.

Tennis pros Todd Woodbridge, John Fitzgerald and Alicia Molik will visit 30 schools across the country and take part in clinics to encourage more children to pick up a racquet and get active.

PARISH SAY FAREWELL TO RESPECTED PRIEST (3/2018):

SCHOOL ALL GEARED UP FOR BIG CLASSIC CAR SHOW (11/2017):

HOLY NAME PRIMARY STUDENTS PROTEST AUSTRALIA’S REFUGEE POLICY (8/2017):

Preston Leader featured a front page feature on our Year 6 students and their learning during Refugee Week. The students, with the support of their teachers, wrote letters to the Leader with their concerns about the refugee status in Australia. This highlights how social justice is embedded into the school curriculum and encourages students to respond to current issues. Congratulations to our Year 6 students for displaying courage and initiative!

SCHOOL TALES COMES UP TRUMPS (9/2016):

Please find below link to the Preston Leader (13 September 2016) which featured a Page 5 article on our Year 6 student, Areeba, who won a Prime Minister’s medal for her descriptive fictional piece written to the theme ‘The Day I Met My Indigenous Roll Model’ in a writing competition held by the National NAIDOC Committee, during NAIDOC week: Leader-Community-ePaperAreeba.

You can read about Areeba’s award and achievement on the following link: Leader Community ePaper