Our History
Away in the heart of the scrub, not far from the mouth of the Nicholson River, stood a little bark hut, not more than eighteen feet by twelve feet. Its’ floor was of earth and it did not even have a window. This little hut was built for a private teacher, Mr. Henry Parkinson. He taught in this bark hut for about two years until the Education Department took over in 1875. For the bark hut the department paid 1/- a year rent. It served as a school for four years from 1875-1879.
With more settlers coming into the area, the school was not big enough and the department built its new school about a mile from the bark hut. The first teacher in the new school was Mr. A. Box.
It was soon seen that the school was not centrally situated, so it was moved to its present site.
About Us
Nicholson Primary School is a small, rural school located near the picturesque Nicholson River on the Princes Highway, approximately 10km from Bairnsdale.
With an enrolment of 76 students, we offer four multi-age classrooms: Prep–1, 1–2, 3–4, and 5–6. Each classroom is supported by dedicated Education Support Officers, who work alongside teachers to meet the individual needs of every student.
Our specialist programs include Music, Physical Education, and Visual Arts, while areas such as Geography, History, and Science are integrated into classroom learning. We also run a range of support programs, including fortnightly MARC Van visits and a Buddy Program that fosters leadership and connection across year levels.
Our Learning Philosophy
At Nicholson Primary School, our central focus is to provide students with rich, challenging, and personalised learning experiences that motivate them to achieve their full potential. We are committed to creating a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where every child has equal access to all aspects of the curriculum.
Our teaching philosophy is based on the belief that:
• Teachers know their students — academically, socially, and emotionally.
• Teachers understand where students are at, what needs to be taught next, and how to monitor and assess progress effectively.
We prioritise strong foundations in Literacy and Numeracy and implement the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 across all learning areas.
Our Values
We proudly promote our school values in everything we do:
Growth | Honesty & Trust | Respect | Connectedness | Inclusiveness | Fun
These values are supported by our school philosophy — the right to learn, to belong, to be safe, to have fun, and to be ourselves.
Nicholson Primary School is a values-based community that builds strength-based relationships. We use Restorative Practices to resolve conflict, focusing on repairing relationships and supporting our shared values and culture.
Community and Partnerships
Nicholson is a caring and vibrant community. We are proud of our strong parental support and community involvement, which includes active participation in:
• School Council and Parents Club
• Fundraising and Grounds Maintenance
• School Camps and Excursions
Excursions, camps, and incursions are an integral part of our curriculum, extending classroom learning and encouraging independence, cooperation, and real-world connections.
We are an active member of the Mitchell River Cluster of Schools and the Bairnsdale/Tambo Schools Network, working collaboratively to develop shared philosophies, professional learning, and educational goals.
