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School Profile & History
SCHOOL PROFILE
Montpellier Primary School is situated in the Geelong suburb of Highton, nestled between the Barrabool Hills and the Barwon River. We currently operate 22 classrooms with an enrolment of 480 children. There are no composite grades. Our school atmosphere is caring, friendly and welcoming.
There is a tradition of academic excellence with children increasingly expected to take responsibility for their own learning, participate in decision making, work co-operatively, respect others and their belongings, to take pride in their best efforts and to be environmentally aware.
Students demonstrate a keen interest to learn, an ability to co-operate and support each other and a positive approach to life in general. As a consequence the tone of the school is consistently positive.
Our Staff are dedicated, highly professional, approachable and supportive. Each demonstrates a strong commitment to the school and individualised care for students is a high priority. The school community takes great pride in the school's facilities, which provide an aesthetic learning environment.
We offer and broad and exciting curriculum. Please take the time to explore our website - we welcome you to our Community.
HISTORY
Highton was originally called Highett's Town after John Highett, who as well as farming interests, owned a flour mill on the banks of the Barwon River in the mid 1800's.
It is believed the name was applied to the area by Edwin Hooper, the proprietor of the Montpellier Hotel which stood on the top of the hill, north above the school in an area known as Montpellier Park ( the ruins of the cellars are still to be found there). The Hotel was originally a homestead built by John Highett and was taken over by Hooper to create the Montpellier Hotel, Picnic Gardens and Pleasure Ground. There was a ferry to carry people across the river from Camden Road in neighbouring Newtown.
The area was called Montpellier after a City in the South of France near the Mediterranean Sea, which was famous for its wine growing industry.
In July 1968, the District Inspector of Schools, Mr W J Young and a committee of Headmasters from Bellaire, Belmont, Highton, Oberon and Roslyn schools meet to re-zone the district. The original Montpellier boundary was defined as the area north of Mt Pleasant Road.
In 1969 for the first time Primary Schools were given a pupil free preparation day and the staff of the new Montpellier State Primary School No 4972 met to plan for the year ahead.
Montpellier opened on 5th February, 1969 with an enrolment of 198 students including 37 preps. The first parent club was formed in Room 6 on 17th February, 1969 with a total of 93 parents and our first School Council on 28th April, the same year, thus beginning Montpellier's close association with our community which continues today.
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