Welcome to Penbank
Penbank School is a small school providing a warm, caring and secure, yet challenging environment directed to the development of the child in all areas of social responsibility and intellectual learning.

As you drive through the entrance, you immediately are touched by the peacefulness of the surrounds and the space that is available to children for learning and playing. The general environment highlights a value and respect for living things, and is presented in a way that reminds us that we are not the only people in the world, but a small part of a diverse community.

Penbank is not an institutionalised school. The general facilities, including spacious, naturally- lit classrooms, multi-purpose halls featuring natural-timbered walls and oregon structures, provide a homely setting. Open fireplaces are a feature and a minimum of corridors provides an open and welcoming feel.

Penbank is a small school where knowing all students and families has a distinct advantage over other schools. Calling a student by name, and knowing something about each child is important to a humane and caring environment. At Penbank, children are able to flourish, as the smaller classes greatly enhance the quality of student-teacher interactions, and therefore the quality of learning.

Woven into the academic curriculum are a broad range of options to develop and strengthen children’s skills and talents. Different to many other schools, it has been a deliberate choice to incorporate The Spalding Approach to Reading and Writing as the basis for teaching English, due to its comprehensive phonetic, multi sensory approach. As part of a rural and environmental landscape, and delivered through an integrated curriculum, involvement in the sciences and outdoor programs enable children to learn through direct experience.

Success for school teams has been achieved through the Tournament of Minds (A National Project for Gifted and Talented Students), the RACV Human-Powered Vehicle Challenge, Music Festivals and various sporting events. On an individual basis, students are encouraged to be involved in the Performing Arts, our Instrumental Program, as Student Council Representatives, in public speaking at our School Meeting (Assembly), through participation in our Camps’ program and more.

Importantly, there is opportunity for all children –
it’s not just the best who get a go!

As a family-oriented school, parents and teachers work in partnership to nurture and develop the children to be the best that they can be. A strong emphasis is placed on relationships, knowing that it is vital to be fair and honest, and thus preserving and fostering values in tolerance and respect for ourselves and the world around us.

Penbank is a place where children thrive and achieve in all areas of social, physical and intellectual growth and provides the education that today’s children need to prepare them for their life ahead.