Our School
Principal’s Welcome
Welcome to Tootgarook Primary School!
Situated on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and just a stone’s throw from the beach—which we use as an extension of our classrooms—Tootgarook Primary School is a unique and vibrant learning community.
As Principal, I feel incredibly privileged to lead such a dynamic school. I am an active and engaged leader who thoroughly enjoys working alongside our leadership team, staff, students and families to make Tootgarook PS the best it can be. My commitment to our school community is to lead with energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and passion as we strive together to achieve our goals.
At Tootgarook Primary School, we are dedicated to nurturing a learning environment that:
- Strives for personal excellence
- Empowers student voice
- Reflects the RICH values of our community
- Actively involves the community in learning
- Builds strong partnerships that value each and every child
I am dedicated to leading a school that prioritises evidence-based practice, equity in education, and a focus on quality teaching and learning. Our staff are dynamic, passionate and highly skilled educators who plan and work collaboratively to deliver explicit teaching, foster deep thinking, and nurture a love of learning. We work as a collective to ensure that our students receive an education that is rigorous, engaging, and responsive to their individual needs.
Our focus is on providing a comprehensive and innovative curriculum that promotes high expectations. We are unwavering in our focus on strong achievement in Literacy and Numeracy, ensuring that all students reach high levels of success by the end of their primary education.
At Tootgarook P.S. we proudly integrate the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0), aligning with the Education State framework. This ensures we deliver high-impact teaching strategies to support every student. At the heart of our approach is explicit, direct instruction, which fosters strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy across all year levels (F–6).
We provide a calm, orderly, and inclusive learning environment with consistent routines and clear teaching protocols that allow every student to thrive. Our dedicated teachers and support staff work collaboratively to create a positive school culture where academic excellence and personal growth are celebrated.
To complement our core curriculum, students enjoy a rich and engaging specialist program, including STEM, Physical Education, Music, ART, Future Foodies (Kitchen Garden Program) and Language Other Than English (Auslan). Our Specialist Programs are a real feature of our school and taught by exceptional teachers who have a strong passion for their programs. Students at Tootgarook P.S. love attending Specialist and look forward to them on a weekly basis. These programs are extended to include interschool sport, our P-1 Perceptual Motor Program, lunchtime clubs and also encompass our City Camp, Adventure Camp, Music Camp and Leadership Hike.
We are proud of our modern facilities, supportive parent community, and passionate, highly skilled staff. Together, we create a learning environment that values student wellbeing, achievement, and community connection. Having our own bus allows us to explore our local community and make the most of the fascinating and engaging environment we live in.
Our school values—Respect, Integrity, Community and Honesty—guide everything we do. These core values empower our students to make positive contributions to both the school and the broader community. We celebrate the rich diversity within our school and ensure an inclusive, supportive environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Tootgarook Primary School is a positive and happy place where students love to learn, teachers love to teach, and families feel a strong sense of belonging.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school community.
Warm regards,
Leigh McQuillen
Principal, Tootgarook Primary School
Vision, Values & Mission
School Mission
At Tootgarook we develop personal excellence in education by providing evidence based learning experiences for individuals to strive to achieve their potential in a connected, inclusive community.
School Vision
Achieving Personal Excellence, Empowering Students in a Supportive Community
School Values
Respect
We treat ourselves, others, and our environment with kindness and consideration.
Integrity
We are honest, take responsibility for our actions, and do the right thing—even when no one is watching.
Celebration
We recognise and celebrate personal excellence, effort,
improvement, and success—both individual and collective.
Honesty
We speak and act truthfully, building trust in our relationships and community.
These values guide the way we learn, interact, and contribute to our school community.
Our Team
Leigh McQuillen
Principal
Adele Read
Assistant Principal
Facilities
A Coastal School with Strong Cultural and Community Connections
Tootgarook Primary School is uniquely positioned on the Mornington Peninsula, just moments from the shores of Port Phillip Bay and on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. The name Tootgarook means “the land of the croaking frog,” reminding us daily of the natural richness and cultural heritage of the place we are proud to call home.
Our location is not only beautiful but deeply educational. We regularly use the nearby beach and foreshore to enhance student wellbeing and support our teaching practices. These natural spaces provide opportunities for physical activity, mindfulness, and reflection, strengthening our students’ connection to place and community.
Culturally Connected Learning
We are proud of our strong connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives. Our school house names — Gawarn (Echidna), Warup (Fish), Wargil (Pelican), and Woorruk (Frog) — are inspired by Bunurong language and reflect the unique environment that surrounds us. These cultural connections are woven throughout school life, building understanding, pride and respect in every student.
Expansive and Inclusive Outdoor Spaces
At Tootgarook Primary, we believe in the power of play, creativity, and connection to support learning. Our school grounds provide open green space and a diverse range of outdoor facilities that promote active, cooperative and imaginative play. Students enjoy:
- Large grassed sporting areas
- Adventure playgrounds
- A quiet garden space for reflection
- Student-built cubby houses
- A giant outdoor chess set
- “Play the RICH Way” structured lunchtime games that encourage kindness and teamwork
These spaces support positive relationships, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging.
Modern, Purpose-Built Learning Environments
Inside the classroom, we are committed to providing high-quality, explicit, and evidence-based teaching that ensures every student is engaged and successful. Our calm, structured environments are purposefully designed to support student learning and achievement. In addition to our general classrooms, students benefit from:
- A fully equipped STEM room
- A vibrant music and visual arts centre
- A large indoor sporting space for PE and lunchtime activities
- A dedicated school kitchen
- A flourishing community garden linked to our student food program
These specialist spaces enrich the curriculum and provide every child with opportunities to develop their strengths and interests in a supportive and inclusive setting.
Tootgarook Primary School offers the best of both worlds – a nurturing, community-focused culture grounded in effective, research-based teaching, and a stunning natural environment that inspires wellbeing, engagement, and a love of learning.
History
Our Story: The History of Tootgarook Primary School
Tootgarook Primary School has a proud and rich history that reflects the spirit of its community and the beauty of its surroundings.
School No. 4661 was established thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Tootgarook Progress Association and local residents who recognised the need for a local school. On September 18, 1950, Head Teacher Alan Martin opened the school in the Progress Hall with just 27 students.
By 1954, a new two-room school building was constructed on a 9-acre site, and on July 12, Mrs. Wordsworth and her students moved into their new classrooms. At the time, the school already held a strong reputation for sports and community service, raising over £30 for charity—a significant contribution for a small school with only 41 students.
With the tireless support of the school community—through the Mother’s Club, School Committee, and Flinders Shire—the school grounds were developed into a vibrant 7-acre play space. Later, a portion of the school’s land, now known as Quinn’s Park, became a shared space with local sporting groups on weekends, continuing our legacy of community connection.
As enrolments grew, so too did the school. A third classroom was added in 1966, and by 1979, Tootgarook received a portable library, supporting the growing needs of learners. In 1982, major redevelopment was undertaken at a cost of $500,000, officially opened by the Minister for Education. By 1985, the school had grown to 360 students and a staff of 20, drawing children from across the Mornington Peninsula. A school bus was introduced to transport students from areas such as St Andrews Beach and surrounds.
Tootgarook Primary School also played a part in teacher education, with trainees from Melbourne Teachers’ College completing placements at the school during the 1980s.
A significant milestone was marked in 1975, when the school celebrated its centenary with the placement of a time capsule, due to be opened in 2025.
Where We Are Today
Today, Tootgarook Primary School continues to grow and evolve while remaining deeply connected to its past. We are proudly located on Bunurong Country, between Tootgarook wetlands and the beautiful bay beaches—an area traditionally known as the land of the croaking frog.
We remain committed to the same values that helped shape our school: community, equity, and opportunity. From 27 students in a hall to a thriving school supporting hundreds of young learners, Tootgarook Primary School is proud of where we’ve come from—and excited about where we’re going.
