School Profile

Talbot is located in Central Victoria, 55 km north of Ballarat, the nearest major city, and 14 km south of the industrial town of Maryborough which provides the community with access to shops, medical and dental treatment, secondary schooling and sporting associations.

The school site of approximately two hectares includes an arboretum adjacent to the open grounds where several very old, large trees give protection from the sun. Facilities allowing for both passive and active recreational play include tennis / basketball / netball, an oval with shared football and cricket area and an extensive set of playground equipment. There is a paved shade sail area providing a raised stage area for performances and passive play. The school is also developing sensory/science gardens and has a small productive vegetable garden.

The school buildings comprise two historic brick structures dating from the gold rush era when an enrolment of 700 was accommodated. Today with stable numbers around the mid 30s we are extremely well accommodated. One building has 3 classroom spaces, an open plan learning area and administration. The Better Schools Building work provided the exceptional learning area running the length of the 3 open plan classrooms that enable staff and students to work together in flexible ways. The new areas are spacious, light filled and have passive solar orientation. The other building provides a large area for performing and visual arts and an additional breakout space.

The best future the school can offer its students is the ability to be literate and numerate, and the school makes this our priority. Technology has a strong focus in the school with students having access to netbooks, notebooks and iPads and large screen displays in each room. Additional assistance is provided to both teachers and students through peer coaching and education support staff. The students enjoy a range of specialist classes including Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Auslan and Physical Education. We also have a MARC (Mobile Area Resource Centre) teacher who comes once a week to take library lessons. Our social and emotional program supports our students to make strong decisions, work collaboratively with others and show resilience in an ever changing world.

The school takes part in district sports and joins with the Goldfields Cluster schools for sport and activity days as well as providing coaches clinics at school for students. The senior classes take an active role and enter in the Maryborough RACV Energy Breakthrough each year. Being a small school we rely on all staff, students and parents working together as a strong team.