St Patrick’s Primary School, Lilydale VIC
Gender
Co-Ed
Years
Prep-6
Enrolments
242
Established: 1864
Principal: Mr Geoff Klep
Address: 40 Jones Street, Lilydale 3140
Key Information
Staff
19 Teaching
7 Non Teaching
Fees
See Website (Primary)
Languages
Italian
About our school
St. Patrick’s is a key part of the wider Parish community of the Lilydale Parish. Located in Melbourne’s outer east, the school has a strong history harking back to its establishment in 1864.The present school is conveniently located adjacent to the parish church and the presbytery. The buildings were last updated in 2021 through a federal government grant and school contributions allowing for the total refurbishment of 6 classrooms, the library, elements of the playground and a student toilet block.
The 2025 enrolment of 248 students is divided into eleven class groups. There are : 2 x Prep, 3 x 1/2, 3 x 3/4, 3 x 5/6.
The students live in Lilydale and the surrounding areas, inclusive of Coldstream, Gruyere and Yering. Seventy five percent of the school population is Catholic.
The staff group consists of fifteen full-time staff, eleven part-time staff, inclusive of Learning Support Officers, one Library Technician and two office personnel. Our staff includes an Italian, Art, STEM, Digital technologies and P.E. teacher and Library technician. The six Learning Support Officers work with a range of children with identified learning challenges. Funding is received to support these children and the school supplements this from its own budget to increase the number of students receiving support. In addition to the Principal and Deputy Principal staff leadership positions are inclusive of Religious Education, Mathematics, Literacy, Student Wellbeing, Learning & Teaching, Learning Diversity and eLearning.
A wide variety of extra-curricula opportunities are available to our students and include whole school wellbeing initiatives such as Respectful relationships, Buddy Programs, Peaceful Kids, Choir, senior student leadership positions and the Student Representative Council. Interschool sport representation in swimming, athletics, cross country, tennis and basketball enhance the P-6 PE program and are supported by regular Round Robin competitions with other schools in the zone.
The parents are actively involved in the life of the school through the School Advisory Team and the Parents & Friends Association. The P&F includes an environmental sub-committee, Greenworks, which has adopted a conservation approach to the maintenance and development of the grounds. Working bees for parents occur each term which are generally well attended. The P&F also support services to the school community in the form of the Uniform Shop and Tuckshop. This compliments the social and fundraising exploits of this valuable group of parent volunteers. Parental involvement in classrooms, excursions and special activities is always welcomed.
Open Days/School Tours
Click HERE to meet our principal, teachers and students as we show you around our beautiful school.
Principal's Message
Welcome to St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School website. I’m Geoff Klep and it is my privilege to be the principal of this wonderful school community. I look forward to working in partnership with you to support you and your child on their educational journey.
St. Patrick’s has a proud history and tradition within both the local and wider community. Our school has over 100 years of experience in providing quality Catholic education for students within the parish community. St. Patrick’s, as a Catholic school, is an extension of the Catholic home, working with families in our combined efforts to develop the faith of our children. The basis of all our teaching at St. Patrick’s is underpinned by Gospel values. By living out these values, we believe our students will develop into well balanced, socially just and active participants in society.
We believe that parents and guardians are the first educators of their children. Our staff respectfully bring their professional knowledge and skills to complement this partnership in education. Together we promote a relationship between home and school that aims for the best learning possible. Together, we aim to provide a school environment that is safe and inclusive. A place where all are focussed on encouraging effort and where we understand that education involves teaching each child as a unique and valued member of our community. Our collaborative approach to learning focuses on the opportunity for all students to flourish and reach their full potential. St. Patrick’s is focussed on the education of our students as 21st Century learners, incorporating a range of digital technologies and contemporary learning pedagogies.
Our school is part of the Catholic Education System in Victoria and as such we are blessed to have a vibrant and thriving network of schools with whom we can share our learning and experiences.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you should you choose to book a school tour with me.
Geoff Klep – Principal
Quick Facts
- Our students originate from a wide range of family backgrounds. The local community is composed of descendants of early pioneer families of the district, and descendants of migrant families from the 50s and 60s, particularly from Italy.
- We offer a wide curriculum including Physical Education, Visual Arts and Italian as specialist areas.
- We have an active parent body which assists with fundraising, school beautification, sport
and classroom programs where necessary.
