THIS time last year Bass Valley Primary School reported on the unbelievable success of their students, how their girls team defeated every other school in the state in three different sports. A success that was proven to be ‘no fluke’.
Phenomenally, the school has done it again. They have completed the treble, of being state champions in Tee Ball, Soft Ball and Cricket. A little rural school of 220 students, based in the Bass Coast and servicing small coastal towns including Corinella, Coronet Bay and Grantville has defeated every state and independent school in the state.
Major metropolitan schools, highly populated rural centres and schools with greater access to resources were no match for the Bass Valley Primary School teams, which were made up of students from not only grade six, but also and grades five and grade four. Yes, the teams required the assistance of their junior grades to fill their senior teams.
The continued success of the school is starting to create some waves. With state and national sporting academies and coaches engaging with the school and asking the question ‘What is going on at Bass Valley Primary School and how do we replicate it?’.
The team success also led to individuals being identified to play and lead Victorian softball teams at the titles in Cairns earlier in Term four. With Autumn Ross, Sophie Hale and Logan Magnussen being selected, Autumn was also the captain of the girls’ team.
The process hasn’t changed over the years, the teachers provide an opportunity, the students show up at recess and lunch, the want to improve exists. Assistant Principal Ben Hallas of Bass Valley Primary School shared that, “the lesson for us all is the care and support the students show for one another. The positivity is all around, the success is celebrated, everyone wants to be involved."
“Walking into the school foyer, where the most recent state pennants hang, you are quickly in awe of their sustained success. They proudly display years of state and regional pennants; each year they seem to either win the title or are runners up.
“As we walked through the school last week, we saw past students, now in years 8, 9 and 10 volunteering at school to support the next crop of sporting superstars. Alumni, proud of their old school and wanting to stay involved wherever they can.”
The PE teacher, Jon McCormick, provides a simple explanation. “The kids want to get better; they enjoy what they do and help each other out”. Again, we found out that Jon plays down his role. But this culture of students enjoying what they do, working together, working to their strengths and acknowledging their weaknesses could be replicated anywhere.
The school principal Sharon King, who in her 30 years of working in education has never witnessed a school who “Bats out of their crease” so much, says that her staff learn from the kids and how they interact. “They are all amazing, the coaches, the students, you walk down to the oval or gym at recess and lunch and there they are, enjoying each other’s company whilst practicing their skills”.
Sharon’s shared that the school is jokingly referred to as “Bass Valley Grammar” by some people. The results seem to resonate, but a tour showcases humble young students and teachers who need to be interrogated to discuss their success. Proud students surrounded by proud teachers. “And proud parents” Sharon was quick to add, “They show up to everything, we had over 300 hundred people at our concert this week, and just as many at graduation.”
Pretty incredible achievements by a little school on our doorstep. We wonder what 2025 will bring.