School of the Good Shepherd is a Catholic Parish Primary School located in Gladstone Park, a north-western suburb of Melbourne.
Established in the early 1960s, our school has grown and evolved into a vibrant, multicultural community. We value, embrace and celebrate the religious and cultural traditions of our families, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is respected, valued and truly “Known by Your Name.”
During the mid-1980s, School of the Good Shepherd was the largest Catholic primary school in Victoria. While enrolments have fluctuated over time in response to changing demographics, our strong connection with the parish has remained a constant. Our active parish community provides a meaningful sense of belonging and spiritual connection for our families.
Today, our school has an enrolment of 372 students across 14 straight-grade classrooms. Our dedicated staff provide an engaging and inclusive curriculum that responds to the diverse learning needs of every student and supports their academic, social, emotional and spiritual growth.
Our Catholic identity is central to all aspects of school life. Working in partnership with our Parish Priest, Father Dishan Candappa, our staff, students and families nurture students’ relationship with God and develop an understanding of their faith through prayer, liturgy, Religious Education and service to others.
Our Specialist program enriches the learning experiences of all students by providing opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and creativity across Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Physical Education and Languages Other Than English (LOTE): Italian. Through these programs, students explore new interests, express themselves creatively, develop physical skills, build confidence and deepen their understanding of different cultures. Our specialist teachers provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences that encourage collaboration, perseverance, self-expression and a willingness to take on new challenges. These programs complement classroom learning and support the development of the whole child academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to supporting each child’s learning, wellbeing and development. Parents and families are valued members of our school community, and we warmly encourage their involvement in school life through participation in learning opportunities, community events, celebrations and parent association initiatives. By working collaboratively, we build positive relationships founded on trust, respect and open communication, ensuring every child feels supported and connected.
Our culturally diverse community is one of our greatest strengths. We embrace and celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, languages and traditions of our families, recognising the richness they bring to our school. Through opportunities to share cultural traditions, celebrate important occasions and come together as a community, we foster a strong sense of belonging, mutual respect and inclusion. In doing so, we live out our commitment to ensuring every member of our community is welcomed, valued and truly ‘Known by Your Name’.
School of the Good Shepherd is committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning, guided by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Vision for Instruction. Through Explicit Direct Instruction, our teachers deliver a structured, evidence-based curriculum with clear learning intentions, explicit explanations, teacher modelling, guided practice and regular opportunities for students to apply their learning. Underpinned by high expectations for every student, this approach ensures learning is purposeful, accessible and responsive to individual needs. We aim to equip every student with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their personal best, embrace future opportunities and contribute positively to the world around them.
School of the Good Shepherd is a school which operates with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is operated and governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS).
School of the Good Shepherd operates with the consent of the Archbishop of Melbourne and is governed and operated by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS).
MACS supports Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Melbourne, leading the mission to proclaim the Good News and equip young people with the knowledge, skills and hope to live meaningful lives and enrich the world around them.
Recognising that educating young people is a shared responsibility, Parish School Advisory Councils provide an important connection between school leaders and the wider school community. They support collaboration, community engagement and the ongoing development of our school, working alongside school leadership to strengthen the educational mission of the parish and school.
Together, we remain committed to nurturing a community where every child is known, valued and supported to flourish in faith, learning and life.