Buninyong Primary School was established in 1873 and is located in the historic, semi-rural town of Buninyong, some fifteen kilometres south of Ballarat. Buninyong is a rapidly expanding town in one of the fastest-growing areas of the state. Whilst enjoying the benefits of easy access to Ballarat and close proximity to Mt. Clear Secondary College and the University of Ballarat, Buninyong Primary School retains the unique and friendly close-knit sense of community associated with a small town. The historic Scotsburn Primary School, six kilometres away, is a site of Buninyong Primary School and this multi-site arrangement is working very successfully. At the commencement of the original charter the combined enrolment of both sites was 363 pupils, in comparison with the current enrolment of 595. Our pupils are drawn from a range of socio-economic backgrounds and a mixture of suburban, township and rural lifestyles.

We believe that all students can and will learn effectively and grow in confidence and self-esteem as they achieve success in curriculum areas, acquire decision making and problem solving skills and learn to operate effectively as members of a team. Students are encouraged in the pursuit of excellence and each individual's talents and contributions are recognised and valued equally. Our school provides a supportive, flexible, caring and positive environment in which all children are treated with respect. Our high expectations of students, both academically and behaviourally, encourage them to achieve full academic and personal potential, developing skills which will enable them to adapt in a changing world and make a positive contribution to society.

Our school maintains a strong bond of communication among parents, children and staff. There is a very high level of parental support and involvement, evidenced by significant parent participation in a wide variety of activities and actively encouraged by our "open door" policy. The introduction of the attractive red and black school uniform, with the backing of parents, has further enhanced the school identity. Our dedicated and professional staff, strongly supported by the School Council and Parents’ and Friends’ Association, is committed to the provision of quality education programs that recognise and respond to the needs of individuals, and aims to ensure continuing development and implementation of progressive policies and programs.

Buninyong Primary School offers a comprehensive seven year sequential program in the key learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Language Other Than English (Japanese), Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Studies of Society and Environment. Specialist teachers are involved in the areas of Library, the Arts, Physical Education and Japanese. Music tuition is available during school hours, and external consultants are used in various short-term programs which add to the breadth of educational experiences offered. A comprehensive sports program is enjoyed by the middle and upper grades, and there is an excellent variety of excursions and special activities provided throughout the school. Integration, Reading Recovery, Reading Intervention and Perceptual Motor Programs have been developed to provide for needs of individuals while special Transition Programs help our new pupils to settle in quickly, and our Grade 6 students to approach their secondary education with confidence.

During 1995, as part of the Department of Education’s Classrooms of the Future initiative, Buninyong Primary School was identified as one of seven Navigator Schools in the State of Victoria. Navigator Schools have a responsibility to guide others in the potential of Learning Technologies to enhance the educational outcomes of students. The school has been provided with extensive Information and Communication Technologies by the Department of Education. This infrastructure includes a computer to student ratio of approximately 1:4, with a wide variety of software and peripheral devices, a sophisticated Local Area Network and telephone system, as well as Internet services throughout the school. Teachers have been provided with a notebook computer each for their professional use, and have undertaken extensive professional development and training in the use of the technology. The school is responsible for maintaining and expanding these resources as well as providing professional development in the form of practicums and seminars for the wider education community.

An excellent, mutually supportive relationship exists between the Buninyong community and school. Our students have easy access to many fine district facilities such as the pool, shopping centre, sporting venues, adjacent Botanical Gardens and the Gong water reserve. The school itself serves as a focal point for the community, which takes justifiable and active pride in helping to maintain the attractive and historic property. The urban and rural nature of our school is reflected in the cohesive blend of old and new architectural styles, which assists in creating a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing physical environment. Great pride is taken in the new buildings which include a multi-purpose gymnasium, a fully computerised library facility, a technology room and modern learning areas. The original, historic building has also been completely refurbished to house the prep classrooms and the administrative area.

Our school has established processes for ongoing evaluation of curriculum programs, the achievement of educational outcomes, extensive staff professional development (particularly in the area of learning technology), interaction with the community and the development of physical and human resources in a context of rising enrolments. The three-year period of the original charter has now been completed, and we look forward to the challenge of shaping our new charter to consolidate what we have accomplished, and to guide Buninyong Primary School into its next stage of successful growth and development.