School and Campus Naming

Naming a new or temporary campus, or renaming an existing campus as initiated by school council

A table summarising the policy requirements and processes applicable to this chapter can be found on the Resources tab.

Existing schools

Existing schools are those established schools registered in the State Register by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and reflected in the department’s Entity Register. Existing schools may establish new campuses including the operation of temporary campuses whilst building works are undertaken on permanent campuses.

Naming processes related to existing schools are led by the school principal.

Policy requirements when naming a new or temporary campus, or renaming an existing campus as initiated by the school council

Policy applicable to the naming of new and temporary campuses and renaming of existing campuses as initiated by the school council is outlined in the Policy tab and includes that:

• Aboriginal language names proposed by Traditional Owners must be used when naming campuses
• an exemption may be granted to allow application of a multi-campus school’s existing campus naming convention
• temporary campuses must only be given an Aboriginal language name if a permanent school or campus is planned on the site in future. Temporary campuses are otherwise given a name based upon their geographic location, such as incorporating the name of the road or locality
• campus names must reflect the key principles under Geographic Names Victoria’s Naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities 2022 (naming rules).

Funding of expenses

The school council is responsible for costs associated with these naming processes, and may fund expenses from capital works funding if applicable. Typical costs include the requesting of Aboriginal language names from Traditional Owner groups and signage.

Initial phase

Names are required for new campuses, whilst schools may request to change an existing campus name where they consider the renaming would be beneficial to the school community.

The campus naming process must commence 6 to 10 months prior to the desired implementation date. This allows for approval processes and provides enough lead time for the new name to inform other important operational activities, such as signage and website updates.

The purpose of the following initial activities is to formally advise Operations and Governance Division and the relevant Traditional Owner group that a campus naming process has commenced and to request their participation:

1. School Provision and Establishment Division advises Operations and Governance Division of new or temporary campuses requiring names.

   The remaining initial phase activities do not apply to schools seeking an exemption under the policy to name a temporary campus after their locality. In this event, Operations and Governance Division, in consultation with Geographic Names Victoria, assesses the naming suggestion against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy, noting whether the name complies prior to commencing the approval and implementation phase (skip ahead to 'Approval and implementation').

2. Schools wishing to change the name of an existing campus discuss the proposal with the region and seek support in writing from school council and the region.

   Confirmation is required from the school council that costs associated with campus naming activities will be borne by the school.

   Schools wishing to change the name of an existing campus then contact Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) for advice.

3. Operations and Governance Division liaises with existing multi-campus schools to determine whether they will seek an exemption to apply their existing campus naming convention (which may occur instead of, or as well as, seeking an Aboriginal language name).

   Where a school is only seeking to apply their existing campus naming convention, Operations and Governance Division, in consultation with Geographic Names Victoria, assesses the naming suggestion against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy, noting whether the name complies. The approval and implementation phase is then undertaken (skip ahead to Approval and implementation).

4. Operations and Governance Division provides support to the school including advice on engaging with Traditional Owner groups.
5. The school submits a request to the formally recognised Traditional Owner group seeking their participation in the naming process by:
   • inviting them to a consultation meeting to discuss the process and timing of the campus naming
   • providing information on the school and campus along with procedural guidance to inform decision-making
   • formally requesting 3 Aboriginal language names for the campus, including the meaning, written pronunciation and an audio recording of each.
6. The school regularly updates Operations and Governance Division on progress (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).
7. In the unlikely event that Traditional Owner groups are unable to provide names, Operations and Governance Division will ask the school to propose 3 non-Aboriginal language names.

Compliance and shortlisting

The purpose of the following compliance and shortlisting activities is to identify compliant names that can be put forward for community for consultation:

1. The proposed names are provided to Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).
2. Operations and Governance Division, in consultation with Geographic Names Victoria, assesses the naming suggestions against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy, noting whether each name complies.
3. Operations and Governance Division advises the school of the outcome of the compliance check.

Community consultation

The purpose of the following community consultation activities is to engage with the community to seek their input on the future name of the campus:

1. The school must conduct a formal consultation to enable the community to vote on the compliant names by sharing these names and their meanings.
2. The school tallies all votes submitted within the consultation period.
3. The names are ranked by the number of votes received.
4. The most preferred name is adopted as the recommended name.
5. The school advises Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) of the outcome of the school consultation process (including the data from steps 2 to 4 above).

Approval and implementation

The purpose of the following approval and implementation activities is to gain approval of the future name of the campus and to inform follow on activities:

1. Operations and Governance Division prepares a briefing seeking the Minister for Education’s approval of a new campus name or contributes to School Provision and Establishment Division’s briefing to establish a temporary campus.
2. As the naming authority, the Minister for Education approves or rejects the proposed name or may decide to directly name the campus.
3. Operations and Governance Division advises the school principal and region of the outcome of the minister’s decision.
4. The school advises the community of the minister’s decision. However, this may occur via ministerial or local announcement.
5. Operations and Governance Division seeks confirmation of a new campus’s address from the local council as this typically cannot be confirmed until the later stages of the campus’s build.
6. If a new name has been approved, Operations and Governance Division lodges a request with Geographic Names Victoria to update the VICNAMES register.
7. After approval of a new name, Operations and Governance Division formally advises relevant parties of the new school name, including Performance and Evaluation Division who will update the department’s Entity Register.
8. Once a new name has been approved, the school can undertake follow on activities including revision of the school logo design, signage and website, school materials, policies, and procedures.
9. The school is encouraged to promote and celebrate the new name and incorporate it into future communications.