School and Campus Naming

Naming a new school building funded by the Victorian Government

New school buildings funded by the Victorian Government

The naming of school buildings is optional. Schools may request to name or rename a school building where they consider the naming would be beneficial to the school community.

New school buildings funded by the Victorian Government include, but are not limited to, physical buildings and sporting facilities such as theatres, gymnasiums, ovals and courts.

Policy requirements for naming new school buildings funded by the Victorian Government

Policy applicable to the naming of school buildings funded by the Victorian Government is outlined in the Policy tab and include that Aboriginal language names proposed by Traditional Owners must be used when naming new school buildings funded by the Victorian Government, however, an exemption may be granted to allow a commemorative name of a deceased person.

Policy applicable to the commemorative naming of a deceased person for a new school building funded by the Victorian government is outlined in the Policy tab.

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

The new school building 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.

Schools seeking an exemption under the policy to request a commemorative name of a deceased person, must follow the alternate process for proposal of commemorative names (skip ahead to 'Alternate process for commemorative names').

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

1. The school discusses the proposal to name the building with the regional director and area executive director (Office locations: Department of Education).
2. Schools must seek school council and regional support in writing for a new school building renaming process to proceed.
3. Confirmation is required from the school council that costs associated with the naming activity will be borne by the school.
4. The school advises Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) that they are considering naming a building.
5. Operations and Governance Division provides support to the school including advice on engaging with Traditional Owner groups.
6. 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 building naming
   • providing information on the school, campus and building along with procedural guidance to inform decision-making
   • formally requesting 3 Aboriginal language names for the building, including the meaning, written pronunciation and an audio recording of each.
7. The school regularly updates Operations and Governance Division on progress (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).
8. 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 check compliance with the policy and identify the name(s) that can be put forward for community for consultation:

• The proposed names, along with supporting documentation relating to a commemorative name, are provided to Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).
• Operations and Governance Division assesses the proposed name(s) against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy.
• 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 building:

1. The school must plan a formal consultation to enable the community to vote on the building name.
2. The proposed names and their meanings must be provided to voters to inform their decision making. In the case of a commemorative name of a deceased person, a detailed biography of the person being commemorated (Principle I – Naming Rules) must be provided and voting options to support or oppose the proposal.
3. The school tallies all votes submitted within the consultation period.
4. The options are ranked by the number of votes received.
5. The most preferred option is adopted as the recommended name. In the case of a commemorative name, the proposal is either supported or defeated.
6. The school advises Operations and Governance Division of the outcome of the consultation process including information gathered in steps 3 to 5 above (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).

Alternate process for commemorative names of deceased persons

The purpose of the following activities is to formally advise Operations and Governance Division that a commemorative naming process has commenced:

1. The school seeks endorsement from the regional director and area executive director for the proposal to name the new school building with a commemorative name (Office locations: Department of Education).
2. Schools must seek school council support in writing for a commemorative building naming process to proceed. Confirmation in writing is required from the school council that costs associated with the naming will be borne by the school.
3. The school advises Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) that they are considering naming a building with a commemorative name of a deceased person.
4. Operations and Governance Division provides advice and support to the school.
5. The school undertakes due diligence checks, documenting:
   • when the person passed away
   • the person’s achievements
   • a detailed biography of the person being commemorated
   • relevant history, significance and association to the area/land
   • the character of the person and appropriateness of the commemoration
   • assurance that that the person is considered to be of good character.
6. The school must obtain written support for the proposal from:
   • the person’s family, confirming that they agree that the name can be associated with the space (and providing authorisation for any other specific personal information to be used, such as a photograph or background information)
   • formally recognised Traditional Owners if knowingly commemorating an Aboriginal person
   • the region.

Approval and implementation

The purpose of the following approval and implementation activities is to gain approval of the future name of the new school building funded by the Victorian Government and to inform follow on activities:

1. Operations and Governance Division submits a briefing to the Minister for Education outlining the results of the community consultation seeking approval of the most popular name.
2. Where a commemorative name is proposed, Operations and Governance Division submits a briefing to the minister with supporting documentation, seeking approval of the commemorative name.
3. The Minister for Education approves or rejects the proposed name or may decide to directly name the new school building.
4. Operations and Governance Division advises the school principal and region of the outcome of the minister’s decision.
5. If a commemorative name was proposed, the school advises the family of the person being commemorated of the outcome of the minister’s decision.
6. The school advises the community of the outcome of the minister’s decision. However, this may occur via ministerial or local announcement.
7. On approval of the name, Operations and Governance Division formally advises relevant parties of the name.
8. Once a new name has been approved, the school can undertake follow on activities including the design of signage.
9. The school is encouraged to promote and celebrate the name and incorporate it into future communications.