School and Campus Naming

Renaming an existing school due to a reorganisation (merger, demerger or relocation)

Existing schools and reorganisations

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.

School reorganisations allow the department to meet education provision requirements through proposing mergers, de-mergers and relocation of existing schools. Other reorganisations, such as school closures and non-operational schools, do not have a naming impact.

School renaming processes are led by the school principal.

Policy requirements for renaming existing schools due to a reorganisation

Policy requirements applicable to existing schools requiring a name change due to a reorganisation are outlined in the Policy tab and include that:

• Aboriginal language names proposed by Traditional Owners must be used when renaming schools due to a reorganisation, however, an exemption may be granted to allow modification of one or more of the existing or past school names
• school names must accurately reflect the school’s educational and service provision, except that exemptions apply to schools offering special education provision
• school 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, logo development, uniform redesign, website updates and signage.

Initial phase

The school renaming 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 the redesign of the school logo, uniforms, branding, signage and promotional activities as required.

Schools seeking an exemption under the policy to request use of an existing or past name, or combination thereof, must contact Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au). In this event, the remaining initial phase activities do not apply. Instead, Operations and Governance Division, in consultation with Geographic Names Victoria, assesses the proposed name(s) against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy, noting whether the name(s) complies. The school then consults their school community on the proposed name(s) (skip ahead to community consultation).

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

1. School Provision and Establishment Division advises Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) that the school requires a new name due to a reorganisation, or the school may reach out directly to discuss the matter.
2. Confirmation is required from the school council that costs associated with the naming activity will be borne by the school.
3. Operations and Governance Division provides support to the school including advice on engaging with Traditional Owner groups.
4. 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 school naming
   • providing information on the school along with procedural guidance to inform decision-making
   • formally requesting 3 Aboriginal language names for the school, including the meaning, written pronunciation and an audio recording of each.
5. The school regularly updates Operations and Governance Division on progress (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au).
6. 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 compliance and shortlisting activity 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 school:

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 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 school and to inform follow on activities:

1. Operations and Governance Division contributes to the establishment briefing prepared by School Provision and Establishment Division, seeking the Minister for Education’s approval of the most popular school name. If the proposed names are not available at the time of preparation of the establishment briefing, a separate briefing is prepared by Operations and Governance Division.
2. As the naming authority, the Minister for Education approves or rejects the proposed name or may decide to directly name the school.
3. Operations and Governance Division advises the school principal and region of the outcome of the minister’s decision.
4. The school notifies the school community of the outcome of the minister’s decision. However, this may occur via ministerial or local announcement.
5. Operations and Governance Division advises School Provision and Establishment Division of the name of the new school.
6. If a new name has been approved, Operations and Governance Division lodges a request with Geographic Names Victoria to gazette the new name and update the VICNAMES register.
7. After gazettal of the revised school 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
   • School Provision and Establishment Division who will advise the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) of the gazetted name, so that the VRQA’s state register can be updated.
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, incorporating it into future communications.