School and Campus Naming

Renaming an existing school due to changed education provision

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.

School renaming processes are led by the school principal.

If the school simply wishes to change the education provision part of the existing school’s name, the school does not have to follow this process. However, if the school wishes to change any other part of the school name other than the education provision at the same time, the process for renaming an existing school as initiated by school council must be followed instead.

Policy requirements for renaming existing schools due to changed education provision

Policy requirements applicable to existing schools requiring a name change due to a change in the school’s education provision are outlined in the Policy tab and include that:

• an exemption from applying an Aboriginal language name to the school applies in this situation, permitting modification of the existing school name
• 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 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.

The school principal contacts Operations and Governance Division (srs.priorities.unit@education.vic.gov.au) requesting assistance to change its name due to a change in education provision, providing evidence of support from the region. However, Operations and Governance Division may be advised of the requirement for a new name by School Provision and Establishment Division.

School renaming resulting from a change in education provision, such as a change of year level provision, does not require consultation with the community nor with Traditional Owner groups.

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

Compliance and shortlisting

The purpose of compliance activities is to confirm that the proposed name is compliant:

1. Operations and Governance Division, in consultation with Geographic Names Victoria, assesses the proposed name against the naming principles and protocols outlined in this policy, noting whether the name complies.
2. Operations and Governance Division advises the school of the outcome of the compliance check.

Approval and implementation

The purpose of the following approval and implementation activities is to seek approval of the revised school name and undertake follow on actions:

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 revised 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. Once a new school name has been approved, Operations and Governance Division lodges a request with Geographic Names Victoria to gazette the revised school name and update the VICNAMES register.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Once a new name has been approved, the school is encouraged to promote and celebrate the new name, incorporating it into future communications.