School Management

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessing historical records and public records

How do I get a copy of my school reports?

If your school is still open then please contact the school directly for reports. You can check to see if your school is still open at Schools on-line (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline/)


How do I get a copy of my school report if my school is closed?

If your Government school is closed, please contact DoE Archives and Records Management


How do I get a replacement copy of a certificate?

Replacement copies of all certicates are available from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/results/replace.html)

The list below outlines the date range for all available certificates:

  • VCE/HSC/Matriculation - 1934 to now
  • High School Intermediate - 1931 to 1968
  • High School Leaving - 1931 to 1972
  • Tertiary Orientation Program (TOP) - 1975 to 1986
  • STC and Technical Year 12 (T12) - 1984 to 1990


How do I get a replacement copy of other certificates, particularly ones studied at Technical Schools?

Certificates for the qualifications listed below are not available. However, results can be accessed from the DoE Archives & Records

  • Proficiency (High School) - 1948 to 1967
  • Intermediate Technical - 1946 t0 1974
  • Leaving Technical - 1964 to 1984
  • Technical Year 11- 1985 to 1990
  • Technical Year 12 - 1982 to 1986


How do I get proof that I was enrolled at a Government school?

Follow the process listed below. First identify if the school you attended is still open or not using Schools Online
(http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline/)

Primary

Secondary


Can I get contact details or a list of students from my old school so I can arrange a school reunion?

It is rare that contact lists are available. For further information and ideas see School Reunions


How do I find out the history of a particular school?

Vision and Realisation contains short histories of all state schools that were operating before 1971/72. This 3 volume publication was produced by the Department of Education to celebrate the centenary of the Education Act 1872 and should be available from most public libraries (ISBN 0 7241 0458 5).

Those who want to conduct detailed historical research into a school can access records held by the Public Record Office Victoria (http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/default.asp)

These include correspondence files, building files and photographs of schools among many others. If you want to do this level of research then contact then contact the office for and explaination of procedures for searching for and ordering records.


I have a school number, how do I find out what school it refers to?

Consult the publication Vision and Realisation (ISBN 0 7241 0458 5), available from most public libraries or check Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline/)


How can I find out when my school opened and/ or closed?

Consult the publication Vision and Realisation for information on schools up to about 1971. This is available from most public libraries (ISBN 0 7241 0458 5). More information can be found by:


Can I get a list of teachers that taught at a particular school?

Those researching teachers from the period circa 1849 to circa 1959 should consult the Teacher History Register and Books at the Public Record Office Victoria (http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/default.asp)

Lists of teachers can be provided to schools or to those with specific approval from schools. Contact the Department’s Schools’ Human Resources Unit (Phone 9637 3605).

Those who wish to contact teachers for purposes of attending a school reunion can, with the following proviso, send invitations to the Schools’ Human Resources Unit (Phone 9637 3605) who will then forward them on to the relevant school or last known private address. However this service depends on availability of resources at the time. 


I am tracing my family history. How do I find out where my relative went to school?

There is no central database of state school students. Assistance with locating records can only be provided when the particular school your relative attended is known. Up until the late twentieth century it was usual for students to attend their nearest school (if they attended a government school). Consult street directories to identify local schools. If the school is still open they should be able to confirm the attendance of your relative. If the school is closed refer to proof of enrolment question.

Up until the early to mid twentieth century it was common for students to attend State primary schools and then to enter the workforce.


A relative of mine used to be a teacher. How do I find out about their teaching service history?

Those researching teachers from the period circa 1849 to circa 1959 should consult the Teacher History Register and Books at the Public Record Office Victoria (http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/default.asp)

Those researching teachers who taught in Victoria after circa 1959 should contact the Department’s Freedom of Information Unit