Extra Curricular

Kitchen Garden

The Kitchen Garden Program at Richmond West is a hands-on, joyful learning experience that students love. With a focus on wellbeing, collaboration, and practical skills, children learn to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh, seasonal food—building healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Each week, students enjoy digging in the garden, picking veggies, cooking simple meals, and sharing them with classmates. These rich, sensory experiences help make learning fun and memorable. Research shows that when children are happy and engaged, they’re more open to learning—and the kitchen garden brings this to life.

This learning extends beyond the classroom. Many students go home excited to share what they’ve learned and even help cook meals or plant veggies with their families.

The program also links beautifully with curriculum areas like science, literacy, numeracy, and sustainability. Most importantly, students are developing lifelong skills—teamwork, confidence, and healthy choices—that will serve them well into the future.

Brass Band

External Provider

The Brass Band Program at Richmond West is a dynamic and highly valued part of school life. Open to students from Year 2 onwards, the program gives young musicians the chance to build confidence, develop their musical talents, and be part of something special.

There are three bands within the program:

• Rookie Band – for Year 2 and beginner students
• Intermediate Band – for those continuing to build their skills
• Brass Band – for more advanced players

Students participate in before-school rehearsals, where they learn to play together as an ensemble, and also attend individual or small group lessons during the day, supported by skilled and passionate instructors.

The program fosters commitment, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging. Students build friendships across year levels, grow in confidence, and take pride in performing together at school events and community occasions.

Learning music improves memory, coordination, and listening skills—and it’s also a lot of fun! Whether they’re just beginning or already performing, every student in the Brass Band Program is supported and celebrated.

To enrol your child, please contact the Richmond West Office.

Interschool Sport, Clinics & Carnivals

Sport is an exciting and active part of student life at Richmond West. Students in Years 3 to 6 take part in a range of interschool sporting events throughout the year, including athletics, swimming, and cross-country carnivals. These events give students a chance to challenge themselves, try new skills, and represent their school with pride.

Our Year 5 and 6 students also compete in seasonal interschool sports, playing friendly matches against nearby schools in a variety of team sports. These games build teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience—and are always a highlight of the term.

In addition to competitions, students participate in skill-building clinics and training sessions to help them grow in confidence and improve their techniques in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Through sport, students develop physical fitness, build friendships, and learn valuable life skills like cooperation, perseverance, and goal setting. Whether they’re running on the track or playing on the field, students are encouraged to have a go, have fun, and be proud of their efforts.

Camp & excursions

The school’s excursions and camps program enables students to further their learning and social skills development in a non-school setting. Excursions and camps may have a cultural, environmental or outdoor emphasis and are an important aspect of the educational programs offered at our school.

The Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors are in place to support the planning and approval of excursions and camps, including interstate and overseas excursions and adventure activities.

Students in Foundation participate in a bedtime stories activity where students return to school in their pyjamas in the evening, participate in bedtime activities and then go home to bed. Grade One and Two students participate in a sleepover for one night in the school building.

Grade three and four students go on a two night, three day camp to a Victorian region area, currently Phillip Island one year and Bacchus Marsh the alternate year. Grade Five and Six students spend one full week on an adventure camp in Gippsland one year and then attend the Sovereign Hill School program the alternate year.