Bialik College has a strong history and future
Bialik College is Melbourne’s oldest Jewish school and began its existence modestly as a Zionist Sunday school and kindergarten in 1942 in North Carlton. The kindergarten was the first educational establishment in Australia to use Hebrew as a language of instruction.
As the local Jewish population grew and developed, Bialik transformed into a modern, vibrant and growing kindergarten, primary and secondary school complex. The College’s first Year 12 class graduated in 1990.
The Hawthorn campus has been developed and designed with care over time. In 2013, beautification of the Hawthorn campus took place when the new Planting Garden was installed adjacent to the Library’s western wall. The landscaped front lawn includes a campus walkway which complements “Kikar Bialik”–the outdoor shaded and WiFi-enabled garden courtyard. In 2015-2016, a major refurbishment program modernised the Primary School, the Administration building, Middle School and the Mifgash (Centre for Jewish Life). In 2023, the Launch Lab was built as the new home for science and innovation.
The future for Bialik College is bright with a clear mission, vision, and strong values.
Our mission
Bialik is committed to the pursuit of excellence in an enriching, innovative and nurturing environment and is dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, dispositions and values necessary to achieve their potential and to contribute meaningfully to the Jewish, Australian and global communities.
Our vision
The College seeks to instil a lifelong love of learning among students and staff; to encourage a strong Jewish identity and enable our students to make informed choices about their Jewish practice. We recognise the centrality of Israel and Hebrew to the Jewish people; engage in tikkun olam (repairing the world) and contribute to the Jewish and broader community through gemilut chasadim (acts of kindness). Our students are active and responsible citizens who embrace their Jewish and Australian heritage.
Our values
Students and staff are encouraged to be “menschen” and demonstrate respect, empathy, integrity, perseverance, and responsibility in relationships with each other.
Our school motto
Step Forth with Courage
The school’s motto, Step Forth With Courage, is derived from a Chaim Nachman Bialik poem, Lamitnadvim Ba’am, which was written in 1900 in Odessa shortly after the second Zionist Congress. A poem full of pathos, Bialik makes an impassioned call to the younger generation to rebuild the Land of Israel.
Our archives
View the collection of The Laura Kipen Memorial Archives, a repository of Bialik’s history and 75 year heritage.
For more information on our proud history please contact [email protected]