Great things come from a small package.

Situated in the inner-eastern suburb of Balwyn, Fintona is an independent, non-denominational day school for girls renowned for high academic and personal achievement.

With the extra attention we provide in a small school environment, our girls consistently achieve among the highest VCE and NAPLAN results in Victoria.

Our friendly, supportive and caring environment, together with our broad-based education programs, provide our girls with many experiences to stretch themselves beyond expectation and to cope with life beyond school. Inspired by our exceptional teachers, a Fintona girl will find the confidence to soar and achieve her highest academic and personal aspirations.

Our beautiful school grounds include a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities. The addition of our Middle School House and playground, our state-of-the-art Sports Centre and our Art Precinct provide our girls with even more opportunities to move into the future with confidence and optimism.

Fintona consists of the Early Learning Centre (co-educational), Junior School (Prep to Year 4), Middle School (Year 5 to Year 8) and Senior School (Year 9 to Year 12) to enable a specific academic and pastoral focus. The Early Learning Centre curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, while the International Baccalaureate is taught from ELC to Year 4.

Students participate in choral and orchestral groups, school musicals, team sports (including rowing), public speaking, creative writing, Fintona Guides, drama and debating. Fintona also offers an extensive outdoor education program, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, community service, and study and exchange programs, both within Australia and overseas.

Fintona is a non-selective, non-denominational school with a warm and caring atmosphere for its students, who come from a variety of backgrounds. The dedicated staff encourage confidence in all students and the student counsellor, careers adviser and Heads of School further support girls academically and emotionally. The girls have access to an extensive pastoral care program focussed on developing resiliency and the capacity to deal with many of the complex issues that confront them as they move through school and into adulthood. As part of Fintona’s commitment to its students’ welfare, the school runs a Life Skills Program which covers a range of areas related to adolescent health and welfare and to the physical and emotional development of young women. In addition, a Study Skills program is offered to encourage the development of good study habits as well as to teach girls techniques to minimize stress during exams.

Fintona is a small, innovative and caring school with a long tradition of providing girls with a love of knowledge, the courage to excel, a global outlook and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Since its commencement in 1896, Fintona has espoused the view that girls can do anything. The aim I share with our committed teachers is, for each student to develop a sense of self-worth, enthusiasm for learning, respect for others and to be optimistic about their future.

The School community is immensely proud of our reputation as a school that achieves exceptional VCE and NAPLAN results that consistently place it among the top performers across the state and indeed the country.

At Fintona, the on-going development of our curriculum is testament to our commitment to provide our students with the optimal opportunity to achieve. Our curriculum allows for an effective combination of traditional subjects and innovative, challenging approaches. All students are encouraged to enjoy their learning, to show compassion and tolerance, embrace diversity and develop a sense of cultural heritage.

I encourage you to take the time and find out more through our website about what makes Fintona a truly unique school.

For those of you who have children at Fintona, I am sure that your child will never forget the wonderful time spent here.

Mrs Suzy Chandler
BA MEd (Monash) MEd (Melb) MACE FACEL
Principal