Kapinara Primary School opened in 1967 and has proudly served generations of families in the local community. Located in the beachside suburb of City Beach, approximately a fifteen-minute drive from Perth, the school provides education for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
From its early beginnings as a small local primary school, Kapinara has evolved into a contemporary learning environment that balances strong academic foundations with creativity, wellbeing, and innovation.
Over the decades, Kapinara Primary School has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality education within a caring, inclusive, and community-focused environment.
Throughout the last 50 years it was thought that ‘kap’ meant water in the Swan River Nyungar language group and that ‘inara’ meant ‘over there’ in a Kimberley language group. In Aboriginal culture it would be unlikely that languages would be mixed in this way.
Recent discussions with Aboriginal Language Centres in WA and Mr Neville Collard, a Swan River Nyungar elder, agree that ‘kapi’ means water, but suggest that ‘nara’ refers to cupping water in the hands, or the presence of a waterhole. Both parts of the translations are Nyungar and make sense culturally and geographically.
We acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our school stands and honour their continuing connection to Country.
Many former students have returned as parents, further strengthening the connection between the school and the local community. This enduring relationship reflects the lasting impact of a Kapinara education and the strong sense of belonging experienced by generations of students.
At Kapinara, we are proud of our history, excited about our future, and committed to helping every child thrive.