Students study a set core curriculum in Years 7 and 8 that includes Mathematics, English, Science and Biblical Studies, along with other practical subjects. In Years 9 and 10, to supplement their core subjects, students may select from a wide range of elective subjects. There is also the opportunity for Year 10 students to fast-track VCE studies as part of our acceleration program. At VCE level, a broad range of over 25 studies is offered.
VCE/VCAL Course Handbook 2009 VCE Course Handbook 2010
A strong emphasis is placed on pastoral care. The Home Group system, with a home group teacher and an assistant teacher, is the main basis of pastoral care. In addition there are two Chaplains, who are available to students as a support to help them through their adolescent years, a particular time of growth and change. Students are encouraged to talk through their concerns so that these do not become an obstacle to the development of their individual potential.
The education process is seen as a partnership between home and school. Communication between home and school is encouraged and maintained through the College diary, information evenings, Principal’s Newsletters, Curriculum and Student handbooks, letters, email and telephone. The College ensures that parents are kept up to date with special events and curriculum matters.
The College has a full-time Careers Counselor who is available for students to access. Career Education classes are a compulsory part of the curriculum at Year 10 and link in with our work experience program. Students are provided with access to a wide range of careers resources and course handbooks. Each student in the senior years is interviewed about their course selection and is carefully advised about tertiary pathways and options.
Parent/Teacher interviews occur twice a year and parents are encouraged to make appointments with teachers at any time during the year if they so desire.
Comprehensive reports are provided at the end of each semester. Each subject report contains information about the student’s skills and abilities as well as detailed written comments.
We have an excellent record in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), with students achieving outstanding results. The College has consistently been one of the top providers of the VCE with students achieving high ENTER scores and entering a wide range of tertiary courses.
Click here to view our 2008 VCE results!
The College is also a provider of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). The VCAL gives students practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE, doing an apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing school.
Our Learning Enrichment and Program Support (LEAPS) Team provides intervention programs to support students who are struggling with literacy or numeracy or who have special learning needs. Our LEAPS area is well resourced and provides students with classroom support, small group tuition and one-on-one care.
Enrichment of learning is also a focus of our LEAPS team. Students seeking extension are catered for by providing specialist programs, such as the Tournament of Minds, that extend and enrich student’s learning experience.
The secondary school library has a considerable collection of fiction, non-fiction and reference materials. This collection is constantly being updated and increased. Our library has a state-of-the-art multi-media room in which students enjoy many and varied stimulating lessons. Digitally recorded television broadcasts are stored and streamed into classrooms around the College.
Students are able to borrow books and CDs from our library and have access to online search systems and resources. The library is used for private study, quiet reading as well as for research classes utilizing the many computers. There is a private study area as well as photocopying and printing facilities for students.
