Years 7, 8 & 9
In Years 7 and 8, core groups of staff take students for two or more Learning Areas. This enables staff to have a greater knowledge of students, and ensures a curriculum, which is cohesive and consistent.
Within a well-established pastoral care structure, teachers build on previous curriculum experiences to help junior students achieve academic success and reach their full potential in the following years.
Strategies gained by our involvement in the Middle Years Research and Development project, the Deakin Literacy research project, and the Innovation and Excellence Cluster enable more accurate assessments of students to be made.
Year 9 consolidates and extends the learning approaches developed in years 7 and 8 whilst acknowledging the increasing complexity of the work and the move towards more specialised learning that culminates in the post compulsory years. Exposure to carreer possibilities, workplace learing and the application of the 'Real Game' within commerce, and senior school orientation programs help students prepare for a new set of challenges.
The key role in assisting students to learn and to take increasing responsibility for their own learning belongs to the classroom teacher.
They are supported by a team of teachers consisting of -
Home group teachers
Year level managers
Transition Manager
Curriculum and Professional Development manager
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Adolescent Health Nurse
Assistant Principal
Principal class
Care for all and the recognition of each student as an individual characterises the way Colleg operates. Positive relationships between staff and students are fostered within a safe and supportive environment where students learn without interference from others. The following College Values provide the framework on which these relationships are built:
Respect
Love Of Learning
Cooperation
Honesty
Safe And Secure Environment
Equality And Inclusiveness
The student Code of Conduct outlines the behaviours expected of students, their rights, responsibilities, and the consequences if a student's behaviour interferes with the learning and welfare of others, or compromises the good order of the school.
The College Curriculum is based around the eight Key Learning Areas: The Arts, English and English as a Second Language, Health and Physical Education, Languages Other Than English (French, German and Mandarin Chinese), Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and Environment (History, Geography and Commerce), and Technology.
Over the past year teachers and learning areas have been auditing their courses, examining their assessment and reporting strategies, and developing new program and lesson plans in line with the introduction of The Victorian Essential Learning Strands (VELS).
Other curriculum programs include:
Reading Extension Program
Instrumental Music
Program Support (Integration)
Sport
Innovation and Excellence Cluster (an opportunity to work with local Primary Schools in improving teaching and learning).
To enjoy success in learning it is essential that students develop strong literacy and numeracy skills. To do this a number of initiatives are in place:
A Reading Extension Program and Reading circles program and;
An emphasis on numeracy, with all Key Learning Area's involved in improvements in numeracy teaching and learning.
As in all classrooms and studies a disciplined approach to work is developed and fostered. Students are encouraged and expected to be involved in active, team-oriented learning and to strive for excellence. A supportive and stimulating environment encourages academic success and the achievement of each student's personal best in a wide range of activities.
The College has an enviable reputation in academic, sporting and cultural pursuits with its students achieving outstanding results at state and national levels.
The College uses advanced computer-based multi-media and communication systems to improve learning and teaching processes that occur in all classrooms.
All Year 7 and 8 students study information technology for two periods per week for the year. Year 9 students must take at least one semester of Information Communications Technology.
Sudents work in one of the four computer laboratories in the college and also have access to the extensive computer resources in the junior school resource centre, and a range of computer PODs adjacent to classroom areas.
Through these extensive resources students are provided with the crucial information skills needed for success in life in the third millennium.
Students are encouraged to participate in the Instrumental Music Program. This includes individual intuition and membership of various bands and ensembles. All Year 7 students complete an instrumental music unit where they are able to learn the basics of playing an instrument.
Musical and Theatrical Productions are a key feature of College life. All junior school students are encouraged to audition for these productions.
College students are encouraged to become involved in the range of sporting activities offered by the college. The College is part of the Victorian State Schools Sports Association (VSSSA) and competes in the Nunawading District Group of Schools.
Teams are trained and coached by staff and experienced students. Students in Year 9 are given the opportunity to coach some of the local primary school sporting teams.
The College has its own dedicated learning areas. These include:
Resource Centre (library)
Computer room and computer pods
Science rooms
Art rooms
Music room
General purpose classrooms
Basketball, oval and games areas
Courtyard overlooked by the offices of the year level managers.
Sports Complex
Technology Centre
Theatre
Computer rooms and computer pods
Sports oval
A range of leadership opportunities is available for students:
IMPACT (Student Representative Council) is the body that represents the students' point of view and communicates that view to the College Council, the Principal and various College committees. Elected students contribute to decision-making, discuss educational issues, help with fund-raising for community welfare and College projects, participate in leadership activities, and represent the College publicly.
Students from each home group are nominated as Home Group Assistants at the beginning of each semester. They support the class teachers and Year Level Managers by assisting with daily and organisational tasks.
All Year 9 students are invited to train as Peer Support Leaders at the end of Term 4, and to support the Peer Support Program as Year 10 students during Term 1 in the following year.
Further opportunities for student leadership occur during the year, including Open, Information and Presentation Nights, Primary School Visits, Grade 6 Orientation Program, Musical and Theatrical productions, Student Assistants, Sports coaching and umpiring, Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews, Cross-Age Tutoring, Student Guides and Theatre Technicians. As well students are given responsibility for a number of tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the College.
