Founded in 1907, Bendigo Senior Secondary College is situated in central Bendigo overlooking the historic Rosalind Park. With a population of approximately 1750 students, the college is the largest Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) provider in Victoria. The college provides an adult environment where sound work ethics, self-discipline and the acquisition of independent learning skills are fostered. The college motto is “qui patitur vincit” meaning “whoever perseveres conquers”. The college ROLE is to ‘empower learners for individual, community and global leadership, valuing Respect, Optimism, Learning and Environment’. Staff are deeply committed to the academic progress and welfare of students, and all students are encouraged to interact closely with their teachers and seek help at any time.

Facilities: State-of-the-art facilities including a new world class Trade Training Centre, new English Learning Community facility, a new Language Centre to cater for language students, the Confucius classroom and ESL and Indigenous culture education, ICT and multimedia, library, media, photography, music, drama, canteen. The college also has plans to build a commercial level performing arts theatre to seat 1000.

Curriculum: The college is committed to providing suitable programs for all students from the neighbouring Year 7 to 10 secondary schools: Eaglehawk Secondary College, Bendigo South East Secondary College, Crusoe Secondary College and Weeroona College Bendigo. There is close cooperation with these colleges in professional development programs, student transition, orientation activities, and instrumental music performance activities. Students are able to choose courses to meet their individual needs. This may involve part-time study/part-time work, completing their studies over three years, and choosing flexibly designed courses to meet their individual needs including online and self-directed learning units. A very high number of VCE studies are offered and students can select units in English, Mathematics, Sciences, Business and Information Technology Studies, Humanities and Languages, the Arts and Technology. An accelerated learning program operates in conjunction with the Years 7 to 10 colleges where students are able to undertake some VCE/VET studies whilst in Year 10. Year 11 students are encouraged to undertake a Unit 3/4 study in their first year. Pathways in VCAL are offered at foundation, intermediate and senior levels. An extension to the college program NETschool provides curriculum access for 15- to 20-year-old students who are outside mainstream schooling or training. NETschool provides both online and off-campus delivery of VCE, VET and VCAL units at the NETschool centre located in the CBD and close to the college. A number of VET programs, apprenticeships and traineeships are also available to students providing pathways to further study or employment.

Sport: Students are able to participate in a full range of sporting endeavours. The college boasts state, national and world champions in a range of sports and is proud of its ability to support the academic progress of its many elite athletes.

Student welfare programs: Each student at the college is supported by a Pathway Advisor who is generally one of their teachers. The advisor oversees each student’s general welfare and academic progress and assists them in all aspects of their education at the college. Wellbeing programs and activities are provided for students through their regular Pathway Advisor meetings and on a voluntary basis at other times through the extensive workshop program. These activities range from academic support to health information, relaxation techniques and coping with exam stress. Student Coordinators are available to discuss any issues or concerns about enrolment, course planning, illness, special provision or other matters with students and parents. Additional support can be accessed through counsellors, social workers, and a youth health nurse. Indigenous students are supported though individual tutoring and the college homework centre and leadership programs. New arrival students are well supported with intense ESL support and through the afterhours Bendigo Learning Support Program. Students with disabilities are welcomed at the college. The student support co-ordinator works with students and their families to ensure their individual needs are met during their time at the college. Additional services such as literacy and numeracy support are also available for students.