Caulfield Park Community School is a small government secondary alternative school that provides an affirming and supportive environment for students who would rather not be part of a larger school environment or for students who have found traditional secondary schools have not been able to meet their needs. The school is small enough so that students, families and teachers get to know each other well, students feel supported by teachers, and students and teachers can work together, not against each other. Students don’t wear uniforms, teachers are called by their first name and rules are developed with students, designed to support their learning and development. This is a caring school. Staff and students are concerned for each other and support one another when needed. It is a school that values individuals as well as the group and encourages students to develop their strengths. The school is located in Caulfield North and draws students from across the Southern educational region. Because of its location close to Caulfield Railway station, the majority of students travel to school on either the Frankston or Dandenong/Cranbourne train lines. The school is also easily accessed by tram from Bayside and inner-city suburbs.
Facilities: Caulfield Park Community School arranges the classes for core subjects in small home groups. Each home group has its own classroom with storage areas, networked computers, lounge areas and space for classroom activities. The school has specialist classrooms for art, cooking and music. At lunchtime, students have access to a pool table, table tennis tables, a half-basketball court, a weight-training room, lounge areas and school canteen.
Curriculum: The school curriculum has a strong focus on the development of literacy and communication skills. Core subjects are home-group English, Mathematics and SOSE. The elective program includes Art, Music, Cooking, Computers, Outdoor Education, Sports and community-based activities. Students participate in the Victorian Youth Development Program’s Future Leaders program, which develops leadership skills through participation in an outdoor education program and the completion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Students are helped and encouraged to develop their own learning plans. The school program provides time for students to work individually, in a group activity or to take up the opportunity for one-to-one assistance. The Year 10 program focuses on preparing students for transition to work or further studies. Year 11 students study VCAL and VCE units and are also involved in whole school activities and the elective program.
Student welfare programs: All teachers at Caulfield Park Community School support the students to continue with their education while also supporting students to work through their issues associated with growing up in a complex society. Student personal development and commitment to the school are developed through home group activities and whole school events. An integral part of the school program is for students to be involved in the planning, organisation and running of home group activities, whole school events, excursions and camps. The program emphasises the development of communication skills, goal-setting, school planning and problem-solving while improving students’ self-esteem and self-discipline. Integral to the effectiveness of this structure is the development and maintenance of a co-operative and supportive working relationship with parents and guardians and the various community support workers and agencies that also support many of the students. The school is highly community focused and likes to start each day with the opportunity for students and staff to meet and talk together. Each morning students meet in the kitchen for a Milo or coffee and often toast, bacon and eggs or pancakes.