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The Geelong College is a Uniting Church coeducational day and boarding school, with 1,300 students aged 3 to 18. We are an open and inclusive community of learners, serving the needs of young people and their families. Our college has great and proud traditions. It is well known as one of Victoria’s finest schools and is highly respected both interstate and overseas, both for its student academic achievements, and its broad and innovative learning opportunities.

We pride ourselves on helping every student to achieve their best. We provide an extremely diverse range of learning opportunities so that our students can explore a wide variety of pathways as they prepare for a rapidly changing future. We also believe passionately in coeducation in boys and girls learning and leading together. We want our students to develop their curiosity, their imagination and their confidence in themselves. We want them to be compassionate and caring, thoughtful of others. We want them to think and problem-solve, as well as to develop independence, and personal and social responsibility. We want them to aspire to be the best they can be.

The world ahead needs clever and confident citizens eager to lead into the future and we are committed to helping our students do just that.

Curriculum: Our Vision for Learning expresses how our young people become independent global citizens who understand that the most important aspect of a modern education is learning to how to learn. Our key learning dimensions are: identity, creativity, thinking, communicating, contributing, creating and enterprising. They are the capabilities that young people need for growing, working, and participating in their communities in a changing and global society. They are integrated within subject disciplines, in projects and in extra-curricular opportunities. The Geelong College offers an extensive range of learning experiences and opportunities for students from Early Learning to Year 12. In Years 10, 11 and 12 an extensive range of VCE and VET programs are offered and learning is extended through conferences, excursions, camps, community service projects and other experiences. Across the Junior and Middle Schools the core skills of Literacy and Numeracy are developed and consolidated through enquiry and visible learning, student-led projects and a broad range of subjects such as art, science, languages and the performing arts taught by specialist teachers.

Sport: The College is a member of the Associated Public Schools (APS) network. From Year 7 students choose summer, winter and spring sports and compete for the College each weekend. Training is held regularly and students of all abilities develop skills, teamwork and fitness as well as mixing with a broad range of students. Classroom Physical Education is taught by specialists at all levels, and house sports and regional competitions add to the thriving sport, health and fitness program.

Co-curricular activities: Drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, debating, expeditions, international experiences, community service activities and an array of sporting activities are offered and are designed to foster self-confidence, responsibility, teamwork, friendship, and a respect for others. Global and local community connections help to broaden students’ perspective and to develop tolerance, understanding and commitment to making a positive difference to their world.

Wellbeing programs: At Geelong College we see social and emotional learning as a key part of educating the whole child. The link between wellbeing and effective learning is well documented so we work with students of all ages to develop tools they need to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others and establish and maintain positive relationships. We do this through our TripleR program, where we focus on the three R’s — Resilience, Relationships and Reflection and aim to develop a common language and open conversation between staff, parents and students. The TripleR program is the cornerstone of our wellbeing network and is reflected in our classes, within the house system and through community service, sport and co-curricular activities. Students are actively supported in their development by the Director of Student Wellbeing, Classroom teachers, Learning Mentors, Heads of House and the School Psychologist.

Facilities: Senior School is home to both history and innovation, with state-of-the-art facilities including the resource-rich George Morrison Library, the Recreation Centre with its diving area, heated indoor pool, gymnasium and weights room, the Austin Gray Centre for Visual and Creative Arts and the Keith Humble Centre for Music and the Performing Arts, nestled within the historic grounds. The Middle School is the learning centre for students in Years 4 to 8. Housing our beautiful and fruitful kitchen garden and enviro centre, ovals, sports facilities and play areas, in addition to specialist science laboratories, a drama studio and multi-media centre. The newly refurbished Middle School features open-plan learning spaces that are designed to be flexible, contemporary and to encourage shared learning and broad perspectives. Our Junior School is a dynamic community for our Early Learners to Year 3 students, where they are encouraged to grow and explore learning in a Reggio Emilia inspired program featuring energetic and colourful classrooms and a warm village-like space.

Boarding: With approximately 100 boarders, the College offers a family-style boarding experience that encourages friendship, independence and academic excellence. Boarding life is rich and fulfilling, combining homework, sport and other co-curricular activities, with time to relax. Each weeknight, boarders have two hours of study time with specialist academic tutors available to assist them. The College has two separate boarding houses, adjacent to the school. Mossgiel, the girls’ house, has units where girls from different year levels live together in single or double rooms with shared bathrooms, lounges and kitchenettes. Mackie, the boys’ house, has single rooms with shared bathrooms and looks out over the oval. Both boarding houses have informal areas where boarders can watch television or play games, and entertain friends after school. Flexible and short stay boarding options are also available.

Acting Principal: Mr Roger Smith

Registrar: Mrs Deb Fanning

Whitsunday Anglican School, founded in 1988, has a Junior School (Kindergarten to Year 4), a Middle School (Years 5 to 8) and a Senior School (Years 9 to 12). Weekly boarding for 64 students Years 4 to 12 (new boarding house planned for 2011).

Facilities: Multi-purpose hall, specialist Art Centre, Music Centre, theatre, science laboratories and eight computer laboratories.

Subjects Year 8: All students study Christian Education, English, Japanese, SOSE, Science, Mathematics, Computing, Home Economics, Aviation Studies, Manual Arts, Graphics, Art, Music, Drama, French and Physical Education.

Curriculum Years 9 and 10: Core: Christian English, English, Science, Mathematics, Physical Education and SOSE. Electives: Japanese, Business Studies, Technology, Art, Graphics, History, Geography, Music, Drama.

Electives Years 11 and 12: English, Japanese, Mathematics A, B and C, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Marine Studies, Geography, Ancient History, Modern History, BCT, Graphics, Accounting, Music, Drama, Economics, Legal Studies, Art, Information Processes and Technology, Health/PE, Technology Studies.

Sport: Soccer, rugby, netball, swimming, basketball, athletics, rowing, AFL.

Co-curricular activities: Chess, radio station, board games, electronics.

Special features: Vision 2012 — Years 4 to12 all to have tablets (laptops), single campus catering for Kindergarten to Year 12, LOTE, Japanese and French throughout the school.

The new Albert Park College was founded in 2011. It offers two enrolment options: up to 100 places are available in the general entry program and 50 places in the Select Entry Accelerated Learning program.

Alia College offers a cheerful school experience in a nurturing and creative environment. The school encourages self-expression, and stimulates quality and creativity by avoiding unnecessary rules. By creating a university-type environment, Alia encourages and appreciates students as individuals and the community works with mutual regard for each member. The school emphasises group meeting times, community activities and problem solving. Alia holds high expectations of academic achievement for those who wish to accomplish their personal best and offers daily attention to students, both academically and socially. There are no uniforms, and teachers and students are on a first-name basis. Students receive considerable individual attention and are specifically taught the skills of academic learning and problem solving.

Curriculum: AliaCollege offers a flexible range of academic and creative arts subjects, including Music, Film and Drama, all aimed at success in VCE and beyond. Traditional subjects, such as Mathematics, Science and Languages (Latin, Japanese and French), are supplemented and supported by a curriculum that encourages independent thought, self-expression, responsibility, tolerance and personal development. Individual programs allow for both extension and recovery.

Sport: Soccer is a favourite sport at AliaCollege and most lunchtimes students and teachers trek to the nearby oval to play a friendly and inclusive match. Hockey Wednesday has become a regular fixture as well, thanks to the persistence of a number of students. Students and teachers often run these events together and this contributes to community integration.
A regular PE program is a part of timetabled classes.

Extra-curricular activities: Co-curricular activities include sailing, individual research projects, independent study, yoga, chess, stock market trading, debating, photography, camping, skiing, bicycle trips and overseas and local excursions. Each year, Alia provides an extensive range of opportunities for students to perform in music, dance, drama and art.

Alphington Grammar School is located on five hectares of beautiful parklands and sports ovals by the banks of the Darebin River in Alphington – just 7km north-east of the CBD. With student numbers around 540, the small size of the School ensures a complete focus on the learning needs of our students in a supportive learning environment where staff and specialist service providers have in-depth knowledge of all students and can respond quickly to their individual needs.

Facilities: From pre-prep to VCE, all classrooms are located in specially designed buildings created for the developing needs of our students. Our facilities include expansive grounds and sporting facilities, a modern Gym and Performing Arts building and a recently built Years 3-6 classroom wing that incorporates functional breakout learning areas adjacent to the classrooms.

Curriculum: Core subjects up to Year 9 are Maths, English, Science, Humanities, the Creative Arts, Physical Education, Greek, Chinese and Information Technology. A wide range of VCE subjects are offered with class sizes generally kept below 20. The Learning Support Department provides support for students with individual needs throughout the school.

Extra-curricular activities:  Year 3 – 6 students compete in the Ivanhoe District inter-school sports competition, and from Year 7 – 12 within the Eastern Independent Schools competition. A wide range of other activities is provided, including instrumental tuition, school bands, music performances, debating, a school magazine and outdoor education. School camps exist from Year 3 to Year 10.  Our Global Gateways program sees students undertake either an international or Northern Territory experience during both Year 9 and Year 10.

Student welfare programs: Health and Personal Education programs run throughout the school. Student welfare is managed by the Head of Junior and Secondary schools together with their pastoral teams, led by the Heads of House, House Mentors and further assisted by a specialist Student Counsellor. A well-established transition program and a peer support program help students upon entry to the school and at each change of year group.

Information on facilities, curriculum and fees are available from the college. Al-Taqwa College is an Islamic school.

The college strives for excellence through a quality curriculum, providing broad academic, vocational and recreational experiences as a basis for personal growth. Admission is by direct application to the college. The uniform is compulsory at
all levels.

Facilities: The college operates at two locations and the students are grouped into three mini schools. The highly qualified and dedicated staff provide a stimulating learning environment.

Curriculum: The curriculum takes into account the variety of individual learning styles and adapts teaching strategies accordingly. The curriculum promotes high expectations and engages students in challenging courses and tasks while maximising their progress towards identified goals. Within the Prep to Year 4 classes, students are encouraged to respect others and work co-operatively. The emphasis within Years 5 to 9 is on core curriculum and exposes students to a wide range of subjects. Well-structured programs promote aspects of personal development and are based on the understanding of students, their development, needs, talents, interests and the way they learn. The VCE is the focus of Years 10 to 12. Details of specific subjects offered are available from the college.

Student welfare programs: These enable students to undertake leadership roles and provide a supportive environment where the social, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing of each student are important.

Ashwood College is a medium-sized school; large enough to operate an extensive program yet small enough to give each student a special place in the community. Uniform is compulsory for all of the college’s students.

Facilities: The spacious landscaped grounds include a unique wetland nature reserve and many sports fields. Computer laboratories, extensive library facilities, a music and new performing arts complex and modern technology workshops support a relevant and innovative learning environment. A state-of-the-art Science Centre was opened in December 2011 and the college has been prioritised for further modernisation under the State funding.

Curriculum: The college provides a comprehensive Year 7 to 10 vertical curriculum based on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and includes a broad range of units of study. Students are able to select subjects at the appropriate level of challenge and in a context and area of interest. The college promotes an integrated, inquiry, evidence-based approach to curriculum which effectively meets the learning needs of all students. The 21st-century curriculum provides rich, real-world tasks to embed skills and knowledge while at the same time developing the student as a whole in order for them to embark upon their post-school future capably and confidently. French or Chinese cultural studies are compulsory in Years 7 and 8 and Year 7 students undergo a six-month transition program to ensure a successful transition to secondary school. Year 9 students undertake an Inquiry unit which aims at improving student engagement while the Work Experience, Vocational Education and Community programs at Year 10 have been extended to provide students with local and global understandings. VCAL provides for an alternative pathway for VCE for students in Years 11 and 12. Students in Year 10 are able to access VCE subjects
as part of their study and career plan.
All students at the college have access to 1:1 learning devices, iPads and Netbooks and teaching practice incorporates these learning tools. The college has a strong International Students program. All students are encouraged to excel. Catering
for individual differences is the school’s first priority.

Extra-curricular activities: Instrumental and vocal music, annual musical and dramatic productions, inter- and intra-school sport, debating, international student exchange visits and a strong camps
program are part of an extensive extra-curricular program.

Student welfare programs: A strong cross-age pastoral care and a supervised homework program runs after school hours. Students are actively encouraged to take up leadership positions through the House system, the Student Leadership Team
and by undertaking peer support. Parents are closely involved with their child’s progress and college activities.