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Avila College is a leading provider of Catholic education for young women in a friendly and stimulating Christian environment. The college has a dedicated team of teachers who offer a well-structured academic program which prepares students for further study or the workforce. Self-development, self-discipline and self-confidence are encouraged and the individualism of each student respected. Students are required to wear a school uniform.

Facilities: Avila has excellent physical resources set in picturesque gardens and grounds and is close to public transport networks. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, Art areas featuring leading-edge technology and a lecture theatre. All students are issued with a Macbook computer to enhance their learning.  The College Library boasts extensive print and electronic resources and the food technology centre has both industrial and domestic kitchens and dining.  The excellent Music School has individual tutorial rooms and a full-sized orchestra practice room as well as technology facilities for composition work. In addition, the college has an Agriculture and Horticulture Centre, a dedicated Year 7 and 8 student building, senior student area, and a gymnasium with full-sized basketball court.

Curriculum: Avila has a comprehensive and balanced curriculum which offers traditional academic subjects, innovative programs and vocational pathways. It is designed to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional development of students as they move through their learning journey.  Students gradually assume responsibility for their own learning and are encouraged to appreciate the value of learning, not just as a pathway to careers but also as something that is life enriching. A transition program at Year 7 caters for students moving into their new secondary school environment and provides strong pastoral support.  A number of special programs are offered and include accelerated learning, TAFE certificates, Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), and university links through the VCE curriculum and Open Learning tutorials. Work experience opportunities are organised at Year 10 level. Avila students consistently achieve an excellent VCE result which is a testament to their commitment and hard work and to the dedication of their teachers.

Sport: Avila College aims to promote physical fitness, team co-operation and games expertise with an emphasis on self-confidence, social interaction and school spirit.

Extra-curricular activities: Extra-curricular activities are an extremely important part of learning and development at Avila College because they open up many new horizons. Avila offers a rich choice of extra-curricular activities and clubs which cover a range of areas such as leadership, social justice issues, reconciliation, community service, public speaking and debating, literature, the environment, sport and outdoor education.  Drama and music are an integral part of the extra-curricular program. Students also have the opportunity to participate in interstate and overseas trips.

Student welfare program: Pastoral care is extremely important at Avila and the Living and Values Program helps to ensure the care of each student.  Counsellors, trained in pastoral care work and psychology, are available to students. Peer mediation and peer helper programs are strongly promoted.

The college provides an outstanding secondary education for girls, developing confident, independent thinkers who are well equipped to face the promise and challenge of the future. Students are secure and positive in their outlook and are encouraged to achieve their best in academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and community endeavours and in personal relationships. The academy is uniquely placed in both history and location. It is the oldest girls’ secondary school in Victoria and enjoys a superb location at the top of Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, overlooking the Melbourne Museum and Melbourne Exhibition Gardens. Established in 1857, the college is owned and administered by the Sisters of Mercy.

Facilities: The college environment is a vibrant, seamless mix of the historic and modern. Students from all over metropolitan Melbourne benefit from well-maintained learning facilities set in beautiful enclosed grounds and amongst grand old buildings. The college’s facilities include a gymnasium, an information resource centre, dedicated IT areas, a Year 7 e-Learning Street, music centre, performing arts areas with professional sound and lighting equipment, and well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Taking full advantage of its central location, students access parklands, outdoor sporting facilities, and enhanced learning opportunities with Melbourne’s premier educational and cultural institutions. The academy is extremely well served by public transport (Parliament Station, passing city trams and buses).

Curriculum: The academy offers a wide range of academic and practical subjects, preparing students for further study or the workforce. Students study all domains of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (AusVELS) in Years 7 and 8 including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Religious Education, Languages (French, Italian and Japanese), Health and Physical Education, Technology, Performing and Visual Arts. In the middle years they continue with core subjects and begin to explore areas of interest through electives. In Years 11 and 12, students specialise, choosing from a broad range of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) courses, to meet future educational needs and career aspirations. Enhancement studies at university level are also available. The academy offers students a broad range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates. Students have the option of studying the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) as a standalone certificate or in conjunction with the VCE Certificate.

Sport: Sport is an integral part of the school structure and contributes uniquely to the harmonious relationship between the intellectual and physical development of students. The academy offers 14 inter-school and house sports including indoor/outdoor team sports, athletics, aerobics and aquatics.

Extra-curricular activities: Students are able to choose from a diverse range of activities that promote creativity, confidence and the pursuit of individual talents. Visual Arts: exhibitions, life drawing classes, excursions, artist incursions, educational lectures and an art and design team. Music: individual and group tuition, instrumental and choral ensembles, drama clubs and performance opportunities. Academic Extension: public speaking and debating, junior school philosophy, overseas study tours, LOTE competitions, college magazine, Mathematics and Science Competition and extension and Book Club.

Student welfare programs: Leadership is promoted through peer support and peer mediation, Student Representative Council, and the many clubs and teams led and initiated by students. Pastoral care is comprehensive with an emphasis on programs that promote student resilience, self-discipline, leadership opportunities and self-esteem. Academy personnel promote a real partnership with parents in providing the best care for students.

School tours: The academy welcomes prospective families to morning “Talk & Tours” running throughout the year. Visitors see students and teachers in real learning situations, tour the college and talk with student ambassadors.

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.

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.

Aquinas College was established in 1961 as the first purpose-built Catholic regional secondary college in Victoria. As a fully accredited member of the Council of International Schools, the vision of the college is to be an excellent school within the inspiration of the universal Catholic tradition. In its mission the college seeks to promote quality learning in students while developing an awareness of God in their lives, the value and connectedness of all human relationships, a sense of justice, a hopeful spirit and a love of learning. The college is also a major secondary campus for St Mary’s College for Hearing Impaired Students. The total enrolment is around 1670+ students including a cohort of International Students.

Facilities: The college community is committed to providing cutting-edge 21st-century learning environments for students and staff. In 2011 the $12 million Senior Years Building was opened, incorporating 30 varied learning spaces and a Hospitality Trade Training Centre. In 2014 the new $11.5 million Middle Years Building was opened for our 600 Year 7 and 8 students. It will incorporate the very visible learning spaces that are the hallmark of the Senior Years building such that students and staff together have a sense of the school as a learning community. Along with our state-of-the-art library, the college receives many visitors to look at the floor-to-ceiling glassed classroom arrangements with wide corridors that allow such strong visual access.

Curriculum: The college provides a very broad provision of subjects in VCE, VET and VCAL. Both the Performing and Visual Arts flourish in the college and this is supported by excellent facilities including a 300-seat fully functioning theatre and associated Drama and Dance spaces. Years 7 and 8 operate within a ‘middle years’ paradigm while Year 9 is a year of experiential learning and transition to senior years. During Year 9, students are involved in a two-week learning module at the college’s city base in East Melbourne. They are also involved in a one-week work experience program in Café 9, being part of operating a fully functioning, small commercial coffee shop. Students in Years 10 and 11 are encouraged to undertake an accelerated study at the next level.

Sport: The college competes in the Eastern Independent Schools Melbourne sporting competition in both weekly and carnival sports from Years 7 to 12. The college also regularly competes in elite Victorian and Australian school competitions. Both mainstream and non-mainstream sport opportunities are provided.

Extra-curricular activities: Outdoor education experiences feature in Years 7 to 9 while in-country language study tours are available for students of French background from Year 10 on and in Chinese at Year 9. The college receives a visit on a two-yearly basis from each of its two French sister schools and this year students from our new sister school in Mongolia, Ordos No 1 High School,  will make their first visit to Aquinas. The well-established Central Australia/Kakadu study tour involves around 70 per cent of the college’s Year 11 students, while the college-based presentation balls are very popular at the Year 10 level.

Student welfare programs: The Youth and Family Centre provides strong counselling support. The college has a careers counsellor and full-time specialised nurses provide quality care in the health centre.

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.

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

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.

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.