Our School

We invite motivated and dedicated students and families to join our community of learners. Enjoy the rewards and challenges of secondary education in the 21st century at Scoresby. Scoresby has a 35 year history of shaping the futures of young adults in the City of Knox: the local communities of Scoresby, Knoxfield, Wantirna South and surrounding communities of Ferntree Gully, Mountain Gate, Rowville and Lysterfield.

Our students learn in an active and supportive environment. We make extensive use of our data rich classrooms where students can use interactive whiteboards, data projectors and classroom based computers to strengthen learning experiences.

Our teachers build sound relationships with students as individuals and learners and they hold precious their roles as educators of our future generations. We blend research with practical knowledge to build purposeful learning experiences for all students.

We provide learning opportunities that are shaped by the VELS curriculum, the Principles of Learning and Teaching and the Building Learning Power keys to understanding and discussing learning. Scoresby students are thoroughly prepared for the competitive VCE years and are able to tailor VCAL and VET courses into their programs as suits their learning styles and career ambitions.

Scoresby Secondary College provides a full co-curricular program to complement the rigorous academic program. Students take part in interschool and intraschool sport, musical performances and the college production, dance performances and the rock eisteddfod. Year level and subject based camps and excursions foster learning in the community. Students also enjoy formal and social celebrations of school life and achievement. Leadership training and leadership positions support our focus on encouraging and equipping students to contribute to the wider community.

Scoresby students receive the best that education has to offer, from trained, motivated and caring teachers. We build each student’s capacity to shape a positive future in the global community.

Vision

‘Scoresby Secondary College is a dynamic learning environment that engages students who work to achieve their personal best in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation.’

We achieve our vision by

• Having high expectations of students
• Engaging students in relevant and realistic learning situations
• Using an Information and Communication Rich Environment to enhance learning activities
• Providing positive models of respectful and cooperative behaviour and communication

Our community supports our vision. We have

• A committed and motivated staff
• Students who are connected to and responsible for their learning
• Parents who value student achievement and support learning programs
• Excellent learning spaces and resources

Context

Scoresby Secondary College was established in 1974. It is a growing co-educational school located in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs, in the city of Knox. Students are able to access the school by local bus services and bike paths. The College has approximately 770 students from Year 7 to Year 12. The five-hectare site includes well-maintained buildings in extensive, landscaped grounds. The school has excellent facilities for all learning areas, including two computer laboratories, four computer pods, a networked library, a Victorian Certificate of Education study centre, science and technology rooms, performing arts area, and an ECA centre for Physical Education and sport. A school-owned bus is available to support off-campus activities. Upgraded facilities include the technology building, the student centre, science classrooms, the VCE Centre, the Resource Centre offices and the ECA Centre.

Programs

In order to move towards our college vision, the energies and resources of the college are focused on student learning and achievement. This is done through a concentration on effective delivery of relevant and challenging programs and on the development of a whole school learning culture, which supports and encourages continuous improvement. The college takes pride in providing a high quality education for its surrounding community. We emphasise a values-based context for enhancing individual talents and ambitions and create a friendly and supportive environment for learning. The college is organized into three Sub Schools: Senior, Middle and Junior. Special programs challenge high-achieving Year 7 and Year 8 students and advanced VCE placement attracts top-performers in Year 10 and Year 11.

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum to all year levels. A wide VCE program provides senior students with academic rigour and challenge. LOTE (French) through to VCE and individual career pathways through VCAL, Vocational Education and Training - Sport and Recreation, and an extensive local cluster vocational education program, and TAFE links are features of the senior curriculum.

The College initiates and responds to exciting and necessary educational changes and challenges with enthusiasm. The momentum to accept and be part of positive change is growing steadily and a team of committed staff is leading a data-driven self-assessment of the school and linking it to the implementation of a Performance and Development Culture of annual reviews of staff and processes.

The META Program : Years 7 to 10

In designing the META program we considered what students need to know and be able to do to succeed in the future – in a complex world of rapid change, rich in information technology, requiring higher order thinking and an increasingly global outlook. We decided, like those educators who designed the VELS, that students will need to create a future which is sustainable, is innovative and which builds strong communities.

The META program centres around the VELS domains of Civics and Citizenship, Personal and Interpersonal Learning, Communicating, Information and Communication Technologies and Thinking, and the themes of Community and Sustainability. Activities are structured around inquiry and collaborative learning tasks which use of the Building Learning Program to discuss learning progress and needs. Learning occurs in the classrooms and in our local community and State.

Through META research and projects students develop an understanding of social, economic and environmental systems and how they interact and can be managed. They develop skills to solve problems using a range of approaches in order to create unique solutions. Projects have a community base and learning promotes mutual responsibility and trust in our diverse sociocultural community.

Special Programs

Classes for gifted students operate in Junior School. In Middle School, differentiated tasks in META and Advanced Mathematics classes provide activities to challenge the most able students. At Year 10, VCE studies also allow students to achieve their personal best.

Community Classroom, Advance Youth and Alpine School are Middle School programs that offer students the opportunity to learn in the community while making significant contributions to the community. These programs develop respect for the school and local environment. Work with the Knox Environment Society has seen the propagation of plants and their planting at the school and beyond.

Literacy is a particular focus for Scoresby. Reading Recovery supports students in Junior School to develop the skills to access all learning opportunities.

Work Experience at Scoresby Secondary College

All students participate in 2 weeks of Work Experience at Year 10 in the last 2 weeks of term 2. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a position and give this information to Mrs McFadden.

Students in Year 10 study Careers/Work Education which helps equip them with skills associated with further education, training opportunities and applying for tertiary education positions and employment.

Work Experience provides students with a valuable opportunity to take part in a work environment. Parents and other community members are encouraged to contribute to this dynamic and vital program by offering work experience positions.

Transition from primary school

There has been a steady increase in enrolments over the last five years, with slightly more girls than boys arriving in Year 7. The school works cooperatively to integrate with local feeder primary schools with three of whom we have begun to work as Cluster 31 as part of the Innovations and Excellence initiative. The growing Year 7 enrolments have been sourced from about 30 “neighbouring” primary schools over the past five years and promotional tours have become a feature in Semester 1 each year. We work hard to foster close and relevant transition links with all transferring students. Closer schools especially are offered Years 5 and 6 sessions in Information Technology, Science and Cross-age Tutoring, the annual School Production matinee performances, school visits, Bastille Day celebrations and now the Cluster 31 interchange. A mini-orientation program caters for Year 6 small-group students from schools further afield. Successful transition is supported by a Year 7 Orientation Camp, parent information sessions and Peer Support.

Student wellbeing

At Scoresby Secondary College we work to ensure that our students are physically, socially and emotionally ready to focus on learning and contribute in positive ways to our school community.

Our highly experienced Wellbeing Team works with individuals, groups and families so that students can cope with life’s challenges and still access learning. The Student Wellbeing Coordinator and Chaplain work closely with our psychologist and social worker to provide programs that develop social skills and resilience in students. The Shared Responsibility Program and the Peer Support Program are two of the many programs that allow students to refine their interpersonal skills and contribute as responsible members of our community. Homework Club and Study Hall programs support student learning and organization.

Co-curricular programs

Scoresby excels in inter and intra-school sport and the performing arts. The annual musical School Production is renowned. Many students are involved in instrumental music, drama, media and technology studies. Other co-curricula activities include work experience at Year 10, camps in Years 7, 8, 9 and 11, excursions, and regular student exchange programs with Kira Junior High in Japan and College Magenta in New Caledonia. Year 12 begins the academic year with a tertiary orientation camp program held on a university campus.

Creative Arts

A vibrant creative arts program operates at the college. As part of the formal program of studies students can participate in Art, Ceramics, Media and Visual Communication and Design. Significant contributions to our environment have been made by students at all levels. These include the mural of local history, the mural of Australian Icons, the mosaic of the college logo, decorative mosaics and sundial. Involvement in the creative arts can be explored through the Art Club and various competitions including the chalk drawing, photography and Animé competitions. The highlight of the year is the Art Show which celebrates student achievement with our community.

Performing Arts

Scoresby has a strong tradition of School Productions that win acclaim for dance, music and performance. Still a highlight, the Production now competes with a number of events that showcase the Performing Arts. Dance is the focus of Raw, our Rock Eisteddfod performance. Students present a dance spectacular and compete in intraschool dance events. Drama takes centre stage with The Golden Duck, a night of comedy. Our community also enjoys performances at assemblies, evening and lunch time concerts and contributions to the Knox Festival and Regional Concert at Hamer Hall. Music is mainly contemporary and is supported by lessons in voice, bass, guitar, percussion and woodwind.

Sports – Camps – Outdoor Activities

Ask kids what they remember about school and most will tell you of a sporting victory or camp. Scoresby students have many opportunities to collect wonderful memories.

A thriving camps program is well supported by families. At Years 7 and 12, all students attend camp for three days for transition to school and to prepare for VCE study and exams. To strengthen understanding of our nation, at Year 9 students visit Tasmania and at Year 11 students enjoy time in Central Australia. Advance Youth students undertake a 3 day self supported bush walk. Production students work hard at a three day performance camp.

Student leadership

An extensive student leadership program ably supports the values and the work of the school. Leadership opportunities include Captains of the school, Year Levels, Home Groups, and Houses as well as a vibrant Student Representative Council supporting charities and the community. Student run committees are the organising force behind many college activities.

Parent involvement

Our partnership between parents, students and staff is essential to our development of positive educational and social competencies. Regular parent feedback is sought and acted upon. Active parent groups include an effective School Council, ParentNet, and the Chaplaincy Committee. All parents are invited to be part of their child’s Student Learning Conference held each semester. Full written reports are provided to parents twice a year. Parents are welcome and encouraged to contact teachers by telephone or make appointments for interviews.