Our Learning Philosophy

Australian Curriculum

Our teachers use the ACARA Australian Curriculum frameworks to develop, plan for and deliver learning and teaching from Foundation to Year 10 in each of the eight Learning Areas released by ACARA:

• English;
• Mathematics;
• Science;
• Humanities and Social Sciences: History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship,
• Economics and Business;
• Health and Physical Education;
• The Arts: Music, Visual Art, Drama (7-9), Media Arts (7-9);
• Technologies: Design and Technology, and Digital Technology;
• Languages: French.

For further information on the Australian Curriculum, click here

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

Our VCE program offers a broad range of subject choices that allows students to pursue their interests, and at the same time provide opportunities and learning pathways to continue with their choices of tertiary education. Subjects offered for VCE may vary slightly from year to year and is dependent on student choices. Subjects are offered from mathematics, sciences, humanities, arts, technologies and languages.

For further information on VCE, click here

The Encounter Curriculum

To develop an appreciation for Christian heritage, Seventh-day Adventist heritage, community building, citizenship, social justice, and stewardship of the environment and resources, Biblical Studies are delivered through the Adventist Encounter Curriculum from Foundation to Year 10, and through the VCE study design: Religion and Society.

‘Transformational Teaching - Learning Area’ frameworks

The College uses the ASA ‘Transformational Teaching - Learning Area’ values frameworks to embed Christian Values in curriculum and learning and teaching practices.

Learning for life

At Year 9 students enter the College Learning for Life (L4L) program which enables them to develop greater responsibility, independence and leadership by providing challenges that increase their level of flexibility, tolerance and cooperation, enhancing self-understanding and developing a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the outdoor environment created for them to inhabit and preserve, and the needs of the wider community.

Learning 4 Life is the College's experiential education program that includes outdoor activities and experiences as well as completing modified expectations of the traditional curriculum. It is made up of three components as follows:

• Bushwalking – dealing with the individual and self-concept
• Urban studies – familiarising students with city life through group activities
• Service – taking students beyond themselves into the community through service

These components develop many skills such as confidence, persistence, flexibility, resilience, organisation, and getting along.

The building of relationships is central to the Learning4Life program and it is this that is so vital in our spiritual developmental connection with God. Our program is based on the three elements of Special Character

• Belonging (caring for the individual),
• Believing (in self, group, and God) and
• Being (a contributing member of the community)

It has become clear that this program has positive outcomes and a positive impact on most students. Many teachers and parents have indicated positive developmental changes in their students as a direct result of the program. This includes self-confidence, independence, maturity, resilience, English expression, focus on class work, attitudes and values.

Excursions and Camps

All students at all year levels participate in excursions and incursions to enrich their learning experiences.

• Year 5 and 6 students have overnight camps that alternate between Sovereign Hill and Canberra.

• This year, Year 7 and 8 students participate in a team-building adventure camp and Valley Homestead.

• Year 9 - see the Learning 4 Life tab for more details about the Year 9 Program.

• Year 10 students participate in the Mount Buffalo Adventure Sports camp in the Victorian Alps.

• Year 11 participate in a major interstate trip to visit a Christian tertiary institution in NSW called Avondale University.

• Year 12 students have a senior retreat to start the year in regional Victoria - the location is a surprise for them!

The Invictus Wellbeing Program

The Invictus program is a specially designed wellbeing program, targeted at created capacity in secondary students. The program includes service elements and directed learning on social, emotional, spiritual, physical and mental health.

Learn more about the Invictus Wellbeing Program