Q: What are your VCE results like?
Answer:
VCE is a strong focus for us. With many students beginning their secondary education up to two years behind in year 7 we have a clear emphasis on literacy, numeracy and personalised learning in order to build student capacity. Those students who choose VCE continually gain a spread of results that outstrips the results range indicated by their family occupation data. Our main indicator, the All Studies Mean is trending upwards towards the state average of 29 – in 2010 it was 24.8. The top ENTER score in 2009 was 97.85, in 2010 the top ATAR score was 73.15. In both years 25% of students scored higher than 50.
Q: How do you extend and challenge students?
Answer:
In a mixed ability class teachers provide work/assignments which cater for different abilities. We have a Personalised Learning focus in the classroom utilising ICT to cater for different abilities. We run an acceleration class in years 7, 8 and 9. Students selecting the academic pathway in year 10 can select a VCE subject. The school’s focus for 2011 and 2012 is on Differentiated and Personalised Learning.
Q: How do you cater for students with special learning needs?
Answer:
We have a very strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy with structured planning sessions for teachers to ensure class work targets students skill level. Our testing regimen provides effective feedback to students and teachers about student skill levels and further assists in catering for differences. We have comprehensive Integration and ESL programs at the college. Alternative pathways are established from year 10. Students can choose an academic pathway that leads to VCE or a vocational pathway (Internship) in year 10 which leads onto VCAL. The homework club is open after school every Wednesday.
Q: What Languages Other Than English does the school offer?
Answer:
The school offers Indonesian for selected classes at Year 7, 8 and 9.
Q: What is the school's approach to Homework?
Answer:
Year 7 to 9 have a homework timetable which indicates the subjects students have for homework each night of the week. The schools approach is to keep homework regular and relevant but increasing as students approach VCE. Students are encouraged to read every night.
All students require a College planner. For students to achieve well we recognize that they need to be organized. It is one of the most important tools in communication between home and school. There is a strong focus in pastoral care from year 7 to 12 on effective use of planners.
Q: How does the school deal with Bullying?
Answer:
All cases of bullying – whether it be physical, verbal, emotional or cyber - are taken seriously, with policies and procedures explicitly defined in our Code of Conduct. Consequences involve both an educative and punishment component with counselling provided to the victim and the bully. Initial warnings are provided to provide an opportunity for a bully to change his / her behaviour. Secondary cases involve parent contact and a range of consequences. At recess and lunchtime teachers carefully supervise student behaviour but most importantly students support and have direct input into strategies and policy changes.
Q: How does the school deal with Drugs and violence?
Answer:
The College values clearly highlight RESPECT and HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. The College Code of Conduct is explicit about the unacceptable nature of violence and any type of illegal drug use. There are clear consequences related to the level of violence or drug abuse that include an educative element as well as punishment. Pastoral care classes in years 7 to 9 also focus on the College values and acceptable behaviour.
Q: What approach does the school have to pastoral care?
Answer:
The school’s approach to Pastoral Care is systematic, whereby each class has a designated Pastoral Care Teacher from Year 7-10 and in Year 11 and 12 each student has a mentor. The Pastoral Care teacher and Mentor is the first port of call for the student and the parent for any issues. The Pastoral Care teacher will also be one of the students classroom teachers. We have a strong Student Health and Well Being Team comprising of a Leading Teacher responsible for Student Engagement and Wellbeing, a school nurse, two School Chaplains and a Doctor. Students also have access to Social Workers and Psychologists.
Q: What extra curricula activities are available?
Answer:
Instrumental music, singing – individual and choir, debating, Student Leadership roles, Student Voice ,drama, coaching and sport.
Q: What about girls?
Answer:
There are more boys at the school than girls. This is due to the close vicinity of Pascoe Vale Girls College. Girls are not disadvantaged; in fact they represent our best students. In junior classes we ensure that there is an even number of boys and girls in all classes. This means that in junior classes we do have some boys’ only classes to ensure girls are not out numbered. By the time students get into the senior years girls represent half the student population. Our leadership development program comprises more than 50% girls as well. We cater for all students in a co-educational environment that recognises that girls and boys need to be able to work together. The school has a safe and secure learning environment where students from a range of backgrounds excel in their learning.
Q: Do you have a Music program?
Answer:
The school has a very successful music program as part of the curriculum in years 7 to 9. The College also offers singing, with the opportunity to perform individually or as part of a small choir. Students can learn a musical instrument and join one of our many bands. Both singing and instrumental music can be taken through to year 12
Q: What opportunities are available in sport?
Answer:
The school operates both Physical Education and Sport Education in years 7 and 8. Junior teams represent the College in inter -school sport. Students can compete in inter-school swimming and athletics through the Sport Education Program. Students who compete in junior years are given the opportunity to continue competing through to senior years as long as they maintain their core focus on classwork. We enter girls and boys teams in most inter-school sport competitions – Football, Basketball, Soccer, Netball etc. In 2010 we won the under 16 boys Victorian Rugby Championship. The College has extensive sporting facilities including a full size indoor gymnasium to cater for basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton. External courts are also marked for basketball, netball and volleyball with a number of freestanding basketball rings for general use. There are extensive grounds to enable football, soccer and rugby to be played as well. There are also many opportunities for students to be involved in coaching.
Q: What are your computer facilities like?
Answer:
Students have easy access to computers (3 computer classrooms and 2 computer pods). Students also have access to laptops and iPads to use in classrooms. In 2011 Year 7 students will be able to access an iPad to use in classroom and at home through a purchasing program. By the end of 2011 all students from years 9-11 will be able to access a laptop that they can use at school and at home. Students at Glenroy Secondary have access to a wide variety of “Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s),” these include access to: PC’s, Lenovo Notebooks, MAC’s, iPads, Electronic Whiteboards, Data Projectors and Graphical and Scientific Calculators.
ICT pervades all areas of learning with students expected to make use of technology and access to software and the internet to enhance their learning. Students can focus on areas related to particular fields of ICT as they progress through school. These include Vocational Education Training (VET) programs that build competencies that they can take into the workplace or TAFE. Skills in word processing, building and using databases, spreadsheets, and slideshows are developed through all areas of curriculum. Graphical Software skills are developed in Mathematics and Science. Multi-media develops skills in photography and digital story telling. The ICT program at Glenroy College incorporates a combination of theoretical and hands on approaches to learning and the curriculum is differentiated, to allow students, to learn at their own pace. Glenroy College aims to produce students of the highest standard who are confident and competent users of ICT.
Q: How big are your class sizes?
Answer:
The average class size at year 7 and 8 is 20 students. At yr 9-12 class sizes vary from 10 to 25 students.
Q: How much are school charges?
Answer:
The Education Resource charge supplements the student program. It covers items such as cost of printing and posting out the newsletter and reports, provision and maintenance of lockers, extra photocopying associated with exams and exam preparation, software licences beyond state-wide licences, costs associated with extra-curricula programs and sports affiliations. The charge is $160 for students in years 7-9 and $170 for students in years 11 and 12.
Students selecting subjects where something is produced and the student take it home eg Food Technology are asked to contribute a materials charge associated with that subject. This allows the College to purchase materials used by students in bulk usually at a reduced cost
Q: How does the school keep the parents informed about student progress?
Answer:
There is an interim report and either a Student Led Conference or Parent Teacher Interview in first and third term. At the end of each semester there are detailed student reports posted home. Teachers often use the student planner to inform parents about student progress and Pastoral Care Teachers and Mentors regularly contact parents. Teachers and parents are encouraged to communicate regularly on student progress. The College produces a newsletter twice a term that is posted home.
Q: How does the school deal with student discipline?
Answer:
The main focus is on rewarding and acknowledging students for cooperative behaviour. The school focuses on the Rights and Responsibilities of the whole school community. The approach in discipline at Glenroy College is based on the Ramon Lewis’ Development Management Strategies Approach to Behaviour. All students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach.
Q: What about school camps and excursions?
Answer:
in 2011 school camps are being run for VCAL classes in Year 10-12 only as it is directly linked to their curriculum and outcomes and has been linked to the Advance Program and the Duke Of Edinburgh. In previous years VCAL students have been on camps to Rubicon, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory and King Lake. Camps have been run at various year levels in previous years but have depended on student interest.
Excursions are planned as part of curriculum and students are expected to attend as follow up work is required
Q: Can I hire the Performing Arts Centre?
Answer:
Yes, you can contact Donna Demasi in the General Office on 9304 0400 between 9 and 4.30pm. Forms are also are available on our website.