Opportunities at Glenroy College

To explore what opportunities are available at Glenroy College, select from the list below:

> Student Leadership and Student Voice
> Debating
> Acceleration Program
> Advance
> Sport
> LOTE
> Chaplaincy
> Drama
> Music and Singing

Student Leadership and Student Voice

At Glenroy College, students are always encouraged to get actively involved and speak up about how the school can be improved and can represent itself to the community.

Students are given a voice at School Council meetings
Year 11 students are appointed each year to form the school's Student Leadership Team
Students from Years 7-10 are involved in Student Voice, a forum that canvasses the opinions of the student body
Students plan and run whole school assemblies
Students plan and run fundraisers, in support of charities, local needs and the school Students are given the opportunity to take part in forums and conventions outside of the school, including World Vision's Global Leadership Convention, Moreland Council Youth Services Forums, the ABCN (Australian Business and Community Network) GOALS Program and others as they arise.

Beyond these formal avenues, all students have the potential to lead others. The staff of Glenroy College seek to involve in all students in their own learning and development, individually and as a community.

Debating

Students at Glenroy College are encouraged to be part of the Debating Teams in Year 7, 8 and 9. This year, Glenroy College has entered two Year 9 teams in the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) Schools Debating Competition, in the Coburg region. Throughout the year our students compete against other Year 9 students from several nearby schools, speaking in teams of three to try to convince an impartial adjudicator to take their side on a controversial issue. Some recent topics that we have debated have been whether or not we should ban beauty pageants, whether or not animals should be used in sport, and whether or not children should be allowed to play violent video games.

In the second half of the year, the Year 7 and Year 8 Debating students will be entered in the DAV Junior Secondary Program. This program provides a detailed introduction to debating, teaching students how to develop the skills and techniques involved in formal debating, in a friendly and supportive environment.

The students who choose to become involved in our debating programme develop excellent public speaking skills, improve their ability to work effectively in teams, and learn how to plan and structure complex arguments and use language to persuade others. Next year we hope to expand our involvement in the DAV Schools Debating Competition, so that more of our students can benefit from the wonderful opportunities provided by participation in the debating programme.

Ms. Ames, Debating Coordinator

Acceleration Program

Glenroy College has established an acceleration program for selected students moving from grade 6 into year 7. Students will continue into year 8 and 9 as part of the program. There will be the opportunity for students to begin their VCE as part of their year 10 programme. The main aims of the program are to provide access to faster paced curriculum and deeper learning with minimal repetition, and to provide opportunities for enrichment and extension. When students reach year 9 to align with the college’s Nova Nine program the class design their own theme for each semester.

For more information about the Acceleration Program, click here.

Advance - Young people and communities working together

The Advance program is administered by the Victorian Government Department of Planning and Community Development. It provides up to around $10000 per annum which we use to support the VCAL pathway in the school. The money has been used for many purposes over the years including subsidising the camps and excursions focussed on developing students’ personal development skills, getting students into volunteering, setting up community partnerships, helping train students in areas of need, providing training in car safety, service of food and first aid courses. The main benefits of the program are the opportunities it provides for students to work in teams in different environments outside the school and the chance for students to enhance their employability through training, volunteering and community partnerships.

In addition to the funds provided the Advance program provides curriculum guidelines which lead to the outcomes needed to complete the Personal Development Skills stream in VCAL. Specifically it provides a structure around which students can participate in Volunteering activities and to develop the skills needed for decision-making and organisational communication. These skills are used to manage projects including fund raising activities, the camp and other excursions.

The Advance program has become an integral part of VCAL and has contributed to the development of the students in many areas as well as improving their educational experiences and outcomes. The VCAL Advance students at Glenroy College over the past five years have been involved in some of the following projects:

Conservation Projects with Conservation Volunteers Australia
Red Cross Blood Donor Program
Fundraising for The Salvation Army
Volunteering at Moreland Council Community Events
Making a ‘Police Tube’ video about graffiti in conjunction with the Fawkner Police
Working with the Mullberry Community Gardens, Glenroy
Completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award
Volunteering at local Primary Schools and Specialist Schools
Volunteering at the Hume Learning Homework Club

Sport at Glenroy College

Glenroy College students study Health and Physical Education from Year 7-10 and can choose to do VCE Physical Education in Year 11 and 12. Students at Glenroy College can compete in interschool sport for the college in a variety of sports such as; football, soccer, netball, basketball and badminton. Glenroy College competes in the Northern region. Students at the college are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular sport as it is a positive way to represent the school and be involved in a team. Students can only participate in sport if they are up to date with their work in class.

Language Other Than English (LOTE) at Glenroy College

Glenroy College currently teaches Indonesian as a Language to Year 7, 8 and 9 selected classes. In 2009, the student voice group expressed concern over not having a language at the school and Indonesian was reintroduced in 2010. There are currently 3 Indonesian classes and the focus for these classes is on using ICT and digital technologies to enhance their language learning. These technologies include the use of iPads, flipcams, easyspeak microphones and laptops.

In 2011, the school was a recipient of the Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools (BALGS) initiative and received a $20,000 Federal Government grant. This money is going towards Professional Learning for the teachers, funding new digital technologies, providing real life language experiences and resources for the students and setting up a Sister School Relationship with an Indonesian school. In June, three Indonesian students and their teacher from SMA N 1 Kasihan, Yogyakarta came to the school to experience Australian school life and culture. This will become a regular occurrence and planning has already begun to return the visit and have our students travel to Indonesia. This relationship will also allow our students to have epals and Skype conversations with students in Indonesia.

Students experience Indonesian films, music and food to enhance their learning of the culture. Traditional stories, cultural arts, dance and Indonesian animals are also learnt by the students.

Click here to view video

Chaplaincy at Glenroy College

In Victoria, Government Schools have had Chaplains for well over 50 years, providing pastoral care to the schools and their communities. In Glenroy, School's Chaplaincy began at Box Forest College in the late 1990's, established by inaugural Chaplain, Geoff Scott.

Geoff Scott was succeeded by Ilsa Hampton, who worked at Box Forest until the end of 2001. Chris Helm took over the position in 2002 until the end of 2011 and now Paul Spyrou is the College Chaplain. Paul now shares the role with Asha Sebastian.

Chaplaincy is a Christian ministry that takes place within secular contexts (schools, hospitals, prisons, sporting clubs, etc.) School's Chaplains work for the wellbeing of their schools and communities, including students, staff and families, often as part of a broader School Welbeing Team. Liaising with local health and community agencies, Chaplains provide pastoral care and spiritual support to any who seek it, with great sensitivity and respect for all faiths, cultures, life choices and worldviews. Chaplaincy is a role that recognises and honours the spiritual needs and health of a community in a way that few other roles do, encourgaing an awareness of sybolism and ritual, deep reflection and reconciliation.

Roles of the Chaplains at Glenroy College include:

providing pastoral care one-on-one to students, as well as facilitiating small groups;
assisting with the delivery of special needs programs both within and beyond the classroom;
supporting teachers in managing students, especially with behavioural or mental health concerns;
encouraging and developing student leadership with the college;
referring students to alternative educational settings;
liaising with local support agencies, including Community Health Services, Council Youth Services, Youth Mental Health
Support Services, Youth Agencies such as Anglicare, CASA, etc.
providing spiritual direction and encouragement, including prayer, reflection and (where relevant) memorial services.

Paul Spyrou and Asha Sebastian can be contacted at the school on 9304 0449, Monday - Thursday.

Drama at Glenroy College

Glenroy College students do drama at Year 7-10 and can choose to do VCE Drama in Year 11 and 12. The college has a vibrant Drama department and has performed many of its ensemble acts at various Glenroy College events such as the Arts Night, Drama Nights, the Year 7 Information Night and various assemblies.

“Drama broadens your creative perspective and builds confidence in students. Drama is a great subject where you really learn how to work collaboratively”, Ms Mangano VCE Drama Teacher.

Music and Singing At Glenroy College

“Glenroy College offers an engaging instrumental music program. The Glenroy College Choir, led by Ms Lynda Watkins and accompanied on the piano by Ms Sylvia Kaklamanis, performed this year at the Boroondara Eisteddfod Choir Competition at Hawthorn Town Hall. The students enjoyed the opportunity to sing on stage among many experienced and polished choirs, and were proud of their performance. Lauren Hammond (Year 10) also competed in the Musical Theatre section singing the solo “Not While I'm Around” from the stage musical show Sweeney Todd.

Students have the opportunity to learn an instrument with dedicated and experienced teachers. Mr Pilois teaches drums, guitar and percussion; Mr Gretton teaches brass instruments; Ms Watkins gives singing, piano and woodwind instruction; and Ms Kaklamanis co-ordinates the program as well as teaching classroom music and saxophone. This year the woodwind ensemble performed at the Glenroy Festival, and the band is preparing for School of Rock at the end of the term. The upcoming Arts Night will showcase the mini-musical “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in addition to several solo items. The band regularly performs at school assemblies as well as visiting local primary schools.

In addition to the enjoyment that students experience from studying an instrument, they learn skills such as teamwork and commitment while stimulating the language side of the brain which supports their literacy skills. We welcome students into the program at any time.”

XSD