Glenroy College is a co-educational, 7-12 school servicing the communities of Glenroy, Coburg, Oak Park, Hadfield and Pascoe Vale.
The College is serviced very well by public transport with Glenroy station walking distance from the school and local bus lines with stops outside the school. The College is situated in spacious grounds with both green space and hard surfaced areas for students to use. We have a well appointed gymnasium, performing arts centre, science centre and computer labs situated in generous sized classrooms. We have a population of 460 students from a multicultural background with 40.4 staff. Our mean class size is 21. Our clear focus is to provide students with a viable pathway including both academic and vocational opportunities. Specialised literacy and numeracy programs and assistants support our drive to continually improve literacy and numeracy across the College.
Curriculum at Glenroy College is designed to cater for different stages of learning. Year 7 and 8 are guided by the Victorian Essential Learning Standards with an acceleration class to challenge high achievers. Differentiation in the classroom underpins our drive to cater for individuals. This is informed by a rigorous testing regimen that informs teacher planning and student goal setting. Year 9 provides an opportunity for students to select semester based themes with the acceleration class developing their own curriculum. Year 10 provides alternative academic and vocational pathways linked with work placement and access to VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) subjects for capable students. Year 11 and 12 formalise pathways through VCE and VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning).
Student Learning
The College has a strong focus on literacy and numeracy. Numeracy is practiced at the beginning of every lesson and all students are involved in silent reading at the beginning of period 1 and 3 each day. Participation in the Achievement Improvement Zone has had a significant impact on teaching and learning. The specific focii in the future will be on improving VCE results, ensuring consistency in all classrooms, raising student expectations of their achievement levels- especially in relation to effort and completion of homework and the use of data to monitor student achievement, inform planning and support personalised learning.
Student Engagement and Wellbeing
There is a strong focus on attendance and effort in class. Rolls are marked every lesson with messages sent home where students are absent. The Personal Learning Program at Years 7-10 focuses on College values and preparing for success. Senior students have mentors to assist their progress through VCE or VCAL. Teaching teams use data to inform agreed practice in the classroom. Participation in AIZ with Ramon Lewis will improve engagement. Student Voice and student leadership provide genuine input to the college programs and structure. Teachers report to parents through student led conferences, reporting nights and individual interviews.
Student Pathways and Transition
Transition to year 7 is facilitated by the Personal Learning Program, Home Group and Teaching Team structure. Personal Learning and Home Group teachers spend significant time with their class.The acceleration group begins work at the end of their grade 6 year. Students begin planning their pathway in year 7, exploring their interests and strengths and setting goals. Students select a vocational or academic pathway in year 10. Extensive counselling with students and parents forms part of the process for selecting pathways and subjects. Work experience, work placement and School Based Apprenticeships form part of alternative programs along with Internship and VCAL. Industry visits, career expos and attendance at university open days complete the picture for students.