Hoppers Crossing Secondary College - College Profile

College Profile

Opened in 1984 Hoppers Crossing Secondary College grew rapidly and in 1989, the first year of Year 12, the enrolment peaked at 1,232, thus the College became the fourth largest secondary college in the state.

Our current enrolment is approximately 1300. The College has consolidated its curriculum foundation and is proud of its record in preparing students for tertiary entry, further training or employment. Situated in an urban growth corridor, approximately 20 minutes west of Melbourne, the College welcomes students from Years 7 to 12 from Hoppers Crossing and the surrounding district. In recognising its obligations to all students, the college community places great importance on developing innovative and challenging educational programs, through which young people recognise the value of growth through learning. This is being achieved through a close working partnership of staff, students, parents and the wider community.

CURRICULUM:

The College offers students a comprehensive and sequential curriculum in each of the eight Key Learning Areas. In designing its curriculum, the College has developed a major focus on the development of our $2M Science Centre which reached completion in June 2011.

The new $2M Science Centre has an initial focus on providing a chemistry foundation aimed at a science curriculum centred on Forensics, Water Conservation, Food Technology and Nanotechnology. The Science Centre will be utilised by our students and teachers and will offer ‘best practice’ activities for our local Primary & Secondary Schools in the area. It is our vision to engage and excite many of our primary and lower level secondary students in the ‘wonders’ of science in order to have a positive impact on the participation rates within such VCE subjects as Chemistry, Physics and Biology. A facility such as a Science Centre, which will offer flexible learning spaces, will certainly enhance our reputation as a school which prides itself on providing a culture of academic excellence.

The college also acknowledges the diversity of the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of its population, with students in Years 7-9 enjoying a balanced mix of academic and practical subjects, beginning their selection of elective units at Year 9. With approximately 300 students enrolled at the VCE level, students can choose from a wide variety of programs which will assist them in their choice of future vocational paths. A comprehensive list of studies offered is set out in The College Curriculum Profile. An effective counselling program encourages students to select subjects wisely and so successfully complete their six years of secondary education. All students from Year 9 onwards have an Individual Pathways Plan.

To encourage all students to strive for personal excellence and achieve the ‘extra-ordinary’, a range of extension and support programs are in place. These programs include University Enhancement Studies, VCE access for Year 10 students, Bright Futures after school program for high performing primary and lower secondary students, Year 7 & 9 Enrichment Program, as well as Literacy and Numeracy Support Programs for all students. It would be an expectation of all staff that they would support the college intervention and enhancement programs where required. The college operates a 71 minute lesson, 4 period day timetable and all Year 7 students form a separate Learning Community.

A broad range of curriculum activities exist beyond the classroom, where students have the opportunity to enhance their learning in the following areas – Music, Drama - Rock Eisteddfod, Art, Theatre, Sports and Leisure, Leadership, Life Skills, Careers and Work Experience, Social Service and Personal Welfare, and other interest groups. Year 9 students will have the opportunity to be selected to attend the School for Student Leadership and the college has recently formed a cultural exchange relationship with Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, California.

RESOURCES:

The College takes pride in the resources and facilities it offers its students in all areas of the curriculum, especially those gained though local initiatives. One such example is in area of Information Technology where the college Council has worked tirelessly to acquire computer, Internet and multi – media equipment. The College Council has a commitment to regularly upgrade this technology.

The ICT Strategic Planning Committee of the College has implemented a 1 to 1 Netbook Program for all students in the College by 2013. We have installed 8 Interactive Whiteboards in designated classrooms within each of the 8 Key Learning Areas across the College as well as media projectors in every working classroom. The research undertaken by this group of staff indicated that many of our local Primary Feeder Schools are utilizing this type of Learning Technology to engage students in their learning. In order to continue to engage our students in the teaching and learning process, such facilities have become important teaching tools for all teachers leading into the 21st Century. The college now has available for the students:

1 to 1 Netbook Program

All working classroms are Multi-media Rooms (containing media projectors, Wireless Access Points)

6 Computer Laboratories (26 Desktop Computers each)

MAC Laptops (to be utilized in classrooms for Art and Design purposes)

8 Electronic Interactive Whiteboards

PASTORAL CARE / WELFARE PROGRAMS:

The College is fully committed to the welfare of its students. To this end it has developed a new Student Engagement Policy and a variety of special support programs. The Year 7 Peer Support Program is well established at the College. Selected Year 10 students go through a Peer Support Training Program. This program complements the Year 7 College Transition Program as well as the Pastoral Care Program that operates in the Junior School. The college is involved in providing a number of Student At Risk Programs such as “Making Better Choices’ for Year 7 boys. These programs complement other welfare activities such as Youth and Peer Mediation, Harassment Workshops, and Parenting Programs.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY:

The College continues to reflect the close relationship it has built with its community since its inception. This highly valued partnership continues through such groups as the Parents & Friends Association which is an integral part of the College. The Association positively contributes to the College by offering input into the development and evaluation of College policies.

Our educational community strongly believes that parental involvement in the College operations and in their children’s learning process will positively contribute to the education of our young people. The College aims to engage with and support parents through interactive Parent Forums held once a term. These forums are tailored to parent needs and interests and are endorsed by The Parents and Friends Committee of Hoppers Crossing Secondary College.

The College is in regular contact with parents through its Newsline, Annual Report Summary, Parent Teacher Interview Sessions and Parent Information Nights.