LAVERTON SECONDARY COLLEGE

Founded in 1967, the college offers a broad curriculum for Years 7 to 12, allowing students to enter tertiary study or capably join the workforce. “Striving for Excellence in a Caring Environment” epitomises the philosophy of this school, which aims to produce multi-skilled, well-rounded individuals and independent thinkers capable of making a valuable contribution
to society.

Facilities: The school is well equipped to cater for students in all aspects of school life. Set in a pleasantly landscaped environment, the school has Flexipave tennis courts, basketball courts, oval, gymnasium/theatre, networked multimedia facilities, specialist teaching areas in subjects such as music, an information technology resource centre, two computer laboratories, three computer pod rooms adjoining classrooms and a language laboratory. The college is adjacent to the Laverton Fitness and Swim Centre, which is used in the physical education and outdoor education programs. A 22-seater bus is available for excursions/camps. A Manufacturing Skill Centre will give students an opportunity to study VETiS Engineering and eventually VETiS Electrical at the college.Curriculum: As part of a Leading School fund grant, an Integrated Enquiry-Based Curriculum has been introduced into Years 7 and 8, with a big emphasis on literacy and numeracy. In Years 9 and 10, students also follow a basic core curriculum but select more widely from the technology and arts curriculum, choosing four subjects during the year. All Key Learning Areas are covered by every student. In Years 11 and 12, a broad range of VCE subjects is offered. Rapid expansion of vocational education has brought about co-operative courses with six other local secondary colleges. This allows for a diverse range of subjects giving students much greater opportunity in these curriculum areas. An accelerated learning program allows Year 10 students to undertake VCE studies, Year 11 students to study Units 3 and 4 and in some cases, Year 12 students to undertake first year university courses. VCAL and Years 9 and 10 students are involved with SYN FM radio broadcasting each week. The college also has its own high-tech sound recording studio, which was funded by the Hobsons Bay City Council.

Sport: The college is a sporting school, participating in a wide variety of sports at all levels. Swimming and athletic carnivals are held during the year and students are encouraged to participate either individually or as a member of a team.

Extra-curricular activities: Music and performing arts are important developing areas with choir, modern dance and a drama festival. There is a presentation night, camping, bushwalking and skiing. Laverton also runs projects such as PEEL (Project for Enhancing Effective Learning) and LAVNET (Laverton Network of Science Teachers and Resources). Students also take part in the Victoria University Engineering Design Challenge.

Student welfare programs: The college has introduced Restorative Justice as a tool in the student management process. This approach is based on mending and building positive relations between all individuals in the college community. The supportive and caring environment is assisted by having pastoral care teachers for each class, a student welfare co-ordinator, a school nurse and the use of local community programs to support students. Student success is acknowledged in academic, sporting and citizenship awards. A college priority is catering for individual differences and needs as well as literacy and numeracy. The college also has a Breakfast Club, which runs each Friday. All students and staff are invited to attend and invitations are extended to neighbouring primary school students. The program is partly funded by the college council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Pratt Foundation and kind donations of food from local businesses. The college is proud of the links it has developed with local industry. VISY Industries offers students fully funded cadet traineeship programs. Dow Chemical (Australia) has sponsored the college LAVNET Science program for the past five years. Approximately $130,000 received from Dow Chemical enabled the program to set up a Robotics Laboratory, as well as to promote the teaching and learning of science in 14 local primary schools.