Monivae College was founded in 1954 by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to offer a Catholic education in the Western Districts of Victoria. With an ethos of “Giving every child a chance”, Monivae welcomes all students, regardless of social background, academic ability or wealth, accepting those who are not Catholic but still want a religious education. In all activities, the college aims to develop excellence in achievement within an atmosphere of the Gospel values of compassion, concern and service.
Facilities: Monivae provides facilities usually found only in larger city schools. There is an extensive information technology network with 25km of cable linking all classrooms, specialist areas and boarding houses with the resource centre and through which students have access to the internet, newspapers and magazines online. The whole school has been networked, enabling every classroom to have access to learning resources on the Internet. Apple MacBook laptops and Interactive White Boards (IWBs) are also distributed around the school and incorporated into learning programs to enhance classroom activities. Boarding houses and science laboratories have been recently refurbished and equipped. A performing arts centre, technology centre, visual arts studios (including a graphics lab), an agriculture/horticulture complex and school farm with a streamside classroom add to facilities for learning. There are also two sports stadiums, a swimming pool, ovals, tennis courts and spacious gardens with landscaped outdoor recreational areas.
Curriculum: A range of VCE studies and VCAL programs are offered. Vocational education subjects are Hospitality, Auto Engineering, Multimedia and VET SISCO, while new apprenticeships and university extension courses are also available. Acceleration is possible in some subjects. Special pathways for individual students.
Sport: Football, netball, basketball, hockey, rowing, cricket, soccer, athletics, swimming and cross-country are offered. There is inter-house and some interstate competition.
Extra-curricular activities: Religious retreats are held for senior students, the younger ones attending school camps. The cadet unit provides an extensive outdoor education and adventure training program, developing self-reliance, teamwork and leadership skills. The school choir, concert band, cadet band and school production provide opportunities for students to perform in public. Service groups include St Vincent de Paul and Amnesty International.
Student welfare programs: A well-developed pastoral care system extends through the work of all classroom teachers, home-room teachers and deputy principal, chaplains, careers coordinator, school support worker, ministry team and pastoral care co-ordinator and international and national mission experiences.
Boarding facilities: There are two boarding houses for students from Years 7 to 12 with one for girls and the other for boys. Both are computer linked with excellent study and recreational areas. The college has a caring attitude to all students, with student welfare being of great importance. Boarders’ evening study is supervised. They are expected to participate in at least one sport and are encouraged to be involved in extra-curricular cultural or service activity and student liturgies. The religious program for all students includes a monthly mass for the whole school as well as other special-occasion liturgies. Students with special needs are well-catered for through the special education program. Individual programs are designed for students with high academic potential through an inclusive gifted education model.