The Geelong College is a Uniting Church coeducational day and boarding school, with 1,300 students aged 3 to 18. We are an open and inclusive community of learners, serving the needs of young people and their families. Our college has great and proud traditions. It is well known as one of Victoria’s finest schools and is highly respected both interstate and overseas, both for its student academic achievements, and its broad and innovative learning opportunities.
We pride ourselves on helping every student to achieve their best. We provide an extremely diverse range of learning opportunities so that our students can explore a wide variety of pathways as they prepare for a rapidly changing future. We also believe passionately in coeducation in boys and girls learning and leading together. We want our students to develop their curiosity, their imagination and their confidence in themselves. We want them to be compassionate and caring, thoughtful of others. We want them to think and problem-solve, as well as to develop independence, and personal and social responsibility. We want them to aspire to be the best they can be.
The world ahead needs clever and confident citizens eager to lead into the future and we are committed to helping our students do just that.
Curriculum: Our Vision for Learning expresses how our young people become independent global citizens who understand that the most important aspect of a modern education is learning to how to learn. Our key learning dimensions are: identity, creativity, thinking, communicating, contributing, creating and enterprising. They are the capabilities that young people need for growing, working, and participating in their communities in a changing and global society. They are integrated within subject disciplines, in projects and in extra-curricular opportunities. The Geelong College offers an extensive range of learning experiences and opportunities for students from Early Learning to Year 12. In Years 10, 11 and 12 an extensive range of VCE and VET programs are offered and learning is extended through conferences, excursions, camps, community service projects and other experiences. Across the Junior and Middle Schools the core skills of Literacy and Numeracy are developed and consolidated through enquiry and visible learning, student-led projects and a broad range of subjects such as art, science, languages and the performing arts taught by specialist teachers.
Sport: The College is a member of the Associated Public Schools (APS) network. From Year 7 students choose summer, winter and spring sports and compete for the College each weekend. Training is held regularly and students of all abilities develop skills, teamwork and fitness as well as mixing with a broad range of students. Classroom Physical Education is taught by specialists at all levels, and house sports and regional competitions add to the thriving sport, health and fitness program.
Co-curricular activities: Drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, debating, expeditions, international experiences, community service activities and an array of sporting activities are offered and are designed to foster self-confidence, responsibility, teamwork, friendship, and a respect for others. Global and local community connections help to broaden students’ perspective and to develop tolerance, understanding and commitment to making a positive difference to their world.
Wellbeing programs: At Geelong College we see social and emotional learning as a key part of educating the whole child. The link between wellbeing and effective learning is well documented so we work with students of all ages to develop tools they need to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others and establish and maintain positive relationships. We do this through our TripleR program, where we focus on the three R’s — Resilience, Relationships and Reflection and aim to develop a common language and open conversation between staff, parents and students. The TripleR program is the cornerstone of our wellbeing network and is reflected in our classes, within the house system and through community service, sport and co-curricular activities. Students are actively supported in their development by the Director of Student Wellbeing, Classroom teachers, Learning Mentors, Heads of House and the School Psychologist.
Facilities: Senior School is home to both history and innovation, with state-of-the-art facilities including the resource-rich George Morrison Library, the Recreation Centre with its diving area, heated indoor pool, gymnasium and weights room, the Austin Gray Centre for Visual and Creative Arts and the Keith Humble Centre for Music and the Performing Arts, nestled within the historic grounds. The Middle School is the learning centre for students in Years 4 to 8. Housing our beautiful and fruitful kitchen garden and enviro centre, ovals, sports facilities and play areas, in addition to specialist science laboratories, a drama studio and multi-media centre. The newly refurbished Middle School features open-plan learning spaces that are designed to be flexible, contemporary and to encourage shared learning and broad perspectives. Our Junior School is a dynamic community for our Early Learners to Year 3 students, where they are encouraged to grow and explore learning in a Reggio Emilia inspired program featuring energetic and colourful classrooms and a warm village-like space.
Boarding: With approximately 100 boarders, the College offers a family-style boarding experience that encourages friendship, independence and academic excellence. Boarding life is rich and fulfilling, combining homework, sport and other co-curricular activities, with time to relax. Each weeknight, boarders have two hours of study time with specialist academic tutors available to assist them. The College has two separate boarding houses, adjacent to the school. Mossgiel, the girls’ house, has units where girls from different year levels live together in single or double rooms with shared bathrooms, lounges and kitchenettes. Mackie, the boys’ house, has single rooms with shared bathrooms and looks out over the oval. Both boarding houses have informal areas where boarders can watch television or play games, and entertain friends after school. Flexible and short stay boarding options are also available.
Acting Principal: Mr Roger Smith
Registrar: Mrs Deb Fanning