Euroa Secondary College
Encyclopedia
Euroa Secondary College is a year 7 to 12 co-educational, state-run secondary college located in the Victorian north-eastern town of Euroa, Victoria
in Australia. Euroa Secondary College is the only secondary college located in the local government area, the Shire of Strathbogie, and thus takes in students from a wide-spanning area including Nagambie
, Violet Town
, Ruffy
, Avenel
and Strathbogie
. A school bus service provides free transport for many students in outlying areas. It has an estimated enrolment of approximately 360 students in 2009.
The key values of Euroa Secondary College are: empowerment, challenge, resilience and respect. The College’s vision is for “a united community where everybody has responsibility in preparing youth for their future”.
Mr Scott Watson is the schools acting principal. The current assistant principal is Kevin Bott.
In terms of students, the school is split into three houses: Forlonge (yellow), Creighton (green) and Kirkland (red). These houses each have a male and female leader at each a junior, intermediate and senior level. They are led by the male and female senior captain. Each year, students compete in houses in athletics and aquatic sports carnivals, as well as cross-country running events.
The College has a student representative council (SRC) where all students over all year levels are given the opportunity to have input in the school community. The aim is to make the life of students as fulfilling as possible through the foundation of College policies, organising of school or lunchtime events, social services and their action is school and student issue. The College has also recently implemented the Student Forum, which 14 senior students who look after student welfare and school issues. The Student Forum meets monthly and provides a report to the student council via its members. The students are represented by the College Captains who are chosen by a universal student and teacher vote after being passed through an application process. The College Captains duties include arranging school assemblies and representing the school at numerous other events. There are also many opportunites for all students to participate in leadership development programmes.
2008 – 2011: Mr Scott Watson
2011-Present: Mr Kevin Bott
2008: Neal Smith and Lauren Mackrell
2009: Daniel O’Brien and Amanda Walters
2010: Kate Harcourt and Andrew Bell
2011: Megan Furphy and Luke Kleinig
All year 12 students have the opportunity to apply for school captain, all the applicants are interviewed by a panel made of students and staff from Euroa Secondary College, two males and two females are then chosen to be voted on by the entire student body and staff.
Vice President: Megan Furphy
Secretary: Scott Starkey
Treasurer: William Murry
In 2006, the College participated in a review of its operations throughout the previous 3 years. The vision of our school is for “a united community where everybody has responsibility in preparing youth for their future”. By 2010, the school plans:
In year nine, students take part in the revolutionary “Year With A Difference” programme which is designed to keep students engaged in, or re-engage them in, their school studies at a point where statistics show students’ begin to lose interest. This programme also exposes students to a vast range of life skills which will prove invaluable in life. This programme consists of a core curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, The Arts, Technology, LOTE and Personal Development. Alongside the core studies, the students complete one expedition per term (to be worked on during each Wednesday) which all comply with the Victorian Government’s Essential Learning Standards.
In year ten, students begin to select their elective subjects (in addition to the compulsory English and Mathematics units) and begin their pathways planning. Many year ten students also choose to “accelerate” into VCE units, which then earn them credit towards when they gain their Victorian Certificate of Education.
In year eleven, the VCE
programme begins and students are given a wide range subject selections in many curriculum areas. The VCE is usually completed over a two-year period, until year twelve, and can also be completed with the addition of VET subjects. The College also offers more hand-on and practical-orientated students the opportunity to gain their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
(VCAL).
Each year level has its own annual camp which all students are encouraged to attend. Excursions and visiting educators is also another opportunity for students.
Students are given the opportunity to sit national competitions in English, Mathematics, Science and Information Technology. This gives them the opportunity to gauge their skills and talents in each field against those of students around Australia.
After gaining their VCE, the school offers students the opportunity to stay on through one of few traineeships within the school, in roles such as sports or science.
Euroa, Victoria
Euroa is a town in the Shire of Strathbogie in North-East Victoria, Australia.At the 2006 census, Euroa had a population of 2,776. The name Euroa comes from an Aboriginal word in the old local dialect meaning "joyful".-History:Major T.L...
in Australia. Euroa Secondary College is the only secondary college located in the local government area, the Shire of Strathbogie, and thus takes in students from a wide-spanning area including Nagambie
Nagambie, Victoria
Nagambie is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on the Goulburn Valley Highway, north of Seymour, in the Shire of Strathbogie. At the 2006 census, Nagambie had a population of 1,383.-History:...
, Violet Town
Violet Town, Victoria
Violet Town is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Strathbogie local government area. It was a coach stop on the Melbourne to Sydney road...
, Ruffy
Ruffy, Victoria
Ruffy is a town in Victoria, Australia. The town is located in the Shire of Strathbogie, north of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Ruffy and the surrounding area had a population of 280...
, Avenel
Avenel, Victoria
Avenel is a small town in Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Strathbogie local government area. At the 2006 census, Avenel had a population of 728, up from 552 in the 2001 Census.-History:...
and Strathbogie
Strathbogie, Victoria
Strathbogie is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Strathbogie local government area. At the 2006 census, Strathbogie and the surrounding area had a population of 256.The Post Office opened on 10 July 1878....
. A school bus service provides free transport for many students in outlying areas. It has an estimated enrolment of approximately 360 students in 2009.
The key values of Euroa Secondary College are: empowerment, challenge, resilience and respect. The College’s vision is for “a united community where everybody has responsibility in preparing youth for their future”.
Mr Scott Watson is the schools acting principal. The current assistant principal is Kevin Bott.
Facilities
The College provides a number of world-class facilities for education. The school consists of the main classroom block, the B-wing, as well as the new Science-Technology building, the Learn-IT Centre. The Learn-IT Centre is the result of the Victorian Government’s multi-million dollar dedication to students’ education and was completed in late 2008. Students love this building as it gives a great learning environment. It consists of two spacious integrated science lab/classroom areas, one dedicated senior science laboratory, two wood/metalwork/automotive technology rooms, one art room and a small computer lab containing high-end computers for graphic design and engineering. The Learn-IT Centre also features a spacious common area which can be utilised for a number of purposes such as school events and products. The school’s gymnasium, the Euroa Community Sports Centre, contains a main court area for games such as basketball and netball, as well as dedicated squash courts, a modern canteen facility as well as recently-renovated classrooms. As part of part one of the school’s building plan, the Senior Student Study Centre was constructed and provides a facility for senior VCE students to study, giving them every opportunity to succeed in their academic endeavours. Euroa Secondary College is well-equipped with information technology equipment, including interactive whiteboards, data projectors, videoconferencing facilities as well as two computer laboratories. The school also features a computer suite in the main corridor, giving a unique learning opportunity to students. All school classrooms are connected to the school’s computer network, also via a convenient wireless connection. The school features a new curriculum resource centre where all students have the opportunity to borrow resources, such as books, and where they have the opportunity to access the internet via school computers. There are also areas for private study, study group congregation and student photocopying and printing facilities.Leadership
The school is managed by the school principal and the assistant principal. The College has approximately 54 teaching and non-teaching staff. The College is split into the junior and senior sub-school, which are managed by sub-school co-ordinators, and then split further into year levels, managed by year-level co-ordinators. These leaders, as well as the principal and assistant principal make up the school leadership team. The Leadership Team meets to discuss DEECD initiatives, Strategic Planning, Curriculum, Student and Staff Welfare, Professional Development and administrative matters pressing at the time. School affairs are also managed by the official school council which consists of sixteen members, including school management, teaching and parent representatives.In terms of students, the school is split into three houses: Forlonge (yellow), Creighton (green) and Kirkland (red). These houses each have a male and female leader at each a junior, intermediate and senior level. They are led by the male and female senior captain. Each year, students compete in houses in athletics and aquatic sports carnivals, as well as cross-country running events.
The College has a student representative council (SRC) where all students over all year levels are given the opportunity to have input in the school community. The aim is to make the life of students as fulfilling as possible through the foundation of College policies, organising of school or lunchtime events, social services and their action is school and student issue. The College has also recently implemented the Student Forum, which 14 senior students who look after student welfare and school issues. The Student Forum meets monthly and provides a report to the student council via its members. The students are represented by the College Captains who are chosen by a universal student and teacher vote after being passed through an application process. The College Captains duties include arranging school assemblies and representing the school at numerous other events. There are also many opportunites for all students to participate in leadership development programmes.
Assistant Principals
2005–2008: Mr Phil Squire2008 – 2011: Mr Scott Watson
2011-Present: Mr Kevin Bott
College Captains
2007: Jesse Robinson and Laura-Jane Corker2008: Neal Smith and Lauren Mackrell
2009: Daniel O’Brien and Amanda Walters
2010: Kate Harcourt and Andrew Bell
2011: Megan Furphy and Luke Kleinig
All year 12 students have the opportunity to apply for school captain, all the applicants are interviewed by a panel made of students and staff from Euroa Secondary College, two males and two females are then chosen to be voted on by the entire student body and staff.
2010 School Representative Council (SRC)
President: Jake TunksVice President: Megan Furphy
Secretary: Scott Starkey
Treasurer: William Murry
Mission and Philosophy
The core values of Euroa Secondary College are:- Empowerment - every member of our school community promoting enterprise and initiative, empowering students to make decisions about their own learning and preparing them for the world beyond school.
- Challenge - every member of our school community supporting, motivating and challenging students and staff to achieve their best collectively and in individual pursuits.
- Resilience – every member of our school community practising persistence, demonstrating flexibility in all learning endeavours.
- Respect - every member of our school community respecting the rights and the individual contribution of students, staff and parents and acknowledging the responsibilities shared by each group.
In 2006, the College participated in a review of its operations throughout the previous 3 years. The vision of our school is for “a united community where everybody has responsibility in preparing youth for their future”. By 2010, the school plans:
- All parents working with their children to plan and make the most of their educational opportunities.
- All students having a responsibility to themselves – setting goals and being accountable for those goals.
- All staff having both an obligation and a responsibility to improve student learning.
- Consolidating relationships with State and Federal government representatives guaranteeing implementation of legislation and supply of resources.
- Consolidating partnerships with local government to improve provision of support services for student and community welfare, and transport.
- Strengthening partnerships with business and community – Beacon Foundation, MIPs, Work Placement, Traineeships - it takes a whole community to raise a child.
- Strengthening partnerships with agencies – SFYS, CAMHS, Berry Street, The Bridge, etc.
- Inviting past students to act as conduits from school to career.
Study Structure
In years seven and eight, students each study a core curriculum interspersed with integrated interdisciplinary projects. Students are grouped separately in Mathematics and English in order to challenge and provide support according to individual needs. Although Japanese is part of the core curriculum, it is not compulsory for all students.In year nine, students take part in the revolutionary “Year With A Difference” programme which is designed to keep students engaged in, or re-engage them in, their school studies at a point where statistics show students’ begin to lose interest. This programme also exposes students to a vast range of life skills which will prove invaluable in life. This programme consists of a core curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, The Arts, Technology, LOTE and Personal Development. Alongside the core studies, the students complete one expedition per term (to be worked on during each Wednesday) which all comply with the Victorian Government’s Essential Learning Standards.
In year ten, students begin to select their elective subjects (in addition to the compulsory English and Mathematics units) and begin their pathways planning. Many year ten students also choose to “accelerate” into VCE units, which then earn them credit towards when they gain their Victorian Certificate of Education.
In year eleven, the VCE
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
programme begins and students are given a wide range subject selections in many curriculum areas. The VCE is usually completed over a two-year period, until year twelve, and can also be completed with the addition of VET subjects. The College also offers more hand-on and practical-orientated students the opportunity to gain their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is a 'hands-on' option for students in Years 11 and 12 in Victoria, Australia.The VCAL gives students practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life...
(VCAL).
VCE Studies
| Subject | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Biology | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Business Management | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Chemistry | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Design and Technology | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| English | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| English Literature | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Geography | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Health and Human Development | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| History: 20th Century | ● | ● | ||
| History: Revolutions | ● | ● | ||
| Industry and Enterprise Studies | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Information Technology | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Legal Studies | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| LOTE: Japanese | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Mathematics: Foundation | ● | ● | ||
| Mathematics: General Mathematics | ● | ● | ||
| Mathematics: Mathematical Methods | ● | ● | ||
| Mathematics: Mathematical Methods (CAS)1 | ● | ● | ||
| Mathematics: Further Mathematics | ● | ● | ||
| Mathematics: Specialist Mathematics | ● | ● | ||
| Media | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Music: Music Performance (Group) | ● | ● | ||
| Outdoor and Environmental Studies | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Physical Education | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Physics | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Psychology | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Studio Arts | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Systems and Technology | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Visual Communication and Design | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| * Subject availability subject to demand 1 = Euroa Secondary College will make the full move to CAS maths courses in 2010 |
||||
Ethos and Culture
Euroa Secondary College recognises that all students are different and acts to provide for each students individual needs.Sports programme
Euroa Secondary College boasts a successful sports programme. Every year, the school runs its annual athletic sports carnival, swimming sports carnival and cross-country run. Participation is recommended, but not compulsory, for all students. Euroa is part of the GSSSA – Goulburn Secondary Schools Sports Association. Through this, students compete in summer and winter round robin sporting competitions in baseball, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, golf, netball, soccer, squash, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Teams in the GSSSA include Alexandra Secondary College, Broadford Secondary College, Euroa Secondary College, Mansfield Secondary College, Seymour Technical High School, Wallan Secondary College and Yea High School. Kilmore International School also competes on an invitational status. From these competitions, students can proceed to zone, state or even national level, depending on their merit.Music programme
The college also operates a very successful music programme and has four bands: the year seven band, the intermediate band and the College Concert Band and VCE Band . The Concert Band travels around surrounding schools and performs at community events and competitions and has achieved many prestigious awards in the past. All students are offered the opportunity to learn one of many instruments and are offered a place in each band as they progress.Other opportunities
Students are also offered an opportunity to compete in debating in the junior or senior debating competitions and various speaking competitions.Each year level has its own annual camp which all students are encouraged to attend. Excursions and visiting educators is also another opportunity for students.
Students are given the opportunity to sit national competitions in English, Mathematics, Science and Information Technology. This gives them the opportunity to gauge their skills and talents in each field against those of students around Australia.
After gaining their VCE, the school offers students the opportunity to stay on through one of few traineeships within the school, in roles such as sports or science.