The End of Year Program

With a cross-curriculum focus and the General Capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum in mind, students from Years 5 to 8 work together in a themed End of Year Program which adds depth and richness to their learning. This biennial program occurs at the end of Term 4 each year and encourages the 21st century skills of creativity, collaboration and communication within the cross-curricular framework of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics in one year and Languages, Performing Arts, English and Humanities in the alternate year.

Service Learning

Service Learning is the shared relationship between the giving of time and energy to improve a situation and the learning that is gained by that experience. It provides an opportunity to think critically and creatively as students work with each other and community partners. Reflection activities help to measure students’ understanding, allowing them a chance to share their feelings, grow emotionally, internalise new concepts and evaluate the impact of the activities. The learning is planned and through hands-on experience embeds itself deeply in the recipient and provokes reflection and further action.

Service Learning activities allow our students to be courageous, constructive and compassionate world citizens with a will to contribute. The Year 7-8 Service Learning program links specific learning outcomes with genuine opportunities for service in the community.

The focus of our Service Learning is varied and changes as new opportunities are investigated. Examples of some current learning initiatives include:

• Community Service Committee

• Eat Up

• The Nappy Collective

• Shelford Winter Appeal

At Years 7-8 students are encouraged to identify and carry out independent Service Learning acts that align with and develop their own skills and interests. Examples of age appropriate opportunities include:

• Compass Community Care

• St Kilda Mums

• One Girl

• RCD Foundation

• Oaktree

• Improving our natural environment through wilderness conservation activity, locally and interstate, including physical work and active research.

Service Learning is embedded in the School's curriculum and in special programs such as our Selfless Act program. Students apply their classroom knowledge to the planning and implementation of service activities. The experiential nature of these activities encourages the learner to make cross-curricular connections; strengthening their skills and understanding while building relationships with peers, staff and community partners.

Senior School Study Support

Study Support is a timetabled class taught by teachers from the Student Enrichment and Support Faculty Students attending these classes receive general literacy instruction to develop reading and writing skills across all subject areas and targeted literacy and numeracy support for specific classes in which students are enrolled. Study Support teachers also help develop students’ metacognitive awareness of themselves as learners and a range of study skills to assist them to be more independent learners who are well-organised advocates of their own learning. In Years 7 and 8, students participate in Study Support in lieu of either French or Japanese.

The Learning Student and Enrichment coordinator recommends enrolment for some students to address their identified individual learning needs. Students may not enroll without prior approval. Further information is available by contacting the Middle Years Coordinator.

Future Pathways and Careers Program

The Future Pathways and Careers Program, 4Sight, was introduced in 2021 and develops each student’s career knowledge and skills throughout Years 7–12. It will assist students in making informed decisions about their study, training and career options. The program has been aligned with Future Ready, the National Career Education Strategy. The program is named 4Sight as it encompasses four main areas: Identify, Participate, Engage and Create:

Identifying their passions, skills and interests is the main focus for Years 7 and 8. Participating in opportunities to explore different career paths, engaging with potential employers, training providers and alumni and creating an Individual Career Pathway Plan is the main focus for Years 9–12.