Vermont Secondary College is a highly regarded single campus, co-educational state secondary college located in a quiet residential area within the City of Whitehorse; eastern suburbs of Melbourne. In 2002 the Eastern Region agreed to an enrolment ceiling of 1300 students as the demand for the College has continued to grow. The College’s motto, “Lift Up Thine Eyes” exemplifies a forward-looking College community committed to maintaining a strong tradition of excellence through the achievement of enhanced educational outcomes for all students.
Vermont Secondary College was established in 1962 to provide education for students in a growing outer suburb of Melbourne. The College maintains its focus of providing for students from its local neighbourhood but also caters for students who travel from outside its local neighbourhood. There are several school buses that allow students to travel from adjoining suburbs to the College or to connect with trains on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines.
In a caring, friendly, orderly and supportive environment, the College sets and achieves high standards of student endeavour and behaviour. Students have the opportunity to develop their full potential academically, socially, physically and creatively. At Vermont Secondary College learning is valued as a life-long process that fosters self-improvement and personal fulfilment.
A strong sense of community identity exists and students take pride in themselves and their school, exercise self-discipline, accept personal responsibility and demonstrate concern for others. A comprehensive, challenging and stimulating curriculum, delivered by dedicated and highly qualified teachers and supported by a strong team of non-teaching staff, fosters academic rigour and maximises levels of student achievement. The College also offers an expanding range of educational pathways for students.
Students in Years 7 & 8 undertake a core program in all eight key learning areas with a choice of German or French. The smooth transition to secondary school is facilitated through a Year 7 Integrated Studies program with an effective overlapping pastoral and curriculum focus. In Years 9 & 10, students undertake a balanced program with a judicious blend of core and elective studies.
Students achieve high academic standards with a proven record of outstanding Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) results leading to impressive levels of entry into tertiary institutions. Students consistently excel at levels significantly higher than state benchmarks and like schools.
High retention rates ensure a diverse range of VCE studies is offered, including VCE Vocational and Educational Training (VET) Units. The College is a member of the Mullum cluster which provides access to a broad range of VCE VET studies.
The individual needs of students are addressed in an environment of respect and encouragement. Support programs assist students experiencing difficulties with learning such as Literacy Intervention Middle Years (LIM) and English as Another Language (EAL) support. Enrichment and extension programs cater for the needs of gifted and talented students with opportunities to accelerate from Year 10. All students in Year 9 undertake a Building Capacity Program (BCP). Student Services include counselling and support services for Student Wellbeing, work education (Careers), Managed Individual Pathways and access to many community support agencies for welfare support, employment and training.
The College’s acclaimed co-curricular programs offer students dynamic experiences through which their individual talents and interests can be further enriched. These programs include Performing Arts, Sport and Music. The Instrumental Music program is a feature of the college complemented by regular orchestral, choral and theatrical performances. A major feature of the College calendar is its annual theatrical production attracting widespread and enthusiastic participation by our students. The college is renowned for its strong emphasis on Sport with students distinguishing themselves at Division, Region, State and National levels. An extensive camps and excursions program including an annual exchange with our sister school IGS Kaufungen in Germany provides enhanced learning and personal growth opportunities for students. Students have access to a developing range of special interest clubs.
The College places a high priority on student participation in decision-making and promotes the development of student leadership. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles as form captains, Student Representative Council (SRC) members, sports coaches and peer support mentors. Senior school students are expected to be positive role models to younger students. Students are highly valued representatives on all major committees and on College Council.
VSC views education as a partnership where collaborative decision making processes involving all sections of the College community ensure the effective development and implementation of policies and programs. VSC welcomes and encourages the involvement of parents in a wide range of committees, support groups, and voluntary or social activities. The College is strongly supported by a highly effective College Council, complemented by a number of active parent groups, a dynamic Student Representative Council and a developing past-students network.
The College is attractively presented with native bush areas, well-established gardens, lawns, paved courtyard areas, barbecue facilities and sporting fields. Spacious all-purpose classrooms, well-equipped specialist rooms, a modern computerised library, a VCE Centre, a dedicated Year 7 Centre, a well-equipped Gymnasium, Theatrette and Music Centre form a well maintained complex of buildings. Students, staff and community groups utilise the extensive range of modern computer technology.
Vermont Secondary College provides exceptional educational opportunities for its students, developing within them optimism, high self-esteem and community responsibility as they become confident, contributing and successful members of a changing global community.