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Beechworth Secondary College is a small secondary school of around 300 students set in spacious grounds in Victoria's most historic and best preserved gold rush town. Beechworth, with a population of around 3,700, is a progressive community with a lively cultural life. It is close to the two large rural centres of Wangaratta and Albury/Wodonga, yet is not dominated by them. Proud of its modest size and the friendly, personal way in which staff, students and parents work together, the College provides a comprehensive curriculum from Year 7 to Year 12 taught by a talented and dedicated staff.
The Beechworth community values the College's attributes of small classes, high retention rates, excellent VCE results and the very large number of students who achieve places in, and complete, tertiary education. The College has a tradition of maintaining excellent standards in a safe, caring environment.
The vision of Beechworth Secondary College is Connecting Communities, Widening Worlds .. and we make the most of the significant advantages of our small size and provide a rigorous, well-balanced education which enables all students to develop to their full potential. Our extensive programmes provide the opportunity for students to leave school with the personal skills necessary to continue learning and growing throughout their adult lives. We emphasise the importance of students being independent and responsible and we instil the values of honesty, courtesy and respect for others.
Curriculum offerings at Years 7 and 8 are wholly comprised of core components covering the eight Key Learning Areas. In Years 9 and 10 an elective programme complements the core. A comprehensive VCE/VET programme is offered at the school, supplemented by Telematics delivery over the internet, TAFE and through Distance Education.
Beechworth Secondary College is an "Access Asia " school and we have a curriculum focus on the study of Asia and making links with Asian schools and teachers.
Extra-curricula activities are an important aspect of our school life. Extensive and well patronised instrumental music and drama programmes operate. These programmes support Rock Bands, drum groups and vocal groups. We produce an annual school drama musical production and our bands perform at school and public functions. Inter-House activities are focused on House Sports and lead to extensive inter-school and State Competitions. Many excursions, competitions, theatre visits, visiting performance and guest speakers provide further enrichment to the core subjects.
Comprehensive written reports on student progress are issued to parents each semester. These reports contain information on attitudes, behaviours, skills, VELS levels, completed work and teacher comments. Year level co-ordinators carefully monitor student progress throughout the year and maintain contact with parents as appropriate. Parent-Teacher interview sessions are held twice a year. However, parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time to discuss student progress. A Principal's Award system operates to encourage excellence on an on-going basis. The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner is a shared celebration of Year 12 completion, bringing together and recognising the combined efforts of students, parents and staff of the College.
Beechworth Secondary College is situated in attractive, spacious grounds, covering four hectares. We are currently in the midst of a rebuilding program with the first stage being completed at the end of 2008. This saw the construction of new Administration and Arts/Technology Blocks with a total replacement of the school the ultimate result of the building program.
The strength of the College is attributable in no small measure to the talent and commitment of staff and their rapport with parents and the community. Staff at Beechworth Secondary College are noted for their generous and enthusiastic support for the extensive extra-curricular program and for their general nurturing of students, which is so critical in winning parent support and confidence in the College. |
