Learn, Grow, Achieve Together
Our School
The vision of Kurunjang Secondary College is the result of the collaborative work of staff, students and parents. This is a learning community. In the 21st Century, students need to continually evaluate new knowledge, work creatively with others, appreciate diversity and think flexibly in a global environment. Students will be team players and goal setters, striving for continual improvement in themselves and their work. At Kurunjang Secondary College, we will nurture each child to develop the skills and values necessary for success and happiness in the 21st Century.
A message from our Principal
At Kurunjang Secondary College we are committed to discovering and nurturing the abilities of every child. Setting the highest expectations in terms of learning and behaviour, we are justifiably proud of the academic achievements of our students, most of whom continue into Year 12, with many progressing to tertiary education. However, recognising that some children’s abilities lie in other areas, we provide a wealth of opportunities and courses that allow each student to develop and showcase his or her unique talents. At Kurunjang we are proud of our orderly learning environment and are happy to organise tours of our college during school hours, to give you an opportunity to see us in action. During a tour you will observe the exciting opportunities available at Kurunjang Secondary College. Our values of High Expectation, Perseverance and Respect are reflected in the way we work together to get the best from all of our students. We have a range of scholarships available to all students. Scholarships are offered in the areas of Sport, Performing Arts, Leadership and Academic Excellence. If you have a particular talent or skill in any of these areas, we would urge you to apply via application form. On behalf of Kurunjang Secondary College I would like to thank you for your interest in our school and look forward to welcoming you into our community.
KUR
Values
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The College values of High Expectations, Respect, and Perseverance underpin all that we do. With students, staff, and our community upholding these values we are confident that we are continually challenging ourselves to do our best. We take into consideration everyone’s right to learn and be safe, and we are enthusiastic and seek out opportunities to improve our skills.
OL LEGE C Y R A
Student Leadership
At Kurunjang Secondary College we are working together to enable our students to take the lead and shape our school community to ensure we meet the needs and aspirations of our students. Student Voice is giving our students the opportunity to lead and make a difference in our college. Each learning area has an elected student representative to attend regular Student Voice meetings that are organised and run by our College Captains and senior leaders. Whether it is creating initiatives to tackle littering, planning whole school assemblies or organising charity fundraising events, our leaders are never short of enthusiasm and always full of exciting ideas. With a clear plan it then falls to our College Captains and the members of the Voice Executive to make sure their ideas become reality and the whole community gets involved in the positive changes.
We are an AVID School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an evidence-based program designed to critically-engage and prepare learners for tertiary study. Over thirty years of data consistently reflects increased levels of university participation and academic success on the part of AVID students. The AVID Elective Program The AVID Elective Program offers an advanced learning environment with classes running from year 7-11. AVID Elective students must demonstrate a high level of determination to succeed academically. Potential applicants will also be required to complete an application, test and interview.
Please see our website for details of how to apply for the AVID Elective Program. http://www.kurunjangsc.vic.edu.au/avid-2/applying-for-avid/ AVID Curriculum AVID is proven to build the ASPIRATION and CONFIDENCE of young people through a rigorous and challenging student-focused curriculum founded on proven methodologies based on Writing to Learn; Emphasis on Inquiry; Collaborative Approach; Organisation and Critical Reading (WICOR). AVID School Wide AVID Strategies are used school wide across all curriculum areas at Kurunjang to enhance learning.
Literacy
Kurunjang Secondary College’s whole school approach to literacy allows all students at Years 7 and 8 to develop their literacy skills. Every student is tested to find out exactly what skills need to be developed. According to their test results, students are placed into literacy groups. Each group has a specially structured program of lessons to build students’ skills. Kurunjang Secondary College’s literacy program is research based and adheres to a robust structure of tailored lessons and activities all of which ensures that students are receiving the right level of support and challenge to achieve success as learners. The literacy program at year 7 and 8 is researched based and adhears to a robust structure of tailored lessons and activities all of which ensure that students are recieving the right level of support and challange to achieve sucess as learners.
Numeracy
Our focus in Numeracy is on improvement and growth for all students. Students are encouraged to participate in problem solving, warm ups and reflections in all mathematics classes as well as practising key concepts and documenting their thinking. Assessment and differentiation are high priorities in planning the numeracy curriculum, with Numeracy Support Staff available to provide additional classroom support. The GRIN (Getting Ready in Numeracy) Program provides additional support to students who are identified as needing specific help in mathematics. This program targets Year 7 and 8 students. Students receive strategic support to help improve results and reinforce the importance of Numeracy in preparing them for future pathways and providing a wider choice of options for further study and employment.
Student wellbeing
To support the individual learning needs of our students we operate three Sub Schools.
In the Junior School a focus on student transition is key. With students benefiting from the student success, literacy, numeracy and other supportive programs, Year 7 and 8 are well catered for in supporting the settling process. Upon entering the Middle School, Year 9 and 10 students are provided with the tools to develop their learning and embark upon a series of
elective choices and more formal testing through exams. Once in Senior School students will follow a pathway towards successful completion of VCE or VCAL, with a view to tertiary study. Each of the sub Schools has a dedicated team of Coordinators, Heads of School and Assistant Principals responsible for supporting the academic and pastoral needs of every student.
Facilities for Learning
Our learning environments across the school are up to date and installed with the latest technologies enabling teachers to use creative, engaging multimedia resources in every lesson. Our college offers a large site that indluces;
• 5 well resourced Science laboratories. • A newly installed Trade Training Centre for VET ElectroTechnology. • 5 networked ICT suites, complimented by netbooks and a BYOD program. • The library includes over 20,000 fiction and non-fiction books, 30 computers offering access to a wide variety of online educational resources. • Study Hall provides a staffed study area for students to work after school. • A Music facility comprising two classrooms resourced with a wide range of high-tech and more traditional musical instruments and sound-proofed practise rooms for the instrumental program. • Qualified careers advisors to provide advice on pathways and tertiary programs
Music
At Kurunjang there is a wide range of musical opportunities. The annual “Kurunjang’s Got Talent”, “Rock Band Concert”, and “Music Concert”, which supplement the extensive instrumental music program and curriculum on offer. Instruments played at Kurunjang include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums and guitar, in addition to voice training.
Sport
All students can take part in a range of School Sports, including the very popular annual Athletics and Swimming Carnivals. The college operates a number of inter and intra school sporting teams, with many students getting the opportunity to compete against the best in the state. Dedicated and experienced staff ensure most sports are catered for through training, trials, and competition.
Beyond the College
From hiking in the Lederberg, to visiting Queensland on Year 10 Camp and bonding with the new year 7s, and the Advanced Program, students are offered a range of enrichment opportunities which complement the curriculum on offer. Students also benefit from learning from area specific excursions such as visits to the City through My City Experience in Year 9, Sovereign Hill in Year 12 History, and Ecolinc in Year 8.
Study Support Study Hall operates after school in the library and it is staffed by teachers from all subject areas to assist students. The VCE Study Centre is a dedicated study area for Year 12 students only, offereing VCE Booster Classes, examination preparation, mentoring, and private study. The library is also open before school and at lunch time for all students.
Community
The college takes great pride in offering a range of incursions and whole school events throughout the year, designed to complement the teaching and learning delivered in the classroom. By utilising our community partners we have offered wellbeing, personal development, relationship and other holistic programs. At Kurunjang we place the students at the centre, nurturing and building their personal capacities.
House System
Students are allocated to one of four Houses on entry to the college, Jaara, Wurundjeri, Wathaurung, and Bunurong. Our House system is another means by which students are able to get involved in life at Kurunjang Secondary College. House points are accumulated at school activities including the Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival and House Activity Day. Students also benefit from being awarded merit certificates, entering school competitions and participation in a range of extra-curricular activities. All students and staff are members of a House team competing for the House Cup.
Reporting and Compass
In 2016, Kurunjang Secondary College moved to a new electronic system that will enable parents to communicate more effectively with the school. It is envisaged that student reports will be available through the parent portal, including access to newsletters and other valuable information.
Street
Road
y Ave
Palmerston
O’Neills
Centenary
Palmersto n St
Gisbor ne
-Melto
Kurunjang Secondary College
Centenar
Kurunja ng Dri ve
n Road
Getting there...
Ave
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Coburns
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Melton Council
Unitt Street
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High Street
Woodgrove Shopping Centre
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Coburns Ro
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Western
Western Freeway
BY CAR: The College can be accessed via Kurunjang Drive, off Centenary Avenue in the north of Melton. BY BUS: The College is serviced by the number 458.
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“OUR students are prepared for life and success. They are instilled with a love of learning through a supportive and challenging learning environment strives for excellence. All students are motivated to develop their academic and social skills.�
Kurunjang Drive, Kurunjang| (03) 9743 9211 | www.kurunjangsc.vic.edu.au