History and Tradition
Killester College was established in 1955 by the Brigidine Sisters who recognised the need for a Catholic Girls School in the area.
Originally staffed by the order, the Sisters set about ensuring the vision of Daniel Delany and the mission of the patron saint, St Brigid, was firmly embedded in the College operations. In 2014 the Sisters passed governance of the College to Kildare Education Ministries whose continued focus is ensuring the values of compassion, justice, hope, wonder, hospitality and courage are at the heart of all we do. We believe we are called to ‘learn with wonder, lead with courage and live with compassion.
Over the decades the College has grown to its current enrolment of approx 1020 students from Years 7-12 and a staff of 155. The curriculum has evolved to ensure that our students are offered every opportunity to equip them with the foundation to help them excel in their chosen field beyond the College. We are dedicated to ensuring that our students question ‘why’ and ‘ how’ so they can be the voice for compassion, peace and change in our everchallenging landscape. We are incredibly proud of our rich multicultural and multi-faith learning environment which adds to the vibrancy of our College.
“A community where all are welcomed and valued”
Faith and Mission
At Killester College, we offer an education in the Catholic tradition, deeply connected to our Brigidine heritage. Inspired by Jesus, St Brigid of Kildare, and Nano Nagle and enriched by an appreciation of other faiths and cultures - we seek to nurture a community grounded in justice, peace, and compassion. This vision aligns with the Kildare Education Ministries Living Justice, Living Peace Charter, guiding our commitment to a just and holistic education. Faith and Mission are central to life at Killester, shaping the whole person and permeating our daily experiences, teaching, and learning. Our approach is rooted in a pedagogy of encounter, providing meaningful and respectful opportunities for students to explore faith, spirituality, and the values of the Brigidine tradition. Through Religious Education, students engage with the Gospel’s call to justice and action, reflecting on their beliefs and discovering ways to make a positive difference in the world.
We offer a wide range of formal and informal opportunities for students to express and live out their faith and mission—from retreats, reflection days, prayer, and liturgy to community service across Years 7–12. Our programs also encourage social justice advocacy, ecological responsibility, and immersion experiences, fostering a deep sense of justice, service, and global awareness.
Faith and Mission at Killester respects each student’s beliefs, experiences, and voice, promoting personal growth through dialogue and shared encounters. It is intentionally integrated into curriculum and community life, supporting students to become compassionate, discerning, and active members of their faith community - both individually and collectively.
Relational, inclusive, and dialogical, Faith and Mission at Killester draws upon a rich Catholic tradition while embracing diverse perspectives. We aim to nurture spiritual development through ongoing, differentiated, and planned opportunities that invite students to reflect, discern, and act with justice and love—values at the heart of our mission.
Curriculum Statement
Learning at Killester College is purposeful, engaging and just. These three principles inform how we learn and teach, what we learn and teach and why we learn and teach.
Killester College aims to offer educational experiences that develop creativity, initiative and a love for learning. The curriculum aims to provide a broad education to assist each student in understanding the world in which they live. Underlying our curriculum is an approach by teachers to explicitly develop in our students: engagement, assertiveness and resilience, and to promote an awareness of gender issues and personal spirituality.
Wonder
WONDER is an innovative inquiry project-based program that empowers student agency and active learning. One day a week, students in Year 8 immerse themselves in rigorous learning that develops contemporary skills to equip them for a rapidly changing world. Year 9 and 10 students have the opportunity to further hone these skills through their choice of Wonder in the elective program. In 2027, senior students will also have the opportunity to undertake the VCE Extended Investigation subject to get a head start on university-style learning.
In the Wonder program, students continue to engage in the 9 Key Learning Areas, as well as including the cross-curricula elements of sustainability, Australia’s engagement with Asia, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories. The program also addresses the Victorian Curriculum general capabilities - with a particular focus on critical thinking skills - and has a focus on literacy, numeracy, and ICT capability.
Teachers guide, instruct, and provide expertise, as well as walking beside students as they develop their own goals and explore their own passions. Each term, the Wonder units culminate in a showcase of student achievement.
“Learning develops the whole person”
Learning and Teaching
“By performing the ordinary duties of your day well you will perfect yourself, and your day will be full of merit and good works.” Bishop Daniel Delany Killester College seeks to create a dynamic learning environment which provides a strong, progressive education in the Catholic tradition, preparing students to successfully navigate and contribute to the ongoing and emerging needs of our world. Inspired by rich heritages of St Brigid, Nano Nagle and Bishop Daniel Delany, and immersed in Gospel values, we seek to shape students of Strength and Kindliness who have courage and are generous of heart.
Based on the teachings of the Gospels, our vision is to create a learning community where everyone is welcomed, valued and can experience success. We want our students to engage in the challenge and excitement of learning. When students leave Killester College we hope they will embrace the core values of Kildare Ministries: wonder, courage, hospitality, hope, compassion and justice.
Years 7 & 8
The broad goals of the Year 7 & 8 program are to support the transition of students from primary to secondary school; to raise the standard of literacy and numeracy; and to enable students to engage with the breadth of disciplines across the Victorian Curriculum, providing a broad range of learning experiences.
In Years 7 & 8, students undertake learning in the core subjects of Religious Education, English, Health & PE, Mathematics, Humanities, and Science across the whole year. In Year 7, students participate in a year-long Languages program, where they study one semester of Italian and one semester of Indonesian, with a view to pursuing their choice of one of these languages in Years 8 & 9. Students who require additional literacy support participate in Study Enhancement or EAL study, in place of languages
The elective program commences in Year 7 with students participating in semester long units across four of the eight elective options. Students will experience the alternative four electives in Year 8, before choosing elective options in Year 9. In Year 8, students also enjoy the creativity of the Wonder Program, where they are challenged to develop their critical and creative thinking skills, ask questions, and pursue areas of exploration as curious learners.
Learning and Teaching Years 9 & 10
The broad goals of Year 9 & 10 are to support students to become empowered and independent learners; to build student engagement with their learning; to develop student ability to make informed choices about what and how they best learn.
In Year 9 at Killester, students continue to undertake learning in the core subjects of Religious Education, English, Health & PE, Mathematics, Humanities, and Science across the whole year, consolidating and building on the foundations established in Years 7 and 8. Students continue in the Languages program, furthering their skills in the language they elected in Year 8. Students who require additional literacy support continue to have access to the Study Enhancement and EAL programs, in place of languages.
In Year 9 & 10, students continue to access a broad education, but are empowered to consider the direction of their senior study program. Year 9s design their elective program by selecting four semester long electives out of the ten options.
Year 10s have further scope to tailor a learning program that meets their needs and interests. We are thrilled to be able to offer Year 10s more than 27 elective options across nine different learning areas, in addition to a rigorous, engaging and differentiated core program. All Year 10 students have the opportunity to accelerate into a VCE subject, completing Unit 1 Religion & Society as part of their core Religious Education program.
Learning and Teaching
Years 11 & 12
At Years 11 & 12 students are individually encouraged to recognise their learning strengths and preferences, as well as consider their aspirations and post-school pathways. Students are supported through a range of measures, as they not only select subjects for deeper study, but a specialised course of study within either the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Vocational Major (VCE VM) pathways.
Students at Years 11 & 12 also have the opportunity to select a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course offered either at Killester or with an external provider. A key feature of a VET program is to enhance and develop a student’s interests to allow for learning to take place in a variety of environments. Killester also works in a Partnership Program with Tertiary Institutions to provide ongoing opportunities to gain experience and broaden students’ knowledge of post secondary possibilities. Killester encourages the pursuit of a diverse range of Pathways so that all students have a smooth transition to life beyond Killester.
Student Services
Learning Diversity,
Inclusion and Additional Support
Killester College is committed to an inclusive learning environment that values diversity and meets the needs of all students. The Killester community welcomes and values everyone, ensuring that each student can experience individual success and growth regardless of their learning profile.
Killester College is committed to ensuring we meet the needs of all our learners and offers the following supports and programs for our students.
• Multidisciplinary Team using a Case Management approach supporting student health, wellbeing, learning needs and disabilities
• Student Profiles - outlining student strengths, challenges, semester goals; classroom adjustments including wellbeing adjustments; Behaviour Support and Attendance Plans
• Study Enhancement Classes - Additional literacy/Numeracy evidence-informed programs in place of LOTE
• Personalised Learning Plans - detailing small group and 1:1 Intervention Programs
• Additional Assessment Services providing diagnostic assessment
• In-class Learning Support Officer Support
• BOOST - Homework Club
• Lunchtime club
• External visiting weekly Speech Pathologist
• Support for ATSI students
• Support for Students with a Refugee Background
• Transition program which includes a Pre orientation day and PSG meetings before students commence in Year 7
• Regular collaboration and parent consultation through Program Support Meetings
Student Wellbeing
At Killester College, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where every student feels valued, supported and empowered to flourish. Our wellbeing programs focus on building resilience, confidence and positive relationships, while encouraging students to develop a strong sense of self and purpose.
Through dedicated pastoral care, wellbeing initiatives and a culture grounded in respect and compassion, we ensure each student is known, heard and cared for. At Killester College, wellbeing is not just an element of school life, it is the foundation on which our students grow, learn and thrive.
Our Pastoral Program is built on providing students the social and emotional literacy and skills to support them in all aspects of their life. We teach the importance of respectful relationships, Child Safety & consent education.
Student Leadership
At Killester, our Student Leadership program is grounded in a servant leadership model inspired by the Gospels. Our structure is designed to make leadership accessible, meaningful and part of everyday school life.
Student leadership plays an important role in helping young people feel connected, confident and involved in their community. With clear roles and responsibilities, students are supported to step into positions that matter and contribute in positive and purposeful ways.
Our College Captains serve as ambassadors for the school and as a link between students and school leadership, ensuring student perspectives are heard and valued.
Our student-led committees give students the space to share ideas, plan initiatives and take action together. The open committees offer many opportunities for students to get involved, and to contribute to the life of the school.
Leadership opportunities are offered across all year levels, with various roles in Years 7 and 8 which give younger students early experiences that build confidence and skills over time.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
At Killester College we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Education is about developing the whole person- academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Our wide range of extra-curricular activities provides students with opportunities to discover their passions, build confidence, and develop lifelong skills.
Extra-curricular activities benefit students in many areas of their personal growth:
• Improved academic performance
• Stronger leadership and teamwork skills
• Greater self-confidence
• Time management skills
• Improved physical and mental wellbeing
• Greater communication skills
The opportunities available to students include but are not limited to:
• Sporting Teams
• Music Bands/ Groups
• Debating (Year 9)
• Creative Stories
• Musical Productions
• Magazine Committee
• Wide range of Lunchtime clubs
• Run/ Walk Club
• Student-led lunchtime activities
Extra-curricular opportunities do not incur any financial cost for families, so are accessible for all students.
Inclusivity Statement
At Killester College we welcome and encourage everyone to participate freely and fully in the life of our school community. Enjoying friendships, learning and growth are key parts of the life of our community.
We firmly believe in and value the goodness, complexity, and inherent dignity of every person. Human diversity is part of the design and wonder of creation.
We respect aspects of identity such as race, ethnicity, and religion. We support the right of people to express their whole identity without fear of bullying, judgement, reprisal, or discrimination.
Killester acknowledges that each person’s gender identity, sexual orientation and gender expression can be separate, non-binary and fluid.
All should be heard and feel included and to this end we commit to fostering safe communities, safe dialogue, and relationships characterised by trust and respect.
At Killester College we accept the challenge to be understanding and compassionate to all.
We welcome young people and their families to be part of a community that will respect, support and challenge them to grow and to contribute to making a better world. Killester College seeks to create a dynamic learning environment that provides a strong, progressive education in the Catholic tradition, preparing students to successfully navigate and contribute to the ongoing and emerging needs of our world.
Inspired by the rich heritage of St Brigid and Bishop Daniel Delany under the auspices of Kildare Education Ministries, and immersed in Gospel values, we seek to shape young people of Strength and Kindliness who have courage and are generous of heart.
433 Springvale Road, Springvale 3171
P 9547 5000
E principal@killester.vic.edu.au
www.killester.vic.edu.au
