Acknowledgement of Country
Today and every day, we acknowledge the Bunurong People as the Traditional Owners of the land we live and learn on, here at Toorak College. With open hearts we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise their ongoing connection to the land and the bay, Nairm.
Our students, teachers and families are knowledge seekers. As we listen to the stories of the First Nations, we will question and reflect in order to continue our reconciliation journey.
Toorak College Junior School
Principal’s Message
Empowering students since 1874, we are proud of our heritage, attuned to our changing world, and focused on ensuring an exceptional education for future generations.
At Toorak College you can learn without limitations or ceilings, you can stumble and understand we are behind you, you can be brave and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, you can be bold knowing that anything is possible and you can be yourself - proud of who you are.
We encourage our students to think critically and creatively and to be resilient and confident in their endeavours. We ensure a consistent academic and personal growth approach throughout our students’ journey from ELC through to Year 12.
Far from just a place of learning, education takes many forms for our students. Be it social development, moral development or cognitive development, the journey our students travel is complex, varied and completely individual.
As Principal of this wonderful School, I am so humbled to witness daily the spirit and courage that our students show. They display these attributes towards each other, to their teachers and to themselves. It is this positivity and encouragement that truly enriches our School and promotes such an empowering environment.
We look forward to welcoming your family to Toorak College and working together to deliver forward-thinking educational experiences for our School community.
Mrs Kristy Kendall Principal
OUR VISION
To develop aspiring young people with confidence and character.
OUR MISSION
We will empower our students through academic and personal growth so they will thrive in their future.
Shaping our Future
As we celebrate the rich legacy of Toorak College beyond our 150th year, we recognise the importance of honouring our past while boldly stepping into the future. Our history is a testament to the courage and vision that has continually shaped our institution. With our new Strategic Plan: Beyond 150, we aim to adapt to the ever-evolving educational landscape, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation.
Our strategic plan will help prepare our students for a dynamic future. We will continue to pioneer corporate partnerships, advanced digital integration, and innovative curriculum enhancements. Our commitment includes revitalising infrastructure for flexibility and accessibility, promoting global networking, and fostering robust community engagement. Emphasising both academic and personal growth, supported by cutting-edge digital platforms, we ensure an enriching and inclusive experience for all beyond 150.
Beyond 150 is a 3 year plan focused on researching, iterating and implementing opportunities across these 6 strategic priorities:
LEARN MORE ABOUT TOORAK COLLEGE’S STRATEGIC VISION
Scan the QR code to dive into our strategic vision for Toorak College: Beyond 150.
INNOVATION IN CURRICULUM R EV I TA LIS I N G S PA C E S
GLOBAL NETWORKING
F UTU R E OF W OR K A N D C OR P OR AT E PARTNER S H IP S
An Environment to Thrive
Toorak College’s history is reflected in its awe-inspiring buildings. The Toorak College campus covers 11.5 hectares with outstanding facilities, beautiful gardens and breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay.
THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA IS FAMOUS
MELBOURNE CITY
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
The heritage buildings are contrasted with facilities that are very much designed around best practice in education today. Toorak College is firmly committed to providing its students with stateof-the-art facilities, enhancing learning opportunities across the School.
Toorak College’s proximity to bayside beaches gives the campus a unique beachside environment, away from the city.
Our location offers the ideal Australian experience, featuring a harmonious blend of lush bushlands, pristine beaches and easy access to the vibrant city culture of Melbourne, just an hour away, whilst enabling easy access to Mount Eliza and Frankston Town Centres.
To support our Vision to develop aspiring young people with confidence and character, and strengthen our mission of empowering our students through academic and personal growth so they will thrive in their future, our Project Shine program represents a whole school approach to growth and development.
Our overarching educational philosophy, Project Shine, sits atop four pillars - Academic Growth, Personal Growth, Empower and Thrive - to create a holistic and enriching learning and wellbeing experience for students. Each pillar is viewed as integral to developing young people with confidence and character and are equally important in a young person’s development.
Project Shine is shaped by educational neuroscience, developmental psychology and the future world of work to inform decisions in a child’s educational journey that enable skills such as collaboration, problem-solving and innovation that supports them to thrive in the world beyond our gates.
Individual growth along each of these pillars is underpinned by the focus and support of developmental milestones in social, cognitive, moral and emotional development that occur throughout a young person’s life and enable them to become curious and self-aware individuals.
See how each of our offerings at Toorak align with these four pillars in the educational journey of all our students.
Each pillar is viewed as integral to developing young people with confidence and character and are equally important in a young person’s development.”
MRS KRISTY KENDALL PRINCIPAL ACADEMIC
GROWTH
Curriculum and Learning Skills
Our Academic Growth pillar equips our students with an academic foundation that gives them the skills to inquire, explore and innovate. Our broad curriculum develops critical and creative thinking through our explicit and immersive teaching practices. We track and communicate student progress through metrics that involve both performance and potential data markers to ensure ongoing growth, extension and enrichment of every student. By exploring the interconnectedness of various subject specialities, alongside the world beyond our gates, students gain a broader perspective and develop curiosity, adaptability, and a sense of achievement.
EMP OWER
Leadership and Co-Curricular Pursuits
Our Empower pillar is designed to build positive relationships through shared interests and collaboration that fosters a sense of connectedness and strengthens our school community. Leadership development is prioritised, empowering every student to become responsible and empathetic role models who can positively impact their communities and enables all of our students to develop a positive sense of self.
Our co-curricular offering extends on the rich foundation of skills developed in our academic and personal growth programs which builds skills in managing competing demands, communication skills, problem-solving, teamwork, competition, discipline and drive. Activities such as sports, camps, clubs, music, community and the arts, enhance our students’ educational experience through personal interest, self-expression and aspiration. These skills are essential to building confidence as students discover and showcase their interests in a supportive environment.
PERSONAL GROWTH
Wellbeing and Character Development
Our Personal Growth pillar focuses on the comprehensive development of our students, encompassing their physical, emotional, moral and social development. We view all of our students as capable, competent and full of potential, and to help each of them realise this, we offer tools, resources and support to enhance their health and wellbeing. Our curriculum is designed with age-appropriate programs that aim to promote emotional and social awareness and are informed through self-report data that identifies a student’s needs, as an individual and as part of a community. The key objective to enhancing an individual’s personal growth is in fostering attitudes, behaviours and capacities that create well-rounded, perceptive and healthy individuals.
T HRI VE
Student Futures and Global Networking
Our Thrive pillar seamlessly aligns with our educational philosophy in using the world around us to inform our programs, offerings and experiences. This is showcased in our comprehensive Student Futures programs that creates harmonious synergy and helps our students work closely with industry partners, offering challenging classroom opportunities that encourage resilience, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Our students are immersed in global, pathway and career-oriented initiatives that give them the confidence to pursue their goals beyond graduation to become purposeful worldly citizens. This is further strengthened through our international student program that allows for authentic and insightful connections with Toorak students wherever they may be in the world. Strong connections with our Collegian community also provide our students with access to mentorship, guidance, networking, and career advice within a lifelong community.
Welcome from the Head of Wardle House, Deputy Principal
Our privilege as educators is to inspire our students and ensure that they reach their full potential, not only as learners but also as fine young people, with character and integrity.
At Wardle House, our Early Learning Centre and Junior School are deeply rooted in a rich and inspiring history, founded on the dreams of Dorothy Wardle in 1957. Mrs Wardle’s enduring belief in the potential of young children continues to inspire us today. We believe that our youngest Toorak College students are competent and capable of achieving remarkable heights.
Our core values of connection, empowerment and respect are embedded in our Wardle House culture. In partnership with our families, we are committed to ensuring that every student can make a meaningful impact not only in our classrooms but also within the wider school community. Staff collectively hold the view of our children as driven and motivated learners. As such, we create an environment that nurtures curiosity, problem-solving, and encourages students to take educational risks to enhance their learning.
Our team fully understands the importance of every student feeling safe, seen and supported. Consequently, we continue to empower each student to face challenges and overcome adversity, ensuring they achieve both academic and personal success.
Our sequential Wardle House curriculum is grounded in developmental milestones, allowing children to progress at their own pace while striving for high expectations. We foster a culture where personal achievements are celebrated, and students support and uplift each other, using their voices to encourage their peers.
Wardle House offers structured early childhood education, high quality academic and wellbeing programs, and a diverse range of specialist and co-curricular activities. We take pride in our work and look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Mrs Melissa Schoorman Head of Wardle House, Deputy Principal
Learning How to Learn
At Toorak, it is our belief, that learning how to learn can never be taught too early in a student’s academic journey; for it is in the formative years that children are curious about how their brain receives, interprets and responds to information.
When you begin unpacking how the brain acquires, decodes and encodes information, students can make informed choices about how to note take, mind map and make sense of incoming information that is presented to them in daily lessons. In Wardle House, we focus our attention on three consistent themes to help students develop valuable reading, writing and language skills.
REPETITION
Through our Project Enlighten and Growth Mentoring classes, students are given weekly opportunities to be explicitly taught how to interpret and organise information. Through these sessions, they are able to adapt and showcase their strengths but also come to conclusions about what ways of remembering and recalling information does and does not work for them. By Year 5, students are given the autonomy to make decisions about how they study for assessments, such as their weekly spelling tests, with the collective understanding that there is not a one size fits all approach to revising words. The advice is to attempt multiple strategies and study techniques to see what works best for their brain based on how they learn. This could look like visual aids, flash cards, reading aloud or copying out text. We encourage students to repeat these activities consistently for shorter periods of time as opposed to cramming information in one longer session.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Coupled with learning study and revision techniques comes the art of time management. From the earliest years, students are given time bound tests and assessments that require them to complete tasks in a set amount of time. Whilst these restrictions can create an extra layer of pressure for students, what they learn from these sessions is how to prioritise their time as well as the fundamental element of planning.
ORGANISATION
Students from Years 3 and above will constantly be seen sorting their writing plans into a quadrant so that they can separate their vocabulary from their sequence of events as well as identifying what elements of taught writing structures they can intertwine in an assessed writing piece. When students are taught to plan their writing in a detailed manner, we see the evidence of a cohesive and coherent structure, which allows our young students to communicate their writing efficiently within a constrained time frame. When all of these skills work in unison, the results are extraordinary. Students feel confident about how to interpret information as well as applying their knowledge in a successful way. The fear and pressure of test taking is minimised as it becomes a normalised part of the learning process.
Early Learning
Kindergarten - Pre Prep
A place for discovery, curiosity and engagement.
At Toorak College, we understand that children are inquisitive and curious in nature; constantly seeking ways to make meaning of their world. Each day, our children experience a plethora of play-based activities coupled with intentional teaching of literacy and numeracy.
Toorak College is a leader in early childhood education in Victoria. Our co-educational offering motivates and nurtures children from 3 to 5 years of age and assists in developing them as highly capable, confident and curious citizens of our community. Our program options allow for flexibility, enabling families to schedule their commitments around guaranteed program days and hours. With Kindergarten programs from 3 to 5 day offerings and Pre-Prep programs offering 4 and 5 day models, there is an opportunity for all of our children to be in routine and build lasting relationships with our exceptional educators.
Our Toorak College ELC has been recognised on multiple occasions as exceeding national quality standards when it comes to care and education. Together with our professional team of educators, we pride ourselves on delivering a program that is inspired by the principles and practices of Reggio Emilia alongside developing key literacy and numeracy skills through our intentional teaching sessions. Our staff are researchers and leaders in early childhood education, constantly furthering their knowledge and study, ensuring that our children are instilled with a lifelong love of learning.
Our Kindergarten and Pre-Prep children are immersed in specialist lessons which include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Creative and Performing Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Language and Cultural Appreciation via an introduction to Mandarin and Library. Taught by expert staff in these areas, our children utilise the incredible learning environments at Toorak alongside our Junior and Senior School students. This allows our ELC children to connect with various parts of our school community and benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities.
Early Learning Framework
Our Kindergarten and Pre-Prep programs integrate a comprehensive learning framework, offering students the chance to enhance their reading, writing, and problem-solving abilities in a play-based setting. This unique five-day program exposes students to a wide range of specialist classes while participating in a whole school atmosphere.
How we celebrate play in our Early Learning Centre
DAILY MORNING MEETINGS
It is important to come together and slow the flow of the day. Our Early Learning group comes together each morning to welcome and acknowledge each other. When starting our day together, students may freely share their thoughts and discuss the plan for the day ahead. Educators continue to build on this collaborative time, using provocations to facilitate further discussions and challenge ideas and thinking.
SHARING STORIES
In our Early Learning Centre, we encourage students to share stories to help them feel part of the group. This welcomes the spontaneous learning moments for children where they learn not only to share but also to listen. This process develops throughout the year. Usually, educators intentionally guide group discussions to encourage children to share their play, and educators add by introducing the dispositions required to achieve their play.
LEARNING OWNERSHIP AND INDEPENDENCE
We aim to create a learning environment where children are inspired and take ownership of their play and autonomy. They learn to celebrate their work and the work of others. Children’s work inspires others, allowing them to take on the role of the teacher and the opportunity to scaffold their peers’ learning. As a result, we see children become deep thinkers in the process, recognising the importance of their ideas, play and work.
Kindergarten
3 - 4 year olds
The Kindergarten learning journey is a time of significant growth and development, representing a crucial stage as children transition into a new community, often for the first time away from their families. Our pedagogical approach is anchored by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which prioritises the outcomes of Identity, Community, Wellbeing, Learning and Communication as fundamental elements in a child’s life.
During this phase, children cultivate new relationships within their Kindergarten community and begin to comprehend their right to belong to diverse communities beyond their family. They also come to recognise that childhood is a vital time for existing in the present and interpreting the world around them. There is an emphasis on emotional, social and physical development which is underpinned by a deep connection between the children and the world in which they live. Our youngest children demonstrate respect, empathy and a commitment towards others by learning to be a part of a group and honouring their impact on their peers.
At the core of Toorak College’s Kindergarten program, educators support children to develop skills to become active members of their community. This play-based environment allows children to foster skills through exploration, experimentation, active listening and posing questions. Kindergarten is a time when children can acquire knowledge through play, cultivating essential abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives.
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM OPTIONS
3 DAY PROGRAM
Wed, Thu, Fri
Performing Arts
Language and Cultural Appreciation
Health and Wellbeing
4 DAY PROGRAM
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri
STEM - X
Creative Arts
Performing Arts
Health and Wellbeing
5 DAY OPTION
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
STEM - X
Creative Arts
Performing Arts
Language and Cultural Appreciation
Health and Wellbeing
Pre-Prep
4 - 5 year olds
Our Pre-Prep curriculum seamlessly builds on the educational experience of our children in their second year at Toorak College. We continue unpacking the outcomes from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework through immersion in experiences including our bespoke Nature Play program at our neighbouring beach and our multi-age weekly sessions in Project Enlighten. We also recognise the importance of equipping our children with the skills they need in order to be ready for Prep.
Integration to our Junior School is weaved into our Pre-Prep program to allow our children to participate in transition activities throughout the year so that school readiness is at the forefront of conversations the whole year round. There is an intentional focus on interpersonal relationships and observing children as social beings who can be guided to cultivate a sense of kindness, respect and acting in a manner that positively impacts those around them. We value that each child’s thoughts and feelings matter whilst appreciating that we might not always agree or value the same things. Purposeful meetings within our program serve as opportunities for connection, perspective and interaction where our young children practice and hone their active listening skills as well as contributing without fear of failure.
Curiosity, capability and learning is also at the heart of our Pre-Prep program as we shift our focus to learning early literacy and numeracy skills. These targeted activities are designed at the child’s point of need, whether that be through the exploration of environmental sounds, developing phonemic awareness, number fluency or engaging with decodable readers. Our staff work collaboratively to monitor and track each child’s progress to determine individualised and measurable goals which further down the track can be communicated to their Prep teacher. Our program views all of our children as competent and capable learners who have the potential to grow and develop their skills and understanding significantly during this developmental period.
PRE-PREP PROGRAM OPTIONS
4 DAY PROGRAMS
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri
STEM - X
Creative Arts
Performing Arts
Health and Wellbeing
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
STEM - X
Creative Arts
Language and Cultural Appreciation
Health and Wellbeing
5 DAY OPTION
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
STEM - X
Creative Arts
Performing Arts
Language and Cultural Appreciation
Health and Wellbeing
Project Enlighten
At Toorak College, we have honed in on the value of play, particularly in our formative years, across Kindergarten to Year 1. We have amplified the conversation surrounding play and have repositioned this skill, and the crucial role it plays in academic learning. Through Project Enlighten we have fostered the conversation about how we can further develop our young learners’ confidence to take risks in learning and to not retreat when faced with challenges and unknown concepts. Our conversation always returns to the way these skills are best encouraged and channelled through play.
In the realm of education, the significance of play cannot be overstated. Play serves as a powerful catalyst for holistic development, fostering not only creativity and imagination but also crucial life skills. Conversely, an excessive aversion to risk can hinder academic progress, leading to stagnation in learning. This is exhibited as adversity to seek challenges and also to invest fully in learning opportunities within the classroom environment.
One key aspect of play is instilling a sense of pride in one’s work. When students engage in learning experiences that they find enjoyable and stimulating, they are more likely to take ownership of their tasks. This sense of pride motivates them to put in genuine effort, helping them persevere through challenges, whether it’s solving a difficult puzzle, managing the frustrations of trial and error, or searching for an elusive answer.
Play also encourages children to set and manage their own expectations. In a structured learning environment, they learn to set goals, assess their capabilities, and adjust their strategies and techniques accordingly. This fosters a sense of agency and self-reliance, qualities that are invaluable both in academic pursuits and in life beyond the classroom.
Furthermore, play provides a safe space for experimenting with risk and adversity. Shielding children from all forms of challenge deprives them of valuable learning opportunities. Embracing calculated risks in play allows them to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and adaptability, all of which are crucial components of academic and personal growth.
Nurturing Young Minds
The amazing thing about working in education and with young children is that it is ever-evolving. Our work reflects developments in the latest research, in professional practice, and in the skills we as a society want to instil in the next generation. Currently, an important focus in education and our communities is our wellbeing –the health of our minds and bodies. We as adults know how mindfulness can positively impact our lives, but where do we start with young children?
As early childhood educators, we know that so much of what challenges a child is their developing brain – a brain that is navigating the social and emotional world around them, with problems, difficulties and unpredictability.
We know that the social and emotional development of a child’s brain is the key to unlocking and supporting the rest of their development. This is where learning about good habits, mindfulness and gratitude is extremely beneficial to children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. In the Early Learning Centre (ELC), we embed these practices into our everyday program and curriculum.
Good Habits
ELC educators create a calm and positive classroom environment to encourage good habits.
Regular routines help children develop skills, independence, and confidence.
Educators ensure children take breaks for hydration, healthy eating, and rest.
Discussions about emotions support children in learning co-regulation and self-regulation skills.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness practices are a key part of daily routines in the ELC.
Discussions with students focus on cultivating awareness of thoughts and emotions, enhancing emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Health and Wellbeing lessons provide guidance on physical wellbeing. This includes yoga, relaxation exercises and mindfulness techniques.
These practices help children develop stress management skills and improve overall health and resilience.
Gratitude
Gratitude enhances wellbeing, relationships and physical health.
The ELC environment models, guides and nurtures gratitude among students.
Gratitude is integrated into daily interactions, emphasizing inclusivity and belonging.
Teaching gratitude early fosters awareness, empathy, and compassionate navigation of relationships.
Readiness for Prep
The transition from the Early Learning Centre through to the Junior School is seamless. Staff work together collaboratively to ensure the movement between Pre-Prep to Prep is a purposeful, successful journey.
Throughout the Pre-Prep year, children have numerous opportunities to become familiar with the Junior School environment and specifically, the Prep setting. Children explore the classrooms, meet the teachers and participate in a range of multi-age sessions to become at ease with the structure, expectations and routine in the Junior School.
Visits to the Prep area are both planned and incidental. Specialist staff are familiar to the Pre-Prep children as these staff also lead the ELC specialist programs. This solidifies that we firmly value the relationships that our teachers build with our children and know that continuity is key in moving from one section of the School to another.
Facilitating a Smooth Transition
Our ELC program is centred around play based learning. Integrated into the program is the explicit teaching of literacy and numeracy.
ELC children engage with the Prep classroom, fostering relationships with both peers and staff.
Prep teachers spend quality time in the ELC environment, emphasising the value and importance of the children’s current activities.
In Term 4, four orientation mornings officially introduce ELC children to Junior School life, building familiarity.
Transition-to-school statements, crafted in Term 4, involve input from the Pre-Prep teacher, co-educator, parents, and the child. This collaborative effort informs a more personalised learning approach.
ELC to Year 12 students coexist on the same grounds, offering ELC children exposure to various activities including sports, dance, and music, fostering interaction with students of all ages.
PROJECT ENLIGHTEN
Project Enlighten develops and targets emergent oral language, early literacy and numeracy skills and cultivates problem solving strategies through a series of multi-age rotations over the year. The children participate in activities with students in Pre-Prep to Year 1. This challenges our Year 1s to be leaders and our Pre-Prep children to have a greater understanding of intentional, sustained teaching practices amongst older role models.
Project Enlighten views our youngest children as capable, resourceful and knowledgeable. It also allows our children to visit various learning environments in the School and to connect with children outside of their normal classroom or studio.
EARLY LITERACY AND NUMERACY PROGRAMS
We recognise and leverage the fact that our children come to us with rich language experiences from their first teachers, their home environment. With this in mind, we channel our children’s willingness to learn and provide intentional literacy and numeracy sessions with language development and number sense as the clear outcomes.
In our early literacy sessions, this begins with tuning in to environmental sounds which then readies a child’s capacity to learn and distinguish spoken and written language. Through our structured synthetic phonics approach, children who are ready, will also learn how to blend, segment and recall regularly used sounds and words in the English language system through play-based opportunities.
In our early numeracy curriculum, children are taught skills beyond counting forwards and backwards. They are immersed in number fluency and mathematical vocabulary experiences which embed their understanding of our base ten system. We want children to make, manipulate and differentiate numbers in varying ways; demonstrating the ability to be fluent, problem solvers and articulate their number sense with confidence.
SUZUKI STRINGS
Much research has been conducted that links academic success with learning a musical instrument. Here at Toorak College, we believe that it is never too early to begin learning a musical instrument. Our ELC children have the opportunity to participate in violin lessons through our Suzuki Strings program and belong to an ensemble which further creates their sense of belonging to our school community. Not only will our children learn the skill of musicianship and performance but also see the benefits of perseverance, practice and commitment.
NATURE PLAY PROGRAM
In our ever-evolving world, children need opportunities to stop, notice and develop meaningful connections to our environment. With the beach on our doorstep, our children are the beneficiaries of a rich nature play program that enables them to enrich their understanding of the natural world. Fostering curiosity and being at one with nature provides benefits that result in diverse sensory experiences, creative play and imaginative games that are unstructured and child-led. Using natural materials such as sand, sticks, leaves, mud, rocks and grass allows children to deepen their self-directed play and rely on communication skills rather than resources to create exploratory experiences.
Junior School
Prep - Year 6
Our Comprehensive Curriculum Approach
Underpinning all that we aim to deliver in our Junior School programs, is the belief that all students have the potential to learn. We recognise that each child is on their own trajectory which is why our bespoke curriculum seeks to be aspirational; challenging each and every student according to their individual needs.
As informed educators, we understand the need to foster high-level discussions within the classrooms, exposing your child to the thoughts and perspectives of others. By ensuring this is a common practice, students have the opportunity to participate in robust discussions, progressing and furthering their thinking. This results in the extension and breadth of knowledge as well as the teaching of self-management, communication and problem solving skills as integral components of our programs.
In the Junior School, we firmly believe that students need to acquire a solid foundation of knowledge in order to engage with rich inquiry and pose insightful questions. With this at the forefront of our pedagogy, our explicit teaching of English and Mathematics concepts ensures that all students have a firm basis of knowledge prior to applying their skills in various contexts. Consolidation and revision of concepts is prioritised, allowing taught concepts to be deeply embedded in a student’s long term memory.
Cultivating sustainable thinking routines and practices throughout our program is our goal so that students not only harness a thirst for knowledge and learning, that drive their own development and thinking, resulting in a curious and innately motivated learner both in and outside of the classroom environment.
Our Junior School curriculum is founded on the belief that every child can succeed when surrounded by high expectations and specific, targeted feedback. Our staff cherish each learning moment and curate high quality experiences that engage our students to promote academic and personal growth year after year.
Academic Growth
Our Academic Growth program builds a strong academic foundation for students. We promote critical and creative thinking through immersive teaching and track progress using data markers. Students develop a broader perspective and adaptability by exploring various subjects and the world beyond campus.
The Junior School program offers a broad curriculum which allows our young students to innovate, connect and interact with the world around them. Our sequential curriculum from Prep to Year 6 promotes risk taking, problem solving and critical thinking in order to discover that there is not one way of attaining the answer. Our core English, Mathematics and Unit of Inquiry curriculum is complemented by key specialist sessions which encourages students to broaden their skills and thinking. Classes in STEM-X, Health and PE, Creative and Performing Arts, Library and Language and Growth Mentoring are embedded into a student’s weekly timetable, utilising the state-of-the-art facilities purposefully designed for young minds to grow and thrive.
Subject Offerings
ENGLISH
An effective teaching and learning program stems from a rich and diverse literacy offering. Here at Toorak, we see our students as capable, driven and independent learners who, with specific feedback, are given the opportunity to become articulate communicators.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics is an integral inclusion in our ELC and Junior School curriculum. Through play-based learning and problem solving in our younger years to targeted daily lessons in algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics and probability for our Prep-Year 6 students, our mathematics program acts as a catalyst for becoming a critical thinker, a skill we desire for all of our students.
STEM-X
As technology continues to advance at a rapid rate, an increased focus has been placed on the acquisition of STEM skills in our young learners. At Toorak, we offer programs in Science, Robotics, Engineering, Construction, Technology, Coding and Programming from Prep through to Year 6.
LIBRARY AND LANGUAGE
Our library program and the study of a language in addition to English are vital components of our specialist curriculum as we aim to widen our students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures as well as connecting to our global community. From Prep to Year 4 our students begin their language studies by learning Chinese and in Years 5 and 6, students can elect to learn either Chinese or French.
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Our creative arts program includes exploration of a variety of visual arts techniques through a wide range of mediums. The emphasis is on developing a creative concept from its inception, to practice, to completion. Our wide range of performing arts subjects, including drama and dance, give students the opportunity to create, improvise and perform for their peers. Our music program focuses on singing, movement and learning repertoire on a variety of instruments.
GROWTH MENTORING
Growth Mentoring is a specialised class that students commence in Year 3 and that continues into their Senior School journey. Students learn how to use memorisation strategies, organise information in meaningful ways and build their own bank of learning techniques. Growth Mentoring uses students’ natural strengths in learning and applies techniques that multiply their impact.
INQUIRY LEARNING
Inquiry learning is our educational approach for exploring the world around us, encompassing skills and knowledge centred around the past, present, and future. Students actively explore questions, problems, or scenarios to construct knowledge. It emphasises critical thinking, problem solving, and curiosity-driven investigation through research, experimentation and reflection to deepen a student’s understanding. Teachers scaffold the learning experiences rather than dictating these which fosters independence and motivation in learning.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Learning about physical health and how to nurture an active lifestyle from a young age is paramount in a child’s formative years. Through this subject, students participate in two sessions per week which includes development of fundamental motor skills, aquatic education, food and nutrition and body safety. Students hone their skills through minor games, playing team and individual sports. Throughout the year, the Junior School also participates in House-related events to showcase their talent and foster their belonging to a team.
Learning Enhancement
USING DATA AND REPORTING
One of the biggest changes to the world of education lies in our ability to effectively access, learn and respond to data. Toorak College is a leader in the educational landscape of data analysis. Data is frequently gathered on student learning and growth to enable a developing picture to emerge on each of our students.
The use of data ensures that we create a truly personalised and individualised program for every student. It also ensures that every student is being mapped and tracked, taking the guesswork out of education. Our use of data looks at three main fields:
2 Skill development 1 Content and concept knowledge 3 Self-reflection goals and growth patterns
Skills for Learning
Skills for Learning are the pivotal set of skills that we believe form the basis for students to be successful, self-regulated learners. These encourage each student to take ownership of their learning, be active in reflection and pose questions that clarify, enrich their understanding and assist them to work positively with others. Skills for Learning in the Junior School are categorised into five main domains; communication skills, thinking skills, research skills, social skills and self-management skills.
Digital Portfolios
As a means to evidence and bring learning outcomes to life, digital portfolios are supplementary to written reports, to create the narrative for the learning process. Students work collaboratively with their teachers to document their work samples which includes feedback, drafts, photographs and future goals. Together, both staff and students reflect on a student’s achievements and identify tangible measures for extending knowledge and conceptual understanding. Digital portfolios are accessible to families on an ongoing basis and families are encouraged to also participate in the feedback cycle to strengthen the partnership between home and school.
Summative Reports
Summative reports are produced semesterly and reflect student progress and performance. They involve reporting on different learning skills, learning tasks and assessments. Teachers will provide a summative comment that points to future opportunities for growth at the end of each semester.
TAILORED LEARNING ENHANCEMENT
Through an emphasis on data gathering, monitoring and tracking we aim to provide at least one year’s growth for each student, every year they are at school. With so many social, emotional and cognitive areas of growth developing at any one time, there are often occasions where our students need further academic support or extension.
Learning Enhancement at Toorak caters for students who require support or enrichment in various subjects. Our specialised team works in partnership with the student’s family as well as a team of internal and external professionals to ensure the program that is being implemented for the student is outcome based and goal oriented.
Students who qualify for our support or enrichment program, may also receive a Learning Enhancement Action Plan (LEAP) which closely tracks a student’s progress and sets individual, measurable goals.
These plans are discussed in consultation with the student (if appropriate), their family, staff working directly with the student and any external professionals from who the child is receiving extra support.
Our Head of Learning Enhancement has oversight in to this area of our program and is supported by qualified Learning Enhancement specialists and assistants. Support throughout the School may take the form of class support, out of hours support and structured homework and revision tasks to support student learning.
Enrichment is catered for within a classroom context and revolves around extension of thinking, application, quality of argument, maturity of engagement with material and additional opportunities. Extension happens in all subjects, not just English and Mathematics, and is supported all the way through to VCE level.
Learning Enhancement Programs
Learning Enhancement Small Groups
English and Maths Workshops
Early Bird Maths
Maths Olympiad
External Competitions
We cannot underestimate the pivotal role that Learning Enhancement can play in the crucial development and mindset of young learners. Saturating support and extension early in a child’s academic journey can significantly influence and positively impact their learning, retention and work ethic.
MRS MELISSA SCHOORMAN HEAD OF WARDLE HOUSE AND DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Outstanding Results
Every year, our Year 3 and 5 students take part in the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). These assessments, conducted in March of each academic year, are designed to adapt to each student’s ability, providing clear evidence of where they stand within their cohort.
Whilst we do not focus on teaching specifically for the test, our students approach these assessments with confidence, feeling well-prepared and comfortable in showcasing their knowledge and skills. Our annual results reflect this, showing that students who join us from Prep consistently rank among the top bands of their peers both statewide and nationwide. The strong foundation built from Prep allows our students to transfer much of this knowledge into long-term memory, enabling them to access content quickly and automatically, which is an advantage over students whose knowledge is more recently acquired. We also see our most capable students working well beyond their grade level, as our programs avoid setting limits on their potential, instead tailoring assessments to meet their individual needs.
In recent years, Toorak College’s Junior School has been ranked among the top 10 primary schools in Victoria, a ranking that our community of learners and teachers takes great pride in and we are committed to maintaining.
PROGRESS
Students at Toorak consistently perform well above national standards in NAPLAN testing.
However, what is more important is that growth is sustained over time.
Typically trends across Australian schools show that even if students can reach high levels in primary years, their results will trend back to normal over time.
Toorak results show continued growth across their journey.
Average growth of Toorak College students over time
Average growth of high-achieving students from other schools
TOORAK COLLEGE HAS BEEN RANKED IN THE TOP 10 PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN VICTORIA*
Personal Growth
Our Personal Growth program aims to develop our students comprehensively including their physical, emotional, moral, and social development. We offer tools, resources, and support to enhance their wellbeing and promote emotional and social awareness. Our objective is to foster attitudes, behaviours, and capacities that create well-rounded, perceptive, and healthy individuals.
Health and wellbeing are at the very heart of everything we do at Toorak College. The foundation of all that we teach is centered around providing a high quality education in the best learning environment for our students to thrive in.
We see every relationship and interaction across the School as an opportunity to provide a positive student experience, which in turn, becomes part of our wellbeing philosophy. We do not implicitly teach wellbeing, rather the value of wellbeing is ingrained into every aspect of school life on a daily basis.
WELLBEING TUTORIALS AND CLASSES
Across the School we have wellbeing time every morning for our students to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Prep to Year 6 students will also have one lesson per week dedicated to Personal Growth lessons. This will further equip students with explicitly taught skills to support a positive sense of self and help them navigate the world around them.
EMPOWERING STRATEGIES
Our staff guide our students with techniques and advice allowing them to be in control of their own strategies for overcoming adversity, obstacles and difficult situations. Our students are encouraged to use areas of the School like the Wellbeing Garden to enact their strategies.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
We have an in-house Student Support team including a School Psychologist, School Counsellor, Nurses and Mental Health First Aid Accredited Staff who have the capacity to intervene with solutions but also help to strengthen preventive strategies in our School community.
KINDNESS CLUB
Students are encouraged to write notes of appreciation for teachers and their peers and post them in our ‘Kindness Letterbox’. These notes are read out at assembly to help spread words of kindness.
PERSONAL GROWTH CURRICULUM
Classroom teachers who specialise in this subject area develop a curriculum which offers students a deep understanding of themes surrounding health and wellbeing including mindfulness, food and nutrition, physical education, journalling and yoga.
CONNECTED
94% of students reported their cohort support and help each other in class.
CARING + WELCOMING
Are the two most commonly used words our students use to describe Toorak College.
ASSURED
95% of students acknowledged how strongly they were supported on their academic journey by their teachers.
UNDERSTOOD
91% of students reported their teachers really knew them as individuals, not just learners.
Empower
At Toorak College, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive and enriching educational experience that goes beyond the classroom. Our diverse range of co-curricular programs ensures that every student can explore their interests and talents. From elite sporting competitions and extensive music ensembles to vibrant performing and visual arts programs, our students are encouraged to engage fully and passionately. The array of clubs available further allows them to foster friendships and develop leadership skills in a supportive community.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
AEROBICS
Sport aerobics involves students learning high intensity movement patterns, which are performed to music. Students perform as members of a team in a choreographed routine and work towards State competitions. This program is available to students in Years 5 and 6 with training before school and at lunchtime.
ATHLETICS
Throughout the year, an opportunity is offered to students from Prep - Year 6 to participate in a before and after school Athletics program operated by professional coaches. Students will enjoy improved fitness and learn how to achieve their best in athletics.
COMMUNITY NETBALL
Students have the opportunity to represent the School in local Netball. This is run at the Frankston Netball Stadium and is offered to students in Years 2 - 6. Students can enjoy the benefits of a team sport while developing new skills.
CROSS-COUNTRY
This program is designed to increase aerobic endurance for cross-country competitions as well as cardiovascular fitness for other high intensity sports. You do not need to be an excellent runner; participants of all levels train together. This morning program is offered to Years 5 and 6.
DANCE
Year 5 to 6 students have access to our DanceStar program, where they learn a variety of contemporary and jazz routines to perform at State competition level. Training for this program takes place at lunchtime.
DIGI QUEST
The DIGI Quest workshops are an exciting opportunity for students to explore and experiment with a range of technology including Computer Aided Design, 3D printing, robotics and coding. DIGI Quest workshops encourage students to develop their digital, creative and problem solving skills. The after school workshops can be tailored for different year levels to introduce, engage or extend our students in emerging technologies.
EQUESTRIAN
Students who participate in the Equestrian program currently compete against more than 300 schools throughout Victoria in Dressage, Show Jumping, Horse Trials and Combined Training. Students enjoy learning new skills and caring for the horse.
LEARN TO SAIL
Learn to Sail is an after school program offered to students from Years 3 - 6. The program is run at Davey’s Bay Yacht Club by qualified sailing coaches and focuses on sailing skills and water safety.
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Toorak College offers shared and individualised music lessons to students in ELC to Year 6, both instrumental and voice coaching. Students will learn from professional Music teachers and will learn about musical theory and the joys of performing.
SNOWSPORTS
The Snowsports opportunity is offered to students who have achieved an intermediate to advanced level of competence in skiing or snowboarding. This provides a pathway into competitive skiing or snowboarding programs. There are three areas of this program: race-training, practice races and competitions.
SWIMMING SQUAD
Swimming Squad is for students looking to further their skills in swimming strokes and increase fitness levels. Students need to be able to complete 200 metres of freestyle. This focus is on improving racing technique and swimming endurance. This morning program is offered to students in Years 4-6 who are at squad level.
TAPA (TOORAK ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS)
TAPA is available for students from Prep – Year 6. Classes are available in Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre and students develop skills, technique, confidence and a love of performing while learning from trained industry professionals. Classes are available after school and students will have a performance opportunity throughout the year.
TENNIS LESSONS
Toorak offers shared and individual tennis lessons to students in Prep-Year 6 before school, at lunchtime and after school. Participants will develop tennis skills suitable for their level and enjoy the benefits of improved fitness.
Leadership Opportunities
At all levels of the School, students can be leaders through their actions.
We understand that we are not born leaders, it is how we respond to our experiences that makes us leaders. Student Leadership offers opportunities for young people to serve their school and the community. Through these experiences they are able to learn about making a difference and what can be achieved if you are prepared to have a voice and to work hard.
Students learn the importance of having goals and then deciphering what is necessary to achieve them. Working collaboratively with others and understanding that it requires the participation of many to achieve outcomes is a valuable lesson that can be acquired through Student Leadership. Student leaders also learn the importance of being role models and that one’s behaviour influences others. Through student leadership, the skills of listening and building rapport with the student body are acquired. From the successes and failures achieved through being a leader in a school, students obtain valuable skills that they take with them into the future.
Beginning from Prep, our students elect Class Captains who are regarded as responsible, approachable students to assist with day-to-day tasks. Peer voting for our class captains takes place on a termly basis, with each former leader still a key leader in the classroom.
From Year 3, students can self-nominate to be a member of the Student Representative Council. The Council is made up of students from Year 3–Year 12 and is one of the ways that we empower student voice in our school. By attending weekly meetings, these students suggest changes and opportunities for improvement as well as organising social justice initiatives.
In Year 6, all of our students are revered as leaders. We have high expectations of our Year 6 girls and from this cohort we see the election of Junior School Captains, House Captains, Music and Art Captains. These leaders are active contributors to our Junior School community as they lead House Meetings, assist with events and most importantly, embody House Spirit.
HOUSE
House Spirit is an essential component of life at Toorak. All Junior School students are divided amongst three Houses upon enrolment:
Gold House
Red House
Blue House
Houses provide students with an outlet for healthy and positive competition amongst their peers. These House communities play an integral part in our students’ sense of belonging to a multi-age team.
Throughout the year, many activities and competitions are held to develop team spirit, cooperation and collaboration. Events include athletics, cross country, swimming, music and visual art competitions.
Challenge Experiences
In the Junior School, we offer a range of outdoor, overnight experiences to promote independence, risk taking and resilience. Students are supported by their current and previous teachers to move beyond their comfort zone and attempt challenges away from the classroom learning environment.
YEAR 3
Our Year 3 cohort visits Portsea Camp for their first, two-night camp experience in the Junior School. Students participate in a range of land and water-based activities that challenge them to work as a team and collaborate with their peers outside of the classroom environment. The focus of our Year 3 camp is for our students to build their independence and self-reliance whilst living outside of their family home, further connecting them to their peers.
YEAR 5
In Year 5, students participate in a Study Tour of Melbourne where they visit places of interest around our bustling city. They learn about its history and connect with the reasons why people settled and moved to Melbourne in the 1800s. As students appreciate the melting pot that is Melbourne through a visit to the Queen Victoria Market, they begin to ask questions about small businesses and consider entrepreneurial opportunities. A tour of the original site of Toorak College is also on the agenda, furthering their understanding about our school history and what motivated the impactful move to the Mornington Peninsula all those years ago.
YEAR 6 OPTIONAL STUDY TOUR
YEAR 4
Our Year 4 students visit Golden Valleys Adventure Camp where they continue their outdoor education. This two-night camp enables our cohort to build on their cooperation skills from their previous camp whilst allowing them to challenge themselves further in individual and group-based activities. This outdoor camp includes bushwalking and cooking in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, further embedding a sense of empowerment and confidence in our young students’ mindsets.
YEAR 6
To complete their Junior School journey, Year 6 students visit Lord Somers Camp to reflect on their time together before beginning their Senior School pathway. With the focus on connection to others, stepping out of their comfort zone and team building, students are led through a series of land and water-based activities in teams with Lord Somers Camp staff. This incredible camp experience is the perfect way to solidify social networks and relationships prior to transitioning to our Senior School.
At the beginning of Year 6, our students are given the opportunity to participate in a week-long tour of Canberra. Spanning all the iconic landmarks and places of interest, this study tour allows our students to further develop their understanding of the federal government and democracy in our nation.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe education goes beyond academics; it’s about cultivating resilient individuals ready to lead and positively impact the world.
Readiness for Senior School
Our Thrive pillar embodies our educational philosophy by leveraging the world around us to shape our programs. This approach ensures our students become confident, globally-minded, and resilient decisionmakers, capable of adapting and thriving in complex, ever-changing environments. By incorporating regular and authentic visits to Senior School classrooms and areas, we enable our Junior School students to benefit from the seamless transition provided by an ELC–12 school, ensuring they are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
ONE CAMPUS, ONE SCHOOL
Set on one campus, our students have many opportunities to become involved in whole school activities, co-curricular programs and attend events that include both Wardle House and Senior School students. Our Junior School interacts and engages with our Senior School girls on a daily basis and support each other at co-curricular events, sports, music performances and more. In our Swift Science and Technology Centre, our junior students will work in tandem with senior students by learning in the same space led by specialist teachers.
Prior to entering Year 7, our students have countless opportunities to build a rapport with our Senior School leaders and students. At a pivotal time in their lives, this transition from one part of the School to another, is seamless.
SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS
Our students undergo an easy transition by being involved in the following:
Discovery Days
Senior School assemblies
Year 9 buddy relationships
Daily interaction with senior students and staff
Cross selection of junior and senior students in music and sport co-curricular activities
Introduction to the House Program
SPECIALISED LEARNING
The inquiry based program in Junior School is the perfect platform for our students’ journey into Senior School. In Year 7, our students build on their learning from Growth Mentoring and then commence work in Agile Learning. In Agile Learning they learn to solve real world problems pitched to them by different industry partners. They then use design thinking principles to find the many creative and innovative solutions that exist.
Portrait of a Toorak Student
We expose our students to a diverse range of learning and co-curricular experiences from a young age so they can find their interests and passions with confidence. The Junior School English and Maths program is complemented by specialist classes in Creative Arts, STEM-X, Health & Wellbeing, Language & Cultural Appreciation, Performing Arts, Music and Physical Education. These classes run each week and are taught by specialist teachers in our state-ofthe-art facilities purpose built for the teaching and learning of these disciplines.
With world-class campus facilities for all of the Junior School, our students are encouraged to pursue their dreams right from the start of their academic journey.
Confident characters
Empowered learners
Self-aware peers
Resilient agents
Aspiring leaders
Motivated advocates
The Toorak College All-Girls Advantage
At Toorak College, we champion the transformative power of all-girls’ education in shaping the journeys of young women. This environment cultivates a supportive and intellectually stimulating atmosphere, empowering students to defy stereotypes, embrace their uniqueness, and shine brightly.
Our approach emphasises personalised learning and celebrates individuality, providing girls with the freedom to explore their passions, challenge societal norms, and forge strong connections within a nurturing community. Through this environment, students develop self-assurance, leadership qualities, and the capacity to excel across various domains, preparing them to lead with authenticity and make meaningful contributions to society.
THE ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE
Students at girls’ schools have higher aspirations and greater motivation than their female peers at co-educational schools.
The majority of girls’ school graduates report higher self-confidence than their co-educated peers.
Girls’ school students are more likely to deal effectively with stress, pressure, opportunity, and challenge.
93% of girls’ school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than co-educated peers.
80% have held leadership positions since graduating.
Source: www girlsschools.org/research/quick-facts/
Scholarships
By offering scholarships, we provide talented and deserving students with access to the exceptional educational opportunities and supportive environment that define the Toorak College experience.
Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to foster the development of future leaders who will make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. These scholarships not only enrich the lives of individual students but also contribute to the vibrant diversity of our school community. We are dedicated to collaborating closely with you to ensure that each donation, bequest commitment, and act of generosity contributes to our collective vision of empowering our students and shaping a brighter future. Together, we can make a meaningful and enduring impact.
GENERAL AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS YEARS 4 TO 9
At Toorak College, we offer a variety of scholarships for both current and external students, recognising outstanding potential and achievement. These scholarships, which cover Academic and General Excellence, are awarded based on academic tests, school reports and interviews. Recipients enjoy tuition fee remissions, subject to ongoing performance and active contribution to the School community.
THE CHRISTINE FRIDAY ARTS & HUMANITIES SCHOLARSHIP (YEAR 7)
I’m very grateful to receive the amazing opportunity to study at Toorak College. I am challenged academically every day and am enjoying the growth this brings with it. It is such an encouraging and positive school environment, which has helped me find my confidence.”
MIA SWIFT SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Introduced in 2022, this scholarship supports students with a passion for The Arts and Humanities, thanks to the generous support of Ms Christine Friday (TC ‘64).
THE MARGARET WALLACE REID SCHOLARSHIP (YEAR 7)
Established with the support of Mrs Margaret Wallace Reid (TC ‘53), this scholarship offers valuable assistance to students with a strong passion for Sport. It serves as a tribute to the education and opportunities she received at Toorak College.
THE SWIFT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP (YEAR 10)
Launched in conjunction with the opening of the Swift Science & Technology Centre in January 2020, this scholarship encourages girls with a passion for STEM to pursue a successful career in Science and Technology.
THE ALICE SLOAN SCHOLARSHIP (YEAR 10)
Created in honour of Alice Victoria Sloan, who tragically passed away at 16, this scholarship commemorates her positive and energetic spirit. It aims to support students who embody her zest for life and confidence.
To discover more about Toorak College we invite you to visit our website or register for a School Tour which are conducted throughout the year.
VISIT US Toorak College Old Mornington Road, Mount Eliza, VIC, 3930
CONTACT US
T +61 (3) 9788 7200 www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au
OPEN DAYS
We warmly invite you to join us for our Open Days, held throughout the year. To learn more or register for our upcoming Open Day, simply scan the QR code.
APPLICATIONS
To apply to Toorak College, visit our website or contact our Admissions team at enrolments@toorakc.vic.edu.au
Disclaimer: The information in this publication is current as at the date of printing and is subject to change. You can find updated information on our website at www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au. Toorak College assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information provided by third parties.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00349D, CRICOS Course Code: 005454G (Senior), 097816B (Primary) © Copyright 2024 Toorak College Mount Eliza