Domestic Prospectus

Great teachers.

Great education.

Great opportunities.

A CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE ANGLICAN TRADITION

Contents.

Our Vision

01

Principal’s welcome

02

Learn from great teachers 04 A culture of great expectations

06

Early Learning Centre – A great place to start

10

Junior School – Developing great skills for learning

12

Middle School – A great learning experience

14

Senior School – Great preparation for life

16

Pastoral Care – Nurturing a great mind and spirit

20

Sport and Outdoor Education – It is great to be fit and healthy

22

The Arts and Cultural Exchange – Creating great opportunities

24

Where to next?

26

Take the tour

28

Great teachers.

Great education.

Great opportunities.

OUR VISION is to provide an education that meets the needs of a diverse student population with a particular emphasis on academic excellence. We recognise that our greatest resource is our exceptional teachers and we are committed to developing and supporting excellence in teaching.

We ensure that the Yarra Valley Grammar experience is a defining period in the lives of our students by emphasising the culture, values and philosophies of the School. We have four key areas that define our beliefs and guide our principles:

1 2

Teaching and Learning OUR PROGRAMS must promote INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, ENGAGEMENT and the pursuit of excellence in the approach our students take to their learning.

Pastoral Care and Relationships OUR AIM is to create a safe, supportive and affirming environment where individuals are known and acknowledged for their unique contributions to our School community. Our goal is to promote resilient and healthy young people whose experience of school is a positive one and where they develop a sense of BELONGING and AFFILIATION with the School community.

3 4

Formation OUR GOAL is to foster the INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL and SPIRITUAL GROWTH of our students so that they are well prepared for life after school to contribute in a meaningful way to society.

Community Connections WE SEEK to foster greater engagement in the broader community so that our students benefit from COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS and the School is able to contribute to the broader community.

Yarra Valley Grammar

01

Principal’s welco

02

Every school has its own story – one that tells of its history, its culture and its reason for being.

Since 1966, Yarra Valley Grammar has offered students the best possible learning opportunities and experiences under the guidance of exceptional teachers – a place where students can discover their talents, expand their interests and develop the confidence to embrace opportunities.

At Yarra Valley Grammar, ‘confidence to achieve’ is our mantra and our students’ reality.

We have high expectations of our students and we are committed to meeting our responsibilities to each of these young people: to equip them with the skills, knowledge and values they will need to become young men and women of integrity with the confidence to contribute to society in a meaningful way.

Yarra Valley Grammar’s inclusive, welcoming community is one our families genuinely love and a place where our students feel inspired to achieve their very best. Our approach is based upon Christian values of compassion, inclusion, acceptance and commitment. The ways in which these values are brought to life and sustained through actions and recognition form the basis of our School’s culture.

Our students are taught, nurtured and motivated by an outstanding team who are dedicated, passionate and committed to their roles as teachers, role models and mentors. We believe that when teachers and students develop strong relationships built on mutual trust and respect then our students will be happy and willing learners.

There is an African proverb that tells us: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” As educators, we take the role of the villagers, helping students to develop academically, spiritually, physically, socially and culturally. Strong mutual support between parents and the School’s staff, as well as positive student motivation, is crucial to the development of our students. It is deeply satisfying to see the fruits of the combined efforts of our community of teachers, parents and students as our young people mature and grow.

I invite you to visit our School and to talk with our staff and students. After all, they are best placed to tell you our School’s story.

Dr Mark A. Merry Principal

ome.

“T

here is an African proverb that tells us: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” As educators, we take the role of the

villagers, helping students to develop academically, spiritually, physically, socially and culturally.”

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Learn from grea Great teachers are able to communicate complex concepts in simple ways. They vary their teaching methods to suit individual learning styles.

This takes patience, flexibility and the ability to see things from a student’s perspective. Yarra Valley Grammar’s team of teachers know their material, are passionate about their subjects and love to teach.

They spend time getting to know their students so they can teach them effectively and develop strategies so that they can achieve their potential.

While our focus is on academic rigour, we recognise that students learn best when they are engaged in the content.

Our teachers are innovative thinkers, planning their classes to stimulate the minds of their students with multiple delivery

04

methods to suit the needs of individuals. Inquiry learning plays a large role, and a dedicated Individual Programs Department ensures that students can extend their learning or receive the extra support they need. Our teachers love celebrating the achievements of our students – no matter how big or small – and recognise that the definition of success is unique to each individual.

Our teachers know that developing positive relationships with their students is the key to finding out how each individual learns best. They then use that information to engage, motivate and inspire their students.

Our teachers act as role models for their students, promoting the School’s core values such as respect, concern and action

at teachers. for others, and treating others as they themselves wish to be treated. They also work in partnership with parents so students receive a shared message of encouragement and belief in them.

Our teachers are also willing students and lifelong learners themselves, constantly refining their craft and remembering what it is like to be a student.

They are committed to ongoing professional development, sharing their expertise amongst themselves via a variety of professional working groups, as well as looking to other schools and organisations to expand their knowledge and ideas.

“T

he focus in the classroom is on academic rigour, but we

also have to engage the students to really develop an enthusiasm for learning, independence in learning and an inquiring mind‌ We have to raise the bar so that they will too.�

Mr Andrew Lawrence, Year 7 Coordinator

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A culture of gre “I

t is a very harmonious School, which helps in establishing the learning environment. There is

a sense of a shared mission amongst the students that they want to do well academically.�

Mr Simon Conlan, Head of English

06

eat expectations.

Yarra Valley Grammar students leave school with the confidence and skills to pursue their ambitions and values that ensure they will be active and contributing members of society.

There is an atmosphere of positivity and camaraderie at the School, complemented by an extensive and constantly evolving curriculum. Individualised approaches to teaching and learning, e-learning embedded across the curriculum, opportunities to try an array of co-curricular activities, leadership roles available to all students and mentoring from teachers and peers combine to create an environment where our students are happy and willing learners with great expectations about what they can achieve.

We have embraced the increasingly significant role that technology plays in our everyday lives by integrating technologies across the curriculum to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Our advanced, secure, webbased e-learning system features multi-subject learning materials and online tools, encouraging

student-driven learning across a platform of desktop and laptop computers and iPads. E-learning is incorporated into the curriculum at all levels, from age-appropriate software experiences in the Early Learning Centre, to creative software in the Junior School, and fully embedded tools allowing students to collaborate on projects, hold online forums and participate in virtual activities in the secondary years.

A dedicated Learning Innovations Committee explores opportunities to expand our curriculum and the methods by which it is delivered.

Enhancements to our teaching and learning programs, such as the introduction of the Year 9 iPad program and the expansion of our inquiry learning projects, have been launched as a result of this collaboration.

Our approach to teaching and learning is focused on students achieving their personal best across the curriculum. In the Early Learning Centre, our team of creative, dedicated educators develop a love for learning

through stimulating play experiences. As the children progress to the Junior School, a variety of learning tools are introduced, recognising that each individual must be given the opportunity to absorb new concepts in his or her own way.

Our Middle School philosophy is to ensure that all of our students are engaged in their learning.

The traditional, classroom-based delivery of the curriculum is enhanced by inquiry learning experiences to encourage and empower our students to think and work independently. In the final years of secondary education, we focus on preparing our students for the path that lies ahead. Through our uniquely tailored, broad curriculum offering we prepare them for the challenges of the VCE and equip them with the skills needed for further study and career aspirations.

Yarra Valley Grammar

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“A great education is about ide in the young. At Yarra Valley outstanding teaching and a su gives students the confidence Dr Mark A. Merry, Principal

08

entifying and recognising potential Grammar a combination of supportive learning environment e to achieve.�

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A great place to “S

eeing the children move through the years is wonderful. When they reminisce later in

their school years, they have fond memories.

The connection with families, right from the beginning of their child’s education, is another part of that story.”

Mrs Carol Thorneycroft, Director, Early Learning Centre

10

start.

Early Learning Centre Children are learning from the time they enter the world and, from the time they enter Yarra Valley Grammar, we work in partnership with parents to continue to foster that sense of wonder and awe. We believe that relationships, interactions and attachments, as well as the development of a child’s self-confidence, are fundamental elements that underpin childhood learning. We know that if we respond sensitively to children’s emotional needs and build their confidence, they will go forward with willingness and enthusiasm for learning.

In our Early Learning Centre, children from three years of age are nurtured by a team of creative and active educators who immerse themselves in play with the children and put play at the centre of learning. Play enables children to develop all their skills – social, emotional, physical, language and intellectual thinking. Individual learning programs identify each child’s strengths, needs and interests, and programs are then developed to address their learning goals.

The curriculum is underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and has been specifically adapted by our educators so that each component can be delivered through stimulating play experiences. The framework identifies five learning outcomes – identity, community, wellbeing, learning and communication – representing the knowledge and skills all children need for them to become confident and happy throughout their lives. Specific attention is given to building numeracy and literacy skills, and all ELC children attend weekly specialist sessions in music and library, while our four-year-olds also attend sport lessons. The children are also introduced to e-learning experiences through age-appropriate software that helps expand their ability to acquire information, solve problems and communicate with others.

The daily ELC program begins with a ‘Circle of Friends’, where educators and children meet and talk about the day, share news from home and participate in an experience related to a topic of learning. Each day includes time

for both indoor and outdoor play, with activities carefully designed to develop areas of learning such as social and language skills, numeracy and literacy, exposure to technology or the development of fine motor skills.

Our ELC students learn in a purpose-built Centre, opened in 2009, and also have full use of the School’s other outstanding facilities, including the swimming and wading pools, Sports Complex, Music School, Performing Arts Centre, Resource Centre (Library) and computer resources. Full and part-time programs are available for both three and four-year-olds.

Our ELC program also makes for a gentle transition to primary school when our families choose to continue their child’s education at Yarra Valley Grammar’s Junior School. A transition program begins towards the end of the four-year-old program, building the foundations for school.

A buddy system with Junior School students and inclusion in many Junior School events ensures our ELC children feel a part of the wider School community.

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Developing grea “O

ur philosophy is one of individuality, so we recognise

and cater for each student’s strengths, interests and

needs. Our teachers work hard to differentiate the learning experience so that each student can achieve his or her best.”

Mr Chris Lawson, Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School

Junior School The primary years are a time of skills acquisition where we equip our students with the capabilities they will need to become effective lifelong learners.

In small classes with exceptional teachers, our students develop the confidence to become independent learners, willing to ask questions, listen to others and absorb new learning. Our students enjoy all the benefits of a separate, small primary school, while at the same time having full access to the outstanding facilities and opportunities offered as part of a whole-school approach to continuous learning.

The Junior School curriculum focuses on establishing strong skills in the key areas of literacy and numeracy, and core subjects include English, Mathematics, Integrated Studies (including Science, History, Geography and Technology) and Personal Development. This is complemented by a specialist program, including Art and Craft,

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French, Music, Physical Education and Library sessions, and context-based fun learning days, excursions, guest speakers, academic competitions and social service activities. E-learning also plays a prominent role in the curriculum and students are introduced to new creative tools such as digital photography, podcasting, movie-making, animation and claymation.

Each student’s needs are placed at the centre of his or her learning program and lessons are adapted to suit individual learning styles. We use a range of tools, including THRASS, Spelling Mastery and Letterland, because we recognise that one strategy doesn’t suit all. Through testing and monitoring, a dedicated Individual Programs Department identifies those needing extra support or extension, which may occur in the classroom, in small groups or via external opportunities such as Gateways.

at skills for learning.

We also understand that our students will need to learn about new concepts and ideas, which is why our curriculum never stands still. Our teachers participate in curriculum focus groups to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of innovation in terms of both content and delivery.

Specialist teachers run professional development sessions, and many also participate in subject-based networks outside the School.

friendship groups, and Revved Up Boys, which helps boys understand and deal with feelings of anger or frustration, are examples of the range of strategies we use to help our students establish and maintain positive relationships. The comprehensive transition to the secondary school program commences mid-way through Year 6 with a series of visits, speakers and linkages with students in Middle School.

In partnership with parents, the School fosters an environment of respect, connectedness and wellbeing. The Junior School’s pastoral care program includes regular opportunities to monitor and discuss each child’s welfare, with formal programs such as buddy activities, leadership opportunities and transition programs supporting the wellbeing of students. Programs such as MPower Girls, which discusses what happens in

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A great learning Middle School Years 7 to 9 are a period of transition for students as they cross the bridge between primary learning and their senior school years. Our Middle School philosophy and practice is to ensure that every student is engaged in their learning so the curriculum incorporates a dynamic mix of experiential opportunities combined with teacher-guided instruction. The curriculum is designed specifically to capture the interest of students at this stage in their learning journey, and it is taught by dedicated teachers with a passion for the middle years.

Students in Years 7 and 8 study core subjects, including Maths, English, Science, Art, Drama, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, Technology and Languages. The broad curriculum means that students are exposed to the complete spectrum of learning areas and are able to make informed subject choices as they pursue a more defined program. Year 7 and 8 students also work in their House groups to develop an inquiry-based learning project around a specific theme.

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In Year 9, students have an increased opportunity to personalise their programs.

They combine core studies with an extensive selection of elective subjects and engage in the LINK@9 Program – an innovative inquiry-based learning project for one week each term, incorporating themes such as Civics and Citizenship, Diversity, City Experience, World Religions and a study retreat.

Our innovative Year 9 iPad program presents many new opportunities with the devices used to augment and to transform curriculum delivery in ways not possible via traditional desktop computers.

Their portability facilitates new learning experiences outside the classroom with high levels of engagement as students can quickly switch between applications using touch-screen technology. Students can also access an enormous array of educational resources via the App Store, developing their independent learning skills.

The Middle School Enhancement Program takes our students beyond the four walls of the classroom to reinforce their learning and challenge their thinking. Students might spend a day at the MCG as part of a maths in sport class, or drama students might be found attending the theatre. Regular speakers and guests also form part of the program, along with incursions, theme days such as Medieval Day and Ancient Civilisations Day, peer support activities and camps.

Middle School students also participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities. From public speaking to sport, performing arts to academic competitions, the many choices ensure our students can find their niche.

g experience.

“R

ecognising that students in this age group are

All students participate in the AGSV sporting competition with additional opportunities for further training and skills development in specific sports.

The Outdoor Education program includes camps at each of the middle years, as well as Adventure Days at Years 7 and 8.

The extensive Performing Arts program offers students the opportunity to join bands, orchestras and choirs, and to participate in productions and musicals, theatre sports, dance groups and in the House Performing Arts Competition.

There are also specialist programs in Fine Arts and unique opportunities like the Art Star Portraits Competition on offer.

Opportunities to take on leadership roles and responsibilities, and involvement in the School’s Community Links Program, which provides a focus for our students’ personal development, round out an exceptional array of stimulating opportunities for our Middle School students.

experiencing a period of self-discovery, our Middle

School program is structured and supportive, while

at the same time catering to students’ increasingly individual interests.”

Mrs Julie Hall, Deputy Principal – Head of Middle School

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Great preparatio “O

ur aim is to provide an education with a particular focus on academic excellence that will prepare

our students for fulfilling futures.”

Mr Andrew Hocking, Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School

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on for life.

Senior School As our Senior School students complete their final years of secondary education, they will make significant choices about future study and career paths.

Our programs, subject offerings, teaching and learning practices, standards and expectations are all geared towards our students achieving a personal best in their academic results that will allow them to proceed into their chosen tertiary course or career.

The specific focus on academic rigour in the senior years starts at Year 10, where a unique pre-VCE curriculum, including work experience, is offered to prepare students for their final two years.

Each Year 10 subject incorporates a theoretical component equivalent to its VCE counterpart, building our students’ capacity to tackle increasingly complex concepts.

Year 10 students may also study a Unit 1 and 2 subject with the option to complete a Unit 3 and 4 subject in Year 11.

Our Year 11 and 12 students can then approach their studies with confidence and preparedness, choosing from more than 40 different subject units. In Year 11, Units 1 and 2 subject

assessment outcomes closely reflect those of Units 3 and 4, reinforcing our goal of preparing students ahead of time for the challenges they will face in Year 12.

Our teachers are passionate about their subject areas and specialists in their respective fields. They know their students well and guide them in their studies to ensure they stay focused on achieving their goals.

Senior School students have access to valuable careers information and are provided with assistance in their subject selection to ensure they meet relevant tertiary qualification requirements.

We also understand the intellectual, emotional and social needs of students during what can be very demanding senior years. The support we provide them at this level, and our deliberate encouragement of a ‘school-life’ balance, helps them to manage priorities.

Our purpose-built Senior Student Centre provides a dedicated environment for our senior students, including classrooms and open working spaces that reflect the tertiary study environment.

Our senior students proudly take on leadership responsibilities, acting as role models for the entire student body. Co-curricular activities are another essential element of the Senior School program, helping to build skills in time management and self-discipline, as well as providing opportunities for mixing and mentoring between year levels. Sport continues through to Year 12 so that students are assured of an active lifestyle, and there are opportunities for involvement in camps, music and drama performances, academic competitions, debating, art programs, community service and social activities, as well as international tours and exchanges.

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“These young people are on th adulthood. It’s so important during their development can based on good values.”

Mr Ray Swann, Head of Drama

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he verge of stepping into that the people around n help them make decisions

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Nurturing a gre “W

e believe that each student must feel safe and supported in order to be available for learning.”

Mrs Mara Vanderzeil, Head of Student Welfare

Pastoral Care Yarra Valley Grammar students thrive in a supportive and affirming environment where individuals are known and acknowledged for their unique contributions to our School community. Our goal is to develop independent, resilient and confident young people whose experience of school is a positive one.

Balanced and mutually respectful teacher-student relationships ensure that our students are known as individuals. Our team of staff and a positive atmosphere amongst the students ensure that there are always people around to encourage our students to achieve success and to bounce back from disappointment.

Right from the start, Yarra Valley Grammar encourages the ‘Yarra Spirit’ in our youngest students – displaying our core values of respect, understanding, and concern and action for others.

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Through a number of specific opportunities, the Junior School’s pastoral care program teaches students about their local community and the wider world, and how they can be active members of both. Genderspecific and other formal programs such as buddy activities and leadership opportunities encourage our students to develop positive relationships.

Our secondary students have a number of transitions to make as they begin their secondary education in the Middle School and later step into adulthood, while embracing all the joys and responsibilities of these new stages. At all year levels, students develop relationships with specific teachers who can monitor their progress. At Years 7 to10 personal development is taught through physical education and health subjects, complemented by activities such as peer-support programs, guest speakers, theatrical presentations and outdoor education.

Effective pastoral care is the result of an ongoing partnership between home and School.

Regular opportunities are offered for parents to meet with staff to discuss their child’s progress.

Dedicated staff provide a framework for the pastoral care program, however it is delivered by the whole School community working together to ensure the best outcome for each individual.

Working with our Educational Psychologists and other professionals, our teachers develop knowledge and strategies for reaching out to our young people. Specific action plans are developed in partnership with parents for those students needing extra care so their progress can be monitored.

eat mind and spirit.

Spiritual Learning Yarra Valley Grammar is a school in the Anglican tradition and we are committed to nurturing our students’ spiritual development. Our mission is to help our students understand their place in the world, and to motivate and prompt them to do good things for others. The School’s Chaplain attends all assemblies to lead students in a time of prayer or reflection, and also conducts Chapel services at each year level.

“W

e are all created as spiritual beings. Here at Yarra Valley Grammar we provide opportunities for students

to explore this aspect of life and discover ways to express it.”

Mr Paul Joy, School Chaplain

Yarra Valley Grammar’s Community Links Program provides a focus for our students’ personal development as they learn first-hand about caring for and serving others. Students at all year levels engage in a range of activities and community service opportunities – often initiated by the students themselves - that broaden their knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing many people in our community.

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It is great to be fi T

he School’s impressive sporting facilities include extensive playing fields, a Physical Education and Sports Complex,

eight tennis courts, a floodlit hockey pitch, netball courts,

two gymnasiums, weights rooms and A heated swimming pool.

Sport and Outdoor Education

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Wherever you turn at Yarra Valley Grammar, you will find impressive sporting facilities and active students because we believe physical activity is an essential ingredient of a healthy lifestyle.

The School’s sporting and outdoor education programs are designed to foster team work, co-operation, self-discipline, resilience and a commitment to physical fitness and wellbeing.

Beyond the sports program we support the development of independence in our students with camps and Adventure Days that also encourage an appreciation for the natural environment. Students participate in camps from Years 2 to12 at various locations, including Wootton Lodge – the School’s ten-hectare outdoor education property in central Gippsland.

The sports program begins in the early years with the graduated motor skills program and swimming, while House sports enable all students to compete at a school level. From Years 6 to12, students compete in an interschool competition, choosing from a wide variety of summer and winter sports with extra opportunities to participate in canoeing, kayaking, equestrian, snow sports and golf.

In the Junior School, the outdoor education program focuses on extending and enhancing classroom learning with practical, hands-on experiences outside the classroom. Students begin with an overnight sleepover in Year 2, then progress to longer camps in a variety of natural environments.

Year 7 students begin their year with an orientation camp, while each Year 8 tutorial group spends a week at Wootton Lodge where they expand on their environmental studies in the classroom by examining the natural environment. A retreat and a journey-based camp are offered at Year 9 where the focus is on being a better self. VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies, and VCE Physical Education are offered to students from Year 10.

The Year 10 community-based program sees students working with those facing severe challenges such as unemployment and homelessness. Along with Year 11 students, they may also participate in optional camps during holiday breaks such as skiing, white-water rafting or scuba-diving.

fit and healthy.

“W

e ask ourselves: What are our students doing in year 13 and beyond? The sports program gives

them a great experience and builds self-esteem. It helps them to say ‘yes’ to physical pursuits later in life.”

Mr Bryan Harper, Director of Sport

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Creating great The Arts and Cultural Exchange Creativity develops robust and independent thinking.

By imagining, developing and creating, students learn to take inspiration from the world around them and to develop a resourcefulness that can be applied to many other aspects of their lives and learning. Our School has a strong tradition of student involvement in the visual and performing arts, with many students going on to successful professional careers in their respective fields.

“S

tudents are captivated by visual information – from the internet,

television, advertising… They need the skills to be able to filter that information and decide what is useful or important. The study of visual arts gives them these skills.”

Ms Sara Valentino, Head of art and design

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Performing Arts We value the role of the performing arts in developing students’ confidence and self-esteem, as well as essential skills such as team work, time management and self-discipline.

Music is taught at all year levels from the Early Learning Centre to Year 8 and is offered as an elective in Years 9 and 10.

All Year 7 students study an instrument during music classes, culminating in a performance at the Year 7 Music Festival.

Technology is also integrated into the music program, with students learning how to create music in a studio setting. Drama is a core subject for students in Years 7 and 8 and is available as an elective in Years 9 and 10.

Drama students also attend live professional theatre productions and workshops run by actors.

VCE Music and VCE Drama and Theatre Studies are both offered in the senior years.

Countless opportunities are available for students to involve themselves in the co-curricular program. From our large scale School Production through to smaller, more intimate presentations, students can create, prepare and perform for an audience. They play key roles in every aspect of our productions, from concept development, scripting and costume design, to music direction and performance, acting, front-of-house and more.

Many of these performances are presented in the School’s George Wood Performing Arts Centre – an outstanding venue with seating for up to 900 people.

The many bands, choirs, ensembles and the School Orchestra enable students of all standards to participate and to engage with their peers in other year levels. An extensive private tuition program is offered to students who wish to specialise in a particular instrument.

opportunities.

Visual Arts

Cultural Exchange

The study of visual arts complements students’ wider learning through the development of creativity and perspective, which enhances their problem solving skills and ability to process visual information.

Art is taught as a core subject from Prep to Year 8 and as an elective in Years 9 and 10, while a variety of design and technology, and visual art subjects, including the Certificate IV in Design, are offered at the VCE level.

Yarra Valley Grammar students who participate in our short-term international exchange program say that it is an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives. International exchanges challenge students academically and broaden their understanding of other cultures, nationalities and ways of life.

Outside the classroom, the art curriculum features a range of experiential programs and exhibition opportunities, each providing valuable experience for students in putting their work on display and receiving feedback.

Our artist-in-residence program allows students to collaborate directly with a professional artist to create a work to be displayed in the School’s grounds.

We have a sister-school relationship with Johoku High School in Hiroshima, Japan, and a short-term cultural exchange is available to Years 9 and 10 students. Our second sister-school relationship is with Pinghu High School in China where the exchange program supports our Chinese (Mandarin) language offering. A short-term language and cultural exchange is offered to Bordeaux, France, and an Indonesian language trip to Malaysia provides students in Years 10 and 11 with the opportunity to practise their skills.

“M

usic at Yarra Valley Grammar provides opportunities for

students to have fun and express

themselves. studies also show involvement in music helps to develop self-confidence and improve capacity for academic performance.

The opportunity to mix with, and be mentored by older students is really valuable for their development.”

Mr Scott Templeton, Director of Music

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Where to next?

“I

often reflect on how fortunate we were at Yarra Valley Grammar with all of the resources we had available

to us – and often took for granted. The Carter and Pascoe Resource Centres, the sporting and performing

arts facilities, the co-curricular program of exciting opportunities and adventures – they shaped our time at the School and helped lay a wonderful foundation for us all.

It is now rewarding to manage a charity that helps provide less fortunate children with the same opportunities to grow, develop and excel.”

Mr Paul Singer, Past Student (1995), Operations Manager to the Governor-General; General Manager of Make A Mark Australia

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Yarra Valley Grammar students are a diverse group of young people, so it is no surprise that our past students can be found in all walks of life. From flying a plane to writing a novel, performing for an audience to performing surgery, volunteering overseas or serving the community, the definition of success is unique to each individual.

Our students consistently achieve great academic results and nearly all go on to tertiary education, mainly to the University of Melbourne, Monash University and RMIT University. We support our students through the VCE subject selection process to ensure they meet tertiary entrance requirements and maintain the broadest choice of pathways possible. Each year our graduated students commence courses in areas as diverse as Agriculture and Environment, Commerce and Management, and the Creative Arts, among many others, demonstrating our ability to prepare students for careers across an outstanding breadth of possibilities.

But school is not just about results. Families who join the Yarra Valley Grammar community become members for life.

Regular opportunities to stay in touch with fellow students are offered through the Past Students’ Association, past students’ sporting teams and informal networks, as well as opportunities to be involved with the next generation of Yarra Valley Grammar students.

It is a unique community of staff, students and families – past and present – who continue to offer their enthusiastic support for our School.

“M

y journey with Yarra Valley Grammar started in February 1966 when I

began as a Foundation student.

My cohort still gets together several

times a year and we often recall past feats from those days when we were always the senior year. My association with the School continues to this day as a Board member and as a parent of three children who all started as Preps. They have formed as strong a friendship with their peer groups as I continue to have with mine and, as a parent, it is great to watch.”

“T

he physical facilities that my children enjoy at Yarra are a substantial improvement on those I enjoyed all those years

ago. But the School is more than buildings – it is the relationships formed between staff and students that forms the fabric of the place, and it is great to see that this tradition continues today.

I’m really proud that the School continues to be such a very welcoming and inclusive place.”

Mr Nicholas Brooke, Foundation Student, Parent and School Board Member; and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

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W

e look forward to welcoming your family into our community to enjoy the benefits of a School that

believes great teachers are at the very core of delivering

a great education complemented by great opportunities to achieve individual success.

Take the tour.

Learning more about our great School is easy. You can contact our Marketing and Admissions office, visit the website or, because seeing is believing, come and visit us. Simply contact the Director of Marketing and Admissions to make an appointment or join one of our regular tours at an Open Morning or Tour Opportunity.

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Contact the School Telephone: +61 3 9262 7700 Email: admissions@yvg.vic.edu.au Website: www.yvg.vic.edu.au

Yarra Valley Grammar Kalinda Road Ringwood Victoria 3134 Australia Telephone +61 3 9262 7700 Email admissions@yvg.vic.edu.au www.yvg.vic.edu.au ABN 44 004 584 552 CRICOS NO. 00356E