About Alexandra Secondary College
Alexandra Secondary College is situated in the rural township of Alexandra, 130 kilometres from Melbourne. It provides secondary education for students from a number of small townships/districts: Eildon, Taggerty, Thornton, Marysville, Narbethong, Buxton, Merton, Yarck and Molesworth. In line with demographic changes enrolment has fallen gradually since 2001 from 465 to 404. It is anticipated that enrolments will stabilize at around 380. At present there are 35 EFT(Equivalent Fulltime Staff), including Principal, Assistant Principal and 5 Leading Teachers. There are a large number of expert teachers but in the next few years, a number of retirements will mean the college will need to recruit.
The college is a member of the Cathedral Cluster of schools along with the Rubicon Outdoor Centre, Alexandra PS, Thornton PS, Taggerty PS, Eildon PS, Buxton PS and St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Alexandra. One initiative of this Cluster is 'TRIBES'; a social competency program established through the Innovations and Excellence program. Members of the local community including police officers and welfare workers were trained in TRIBES at the same time as all schools' staff. TRIBES is assisting in making strong relationships with the local community. Staff are also trained in Restorative Justice to support their working with students and developing their understanding of the TRIBES agreements:
Mutual Respect; Attentive listening; Right to pass; Appreciation/No put downs; Personal Best.
The economic base of the surrounding communities is in tourism, forestry, agriculture and Government services. The college is a member of the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network and within this has developed partnerships which have strengthened the already strong relationships with local businesses and service organisations. Work experience and Work Placements are very well supported and during the Charter period, an initiative has been the 'Set the Direction' pledge at the beginning of Year 10, an adaptation of the 'No Dole Pledge' program in Tasmania. The college is also investigating the possibility of a Community Based VCAL program. The MIPS program includes organised work experience and work placement.
The Middle Years of Year 7 and 8 complete a common curriculum in each of the Key Learning Areas. The Years 9 curriculum is a mix of core and elective units with students undertaking an extended unit each semester in action based learning. All Year 10 students study English, Mathematics, Traffic and Work Skills. They select 3 other units from the year 10 or VCE/VET units. A broad range of subjects are offered at VCE (including VET subjects) and the VCAL program is expanding. Other educational opportunities are provided through the annual musical production, a school band and instrumental music lessons, ski team, camps, excursions and Traffic Safety Education.
A large focus for Alexandra Secondary College in the next years is to strengthen family and school partnerships. We are currently working with families and community groups in areas such as responsible alcohol use, parenting skills and improving students' outcomes.