THE STORY OF HOPPERS CROSSING SECONDARY COLLEGE

Opened in 1984 Hoppers Crossing Secondary  College grew rapidly and in 1989, the first year of Year 12, the enrolment peaked at 1,232, thus the College became the fourth largest secondary college in the State.

In recent years the College student population has stabilised at about 1000. The College has consolidated its curriculum foundation and is proud of its record in preparing students for tertiary entry, further training or employment.  Situated in an urban growth corridor, approximately 20 minutes west of Melbourne, the College welcomes students from years 7 to 12 from Hoppers Crossing and the surrounding district. In recognising its obligations to all students, the College community places great importance on developing innovative and challenging educational programs, through which young people recognise the value of growth through learning.  This is being achieved through a close working partnership of staff, students, parents and the wider community.

The College offers students a comprehensive and sequential curriculum in each of the eight Key Learning Areas.  In designing its curriculum, the College acknowledges the diversity of the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of its population. Students in Years 7 - 9 enjoy a balanced mix of academic and practical subjects, beginning their selection of elective units at Year 9. With approximately 300 students enrolled at the VCE level, students can choose from a wide variety of programs which will assist them in their choice of future vocational paths.  A comprehensive list of studies offered is set out in The College Curriculum Profile. An effective counselling program encourages students to select subjects wisely and so successfully complete their six years of secondary education. All students from Year 9 onwards have an Individual Pathways Plan.

To encourage all students to strive for personal excellence, a range of extension and support programs is in place. These programs include University Enhancement Studies, VCE access for Year 10 students, Bright Futures after school program for high performing primary and lower secondary students as well as Literacy and Numeracy Support Programs for students with learning difficulties.   As part of the performance management process all staff participate in the Transforming Learning Program which acts as a tool for teachers to reflect on their teaching practices.  In 2007 the college moved to a 71 minute lesson with four periods of instruction occurring each day.  All Year 7 students  form a separate Learning Community.

A broad range of  curriculum activities exist beyond the classroom, where students have the opportunity to enhance their learning in the following areas - music, art, theatre, sporting and leisure, leadership and life skills, careers and work experience, social service and  personal welfare, and other interest groups.  From 2007 selected Year 9 students will attend the Alpine School and the college has recently formed an exchange relationship with Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, California.

The College takes pride in the resources and facilities it offers its students in all areas of the curriculum, especially those gained though local initiatives. One such example is in area of Information Technology where the College Council has worked tirelessly to acquire computer, Internet and multi-media equipment.  The College Council has a commitment to regularly upgrade this technology.

The College is fully committed to the welfare of its students. To this end it has developed a  new Welfare and Management Policy and a variety of special support programs.  The Year 7 Peer Support Program is well established at the College.  Selected Year 10 students go through a Peer Support Training Program. This program complements the Year 7 College Transition Program as well as the Pastoral Care Program that operates in the Junior School. The college is involved in providing a number of Student At Risk Programs such as `Making Better Choices' for Year 7 boys. These programs complement other welfare activities such as Youth and Peer Mediation, Harassment Workshops, and Parenting Programs.

In 2008 the College developed its Strategic Plan  which seeks to identify major priorities over the next four years.  A new Vision Statement has been developed and four guiding values have been identified by the school community as critical to this vision -RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, A STRONG WORK ETHIC and COOPERATION. In 2008 the College has adopted the theme of a “Worthy Role Model”.

The College continues to reflect the close relationship it has built with its community since its inception.  This highly valued partnership continues through such groups as the Parents & Friends' Association which is an integral part of the College.  The Association positively contributes to the College by offering input into the development and evaluation of College policies.

Our educational community strongly believes that parental involvement in the College operations and in their children's learning process will positively contribute to the education of our young people. The College is in regular contact with parents through its Newsline, Annual Report Summary, Parent Teacher Interview sessions and Parent Information Nights.