Constantly evolving

Valuing the rich traditions of the past within the context of current educational practices and future directions. The School Strategic Plan will lead the school into the new millennium and reflects the direction for the coming years. It recognises a dynamic, energetic community of staff, students and parents which places value on a sense of individual worth and achievement, and the pursuit of excellence. The catalyst for all change will be the evaluation and critical reflection of current practices and policies to further improve the learning outcomes for students.

• The formal education program offered to students at the school covers the eight Key Learning Areas (KLAs) and is premised upon the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS); it is sequential and comprehensive in nature, culminating in some 30 studies being offered in years 11 and 12 for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and (VCAL).
• Common foundation studies in years 7 & 8 are succeeded by a structure of core and elective subjects in years 9 &10. These elective studies provide an opportunity for new experiences or for consolidating and developing areas of special interest.
• Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the formal curriculum and other related activities and recognition is given to both outstanding achievement and participation. Both the formal and extra curricular activities cater for a wide range of students' interests and abilities and student participation at all levels is encouraged. VCE results are consistently outstanding and the School community has an expectation that students will continue to achieve at a high level in a wide variety of situations when they leave the School. The majority of students pursue tertiary studies, but many others feel confident to choose from a variety of other pathways after completing their VCE.
• The School's student management and pastoral care is structured within a 7-10 vertical Sub School framework and a VCE Sub School , consisting of Years 11 and 12. This vertical structure does not extend to the delivery of curriculum which is based on a horizontal year level program in the main.
• Years 7-10 have three Sub Schools, Chapman, Brookes and Sharman, named after previous Principals of the School. Students in Year 7 enter a Sub School and stay with this cohort for their management and pastoral care until Year 10. Each of these units has a Head of Sub School and three Sub School Co-ordinators, to look after approximately 250 students.
  The Bryce Sub School consists of over 400 VCE students in Years 11 & 12. The Head of the Bryce VCE Sub School works with a team of five Sub School Co-ordinators and with the Work Education Co-ordinator.
• All Sub Schools are supported by the Student Welfare Co-ordinator.
• This successful structure is a mainstay of the School and allows relatively small numbers of students to identify with pastoral care leaders within the framework of the Sub School .
  The School's program of Accelerated Learning for gifted students operates across the full breadth of the curriculum. This pioneer program was developed after several years of research initiated by the Department of Education, and it remains a model for like programs offered elsewhere in Australia . The Music program also operates across the full breadth of the curriculum and all students are encouraged to participate in the instrumental music program. Some 350 students currently receive instrumental tuition and perform in one or more of the School's twelve orchestras, bands and choirs.
• Earlier additions to the School's basic facilities include a hall, a gymnasium, a canteen and a music wing. The School has undergone a significant upgrade and development of resources. There has been an augmentation of classrooms and science and computer laboratories. Recreational areas and the oval have been refurbished. A Performance Centre and a fully equipped technology wing have been created. These resources enable the School to continue to provide a rich educational experience
• In 2004 the Gene Technology Access Centre was opened. This 6.2 million dollar purpose built facility offers interactive learning to students and teachers, in the public and private school sectors, on a statewide basis.