Stawell Secondary College embraces the values of respect, excellence and community. The College provides secondary education to the young people of Stawell and surrounding rural areas.
Situated approximately 230 km west-north-west of Melbourne, on the Western Highway to Adelaide, Stawell is close to the world renowned Grampians National Park.
Stawell Secondary College is the only secondary college servicing the town and as such provides a comprehensive curriculum with a range of pathways to meet the interests and needs of a wide variety of students. Year 7 students enrol from nine local primary schools and study a comprehensive curriculum consisting of all Key Learning Areas. Years 8 to 10 enable increasing choice of subjects as student progress through the school or enrol from elsewhere. Core subjects are grouped together in classes to enable fluid and flexible groupings. Technology and art subjects are offered throughout the year levels.
Formed from the amalgamation of Stawell Technical School and Stawell High School in 1986, Stawell Secondary College has a rich history catering for academic, commercial and technical pathways. This tradition continues with the availability of both VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) and VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) for senior students, and access to a range of VET (Vocational Education and Training) subjects through a cluster of schools and other providers sharing physical and teaching resources. The Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network and the University of Ballarat are key partners in ensuring appropriate pathways are available for all students.
Social and emotional learning is provided through a vertical home group and student management structure. This year the school has developed a new system of sub-schools based on a house system. Students are grouped together in vertical home groups of approximately 22 students and the home groups are banded together as Houses (sub-schools). A social and emotional learning program is delivered through the curriculum where quality relationships between teachers and students are promoted as significant in developing successful learning. The Home Group Teacher becomes the key contact for each individual student and combined with House Leaders, Student Counsellor and school nurse to provide welfare support, with discipline becoming a responsibility shared with parents.
Student leadership is integral to the success of the school. The student leadership program is being further developed with the House system where students have additional leadership opportunities beyond the school captains, SRC, social justice committee and student ambassadors.
Sport, music and various forms of competition are offered within the curriculum and can also be pursued as extra-curricular activities. Individuals and teams compete in a range of sports to state level, and several bands and ensembles perform for entertainment and competition. Instrumental tuition is available and can lead to a number of music certificates
Students at the College enjoy spacious grounds and a selection of teaching and learning spaces with specialist equipment and facilities. At the core of the school the library provides books and resources to support classroom learning and provide for research and reading. An Australian Government-funded Language Centre a new Trade Training Centre are exciting additions to the school facilities. Information and communication technology is accessed throughout the College. Wireless internet is available throughout and the school successfully introduced one to one provision of personal computers from the beginning of 2012 to enable universal utilisation of the internet among other digital initiatives. Equipment for practical learning is maintained and updated to ensure appropriate and relevant opportunities are available.
Progressive recruitment of graduates and Teach for Australia Associates is enabling the College to develop a balance between new and experienced teachers allowing positive development of mentoring relationships and the infusion of new ideas.