Principal's Message

Student Programs 2023 and Beyond

In 2021, we formulated our School Improvement Plan for 2022 – 2025. One of the core goals of this plan is to optimise growth and wellbeing for every Marian student and staff member. Aligned with this, our Learning Program Change Team was formed and we envisioned what our Marian College Learning Program could look like in 2025, using input from our Curriculum and Learning Program Review, conducted over previous years. To target our planning, the Marian Graduate Statement was developed. 

Marian learners graduate with a ‘love of learning for life. They have the breadth of capabilities and skills to adapt and flourish in a complex and rapidly changing world. Inspired by faith, they have the courage to address global challenges and build the collective wellbeing of their community.

This has informed our planning and, in 2023, significant changes are proposed for Years 9 and 10. With greater choice and flexibility in these years, students will have more agency in designing their learning program. In Years 9 and 10, students will have the opportunity to enrol in semester units, both core and elective, from a diverse range of options. These electives will be pitched at different levels of challenge aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and many classes will cater for Year 9 and 10 students together. 

There will be opportunities for students to follow advanced or accelerated pathways whilst others may choose to consolidate key skills. Units within Years 9 and 10 are being designed to provide differing levels of literacy, numeracy, conceptual and thinking challenge. It is our belief that when challenged, our students will have the opportunity to make greater learning progress, experience success and exceed expectations. 

Accelerated options will support pathways to the early completion of VCE Units. Such pathways will be carefully monitored by mentor teachers, subject teachers and Learning/Year Level Leaders. Some electives may be based on an applied learning model and prepare students for the new VCE (Vocational Major) or Victorian Pathways Certificate. 

In addition to units, from across the range of academic learning areas, all students in Years 9 and 10 will participate in our expanded, holistic wellbeing program. This program is under development and aims to prepare students to optimise and prepare for challenges related to their mental health, social connectedness, physical health and spirituality.  The program should support our students to maximise their learning progress and develop as independent, self-aware and resilient young people. The approach will be underpinned by positive relationships between staff, students and families. 

To date, we have gathered input from staff and student focus groups and soon we will be distributing a survey to all students and families to further guide our planning of our future programs. We look forward to your input and support.   

I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Learning Program Change Team led by Ms Jane Goddard, Assistant to the Principal - Learning and Teaching, for their sustained efforts to provide the best educational program for every individual student.

National Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Each year schools must now complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). This process counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability. We have a responsibility to ensure that our community are informed about this process. Please read through the information that is provided in this edition of the Marian News.