“Teaching is the connection between relationships and content. We need to shape the content in a way that engages the kids, but this only works if relationships have been built between teacher and student. Strong, positive teacher-student relationships provide the basis for high expectations that every student will engage with the content, work hard and produce their best effort.”
– David Reynolds, Principal at Melton Secondary College
SCHOOL LOCATION: METROPOLITAN
TEACHING STAFF: 90
STUDENT ENROLMENTS: 1,036
SCHOOL ICSEA VALUE: 930
ENROLMENT GROWTH OVER LAST FIVE YEARS: 30 PER CENT
DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS: 57 PER CENT IN BOTTOM QUARTILE
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS: 4 PER CENT
STUDENTS WITH A LANGUAGE BACKGROUND OTHER THAN ENGLISH: 30 PER CENT
Principal David Reynolds recognises that implementing a range of specialised programs to support the learning of a growing and increasingly diverse student cohort, coupled with high quality professional practice, is critical to the school’s success.
Melton Secondary College lies in the outer west of the greater metropolitan Melbourne area. The school has grown significantly over the past few years and this growth expected to continue – the current population of just over 1,000 is projected to almost double by 2020.
Furthermore, the college reflects the increasing diversity of the community, with over 25 languages spoken by students.
The school’s vision is for all students to learn at the highest level possible within a community of learning that fosters the growth and development of the whole person. The central part of its mission is a curriculum that ensures students flourish into adults, citizens and employees with the intellectual, social and emotional skills necessary for success in the 21st century.
Seventy per cent of students entering Year 7 are below the expected levels of achievement in literacy and numeracy, but performance measures are showing improvements with NAPLAN and senior secondary results moving in an upward trend.
The school believes that positive wellbeing is the foundation of academic achievement.
Many students at the school have experienced trauma. According to David, “Students bring not just the standard adolescent issues, but for many, they have been betrayed by adults. Not all the kids have received unconditional care and love and we need to understand what that means for their education journey.”
In addition to the school’s focus on positive relationships, Melton Secondary College offers support to all early career teachers through its mentor-mentee program, in which all first-year teaching staff are paired with an experienced teacher who teaches the same subject. The support provided through this pairing includes structured fortnightly meetings to discuss teaching strategies and adjust to the routines of the school.
Melton Secondary College has been a Teach For Australia partner school since 2012, hosting 13 Associates to date.
