Our College

Christ the King Campus

Christ the King caters for Year 7 to 9 girls in an inclusive, focused learning environment. Each student is valued and encouraged to aspire for excellence.

The facilities at Christ the King include a state-of-the art food technology area, dedicated art, science and technology spaces, as well as bright, welcoming classrooms with a focus on engaged and active learning.

Well-planned study groups support a rich learning environment with a focus on engagement of all students, regular lunchtime activities delivered by passionate and dedicated staff.

Our new performing and visual arts building, St Madeleine Centre,  houses music, drama, dance and other subjects and opened in 2019. Learn more about the St Madeleine Centre here.

St John’s Campus

St John’s caters for Year 7 to 9 boys. Students are challenged and encouraged to be the best they are called to be. We celebrate diversity and provide our students with a positive and safe environment to learn in.

The facilities at St John’s include a modern and well equipped library, with a range of break out spaces for use by students in and out of class, newly refurbished and welcoming classrooms with access to data projectors as well as a number of specialised classrooms for art and technology subjects and brand new Science labs.

Students are well supported by our dedicated staff in and out of the classroom via a breakfast club, homework club and free after school tutoring, as well as through a range of co-curricular activities.

Sacred Heart Campus

Sacred Heart is an inclusive senior co-educational campus educating Year 10, 11 and 12 students in a focused learning environment.

It offers a range of learning opportunities and pathways into VCE, VCAL and VET, where each student is valued and encouraged to aspire for excellence.

We encourage all students to be active and engaged members of the College community via our Faith In Action programs.

Sacred Heart enjoys a number of newly renovated facilities including a dedicated Senior Study Centre, fully resourced Pathways Centre, where all students can go for career advice and information, a Lecture Theatre with data projectors, great acoustics, modern lighting and a large seating capacity for guest speakers, debating and other intimate activities, and a Differentiated Learning Centre which provides a learning space for students require additional support.

Garema-Dumont

Garema-Dumont is Caroline Chisholm Catholic College’s 56-acre outdoor and environmental education facility located in a native bush land setting on the Moorabool River near Steiglitz in the Brisbane Ranges.

The Moorabool River provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and swimming. The property also has high and low ropes courses, a rock climbing tower, archery field, bush tucker garden as well as a range of mountain biking tracks.

On-site facilities include a dining hall and kitchen, amenities with toilets and hot showers as well as a barbeque and campfire area.

Garema-Dumont hosts a large range of wildlife including koalas, sugar gliders, echidnas, kangaroos, kookaburras, wedge tailed eagles and platypus. As a sustainable facility Garema-Dumont produces renewable energy through wind and solar power and promotes minimal impact practices.

Garema-Dumont provides easy access to the Meredith Education Area, Steiglitz Historic Park, You Yangs Regional Park, The Great Ocean Road and Otway Ranges.

We provide a wide variety of opportunities across the academic curriculum, including VCE, VET and VCAL programs, as well as a comprehensive co-curricular program, spanning sport, music, visual and performing art, drama, technology, maths, languages and Faith In Action.

Our students’ academic results are strong; 95% of our Year 12 students have gone onto tertiary education, and in 2021 our College DUX achieved an ATAR score of 98.4 and our Proxime Accessit 98. Several students were successful in achieving scholarships to leading universities including Deakin University, La Trobe University and Victoria University.

Learn more about our programs.

The College provides a rich pastoral care program that supports students as they enter high school and until they graduate the College. We value positive relationships and partnerships between the College, home and community. It provides for students in a safe, caring and enjoyable learning environment and a motivating and challenging educational environment.

The College has an established Primary Links Transition Program designed to support our new Year 7 students in helping them settle into their new environment. To us, it means welcoming them into a new community for the next six years.

Learner Mentors, Year Level Coordinators, Directors of Campus and Deputy Principals oversee the wellbeing of their students and are involved in every stage of a student’s life at the College. They offer a valuable point of contact for parents who wish to discuss their child’s progress. They particularly concern themselves with the needs of the individual and with maintaining the standards and expectations of the College.

Learn more about our Wellbeing program.

The College offers a number of extension programs, including international exchanges with schools in Japan and Italy; Aspire, our accelerated educational and enrichment program; Encore Music for students in Years 7 to 9; and a partnership with Australian Catholic University enabling Year 12 students to study tertiary subjects while at the College.

Learn more about our partnerships.

The College enjoys modern facilities that include a 6-lane indoor swimming pool, 800-seat auditorium, two libraries, a wholly-owned outdoor education campus, a trade training centre, modern Science labs, fully equipped music rooms, cafeterias on each campus, expansive sports grounds including basketball courts, a gym, and a new arts centre at our all-girls campus.

Learn more about our facilities.

We believe technology provides an innovative and inclusive approach to education. The College is a Notebook school, meaning all students are provided with laptop computers, and has data projectors in all learning spaces.

Our robust ICT infrastructure is underpinned by the SAMR Model – Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition and supported by a dedicated team. This allows students and staff to maximise a range of digital opportunities, including an onsite learning management system; online software; cloud-based applications, and Google tools.

Our cyber safety program ensures students understand their responsibilities and how to act as a good digital citizen in the 21st century.

Families are encouraged to read about eSafety for practical advice and information on safe internet use in the home and public spaces.

As a College we know how important is for us to communicate how your child is doing. That is why we use Compass, our online student and parent portal that allows interaction and ease of communication with families about students’ learning progress and achievements.

Compass allows you to view your child’s attendance, timetable, and assessments. Families can interact with subject teachers via the platform, make times to meet, view reports and order school photos. Compass provides continuous reporting so you can see how your child is progressing with the their classes in real time.

Log on to Compass.

Learn more about Compass. 

Faith – We live faith-filled lives and give thanks daily.

Acceptance – We respect and embrace the community.

Compassion – We care and do what is right and just.

Excellence – We strive for and celebrate every success.

Laudato si’ (Italian for ‘praise be to you’) is the second encyclical (letter) by Pope Francis dated 24 May 2015. The encyclical is subtitled On Care For Our Common Home. In it, the Pope laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”

As a College we are committed to the mission of delivering the encyclical’s key points, by encourage our students to get involved in activities through our Faith In Action program and other activities.

Read the full version of Laudato si’ here.

Learn about our sustainability initiatives here.

Horizons of Hope is an education framework supported by the Archdiocese of Melbourne for Catholic school communities to engage in dialogue about the distinctive nature of learning and teaching, and enhancing Catholic identity in our schools. The framework is a living document that continues to be added to with examples of practice from schools, as well as additional strategy statements in the areas of leadership, wellbeing, diversity, and religious education.

Our social justice programs invite students to support those in need as well as attempting to understand injustice in our social structures. The St Vincent de Paul Chapter and Year 12 Community Service Program encourage the practice of our Christian faith. These groups look to support both Church and local community programs and projects.

Members of the College community are also invited to participate in voluntary community service program that provides opportunities to be of service to other and to share our time, talents and social connection.

Each House has chosen to support  a different organisation as part of their fundraising efforts and Faith In Action activities.

Ambrose House – Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans

Clare House – Opening the Doors Foundation

Galgani House – Caroline Chisholm Society

Lorenzo House – Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project

Learn more about our Faith In Action Program.

The College’s Faith Education is supported by Reflection Days for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. These days provide students with various opportunities to deepen their spiritual self and relationship with God through presentations from guest speakers and teachers on topics which included morality, cyber safety, and anti-bullying.

Year 11 and 12 students are involved in the College Retreat Program, where they participate in a two and three-day program respectively, giving students opportunities to develop their spirituality and personal relationship with God.

Our Staff Faith Formation Day allows all staff to contribute to building the Kingdom of God. We are all challenged with the responsibility of welcoming all humanity and on this day, our Catholic values are explored and there is a healthy mix of discussion and questioning.

The day includes presentations and visits from external presenters from Office for Justice and Peace, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH).

The chapel located at the St John’s / Sacred Heart Campus is named after Father André Coindre founder of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, and devoted to high school and elementary school education. Class masses, liturgies, lunchtime prayer services and Religious Education classes take place here.

The Chapel was fully renovated in 2005 and was officially opened later that year.

Learn more about the Chapel here.

The beautification program of the College through the renewal of grounds and building has progressed significantly with religious artwork being a focal point and making a strong faith statement in the physical environment to all who work, study and visit the College.

Our students are surrounded by many beautiful interpretations of scripture that strengthen our Catholic identity.

Established in 1969, Caroline Chisholm Society is a charitable organisation that deliver a range of pregnancy and family support services. They support them to achieve and maintain a safe and nurturing environment, carrying on in the spirit of Caroline Chisholm, who was also concerned with the immense disadvantages and pressures facing women and families at that time.

The College supports Caroline Chisholm Society with various fundraising activities through the year.

Learn more about Caroline Chisholm Society. 

Our program at Years 7–9 is designed to ensure all students have access to a wide range of courses and learning styles in a single-sex setting. This lays the foundational knowledge, skills and understanding required for their transition into our co-educational senior school.

We offer an innovative and diverse curriculum that provides all students with opportunities for growth, skills enrichment, learning and achievement.

Our staff, students and families work together to support students to be engaged learners aspiring for excellence.

Learn more about our curriculum in detail.

We recognise that every student’s dreams, interests and aspirations are different. For this reason, we offer senior students a wide range of opportunities to identify and develop their particular goals, gifts and talents – and prepare for life after graduation.

Year 10
Year 10 is designed to strengthen students’ ability to plan their future pathways with a structure that allows flexibility and choice in a wide range of core and elective subjects. Select students can extend their learning and study Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects at Year 10.

Learn more with our Guide to Selecting a Year 10 or Year 11 Program of Study.

Years 11 and 12 / VCE

Our College offers more than 50 VCE subjects, achieving excellent results, particularly in the sciences, mathematics and technology. Students who are academically inclined can study university subjects while still at school.

VCAL

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an alternative pathway to success, which runs parallel to the VCE. It is a hands-on option for Year 11 and 12 students and provides practical, work-related experiences in both the classroom and workplace settings.

The College offers a robust VCAL program that is supported by dedicated teachers and collaboration partnerships such as Western Hospital in Footscray.

Learn more with our Guide to VCAL Study of Program – English.

VCAL Guide in Vietnamese.

VET

We also offer Vocational Educational and Training (VET) units that are designed to deliver workplace specific skills and knowledge based competencies. The curriculum delivered and assessment in these programs is based on the skills and knowledge needed to undertake tasks for a particular job or career. Students undertaking VET units can gain a nationally recognised qualification and achieve credits towards completion of their VCE or VCAL program.

Some VET units are offered at the College and as part of the College timetable include certificates in:

• Business
• Sport and Recreation
• Health Services Assistance
• Applied Fashion Design and Technology
• Music Industry
• Laboratory Skills
• Applied Languages
• Live Production and Services.

The College also offers the opportunity for students to study VET Units off-campus at local registered training organisations (RTOs), such as TAFEs, universities or another secondary college.

Inner Melbourne VET Cluster

Brimbank VET Cluster

Victoria University Polytechnic

Box Hill Institute

Kangan Institute

The following links provide more information on a variety of VET courses students can study alongside their VCE/VCAL program:

Guide to Selecting a VET Program – English.

VET Guide in Vietnamese.

VET College Handbook.

Brimbank VET Cluster Student Handbook.

Victoria University Polytechnic Course Guide.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).

Please visit the Careers Office more VET course options.

Aspire is Caroline Chisholm Catholic College’s accelerated educational enrichment program for students in Years 7 – 9. Aspire enables dedicated and high achieving students to be challenged, providing a pathway that meets their specific needs.

The program is designed for students who share a passion for and commitment to learning, have exceptional abilities across multiple disciplines and are highly motivated to reach their full potential.

Aspire promotes excellence and is delivered through a rigorous accelerated curriculum in a stimulating and personalised learning environment. Within an interdisciplinary context that poses real world problems, students explore and experience authentic and deep learning that challenges their thinking and broadens knowledge.

Aspire students can be working six to 12 months ahead of those who are not in the accelerated program, and are encouraged to go on to the VCE and university subjects ahead of schedule in their later years.

Aspire students learn through:

• Investigation, inquiry and higher-order thinking
• Authentic tasks that involve real-world learning and problem solving
• Links with international stakeholders and networking
• Team teaching
• Development of a folio of learning
• Peer assessment
• External competitions and experiences.

Aspire is accessed by invitation on the basis of academic testing and an application process.

For more information about Aspire, read our Aspire FAQs or alternatively, please contact our Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator, Ms Lauren Markovic at l.markovic@cccc.vic.edu.au

Encouraging students to participate in sport is a key part of a holistic education. Sport and physical activity can provide students with skills in leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance.

Students compete in a wide range of interschool competitions in a number of sports including swimming, golf, futsal and cross country running – and can potentially represent their region, state or country. Closer to home, they can test their skills against each other at the College’s annual athletics carnival and other sporting events. Students also have the opportunity to participate in sports they may never otherwise experience, such as cross-country skiing, ultimate frisbee and women’s AFL.

Health and Physical Education (HPE) is a compulsory subject for Years 7-9, with students learning about both sporting and physical skills, and healthy living and safety. Students can continue to study various sport and health-related elective subjects in the senior years.

All students also have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular sports including: basketball; volleyball; netball; soccer; AFL; cricket; futsal (indoor soccer); tennis; hockey; golf; swimming; cross country; track and field; and chess.

Our students not only have access to our school sporting and fitness facilities, but to nearby community facilities including RecWest Braybrook, the College’s Swimming Pool, Dobson Reserve, Kinder Smith Reserve and Skinner Reserve.

Our College is a member of the Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools and is also affiliated with School Sports Victoria.

In an increasingly globalised world, our students have opportunities to take advantage of our links with schools overseas.

We enjoy a reciprocal relationship with two sister schools in Japan – St Paul School in Tokyo and Okinawa Catholic College. We also have a relationship with Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton, England.

We receive visits from students from Japan and Italy who stay with host families from our College, providing a great opportunity for cultural exchange and for language students to practice with native speakers.

College students in Years 9 – 11 also have the option of participating in an annual study tour to Japan and Italy.

Our Outdoor Education program promotes students’ personal development while encouraging teamwork and positive attitudes towards the environment.

All students in Years 7–9 safely build on their skills year-by-year under the supervision of our qualified and experienced outdoor education staff.

Activities are non-competitive and include camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, cooking, rock climbing, surfing and cross-country skiing.

The outdoor education program aims to:

• Provide enjoyable learning situations
• Promote aspects of personal development such as self-esteem, resourcefulness, leadership, tolerance, determination and responsibility
• Promote social interaction, focusing on trust, teamwork and co-operation
• Develop and encourage positive attitudes toward environmental appreciation and protection, and encourage conservation practices
• Promote the value of a healthy lifestyle for everyday living through physically and mentally challenging activities and appropriate food preparation and planning.

Many of the activities are held at Garema Dumont – a 56-acre outdoor and environmental education facility on the Moorabool River near Meredith owned and operated by our College.

Outdoor and Environmental Studies is offered at VCE. Students investigate the range of motivations for interacting with outdoor environments and the factors that affect an individual’s access to outdoor experiences and relationships with outdoor environments, particularly through their involvement in practical recreation activities. Students develop practical skills and knowledge to help them play and live sustainably in outdoor environments.

Outdoor education costs are included in the College tuition.

Students face a myriad of subject, academic and career choices while at school. Our Pathways Centre helps them make informed decisions that lay the right groundwork for their futures.

Students who are unsure about career or subject choices are always welcome to visit the Pathways Centre to speak with the Careers and VET Coordinator, Senior Pathways Coordinator or VCAL Coordinator – as are families.

Whether students are heading towards tertiary study, a traineeship, apprenticeship or employment, the Pathways Centre can offer professional advice and assistance in the following areas:

• Subject counselling – guidance in choosing or changing their subjects.
• Pathway advice – planning what to do after graduation, with options including tertiary study, vocational education, employment, gap year programs, apprenticeships and more.
• School-based apprenticeships (SBATs) – students in Year 10 or 11 can work one day a week with an employer, undertake training with TAFE and complete their schooling at our College.
• Job seeking skills – help developing a resume and application letters, as well as enhancing students’ interview and other job seeking skills.
• Work experience – students aged over 15 years old can undertake up to 15 days a year, and those studying Industry and Enterprise in Year 10 undertake work experience as part of the subject.
• Preparing for university/TAFE – help applying for courses or alternative/special entry schemes, sourcing scholarships and everything else related to tertiary education.

The College has a dedicated Careers website that offers comprehensive information about university open days, employment opportunities for students, navigating the post-school options and a weekly newsletter that highlights key information.

For more visit www.carolinechisholmcatholiccollegecareers.com