Wedderburn College

Wedderburn College is committed to ensuring each individual student has the opportunity to develop their emotional, intellectual, physical and social skills in a safe and caring environment. The College aims to develop within students a positive outlook on life, high self-esteem, resilience, a sense of community, a striving for excellence and a commitment to life long learning so they become active, responsible and caring members of a changing society.

The college motto:- "Our College believes all students are important and can be successful and we won’t give up until everyone of them is".

Wedderburn College is located in the North Central district of Victoria in the town of Wedderburn, approximately 75km north west of Bendigo on the Calder Highway. The College serves the towns of Wedderburn, Inglewood and Korong Vale and surrounding rural districts. The College is situated in pleasant grounds shaded by native trees and has bushland on its north east boundary. The College overlooks Donaldson Park and is close proximity to sporting facilities including football, hockey, netball, bowls, tennis and swimming.

The population of the area is approximately 3000 with a town population of 950. Other centres from which students are drawn are Inglewood (population 900) and Korong Vale (population 250).
In 2003 the student population has approached 300 and will be above 3000 in 2004.

In 1997 Korong Vale Primary School joined Wedderburn Primary School. Prior to March 1999 there existed two distinct schools, Wedderburn Primary School and Wedderburn High School. In March 1999 Wedderburn College became a single school, with the merging of the primary and high schools. In 1999 to end of 2001 the College operated on two distinct campuses, the P-6 Campus and the 7-12 campus.

The College in 1999 commenced master planning the development of the senior campus to accommodate all students on this site. In 2001 Grades 5-6 joined the 7-12 campus. The building upgrade plan was completed in August 2001 with the P-4 students and staff relocating to the 7-12 campus to form one College at the commencement of the 2002 school year.
In May 2002 the official opening of the refurbished College was undertaken by Senator Tschen.

The College provides a Prep to Year 12 education and has developed close links with Adult, Community and Further Education opening up tertiary options for senior secondary students. Operating as a member of the North Central Schools Cluster, which includes Boort Secondary College, Charlton College, Donald High School, McAuley College, Pyramid Hill P-10 College, St Arnaud Secondary College and Wycheproof P-12 College, the College is able to provide students with a comprehensive technological, rural and agricultural curriculum as well as a number of Vocational Education and Training units of study. Students living in outlying districts access bus travel while town dwellers are able to walk and cycle to school.

In 2002 an additional network, the North Central Schools Network was established. This network comprises, in addition to Wedderburn College, the schools of Boort Primary and Boort Secondary School, Pyramid Hill P-10 College, Wycheproof P-12 College, Charlton College and Inglewood Primary school. The core function of the network is to improve outcomes for all students in the network area and to facilitate pathways for students whilst supporting the achievement of De&T targets and priorities.

There is an emphasis, through professional development, to improve teaching and learning in order to optimise student outcomes appropriate to their level of development. There has been a significant investment in the provision of learning technology throughout the College. All rooms and the computer laboratories are linked to the Internet through a Local Area Network connected to VicOne. Video Conferencing equipment enables the College to offer 'best practice' distance education to senior students broadening the curriculum able to be offered.

The College operates a sub-school structure for curriculum and administrative purposes. Sub-school managers have responsibility for student outcomes at Prep - Year 4, Year 5 - Year 8 and Year 9 - Year 12. In the early years the College emphasises literacy and numeracy skill acquisition, the middle school aims to develop independent and team oriented learning skills and the senior school provides pathways for students to pursue post compulsory school options.

The emphasis on developing pathways for post compulsory students resulted in 2003, the introduction of the VCAL course to complement other post compulsory course offerings. This is an exciting initiative, offering all students, post compulsory choices. In association with the offering of VCAL the College will expand its offering of VET courses.

The College has developed close links with Adult, Community and Further Education and shares resources with the Loddon Neighbourhood House. The LNH will provide in 2003 the personal development strand of the VCAL course.

The College works co-operatively with the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network, (NCLLEN), to identify strategies to assist and broaden student outcomes whilst fostering a spirit of greater co-operation between various agencies, including employers.

The College offers a wide range of co-curricula activities and students are encouraged to become involved in these programs to broaden their experiences and build on skills. This program involves dramatic productions, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Instrumental Music, Tournament of Minds, Victorian Youth Development Program, public speaking, sports and debating. In 2001 the College entered for the first time, the Energy Breakthrough Competition held at Maryborough with the development of a Human Powered Vehicle. The entry has continued in 2003 and is part of the Curriculum for 2003.

Since the upgrade the College facilities have received a major boost and the College now boasts a fully networked school with data access in every room.

Students have the opportunity to foster leadership skills through the Student Representative Council which continued as the Student Leadership Team in 2002. A formal student leadership structure has been established and supportive programs have been introduced.

The College identified the importance of relationship building amongst students and staff. In 2002 the Advocacy program, building of one-to-one relationships between students and staff was implemented. Students from Years 10-12 are matched with an adult, usually a teacher. This program is a core part of school activity and has a significant impact on student wellbeing.

Contact Details

Address:	Hospital Street, Wedderburn, 3518
Phone:	54943011
Fax:	54943516
Email:	wedderburn.p12@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website:	www.wedderburn-college.vic.edu.au/
Hours:	8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday during school terms