Department of Education - Victoria

Yarram Secondary College offers Year 7 to Year 12 coeducation across two campuses, located 220 kilometres from Melbourne.  The township of Yarram, population 2100, is a central hub for the surrounding smaller, rural and agricultural communities of Woodside, Alberton, Devon North and Port Albert.

 

The main campus has a large site with several ovals, sealed and covered recreational areas, and garden spaces. These surround a central core structure of 25 teaching and learning spaces, an administration block, a library, an open learning space, and a two-court shared community stadium. The smaller Devon North Campus, caters for students who have disengaged, or are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education.  Our FLO campus has two teaching classrooms, a communal meeting area, a designated art space, a yarning circle and a life skills classroom.

 

YSC is a member of the Wellington Network of Outer Gippsland, South Eastern Victoria Region. It is the major destination for students graduating from the four local primary schools (government and catholic). It attracts 96 per cent of the intake pool at Year 7, with the nearest alternative secondary schools situated over 50 kilometres away. Total enrolment numbers have been relatively stable, currently at 330, but have started to decline. The projected numbers over the next few years are similar to this year with only small numbers coming through from our feeder schools. The school provides for students in the township and those who are bussed in from surrounding areas (approximately 160 students).

 

Students attending YSC, come from a range of family backgrounds, with an overall Student Family Occupation and Education index of 0.5089. There has been a notable change to economic circumstance due to the impacts of COVID, the dairy industry, and rising interest rates and this has impacted the wellbeing and provision for families. Assistance is provided through individual educational plans for Koorie students, Out of Home Care students and those on the Program for Students with Disabilities (including a specialised wellbeing and inclusion space). The current staffing profile is stable and includes: two principal class members, two leading teachers, two learning specialists and 25.9 equivalent full-time teaching staff (EFT) and 18.1 EFT education support staff.

 

While our school motto is `Learning for Life' and opportunities to `learn local, live global' are embraced. The tradition of developing the whole student through a balanced and differentiated academic program, which is underpinned by vocational outcomes, and a focus on social and emotional wellbeing continues. Our vision encompasses this tradition, 'Yarram Secondary college is a school of and for the Yarram and District Community, preparing all students to develop their social, emotional and academic skills, whilst supporting, nurturing and accelerating their ability to excel in their chosen pathway'.

 

YSC is structured into two distinct Sub-Schools; Years 7-9 Middle School and Years 10-12 Senior School. Each Sub-School has a clear focus and vision. The Middle Sub-School focuses heavily on the development of each student's academic, social, emotional and physical well-being and growth. All students in Years 7-9 participate in the Targeted Acceleration Program (TAP); a visionary reading advancement program designed by the world-renowned cognitive psychologist Dr. Carol Christenson. Students in the Middle School are exposed to all curriculum areas and participate in collaborative, inquiry subjects which build students' 21st century learning capabilities in Year 8 Broadening Horizons and Year 9 Community. All of our school curriculum is based upon the Victorian Curriculum, as set out by VCAA.

 

The Senior Sub-School has a clear focus on providing the best possible pathways for all students; whether this be tertiary study, further training, or employment. Senior Sub-School pathways include the Victorian Certificate of Education, which includes a range of Vocational Education and Training options (on and off site), and a Vocational Major. Some of our students also complete VCE units via online delivery methods through Virtual Schools Victoria (VSV), and the Victorian Virtual Learning Network (VVLN).

 

Enrichment opportunities are provided at YSC through art, music, chess, instrumental music, performance, productions, leadership, public speaking, camps and excursions, sport, and external online and residential academic programs in global citizenship, Maths, Science and Engineering.

When global connections are reintroduced, students will be exposed to cultural enrichment through our Sister School program in China, which involves reciprocal exchange visits, the Victorian Young Leaders to China, the Victorian Young Leaders to India program, and a biannual USA STEM Study tour, which incorporates learning opportunities at NASA. Our Year 12 students will also be offered the opportunity to take part in an end of secondary school trip to Cambodia to undertake humanitarian and environment work.