Welcome to Cheltenham Secondary College, a learning community built on sound foundations of high academic achievement, good discipline and a strong community focus, with the courage and willingness to strive for a preferred future. All at Cheltenham are driven by the notion of achieving their ‘Personal Best’ in everything they do. Our students are wonderful ambassadors for our College, well noted for their friendliness and warmth, the strong spirit of co-operation and mutual support which exists among them, and their willingness to “have a go” at the many opportunities they are offered both inside and outside the classroom. Our student leadership structure involves over 120 students in a formal role, and we are confident they will make an outstanding contribution to our school. What makes for a ‘good school’? And how do ‘good schools’ become ‘great schools’? These are the questions which drive the constant search for improvement at our college. Education has certainly changed in recent years, with a real emphasis on research based findings around the factors which demonstrably improve student learning being at the forefront. Higher order thinking and contemporary instruction methods will prepare students well for the world they will face, certainly much different from that faced by the previous generation when they entered the workforce. As UK educator Guy Claxton states: “To thrive in the 21st century, it is not enough to leave school with a clutch of examination certificates. You have to have learnt how to be tenacious and resourceful, imaginative and logical, self-disciplined and self-aware, collaborative and inquisitive”.

These are some of the skills and attributes we are endeavouring to develop in our students as we continually evaluate our curriculum and structures at the college. Our Middle School (Years 7 to 9) is thriving this year with more new programs in place to challenge students. Our Year 7 students undertake an extensive transition program which begins well into their Grade 6 year, and continues throughout their first year at the College. Our enrichment program continues to challenge our students. Our Year 8 students continue to do well in our “Learning Futures” program. The “9C Cubed” (9C3) program at Year 9 (“City School”, “Community Service” and “Challenge”) continue to have a strong positive impact on student learning and engagement. Our Year 10 students are part of the Senior School structure with many accessing VCE Unit 1and 2 subjects. Study skills sessions have focussed our VCE students in developing firm and achievable goals, and a mentoring program is in place to help them achieve their goals. Our dedicated and skilled teaching team at Cheltenham assists all students to achieve their personal best. We are continuing an exciting period of sustained improvement at our college.

Our facilities include a new technology centre, joining recent additions of a new sports stadium and performing arts centre, science building and flexible learning space. Good schools do not become great schools by accident. They constantly reflect on their performance, and challenge themselves to improve in every aspect of their work. This is our aim, and we are empowering our teachers to lead the way. It is this belief in our staff, and our determination to continue to build their collective capacity, which will see Cheltenham go from strength to strength. We have a dedicated and skilled teaching team at Cheltenham. The academic progress and well being of each and every student is of paramount importance to us, and it is our strong intention that no student “slips through the cracks”. We aim to challenge our students intellectually, support them in their learning, and provide a safe and happy environment for them at school. We welcome visitors to our learning community, and look forward to you joining us for what we guarantee is an education full of challenge and opportunity.

Keith Muller
Principal