About Senior School

Currently 500 students from Years Ten to Twelve and fifty staff form the Overnewton Senior School.  Lifelong learning and the development of the whole person is the focus of all learning activities.

The Senior School aims to be an environment in which students and staff:

1. Live and work together in a relaxed and supportive learning environment

2. Work towards the successful completion of the VCE

3. Respect the rights of each other and understand the responsibilities that this entails

4. Experience opportunities to develop themselves in non-academic ways

5. Explore their response to the Christian faith

6. Value being a member of the OACC community

Pastoral Care

Individual care is at the forefront of every activity in the Senior School, including academia, House activities, co-curricular programs and staff-student relations. Our pastoral care model is matched to that of our vertically mixed VCE classes. All senior students are assigned to small tutorial groups composed of students from Years 10, 11 and 12. Students will remain within those groups for the time they are in the Senior School. The student's mentor will always be the first contact point between parents and the College to ensure that the mentor is able to build the rapport necessary for providing pastoral support for our students.

Mentors have developed a three-year 'care curriculum' examining the key issues facing adolescents today. This program utilizes guest speakers, discussions, debate and audiovisual material to develop questioning, enquiring and resilient young adults.

Curricular Offerings

All Senior School students take VCE subjects. At Year Ten, students take subjects that cover the vital components of the Victorian Curriculum Standards Framework as well as having the option of selecting one or two VCE courses. Year Eleven and Twelve students will take a full offering of VCE studies and may include an individualised Vocational Education Training programme or Enhancement level subjects through The University of Melbourne or Monash University at Year Twelve.
An academic enrichment program for our highly capable students has been developed in association with Victoria University.

Year Ten

The curriculum offerings at Year 10 follow a model that closely matches that of the Victorian Certificate of Education in style and presentation.  The curricular program provides a broad number of options catering to individual needs of our students.

At Year 10 subjects a semester in length.  Students choose a total of seven subjects in semester one and seven subjects in semester two.  As well as the seven subjects students choose in each semester all Year 10 students undertake the additional subject "My Future".

SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF YEAR 10.
To successfully complete Year 10 students must:

• Attain a satisfactory standard in 14 semester based units
  
• Attain a satisfactory standard in the study "My Future"
  
• Organise, evaluate and participate in a one week work experience program
  

Year Eleven and Twelve

A wide range of VCE units is offered across Years Eleven and Twelve. All VCE English, Mathematics and Science studies are offered along with a wide selection of Humanities, Business, Information Technology, and Creative and Performing Arts studies.  Nationally accredited vocational subjects in computer networking, office administration and sport and recreation are also offered to all students.

Additionally, some students will take a course of VET units through local TAFEs, as part of personalised programs that meet the needs of individual students. In the past, students have undertaken studies in Hospitality, Automotive, Retail and Desktop Publishing.

Several Year Twelve students will take enhancement level courses through The University of Melbourne and Monash University. Again, these courses are offered on an individual basis to meet the needs of particular students. In the past, students have taken enhancement Literature, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Philosophy of Science, Media and Computer Studies.