Teaching & Learning

  • Each student is allocated a House, Loddon or Terrick, upon enrolment at our College which enables them to be part of a multi-year level team.

    Our College holds annual swimming (Term 1), cross country (Term 3) and athletics (Term 3/4) carnivals.

    Each carnival enables students to compete for their House in their appropriate age group. Our placegetters and champions move beyond and into the School Sport Victoria (SSV) levels of division, regional and state.

    The College has a proud history of student success at division, regional and even state level. We continue to have student representation in swimming, athletics, cross country, golf and shooting.

  • Our College continues to provide an intensive Swimming Program delivered by fully qualified Austswim Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety instructors. Students have lessons in water familiarisation, stroke development and a water safety program. In addition there is specialised training and instruction for those children who will move beyond our own sports to the Division, Region and possibly State swimming championships.

  • The College runs an intensive Bike Education for students from Years 3 -10. The course enables students to not only develop strong riding technique but there is also a large emphasis on road safety and awareness. Classes are conducted at the College and around the local township. Secondary students have the opportunity to complete longer rides outside of the local township.

  • Our camps and excursions are seen as an integral part of the College curriculum as they enable students to explore, extend and enrich their learning and social skills development, in a non-school setting.

    Camps may have a cultural, environmental or outdoor emphasis and are an important aspect of the educational programs offered at the College. Camps are defined as any activity that involves at least one night’s accommodation.

    Excursions complement, and are an important aspect of the educational programs offered at the College. An excursion is defined as any activity beyond the school grounds.

    Camps and excursions organised through Pyramid Hill College aim to:

    • reinforce, complement and extend the learning opportunities beyond the classroom

    • develop an understanding that learning is not limited to school, and that valuable and powerful learning takes place in the real world.

    • provide a safe, secure learning experience for students in a venue external to the school.

    • personalise experiences to suit student needs.

    Our camps are currently under review, with collaboration taking place with neighbouring schools to determine a viable future rotation. The present camp program is listed below:

    • Year F/1 Local excursion

    • Year 2-6 3-4 Day Camp

    • Year 5/6 Bi-annual Canberra Camp

    The 7 – 10 camps program runs over a four year rotation. They attend a 5 day camp that will be determined by availability of camp sites.

    Camp prices are based on the number of students attending and are costed on the basis of user pays, although College Council often provides a subsidy.

    CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. Please contact the College office for further information or apply online at www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

  • HOW IT WORKS:

    Up to 10 students spend four hours every week working collaboratively with two artisan-teachers on authentic meaningful projects around the school and community. Students thrive when learning by doing – helping build strong relationships, connection, engagement, wellbeing, confidence and achievement. Students stay onsite at their own school and the methodology integrates what is happening in HoL back to the classroom.

    STAFF:

    Two artisan-teachers are employed directly by the College. Save the Children Australia’s HoL School Support team provides training, ongoing support, professional development and quality assurance. Schools become part of regional HoL networks to foster the sharing of ideas and inspiration.

    STUDENTS:

    At the end of each year students from Years 5-8 are invited to apply for a position in the program for the following year. Interviews shall then be held. The HoL program supports a diversity of students to build aspiration and realise their potential. Sometimes it is emerging school leaders improving their communication and teamwork skills, sometimes it is students suffering anxiety, or sometimes it is disengaging students overcoming challenges that impact on classroom participation and learning such as managing their emotions or relationships with others.

  • The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available to all Year 9-10 students.

    The Award is comprised of three levels each progressively more challenging

    Bronze : For those over 14 years old

    Silver: For those over 15 years old

    Gold: For those over 16 years old

    Participants are required to complete four sections at each level: Voluntary Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey.

    What impact does the Award have on a young person?

    Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our Participants:

    • Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best

    • Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices

    • Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community

    • Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement

    • Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success

    • Learn important life skills

    • Increase their career opportunities.

    For more information please visit

    https://dukeofed.com.au/

  • The Student Representative Council provides student voice and has a strong influence within the school community. Students are encouraged to put themselves forward for this extra curricula involvement. The College Student Representative Council run various days involving F-10 students troughout the year.

    The Student Representative Council is made up of: 2 senior College Captains (from Year 10), and two students from each year level 2-9.

    These students with the support of the Student Voice Teacher, develop a calendar of events through consultation with all students. Each term, volunteers from the student body are asked to join in the planning and delivery of SRC projects. The intention is to have a more inclusive Student Representative Council with the opportunity for more students to develop and demonstrate leadership each year.