_School
|name | Eltham College of Education
|image |
(commonly shortened to just
Eltham College) is a private
high school with an enrolment of approximately 1,200 students. It is situated in
Research, an outer suburb north east of
Melbourne,
Australia. The current principal is Dr. David Warner. Notable graduates of Eltham College of Education are
Blair McDonough, former star of the Australian television show
Neighbours and
Emelia Rusciano, a finalist on Channel 10's
Australian Idol.
Campuses
The school is currently divided up into two campuses. One is based in Research on the same ground as the administration offices and focuses on years from
kindergarten through to Year 12. Only some of Year 9 is completed in the Research campus. The other campus is based in
Flinders Lane in the
Melbourne Central Business District. It focuses purely around Year 9 students and preparing them for life in the city should the students career path be based there.
Despite these intentions, the entire Year 9 program has recently come under criticism by parents and students alike, due to the fact that students are basically free take advantage of the "Self directed learning" to muck around, and waste time, with zero consequences. This has been claimed due to the lack of motivation given from the teachers, who tend to set vague rules and guidelines, and then simply wash their hands clean of responsibility.
Swiper's Gully restaurant
Eltham College of Education is known for being one of the few schools with its own
restaurant across the road, better known as "Swiper's Gully". This restaurant is predominantly student run, functioning during most days as a café, and most nights as a restaurant. Employees can either work in the kitchen, making the meals (back of house), or can serve the meals (front of house) as part of their
VET in the VCE qualification for
hospitality. The menu changes termly and features an entreé, main and dessert, with a variety of wines produced on site and produce also available.
Curriculum
Music
Music at Eltham College has become a rather large part of the curriculum. Classes based around music are organised in the
kindergarten year. Throughout the junior years students are taught to play
recorders as well as song and dance. In the latter years of the junior program students are taught about
music technology.
[Music in the junior years ]
From years 7 and 8 students learn about instrument construction, the role of music in
films,
percussion performance, an introduction to
song writing, the history of
pop and
rock music and computer music composition. In Year 9 music becomes a partial elective (students must choose two of music, art and ceramics) and from Year 10 onwards music becomes a complete elective.
[Music in the middle years ]
The
VCE music course is based around being able to create a solo performance as part of the assessment. Music also offers two certificates separate to the VCE program which involve developing skills for the music industry.
[Music in the senior years ]
Outside of classroom lessons, private instrumental classes are offered to students. These are run either before, during or after school hours.
[Eltham College private instrumental lessons ]
Eltham College also has a competition based around music. Each year students compete in their houses for the Pitcher Trophy. There are four different events the houses must compete in. These are an
instrumental performance, a
chamber music item, a
dance routine and a
chorale. Eltham invites external adjudicators to judge the performance of the acts. The event takes place annually at
Hamer Hall in the Melbourne Arts Centre.
[Eltham College House Music ] There is a singing competition that takes place each year.
[Eltham College singing competition ]
Sport and physical education
Inter-school sport
The physical education program is offered to all students from Prep to Year 12, with students being able to compete in inter-school competition from Grade 3, with compulsory participation from Grade 5 up to and including Year 10. Grades 3 to 6 play many of the same sports as the secondary students. Although, these sports often have slight rule and equipment modifications to cater for their ages.
[Eltham College sport and physical education philosophies ] Most of the sporting venues are on campus including
playing fields,
tennis courts and a
basketball court. A hockey pitch is being planned for construction in the near future.
In the primary years (Grades 3 to 6) Eltham is part of the
Eltham District Primary School Sports Association (EDPSSA).
St. Thomas Apostle,
Eltham North Primary School,
Eltham Primary School,
Eltham East Primary School,
Research Primary School and
Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School are also in the district league.
[2]
In the secondary year (Years 7 to 12) Eltham is a founding member of the ACS (
Association of Co-educational Schools).
Westbourne Grammar,
St Leonards College,
St. Michael’s Grammar,
Loyola College are also members of this district league.
Overnewton College and
Thomas Carr College joined the league in
2003.
[3]
The schools policy of forcing students who have little to no interest in inter-school sport to attend against their wishes is considered by many to be unethical, this policy has met them with much criticism and many acts of defiance. The most famous instance of this occurred when a senior school boy was suspended for "wagging" sport. The student protested by putting up signs commenting on the schools desire for total conformity. Though the school viewed his actions as "over the top" there were many who applauded his efforts to free students from having to attend inter-school sports.
B-Team
Eltham College is also home to the mighty famous B-Team, who couragouesly lost the
2007 grand final to
Overnewton College in a thrilling match, but who live on in the echoes of Eltham College sporting history.
References