Visit+to+Ballarat+Secondary

=Visit to Ballarat Secondary College - Senior Campus=

Our school was undertaking a review of the vertical home group structure as the targets set for improvement over the last seven years have continued to steadily decline. This created the opportunity for us to investigate other potential models that have demonstrated effectiveness. We chose Ballarat due to the issues it faces regarding it's clients are similar to our own and in spite of this they have been able to show significant improvement in their connectedness to students, as demonstrated by their student opinion surveys and the award received in relation to pathways and transition. This was a fantastic as we had the opportunity to meet the drivers of this change, as well as be part of the implementation on the day. It also gave us an opportunity to discuss with students and teachers what they were getting out of the program.

Highlights for me on the day included:
 * The wide staff understanding of students needs, backgrounds and futures they aspired to.
 * The team nature of pathways delivery in the school. Every teacher in the school had a role in it.
 * Students openly discussed the program and time given to it, all students seemed to be getting benefit from the delivery model
 * The coming together of pathways, welfare and curriculum in a more holistic model.
 * A whole staff discussion on VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) and it's processes.
 * Movement from the second to fourth quartile on student connectedness to school

Find more information on Ballarat Secondary's Program at this [|link]