Werribee Secondary College
| Werribee Secondary College formerly Werribee High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Duncans Road, Werribee , | |
| Information | |
| Type | State secondary college |
| Motto | Live Worthily |
| Established | 1956 |
| Administrator | Victorian Department of Education |
| School Council President | Paul Sidouropolous |
| Principal | Steve Butyn |
| Teaching staff | approx 100 |
| Years | 7-12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Number of students | approx 1,200 |
| Campus | Werribee, Victoria |
| Colour(s) | Navy, Maroon |
| Athletics | Chirnside (Yellow) Wyndham (Blue) |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools |
| VCE (Study Score) average | 35.2 (2006) |
| Newspaper | “The Loop” |
| Affiliation | Council of International Schools, Victorian Department of Education |
| Website | http://www.werribeesc.vic.edu.au |
Werribee Secondary College is a state secondary college located in Werribee, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1956, the college recently achieved international accredication from the Council of International Schools. The current college principal is Steve Butyn.
History
In May 2004 the College was hit by a massive fire that destroyed the school's technology and textiles wing. It caused up to 2 million $AUD damage, including the destruction of students' VCE assignments. Junior students had up to 12 days off school while Portable classrooms were brought to the school site.[1]
In October 2006, the school was given wide press coverage during a controversy regarding the production of a DVD depicting violence and degradation of victims by a group of teenage boys. The film was sold under the title Munt: The Covie. Principal Steve Butyn has told the media that four students at his school were identified on the DVD, with one student being removed from the school by his parents and the others suspended.[2] Their names were also passed on to the police.
In August 2006 Werribee Secondary College received accreditation from the Council of International Schools.
Alumni
Curriculum
Compulsory Studies
- In Year 11 and 12 only English is compulsory, all other subjects are elected.
- In Year 7 - 10 all but a few (or none in year 7 - 8) are compulsory, these subjects are shown in the table below.
- LOTE is not compulsory for students in Year 9, except for SELP students.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English and Humanities | HumanitiesTemplate:Fn | English GeographyTemplate:Fn HistoryTemplate:Fn | English Economy and SocietyTemplate:Fn GeographyTemplate:Fn HistoryTemplate:Fn | |
| Mathematics | Mathematics | |||
| Science | Science | |||
| LOTE | LOTETemplate:Fn | | ||
| Health and Physical Education | HealthTemplate:Fn Physical Education | Physical Education | HealthTemplate:Fn Physical Education | |
| Technology | Food TechnologyTemplate:Fn Information Technology Systems TechnologyTemplate:Fn | Food TechnologyTemplate:Fn Information TechnologyTemplate:Fn Wood TechnologyTemplate:Fn | | |
| Art | Music Visual Art | Drama{{fn|2} MusicTemplate:Fn Visual Art | | |
|
Template:Fn: Humanities incorporates English, Geography, History and Library for Year 7 Students | ||||
Elected Studies
In Years 9-12 students are able to elect subjects. The subjects available for election are:
| Year 9Template:Fn | Year 10 | VCETemplate:Fn | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English and Humanities | |
| ||
| Mathematics | |
| ||
| Science | |
| ||
| LOTE |
|
| ||
| Physical Education and Health |
|
|
| |
| Technology |
|
| ||
| Art |
|
| ||
| VET (Vocational Education and Training) | | Students studying at VCE level are able at also study a VET subject. VET subjects offered are:
| ||
| VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) | | VCAL is a 'hands-on' alternative for students not wishing to study at VCE level. VCAL studies are not academically focused, rather they focus on personal development and work related skills. | ||
|
Template:Fn: In Year 9, students study study an elective for only one semester. | ||||
Facilities
Until recently, the College's facilities had been very poor due to a lack of sufficient funding. Following the massive fire that struck the college in 2004, many portable classrooms had to be assembled to allow classes to continue on a regular basis, this meant that well over 70% of classes were situated in portable classrooms. In 2005, the College received funding from the Department of Education for an extension (named the Shirley Cameron Centre) of the College's "Eca-Centre" (gymnasium and auditorium) which contained two food technology classrooms, two health classrooms, a canteen and a toilet block as well as new Music Centre. The construction of a new art and technology wing has recently been completed. A new school library, staff resource centre, science block and general purpose classroom block are due to be completed.
Most of the classrooms lack heating and air conditioning. Students are, however, banned from wearing extra garments with the uniform (for example, gloves) in order to keep warm, and in very few cases are students allowed to keep their blazers off during hot weather.
Select Entry Learning Program
The Select Entry Learning Program, or SELP, is a selective entry program developed to address the special learning needs of students who demonstrate high levels of task commitment and high levels of achievement. SELP students are required to sit exams from year seven right up until year twelve. It is the only Department of Education accredited, Select Entry Program in the Wyndham Region. In 2002 the first group of students who enrolled in 1997 as Year 7 SELP Students completed Year 12.
Many SELP students believe they are treated differently (in a negative way) to mainstream classes, and SELP classes are often excluded from excursions and school camps.
Extranet
In 2006, the College made an Extranet section on their website, however this only started developing and growing in 2007. The Extranet offers features such as course information, social forums (which were taken down due to students arguing against the strict uniform policy and the inability to wear scarves in cold weather) and general school information, as well as links to other websites. The Extranet is primarily run by members of staff, however a student who goes by the nickname Countess Tania also runs various forums and sections of the Extranet.
Uniform
The college has a strict uniform policy which was introduced in 1998 to try and combat behavioural problems. Many believe that this is unnecessary and that behavioural problems are as high as ever; nonetheless, the school continues to add more restrictions to the uniform. There has been some controversy involving the school uniform in the past. In 2006, the Year 12s were given permission to create a special Year 12 jumper to celebrate their final year of schooling; however, the staff later decided they did not want them to wear the jumpers as it would distract from the usual uniform.
Many students choose to wear scarves as the classrooms lack heating. The school saw this as a possible way to make a profit and banned scarves, stating that they were not part of the school uniform and that a scarf with the school logo will be available for purchase in 2008.
The college has been criticised by students and parents alike for being more concerned with the uniform as opposed to education and ensuring students are happy at school and willing to learn. Many students choose to ignore the uniform policy, believing their individuality in their teenage years are more important, bringing the effectiveness of such a strict policy into question.
Some students have reported that teachers and other members of staff have followed them home without their prior knowledge to ensure the school blazer is worn at all times. It is not unusual for members of staff to give out punishments for not wearing the school blazer, or any other part of uniform correctly, even outside of the school, in areas such as public bus stops, train stations etc.
Many students feel discriminated against due to the school's harsh policies and old fashioned prejudices against people who fit various social stereotypes. At a meeting with members of the SRC, the assistant principal Bill Hatzis revealed that he wanted to "get rid of emos at Werribee Secondary College".
Summer Uniform
- Business shirt and tie – White (Boys)
- School shorts – Grey (Boys)
- School Jumper – Blue (Junior), Red (Senior)
- School Blazer – Maroon
Bill hatiz is a fucking dickhead, if your reading this Bill go die you fat shit
Winter Uniform
- Business shirt and tie – White (Boys/Girls}
- School trousers – Grey (Boys)
- Winter skirt – Blue checked (Girls)
- School Jumper – Blue (Junior), Red (Senior)
- School Blazer – Maroon
The school trialled an elastic tie in 2007 as it was believed it looked neater, due to the fact that most students do not wear their ties done up as high as the school would like. The elastic tie trial failed, as it was discovered to be a choking hazard and many older students were found "snapping" younger students' ties. People who purchased the elastic tie are now forced to purchase the standard tie.
References
- ^ "Classes closed after Werribee school fire". ABC. ABC. 2004-5-14. Retrieved 2007-29-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Miletic, Daniella (2006-10-25). "Outcry over teenage girl's assault recorded on DVD". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
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