About Advance College
We are an independent school that provides innovative learning and development opportunities, that positively impact on our students and their local communities. We know that mainstream schooling isn’t for everyone, that’s why we offer an alternative education setting that is driven by an individualised approach for each of our students. The Advance College learning environment is upbeat, engaging, non-judgemental and supported by strong community partnerships. This enables each student to achieve successful educational and social outcomes, whilst maximising their vocational potential.
Advance College utilises the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) which uses therapeutic practice to inform a positive education framework. This assists staff to meet the specific needs of our students in their pursuit of positive achievements in education. This holistic program is the first of its kind to show significant academic growth in students by combining a focus on welfare, wellbeing, and proven approaches to learning.
We are also proud to be a Respectful Relationships school, a program developed by the Victorian Department of Education that sees to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. This program in turn assists to create a culture of respect and equality across our entire community.
We have adopted the school motto of ‘Be Kind, Work Hard’. Simple and clear, we strive for our students to become compassionate leaders, with strong skills in team work and independent thinking; well prepared for whatever the future may hold.
Our Vision
To CREATE change through education
Our Mission
To meet the individual learning needs of our community through best practice learning experiences
Our Values
| Courage | We understand that doing the right thing is not always doing what is easy. |
| Respect | We value diversity and treat everyone fairly, recognising individual contributions. |
| Empathy | We are kind and extend ourselves to understand other perspectives and experiences. |
| Accountability | We work hard and are individually accountable and collectively responsible. |
| Trust | We say what we mean and act with integrity. |
| Empowerment | We support our colleagues and community to be the best that they can be. |
VCAL
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a hands-on option for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. VCAL gives students practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. Like the VCE, VCAL is a recognised senior secondary qualification.
VCAL’s flexibility enables students to design a study program that suits their interests and learning needs.
Students select accredited, curriculum components from Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications, Further Education and VCAL units. There are four compulsory strands in VCAL:
· Literacy Skills;
· Numeracy Skills;
· Personal Development Skills; &
· Work Related Skills.
See below for more information about VCAL & VET.