Department of Education - Victoria

Alkira is a Wurundjeri word meaning Big Sky. It was chosen to highlight the place of our learning high on a hill and also the wide and endless opportunities that we make available to our school community.

The school continues to be a school of choice in the local area forcing us to manage extreme enrolment growth and transition of students across all year levels reflecting a shift in demographics and diversity of our surrounding community. This year the school enrolments have peaked at 1935 FTE enrolments, not including a number of International students and part time students enrolled in online or offsite programs. Our SFOE index is Medium at 0.4337. Our school is highly multicultural with 30 % of students being born overseas.  Enrolments also include Aboriginal students, EAL students and NCCD students. 

The School vision and statement of purpose and core values from day one recognised our responsibility to provide a personalised education for every child in our emerging community. 

To ensure we maintain our sense of community and strong relationships, our school is broken up into  sub schools and is also emerging into a senior, middle and junior school. This schools within school SWIS model helps to ensure every student is known and their personal, educational, and social needs are monitored, managed and supported by a staff of over 200. Pastoral Care is a significant aspect of the SWIS model and further supports the notion of securing the entitlements of all students. Pastoral Care has a focus on developing student learning experiences with the notion that the PC teacher and sub school support team continues to plan for student improvement.

We have embraced 21C learning and developed a range of programs and resources to promote independent learning and improved student achievement. All students `bring their own device (BYOD) and work within a dedicated Learning Management system (Compass) while having access to other blended learning resources.

Our dynamic curriculum and teaching and learning programs are supported through Professional Learning Communities and focused professional development and coaching. The College has an agreed model of instruction that supports High Impact Teaching strategies.

An orderly learning environment is created by high and consistent expectations that are guided and supported by our College non negotiables. Our agreed behaviour management processes support a student¿s right to a safe and secure learning environment, and a teacher¿s right to direct and establish such an environment. The program is very successful as it focuses on students¿ work and provides an opportunity for reflection and involves a restorative process.

Our school is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. We adhere to the principles of the Berry Street Education Model and The Resilience Project, which emphasize trauma-informed education, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our commitment extends to being ahead of the curve in supporting students with disabilities, ensuring they have access to tailored resources and opportunities for success. We also provide robust support for Koori students, honouring their cultural heritage and promoting educational equity. Additionally, we offer comprehensive assistance to students in out-of-home care, recognizing their unique challenges and providing stability and encouragement. Through these initiatives, we create a nurturing and equitable community where every learner can thrive.

Our teachers are expected to contribute to wider non curricula programs and support and celebrate our student¿s achievements. We run a system of providing course work support and extra learning opportunities outside our regular timetable.

Pathway programs are established in years 10 -12 and include opportunities for students to be involved in VCE and supplement their programs with a VET program in their chosen vocational area. 

We have developed an extensive international partnership or network of sister schools in China and India, international PD, exchange and global collaborative projects are encouraged within our curriculum and teaching programs.

Alkira is a great place to work.

 

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.