Upper Yarra Secondary College Curriculum
International Exchange Programs | Camps | Student Representative Council
Instrumental Music Program | Outdoor Education Program | Drama Productions
Student Support Services and Programs | VCE Results and TAFE/University Placements
ESL and Languages | Healthy Environment
Subjects Offered and Course Outlines, Years 7 to 12
|
International Exchange Programs The college participates in International exchange programs with Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. We have sister schools in both Japan and Germany. Students from our sister schools visit us regularly. As part of our language program students are also able to go on international tours to Germany and Japan.
|
|
Students have the opportunity to attend at least one college camp per year. Camps offered include: the Year 7 Adventure Camp, Snow Camps, a bike tour, the Alpine School Camp and the Central Australia Tour. The Music Department also organises rehearsal and performance camps. .
|
|
Student Representative Council Students have the opportunity to participate in the decision making processes of the college through the SRC. Students are elected by their peers to join the Action Group which meets regularly to discuss issues relevant to the students. At the Action Group, nominations are called for and students are elected to become members of the SRC. The SRC has two members on School Council (the decision making body of the school) to represent the interests and needs of the students. The SRC also plays an important part in fund raising for charity.
|
|
The college has a strong Instrumental Music Program in which around 8% of our students participate. Students are assisted by qualified staff in the selection of an appropriate musical instrument. They receive weekly tuition in their chosen instrument and become a member of one of three concert bands. The college bands perform and compete at a variety of venues throughout the year, including the Melbourne Bands Festival. Students may also participate in woodwind chamber group, one of two jazz bands and/or the singing group. |
|
In addition to the participation of boys and girls in the Inter-house and Inter-school sporting competitions the college runs a recreational outdoor education program which operates from Year 7 to 12. Activities covered include abseiling, mountain bike riding, caving, indoor rock climbing, horse riding, cross country and downhill skiing. Students in Years 11 & 12 may choose to study VCE units 1 to 4 of Outdoor Education. |
|
The college has a strong tradition in both the visual and the performing arts. We regularly stage school productions, giving all students the opportunity to participate in a variety of roles, including: as actors, as part of the band, designing making costumes and the set or helping backstage. Recent productions successfully staged by the college include: "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Todd, a Barbaric Tale", "Henry" and "Back to the Eighties". |
|
Student Support Services & Programs At UYSC we have a strong commitment to the welfare of our students. In 2008 a Student Services Department has been created to co-ordinate a wide range of external agencies engaged to provide counselling support extending across career information, course selection at tertiary level, employment matters and welfare support. The College conducts a well established chaplaincy program. We are privileged to have the services of a school nurse for two and a half days a week. The College also operates a student mentoring program. |
|
VCE Results and University / TAFE Placements The college has a high VCE pass rate. There is a fast tracking option for students in Years 10 & 11 so that they can start VCE subjects early and maximise their chances of a high TER score, thus enhancing their tertiary opportunities. Students annually receive a wide range of university placements at Victorian Universities and TAFE institutes. |
|
The college has two qualified ESL teachers on staff. Presently students are tutored in ESL as required. We are currently investigating the establishment of an English Language Centre with the aim of setting up an intensive English Language course on campus when it is required. Students learn Japanese and German and the college runs a German bilingual program. We have native Japanese and German speakers on staff. |
|
Situated in the beautiful Yarra Valley, a well-known Victorian tourist destination, Upper Yarra Secondary College is able to provide its students with a clean, safe and well maintained environment in which they can enjoy the health benefits of plenty of fresh air and space to exercise. A wide range of outdoor activities such as horse riding, bushwalking, snow skiing and canoeing are easily accessible in the local area. |