AddressWantirna College is a single campus Year 7-12 School of approximately 1490 students, situated in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, about 25 kilometres from the city centre. The College was founded in 1980 and consists of a core of well-maintained brick buildings, with additional portable buildings, in an attractive garden setting spread throughout the spacious grounds with panoramic views of the Dandenong Ranges. The College facilities include a new state of the art theatre, university style cafeteria, new and refurbished buildings that incorporate flexible open learning spaces as well as landscaped courtyards.
Wantirna College draws students from both local and surrounding primary schools. Demand for places at the College has been consistently strong and as part of the enrolment strategy there is a Department of Education and Training approved enrolment ceiling of 1500 students. Most of our students walk to school or are transported by their parents or buses.
The school family occupations index (SFO) is 0.35 and has remained fairly consistent over the last four years. The Language Background Other than English (LBOTE) proportion is 0.13 and again has been consistent over a large number of years. The College also has an international student program. This program takes approximately 20 overseas fee paying students largely from China and Vietnam.
Our EFT (effective fulltime teachers) is approximately 104 teachers. There is a Principal Team of 5 (one Principal and four Assistant Principals) and 54 non-teaching staff who provide support to both the teaching staff and students. This support covers Administration, Library, Science, Integration, Learning Support, Quick smart, Food Technology, Facilities, Gardening, School Nurses and ICT.
We operate two sub schools, the Middle School 7-8 and Senior School 9-12. Each sub school has its own administration, overseen by an Assistant Principal and Leaders of Sub school and operates within its own pedagogical guidelines. There is a strong and consistent whole school approach to welfare and discipline with an emphasis on emotional intelligence.
Students in Year 7 and 8 experience a core curriculum based around eight learning areas. The only choice in terms of subjects is LOTE where we offer Spanish and Chinese. This subject choice will be a factor in determining the student¿s home group. In Year 9 and 10 students undertake a course that is half elective and half core. Again, it is structured around eight learning areas. Early start VCE is accessible for Year 10 students who are achieving well. In Year 11 and 12 we offer a wide range of VCE units, comprehensive VCAL and VET programs.
The Wellbeing Team at the College is well supported through a range of Education Support Staff, including 1.5 Mental Health Practitioners, two Student Wellbeing Social Workers, two First Aid Officers, along with several placement students undertaking social worker work experience. The team support and run a number of key areas within the school including breakfast club, targeted student wellbeing interventions, counselling services for students and liaising with external services including DFS, Orange Door and Navigator, to ensure our students receive the best possible support to be successful.
