CBC St Kilda Futures 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can you provide an update on the changes coming to the school next year?
We look forward to an exciting new era for our school. After a period of research, consultation and consideration of our context, the model of learning for our reimagined school next year will be a flexible model of co-education from Years 7-12.
We look forward to welcoming all girls to be part of this new chapter.
Whilst the move to a co-education model is a change, there are many things that will remain.
We are still a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, a school established in 1878, which, for most of those years, was known as Christian Brothers College or CBC St Kilda. We are still governed by EREA.
We are still a small school, a school of social justice, community and diversity. We still have thousands of Old Collegians, rich traditions and a proud history. We are still a school that values the arts, academia, sports and technology. We are still a school who knows and values each and every student.
Q. When will be name change be announced?
The College Board, EREA, Catholic Education Melbourne and the Archbishop have approved our new name so we are almost through the process. Students, staff, parents and friends, Old Collegians and the Parish community have been consulted. The new name will be announced in a matter of weeks.
Q. Which education model will be followed?
The flexible model of co-education from Years 7-12 focuses on individual student needs rather than assumptions about gender - where teachers know their students and how they learn. Priority will be placed on developing high-impact, research-based strategies with our staff, and strengthening student relationships and their sense of belonging.
Understanding our unique context, the flexible model is preferred. Here, gender groupings may occur based on interest studies, research and data, English text choice, Sport choice and health topics. Mostly, girls and boys will be learning together, as creative innovators, independent thinkers and collaborative problem solvers. Other groupings may be based around learning needs, independence levels, interest and pathways.
Q. Which campus will my child be based at?
The arrangement of year levels across the campuses has been planned in order to best use the unique features of each campus to maximise learning opportunities for students.
Years 7, 8 and 10 at Edmund Rice Campus (Westbury St)
Features of this model:
• Year 10s will be campus leaders and mentors to younger students
• Edmund Rice Campus will be the students’ home campus
• There will be some supervised travel across campuses for specialist classes
Years 11&12 at Presentation Campus (Dandenong Rd)
Features of this model:
• Years 11&12 will access the new Senior Study Centre
• Presentation Campus will be the students’ home campus
• There will be some travel across campuses for specialist classes
Q. What is happening with the Year 9 Program and Balaclava Campus?
Our Year 9 Program is an important and long-standing part of each student’s journey at CBC St Kilda. In 2021, the Year 9 Program embarks on an exciting and invigorating new phase. The reimagining of our school provided the impetus to conduct a detailed review of the Year 9 student experience. From this review, a rich and distinctive Year 9 Program has been developed that maintains traditions and builds on the strengths of the current program.
This program, called the Year 9 Nobilitas Program, has been designed specifically to cater to the specific educational needs of Year 9 students. With a strong focus on leadership, independence, community, student choice, collaboration and authentic learning, students will be supported to grow and thrive as they move through this exciting stage of adolescent development.
The program operates separately to the main school, with its own timetable and a dedicated team of Year 9 teaching staff. To enhance the experience for all students, we have taken the decision to conduct our innovative Year 9 Program from the newly renovated Rahilly Centre on our Presentation Campus. Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to our Balaclava Campus which has supported our Year 9 students since Semester 2, 2008, we strongly believe that the educational, social and development opportunities for girls and boys are far superior on our newly renovated campus. We are excited about the new opportunities afforded to us through flexible learning spaces, modern classrooms, cooking and technologies facilities, student gardens and a separate recreational area. The centre will enhance the experiences available to our Year 9 students while keeping them entirely independent of the rest of the College, while being just a stone’s throw away.
In Terms 1, 3 & 4, students will undertake curriculum studies alongside their chosen Interest Studies. In Term 2, students will take part in the newly developed Connect Program which will replace a number of curriculum subjects. We are excited to offer this unique and revitalised program to our students.
Q. What is happening with the school’s re-registration?
The school has submitted its application to amend its registration to become co-educational to Catholic Education Melbourne and the Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority. Preparing the application was a lengthy and comprehensive process which allowed us to ensure we have all our checks and balances in place. We now wait for our final approval from VRQA.
Q What has been happening so far to get the school ready for 2021?
So far, we have formed specialist working parties who are researching, examining case-studies and consulting on the following areas:
- Learning and Wellbeing
- Finance and Infrastructure
- Identity
- Compliance
- Marketing and Communications
These working parties are made up of external education consultants, CBC staff, CEM and EREA consultants and directors, parents, members of the Board, Alumni, and representatives for the Parish, St Mary’s Primary School and Presentation Sisters. We have been consulting with parents, the P&F and students about our reimagined mission and vision, their hopes, their fears and their ideas. We will continue to consult for all major decisions. We are working closely with Catholic Education Melbourne to ensure we achieve our amended registration to enrol girls. We have engaged architects to develop a renewed master plan.
Q What if there aren’t many girls enrolled next year?
Our vision for education and pastoral care will be enacted from Day 1 2021. We understand that enrolments of girls may take a few years to catch up with boys and we have factored this into our forecasting. We will ensure girls have access to a wide range of educational and co-curricular opportunities, subject choices, sports programs, leadership programs, academic and pastoral support.
In the first few years, our girls will receive special attention and have regular student forums to ensure their needs are being met.
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Q Will we be able to keep PCW events like the Music Festival?
It is important to us to incorporate some of the customs and traditions of PCW into our reimagined school. Some events and traditions may be adapted, combined and retained. Where possible, we would love for the girls to help us plan how we can integrate and celebrate aspects of their beloved school.
Q How are parents involved in the planning?
We have already undertaken parent consultation sessions, parent surveys and parent information evenings. We provide our P&F with regular updates and will be attending parent meetings at PCW.
There will be more opportunity for parent consultation throughout the year, particularly in areas such as learning models, uniform and transition programs.
Parents from CBC, PCW and St Mary’s have been a part of the consultation process. If you would like to be involved, please email Jenny Knox (CBC’s Director of Innovation and College Development) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your request and details.
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Q Will we be required to purchase a new uniform?
There will be a transition period during which existing uniforms can be worn, to minimise cost for parents. At this stage the length of transition is to be determined.
No decisions have yet been made about uniform changes. Consultation will take place with students, the Identity Working Party, parents, staff and uniform designers.
Q How do I enrol my child?
For girls currently enrolled at PCW - a place has been reserved, if enrolment is sought. Families will still need to complete an enrolment form, found on the CBC website. The application fee will be waived for 2021. Please fill out forms by the end of March 2020 to help with planning for 2021. There will be an interview, although your place will not be dependent on this. Enrolments are subject to CBC gaining VRQA approvals for co-education.
For all other enrolments – Please refer to the CBC website for information.
Q How can I find out more information?
Check out the CBC Facebook page for regular updates. We will include updates on our website and in our newsletter. We are also happy to answer any questions at all if you contact us.
These Frequently Asked Questions will be continue to added to as the planning process unfolds. They will be on the CBC St Kilda website and with the regular information updates in 2020.
