Officially opened in 1990, Rowville Secondary College Western Campus started with approximately 180 students in years 7 and 8. Now, its student population has grown significantly. It hosts years 7 to 12 in General Excellence and the Maths and Science Academy.
Rowville Secondary College is unique. It is divided into two campuses. These are located a few minutes apart by shuttle bus. The Western Campus focuses on General Excellence and the Maths and Science Academy. The Eastern Campus caters to the Sports Academy and Institute of the Arts.
Did you know that Rowville Secondary College Western Campus is in suburban Rowville? It sits among some well-presented streets. The buildings and classrooms are reasonably clean.
Inside, you can find a lot of student posters. These ads for activities give some insight into the school’s culture and personality. There are posters in many classrooms. They display expected behaviours and values.
Interestingly, free food and fruit are sometimes available for students. You can find it at reception and in the library. This is provided partly by the Foodbank. It helps students in need.
Rowville Secondary College Western Campus has a Positive Behaviour School approach. They are introducing a new points system. It assigns points for academics and behaviour. This helps students take responsibility for their learning.
For Year 7 students, there is a dedicated building. It keeps them somewhat separated. This helps them settle in. There is also a separate outdoor area just for Year 7.
Early in the year, Year 7 students go to camp. It is a two-night camp at Cape Shank. Attending camp helps the new kids bond.
There are many clubs at Rowville Secondary College Western Campus. The school also offers Friday morning activities. These are student-led and offer leadership opportunities. One such activity is breakfast club. It takes place in the library every Friday.
Every morning, students spend 20 minutes with their learning mentor. In Year 7, learning mentor groups include students from all houses. From Years 7 to 12, groups are vertical. They include students from multiple year levels.
As Rowville Secondary College has two campuses, students can take electives on either campus. The college offers all senior pathway options. These include VCE, VM, and SBAT. SBAT stands for School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
Rowville Secondary College is not strictly zoned. It accepts students from out of zone. However, academies for sports, arts, math, and science are select entry. The Sports Academy is for elite athletes. Many students get drafted into the AFL.
The Maths and Science Academy is also select entry. There is testing prior to entry. But current Rowville Secondary students do not require testing. They must show an interest and passion for the subjects.
Each Year 7 class has a maximum of 26 students. There are four Year 7 classes for General Excellence. There is one Year 7 class for the Maths and Science Academy.
Students in the Western campus can still participate in performing arts, music, and sports. These are part of the core curriculum. There is also a school production every year. Students can perform or work backstage.
An indoor pool is on site. Paul Sadler Swimming School rents it out every morning until 11 am. This creates a community feel. Parents with toddlers walk to and from swimming classes.
Rowville Secondary College Western Campus also has a high abilities program. It supports students who excel. If students struggle, they receive help too.
The school takes bullying seriously. When incidents occur, families and mentors get involved. The school also has a well-being coordinator. It has mental health staff and a well-being dog.
Rowville Secondary College Western Campus strives to provide the highest quality education. It aims to help students become confident and ready for success. Positive attitudes to learning come from vibrant and exciting programs. The college staff work closely with parents and the community.