Rutherglen High School Overview

Rutherglen High School (enrolment 345) is situated in North-East Victoria servicing the rural townships of Chiltern, Rutherglen, Springhurst and Wahgunyah and the surrounding farming communities. Approximately 55% of students travel by bus.

The school provides a challenging and balanced comprehensive curriculum with the flexibility to meet the needs of each student. All students are able to participate in an environment which values and respects their achievements. Students are expected to display a commitment to improvement of skills and knowledge, develop self discipline and initiative and respect themselves, each other and their environment.

Students in Years 7 and 8 study a core curriculum based on VELS. This involves sequential courses of study in the Arts, English, Language other than English (French), Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, Science, Humanities and Technology. The Year 9 program (‘9-Alive’) includes discipline based subjects as well as interdisciplinary studies involving initiative, independence and community involvement such as ‘Connect,’ ‘Farm to Table’ and ‘Construct.’

Year 10 is an elective program that allows students to pursue their interests and career aspirations. Students are able to access VCE/VET units whilst in Year 10 and there is an option of selecting a Vocational Program which incorporates Work Placement in conjunction with their school based subjects. This program articulates with VCAL and VET units. In Year 11 and 12, students can choose from an extensive range of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) studies, Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) units.

The school boasts a qualified, dedicated teaching staff committed to securing the best possible learning outcomes for all students. The school takes every opportunity to broaden students' experiences. It provides a wide range of extra curricular and enrichment programs including: excursions, inter school sport, debating, public speaking, annual musical production, instrumental music, VCE workshops and lunchtime activities. The school also operates a Year 7 Orientation camp, Year 8 Mt Buffalo camp, Year 9 New skills and Queenscliff camps, Year 10 Urban trip and a Year 12 Study Skills camp. These activities foster the qualities of: leadership, initiative, independence, self-confidence, self-esteem, problem solving, decision-making, resilience, teamwork and social skills.

The school is located on 13.95 hectares of land and provides an attractive and stimulating environment for student and community use. There are excellent outdoor sporting facilities on site including the Rutherglen Community Centre. The School is close to all other sporting facilities in the town, including the Shire swimming pool, and enjoys close co-operation and assistance from all sporting bodies. Students from the school have an outstanding record in Interschool sports competitions.

School Council is committed to continually upgrade the buildings and grounds. A particular emphasis is placed on upgrading resources to keep students abreast with changing technology. Teacher Professional Leave teams in 2007 and 2009 have advocated the development of ‘flexible, open learning spaces’ which are currently being developed using BER/ESP funds. Teams of teachers will work collaboratively in these spaces and develop teaching programs that will be implemented by using innovative and engaging teaching and learning practices.

The school atmosphere is supportive, caring and friendly. There is an effective welfare and student management policy in place, supported by Sub School Leaders, Year Level Coordinators, Home Group teachers and a Student Welfare Coordinator. A Careers Advisor is available to help students make appropriate choices in school and beyond. School Captains, House Captains and the Student Representative Council foster student participation and responsibility.

Parental involvement is welcomed and high value is placed on the home/school partnership. The school encourages and enjoys strong links with the community.

Rutherglen High School is a vital and active Educational institution. It provides a caring, orderly, and disciplined environment in which learning can flourish and be enjoyed.