Rutherglen High School (enrolment 304) is situated in North-East Victoria servicing the rural townships of Rutherglen, Chiltern, Springhurst, Wahgunyah, Howlong, Corowa, and the surrounding farming communities. Approximately 60% 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 that values and respects their achievements. Students are expected to display a commitment to improve their skills and knowledge, develop self-discipline and initiative and to respect themselves, each other and their environment. They are also expected to develop positive relationships with their peers and teachers, and take responsibility for themselves and their education.
Students in Years 7 and 8 study a core curriculum. This involves sequential courses of study in English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, French, Health, Sport and Physical Education, Arts and Technology.
The Year 9 Program, known as ‘Future Makers’ provides Year 9 students with an opportunity to study Victorian Curriculum based subjects, and also allows Year 9 students to work on individual year-long projects. A major component of the Future Makers Program is the 2-week Future Makers Camp at Bogong Outdoor Education Centre.
Year 10 has 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 (Applied Learning) which incorporates Work Placement in conjunction with their school-based subjects.
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 VCE Vocational Major (VM) 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, interschool sports, debating, public speaking, annual musical production, instrumental music, VCE workshops and lunchtime activities. The School also operates a Year 7 Orientation Camp, Year 9 Future Makers camp, elective Torquay Surf camp, Year 10 Urban Experience, 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 roughly 30 acres 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. Members of the community can also enjoy a meal in ‘The Vine’, which is the School’s own restaurant run by VET Hospitality students with help from their dedicated teachers. The facilities within the School are also regularly used out of school hours by external agencies in order to run adult classes. 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 Rutherglen High School have an outstanding record in Interschool Sports competitions.
School Council is committed to continually upgrading the buildings and grounds. A particular emphasis is placed on upgrading resources to keep students abreast with changing technology. The School was involved in the Federal Government’s Trade Training Centre Program which included a new state of the art Woodcraft and Metalwork area, and a new extended Art area. More recently, we opened our new STEM Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) which provides students with the latest equipment and modern, flexible classrooms.
The School atmosphere is supportive, caring and friendly. There is an effective well-being and student management policy in place, supported by Sub School Leaders, Year Level Coordinators, and a Student Well-being Coordinator. A Careers Advisor is available to help students make appropriate choices in school and beyond. Our Literacy team support several programs, and are an integral part of our Transition team. Students are encouraged to utilise their Library Space to access resources and staff support before and after school, and during lunch.
School Captains, the Student Representative Council and Sporting House Captains foster student participation and responsibility. Parent/guardian involvement is welcomed and high value is placed on the home-school partnership. The School also encourages and enjoys strong links with the community.
