A Message from the Principal

I am delighted to welcome you to St. Arnaud Secondary College.

St. Arnaud Secondary College is a rural government school providing access to secondary education for students up to a 30km radius of the town. Located approximately 240kms North West of Melbourne and 100kms from both Horsham and Bendigo, St. Arnaud is a town steeped in history after being founded during the Gold Rush around the mid 1850’s. 

The main wing of the College is of local historical significance, having been built in 1875 and originally housing St. Arnaud Elementary School.  St Arnaud Secondary College was established in 1914 and has remained at the same location, adding purpose-built facilities to its extensive and well-cared-for grounds.  The College also has a large stadium which includes basketball courts, indoor cricket, squash courts and table tennis areas.

In 2020, the College has an enrolment of 134 students from Year 7 through to Year 12. Year 7 to 9 Curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum giving students access to all Key Learning Areas.  Students in Year 9 attend the North Central Trade Training Centre one day a week, which provides a greater range of subject choice in the Technology and Arts areas.  The College has also introduced a very successful and sought-after Year 7-9 Engagement Program, which incorporates the Hands-On-Learning Program for identified students.  Students in Year 10 have increased elective choice which can include early entry to VCE and/or VCAL.  The College offers and runs both the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) and VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) programs for Senior students.  We are able to provide small VCE classes, which greatly increases one-on-one teacher-student interaction.  Subjects may also be offered via video conferencing or Distance Education and usually supported by a staff member at the College.  Students undertaking VCAL take VET (Vocational Education and Training) classes at the Trade Training Centre in Charlton – with students travelling between schools via free transport services.

There are currently 16.5 EFT (Effective Full Time) teaching staff including the Principal, Assistant Principal and 2 Leading Teachers. The College also has 5.7 Education Support staff and a Chaplain who works in the school two days a week.  Our staff come from a range of areas across the state and country, including several staff from St. Arnaud itself.

St Arnaud Secondary College is a student-focussed school, with the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience at the core of what we do.  We aim to individualise the learning program for every student, laying solid foundations for a multitude of pathways beyond schooling.  We value our role within the community and aim for strong relationships with community organisations and businesses.

Student leadership and student voice is highly valued at the College.  School Captains and House Captains play important roles at the College, including student representatives on School Council well ahead of this becoming mandatory for all schools.  Students run our weekly assemblies and are given valuable leadership experiences including the national Y-Lead Conference, as well as regularly participating in the School for Student Leadership.

ICT is well utilised at the College, with the College introducing, funding and maintaining a one-to-one Laptop program since 2018.  This enables families to co-purchase each student a laptop, which is part of the College network but able to be used 24/7.  The College also utilises the Compass program for class organisation, access to and submission of student work, as well as student and parent access to feedback on all assessment items.  It also allows clear lines of communication between school and home.

We welcome enquiries to our College, especially if you are interested in joining our College Community – as  student, a parent, a staff member, community partner or volunteer.

Tony Hand

Principal