Yarra Valley Grammar
School Overview
Established in the heart of Melbourne’s east in 1966 and set on a spacious 29-hectare campus, Yarra Valley Grammar overlooks the Yarra Valley and picturesque Dandenong Ranges. Our students excel under the guidance of great teachers who love what they do and seek to inspire them to strive for excellence. The School offers an extensive range of contemporary opportunities and sets high standards of performance, encouraging all students to achieve their personal best.
Great teachers are able to communicate complex concepts in simple ways. They can vary the way they teach to suit the way each student learns. This takes patience, flexibility and the ability to see things from the students’ perspective. Yarra Valley Grammar’s team of teachers know their material, love their subjects and love to teach. They have a genuine interest in getting to know their students, so they can teach them effectively, encourage them to achieve their best, identify issues or problems and care for their welfare. Our teachers are also role models for our students, promoting the School’s core values such as respect, concern and action for others, and treating others as they wish to be treated.
Curriculum
Yarra Valley Grammar’s broad curriculum is responsive to individual student needs, with extra opportunities for enrichment and support. Key Learning Areas include Art and Design, Business Studies, Design Technology, English, Humanities, ICT, Languages, Mathematics, Physical Education and Sport, Outdoor Education and Science. Students study a common curriculum until the mid secondary years but beyond this, many electives are available from which students may choose. Yarra Valley Grammar offers a Certificate IV Design combined with the VCE over two years, as well as VET subjects as part of the VCE program. The School also enjoys exchange programs with schools in France, Japan and China.
Co-Curricular
Yarra Valley Grammar students enjoy a diverse range of extra-curricular opportunities, including academic, sporting and special interest clubs, debating, drama productions, private tuition in singing and musical instruments, band, orchestra and ensembles, the Community Links Program, participation in state and national academic competitions, and specialist enrichment and support programs.
Involvement in sport is expected and the School is a member of the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria. Sports offered include athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cross-country, cricket, football, golf, hockey, netball, softball, skiing, snowboarding, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. There is an extensive inter-house and inter-school sports program and a comprehensive Outdoor Education program.
Pastoral Care
The Head of Student Welfare, along with the School Chaplain, oversees the pastoral care program. Students are encouraged to accept responsibility and leadership opportunities, so they are well-prepared for life after school to contribute to society in a meaningful way. Before and after-school care programs and a holiday care program are also available.
Facilities
A unique aspect of Yarra Valley Grammar is its spacious grounds and extensive onsite playing fields, including a Physical Education and Sports Complex, tennis courts, netball courts, hockey pitch and swimming pool. Yarra Valley Grammar’s Early Learning Centre, opened in 2009, consists of three learning spaces and multi-purpose space catering for full and part time programs. The brand new Upper Primary Building is a specifically designed, flexible learning space, while the Year 7 Centre is a dedicated facility to support students in their first year of secondary school. Similarly, the contemporary Senior Student Centre provides flexible learning spaces for Year 12 students. There are also superior facilities for music, drama and dance within the School’s 900-seat Performing Arts Centre and state-of-the-art Music School, as well as two resource centres, a Science Centre, and a high-tech facility for the School’s internationally acclaimed Hearing Unit. Wootton Lodge, the School’s country property in eastern Victoria provides focus for the School’s year level retreats and some of the Outdoor Education Program.
An extensive computer network covers the whole School with wireless internet connection and technology integrated throughout the curriculum. Senior School students have access to ten information technology laboratories and two multimedia laboratories whilst Junior School students have access to two information technology laboratories and computers in every classroom from ELC to Year 6.