Vision, Mission, Principles and Policies
Our vision is to develop aspiring young people with confidence and character.Mrs Kristy Kendall, Principal
Mission
We will empower our students through academic and personal growth so they will thrive in their future.
Educational Philosophy
Our overarching educational philosophy, Project Shine, sits atop four pillars - Academic Growth, Personal Growth, Empower and Thrive - to create a holistic and enriching learning and wellbeing experience for students. Each pillar is viewed as integral to developing young people with confidence and character and are equally important in a young person’s development.
Project Shine is informed and shaped by educational neuroscience, developmental psychology and the future world of work to inform decisions in a child’s educational journey that enable skills such as collaboration, problem-solving and innovation that enable them to thrive in the world beyond our gates.
Individual growth along each of these pillars is underpinned by the focus and support of developmental milestones in social, cognitive, moral and emotional development that occur throughout a young person’s life and enable them to become curious and self-aware individuals.
See how each of our offerings at Toorak align with these four pillars in the educational journey of all our students.
Academic Growth
Personal Growth
Empower
Thrive
Academic Growth
CURRICULUM AND LEARNING SKILLS
Our Academic Growth pillar equips our students with an academic foundation that gives them the skills to inquire, explore and innovate. Our broad curriculum develops critical and creative thinking through our explicit and immersive teaching practices. We track and communicate student progress through metrics that involve both performance and potential data markers to ensure ongoing growth, extension and enrichment of every student. By exploring the interconnectedness of various subject specialities, alongside the world beyond our gates, students gain a broader perspective and develop curiosity, adaptability, and a sense of achievement.
BROAD CURRICULUM SKILLS
English
Mathematics
Science
Health and Physical Education
Languages
Humanities
Commerce
Technologies
The Arts
SPECIALIST SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Growth Mentoring (Year 3 - Year 8)
Agile Learning (Year 7 - Year 10)
LEARNING ENHANCEMENT
Specialised Focus Groups (Prep - Year 8)
Group and individualised student sessions (Year 5 - Year 12)
ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS
Global Academic Challenge
Swinburne Space Challenge
Model United Nations…and many more
Personal Growth
WELLBEING AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Our Personal Growth pillar focuses on the comprehensive development of our students, encompassing their physical, emotional, moral and social development. We view all of our students as capable, competent and full of potential, and to help each of them realise this, we offer tools, resources and support to enhance their health and wellbeing. Our curriculum is designed with age-appropriate programs that aim to promote emotional and social awareness and are informed through self-report data that identifies students needs, as an individual and as part of a community. The key objective to enhancing an individual’s personal growth is in fostering attitudes, behaviours and capacities that create well-rounded, perceptive and healthy individuals.
WELLBEING CURRICULUM & CONVERSATIONS
Health and Wellbeing Curriculum (Prep - Year 10)
Personalised Wellbeing Checks (Prep - Year 6)
Flourishing Conversations (Year 7 - Year 12)
School Psychologist/Counsellor
EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS
School Camps
Social Justice Initiatives
Community Service Projects
Youth Mental Health First-Aid Training
EXTERNAL PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDERS
Enlightened Education
Cyber Safety Project
Elephant Education
Speak & Share
Kind Schools Program
TRAG/Road smart…and more
BOARDING
Casual Boarding Opportunities
Empower
LEADERSHIP AND CO-CURRICULAR PURSUITS
Our Empower pillar is designed to build positive relationships through shared interests and collaboration that fosters a sense of connectedness and strengthens our school community. Leadership development is prioritised, empowering every student to become responsible and empathetic role models who can positively impact their communities and enables all of our students to develop a positive sense of self. Our co-curricular offering extends on the rich foundation of skills developed in our academic and personal growth programs which builds skills in managing competing demands, communication skills, problem-solving, teamwork, competition, discipline and drive. Activities such as sports, camps, clubs, music, community and the arts, enhance our student’s educational experience through personal interest, self-expression and aspiration. These skills are essential to building confidence as students discover and showcase their interests in a supportive environment.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS INCLUDING:
Prefect Portfolios
House, Sport and The Arts Captains and Leaders
SPORT PROGRAM
27 Different Sports at Development, Local, National Pathways
MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
20 Music Groups and performances
School Productions and Plays (JS and SS)
Toorak Academy of Performing Arts
Competition Dance…… and much more
INTEREST CLUBS
Art Club
Book Club
Diversity and Inclusivity Committee
Sustainability Committee
Duke of Edinburgh
Debating / Public Speaking…and much more
EXPERIENCES
House Events
TC Experiences
Thrive
STUDENT FUTURES & GLOBAL NETWORKING
Our Thrive pillar seamlessly aligns with our educational philosophy in using the world around us to inform our programs, offerings and experiences. This is showcased in our comprehensive Student Futures programs that creates harmonious synergy and helps our students work closely with industry partners, offering challenging classroom opportunities that encourage resilience, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Our students are immersed in global, pathway and career-oriented initiatives that give them the confidence to pursue their goals beyond graduation to become purposeful worldly citizens. This is further strengthened through our international student program that allows for authentic and insightful connections with Toorak students wherever they may be in the world. Strong connections with our Collegian community also provide our students with access to mentorship, guidance, networking, and career advice within a lifelong community.
STUDENT FUTURES PROGRAMS INCLUDING:
Aspire Program (Year 11-12)
Futures Specialist
Industry Immersion Experiences
Corporate Partnerships
Cadetships
Virtual work experience
Morrisby: Careers Advice & Guidance Online Platform
Student Futures Evening
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Student International Exchange
Ambassador Partnerships
COLLEGIAN GROUPS
Collegians committee
Speaker Series and Networking
Events and connections
Statement of Commitment to Child Safety & The Australian Democratic Principles
Statement of Commitment to Child Safety & The Australian Democratic Principles
Toorak College is committed to providing and promoting a child safe and child friendly environment which protects children from abuse. Toorak College has zero tolerance for child abuse and has developed policies and procedures to:
- Empower children to actively express their views and encourage staff to listen and act upon any concerns raised by children in line with the School’s policies and procedures
- Provide an environment that is committed to promoting the physical, emotional and cultural safety for all children
- Embed strategies which allow all members to acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture within our community and cultural safety of Aboriginal children
- Explain acceptable and unacceptable behaviour to staff, volunteers and children
- Ensure any forms of racism are identified, confronted and not tolerated.
Child protection is a shared responsibility between Toorak College, all employees, contractors, volunteers, associates and members of the School community.
Toorak College supports and respects all children, young people, staff and parents. We are committed to the continual development of inclusive practices.
Principles of Australian Democracy
Toorak is committed to upholding the principles of Australian Democracy as set out in the Australian training and reform regulations including a commitment to:
- ‘elected government
- the rule of law
- equal rights for all before the law
- freedom of religion
- freedom of speech and association
- the values of openness and tolerance.’