The Boarding Experience. Where girls excel

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1 The Boarding Experience Where girls excel

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3 Our vision Achieving excellence, inspiring futures lives. Our mission At Toorak College we lead excellence in education by providing innovative learning opportunities for individuals to strive to achieve their ambitions in a connected, welcoming environment. Our philosophy Taking the best from the past into the future. We value Learning, courage, integrity, excellence and leadership through service. Our facilities Toorak College covers 11.5 hectares with outstanding facilities, beautiful gardens and breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay. Toorak College is firmly committed to ongoing improvement of all facilities for our boarding and day students from 3 year old learning through toyear 12. The Boarding Experience - English

4 Strategic Plan Toorak College s Strategic Plan has recently been refreshed to provide a solid strategy for our School s development. Our school has a clear focus on three domains: Our School, Our Teaching and Our Students.

5 Where futures begin Boarding is an important stage in your school career, and in preparing you for a life at university. Boarding can provide an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity. Toorak College is focused on three domains: One School, personalised Learning and Quality Teaching. One School: Endless opportunities Recognising how quickly our increasingly globalised world is changing, we will provide our students and wider school community with the depth and flexibility of resources they need to achieve their personal best in whatever field they choose. Personalised Learning: Individual care Educating every student as an individual is at the heart of what we do. Getting to know each young person in our care as a learner and as a person allows us to focus on individual strengths to develop potential. We welcome you to Toorak College and look forward to establishing a long association and friendship with you and your family. Boarding is an important stage in your school career, and in preparing you for a life at university. Boarding can provide an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity. Toorak College offers a focused and safe learning environment that is essential in today s competitive world. Toorak College s 11.5 hectare campus is located on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula, just 40kms from Melbourne and offers a world standard education to support your daughter s intellectual, personal, emotional and social development needs Quality Teaching: A culture of excellence Our teachers and staff are entrusted with the task of making our vision a reality. We will continue to attract and retain the very best people and to advance a culture of excellence where each individual in our community is encouraged to shine.

6 Joan Ansett Hall Joan Ansett Hall offers modern and family-friendly boarding for around 75 girls. The quality of boarding provision and care is excellent. Joan Ansett Hall is comfortable and well maintained. Boarding at Toorak College is fun, friendly and busy. A full program of sporting, cultural and social activities is on offer to support student s learning. Family members are very welcome to visit too. The Boarding House aims to foster: The development of independence, self-reliance, selfdetermination, self-discipline and responsibility; The enhancement of social skills and interpersonal relationships; The understanding of tolerance respect, the capacity to appreciate the needs of others, and sharing and giving through communal living; and Sound study habits and academic excellence. Dedicated staff members to look after your academic, social, emotional and recreational needs On campus Intensive English Language Centre Quality meals prepared by a trained chef, catering for all dietary requirements Access to facilities, 7 days a week Supervised study (prep) time Access to our Residential Tutoring Program Where is Toorak College located? Toorak College is located at Mount Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula, a popular holiday destination that is only 45 mins from the City of Melbourne and is the only Australian region named as one of the must-see places in National Geographic s esteemed annual Best of the World list. The attractive centre of Mount Eliza is located around one kilometre inland, and features supermarkets, banks and a number of speciality and boutique shops. Getting to Mount Eliza is easy. Regular shuttle bus services are available from Melbourne airport, while train and bus services link Mount Eliza to Melbourne. Melbourne Airport Melbourne City 1 hour train ride N PORT PHILLIP BAY Toorak College Mount Eliza Frankston The Boarding Experience - English

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8 Boarding life Our aim is to produce sociable, mature, courteous and active students who enjoy being part of the School community. Who are our Boarding House staff? The Head of Boarding ensures the smooth running of the Boarding House. She is supported by Boarding House Assistants and at times international Gap students. What pastoral support is provided in the Boarding House? Boarding house staff provide strong support. They know the pupils very well and form respectful and open relationships with each girl and their parents. Parents are encouraged to make contact with the Boarding House with any concerns, issues or worries they may have regarding their daughter. We want your daughter s time at Toorak College to be happy and memorable. What are Toorak boarders like? Our aim is to produce sociable, mature, courteous and active students who enjoy being part of the School community. There is no particular type of student that we are looking for, in fact variety of personality is one of the great strengths of the boarding experience. Boarders tend to be students who contribute a great deal to school life, and achieve a great deal. Are boarders integrated into the school as well as day students? Yes. They quickly integrate by mixing in all lessons and co-curricular activities, attending social occasions and socialising in common rooms as well as attending assemblies together. It is often difficult to differentiate a boarder from a day student. How many students share a bedroom? Students in Years 7 to 10 share a bedroom with one other student. This allows them to learn to live cooperatively with others and to foster friendships. Once they know each other they can nominate who they would like to share with and can swap after one term. Years 11 and 12 have their own room and live in a specially designed wing that accomodates a more structured academic schedule. Staying healthy Joan Ansett Hall is located near to the gym which includes a fully equipped circuit room and is opposite the heated swimming and diving pools. Tennis and badminton courts are also nearby. The welfare of our boarders is paramount, and at Toorak College there is a team dedicated to boarder s needs. The on-site Health Centre is staffed by qualified nurses and is open during the school day for advice, support and treatment. Nutrition and food is important. Our boarders eat together for breakfast and dinner and with the whole school community at lunch at the Pavilion Cafe. This allows us to offer a greater variety of menu choices. Special diets can be arranged if needed. Additionally, the Boarding House is stocked with essential items, such as bread, milk, cereal and fruit. Boarders are allowed to cook in the house kitchen after school and at weekends, and many prove themselves to be very enthusiastic bakers!

9 What is a typical school day? (Years 7 to 9) 07:00 07:30 Continental breakfast available in Dining Room (fruit, cereal, yoghurt, toast) Staff wake all students. Hot breakfast served (varies daily - congee, bacon and eggs, croissants, waffles) 08:45 Students depart Boarding House for school 09:00-15:00 Boarding House closed 09:00-15:30 School timetable 15:30 Students return from school. Afternoon tea available in Common Room. Free time and extra-curricular activities 17:50 All students seated in Dining Room 17:00-18:00 Homework (yr 7 to 9) 18:00-18:45 Dinner What happens at weekends? Students are entitled to request Leave which is approved by the Head of Boarding and Guardians/Parents. A number of requirements are to be met before leave is approved, such as homework completed on time and rooms tidy. Students are required to be in groups with other students (dependant on their year level) and set return times adhered to. Safety is always our number one priority. Boarding House staff organise and run activities for students most weekends throughout term. Some activities are compulsory for Years 7 to 9 to ensure students are getting the most out of their weekends away from home and occasionally an activity will be compulsory to everyone in the Boarding House. All other activities are free for students to sign up to wishing to try or experience something new. Activities may include; Photography Challenges, Kite Festival, Bushwalks (hiking), Werribee Wildlife Park, Fun Runs, Peninsula Hot Springs and City trips. Students also have access to the school gym and swimming pool at weekends. 18:45-19:15 Activity (yoga, beach walk, games - yr 7 to 9) 19:15-20:45 Free time (take a shower, call home - yr 7 to 9) 21:00 In room, quiet time 21:30 Lights out Are students required to have a guardian? Toorak College requires all international students, irrespective of age, to have a guardian for the duration of their enrolment. Toorak College covers annual guardianship costs with ISA National Guardian and Welfare Services (approximately $2,000 a year). Please indicate your preferred guardian option on the Application for Enrolment form. The Boarding Experience - English

10 Learning and study Each student is assigned a tutor, someone who can keep an eye on progress, help them make good subject choices, manage workloads, seek help or even just be a listening ear. How do I learn English? Toorak College has its own Intensive English Language Centre (IELC) on campus enabling a smooth transition for our international students requiring English as an Additional Language (EAL). A combination of the latest computer aided learning techniques and small group activities enable students to advance their English language skills. Testing is carried out as part of orientation program for each student. These tests determine each girl s English language skills and allow for decisions regarding starting mainstream classes. What tutoring support is provided? We have very high expectations of all our students, but we don t expect them to achieve them without support. Each student is assigned a tutor, someone who can keep an eye on progress, help them make good subject choices, manage workloads, seek help or even just be a listening ear. After-school tutoring in several subjects is provided free of charge to students who wish to gain further assistance with their studies. Tutors are currently providing after-hours tuition in Maths Methods, Further Maths, Accounting, Business Management, EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Mandarin and are available to all year levels. Tutors visit the Boarding House according to a set weekly timetable and students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. How is study time supervised? In order to ensure a learning environment that is conducive to study, boarders have supervised study times (prep), individual study facilities and access to the School s internet and intranet. Year 7 to 9 students study in a common room and are closely supervised by staff. Staff have copies of students individual study plans and assist students where necessary to achieve best results. Phones are not permitted during this time. Teaching staff regularly liaise with Boarding House staff to highlight where extra assistance or supervision may be required and for feedback on student study habits. Year 10 to 12 study in their own rooms. Year 11 students study in a separate room, supervised by staff and Year 12 may study in their own bedrooms. What Web access is provided, and how is it monitored? Each student is issued a laptop and access to the School s network. Boarders can connect to the school network in order to access the internet from their rooms. Naturally the school blocks unsuitable websites, and restricts access to gaming and social websites during the school day and the allocated homework time in the evening. The school is proactive in addressing the opinions of the students to see if their needs can be accommodated. The younger students laptops and mobiles are charged overnight by staff.

11 How to apply? You can apply online at Entry Requirements To gain a place at Toorak College complete the International Enrolment Application form and sent it to our Enrolments Office with the following information: Copy of Birth Certificate Copy of Passport & Visa (if available) Application Fee Copy of Student s most recent report (translated) Copy of any testing e.g. AEAS test report Contact details Web: enrolments@toorakc.vic.edu.au Tel: Address: Old Mornington Road, Mount Eliza, 3930, Victoria, Australia Postal: PO Box 150, Mount Eliza, 3930, Victoria, Australia CRICOS Provider Code: 00349D CRICOS Course Code: G The Boarding Experience - English

12 Old Mornington Road, Mount Eliza, Vic, 3930 PO Box 150, Mount Eliza, Vic, 3930 Phone: +61 (3) CRICOS provider code: 00349D CRICOS course code: G