Senior School program

The Haileybury Rendall School Program provides an exciting and enriching curriculum for all students. It builds resilient and independent learners with skills in creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

Our teaching approach is tailored to suit all year levels. We develop core literacy and numeracy skills through explicit instruction in the junior years, while in the middle years we move to a combination of explicit instruction and student-centred learning. As students enter their senior years, they begin a three-year VCE program coupled with a range of subjects to suit all interests and abilities.

Ultimately, students leave Haileybury Rendall School prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, with a love for learning and with the life skills essential for success.

Our Senior School program

Senior School provides the ideal learning framework for students as they complete their learning and development in their final years of Secondary School. Aligned with Haileybury Melbourne we deliver the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) to all our senior students. This flexible academic program provides a strong pathway to tertiary studies as well as Applied Learning options for students looking for a more practical set of outcomes. The school already has an outstanding record of students achieving high ranking national ATAR scores.

Teaching and learning styles in the Senior Program are structured to promote self-management and self-discipline, improve individual learning styles and encourage students to become resilient independent learners.

But it’s not all study as students balance academic classes with sporting and co-curricular activities and take opportunities to be part of clubs, performances, competitions and community initiatives.

An immersive experience

The Senior School curriculum is rich and diverse and offers a breadth of VCE studies. We maintain a strong industry focus and offer interesting studies in Tourism and Art, Music, and Sport and Recreation.

Senior students combine their studies with co-curricular activities such as sports, the arts, and community and cultural activities that enable them to explore and extend their interests. Students also have the opportunity to develop talents that complement their studies.

Undertaking the VCE Program

Students can begin their VCE studies in Year 10 and select a program according to their individual needs, talents and interests. Teachers and staff provide guidance and support to ensure the program matches their academic readiness.

There are two levels for each subject:

• Units 1 and 2 are at Year 11 level with Unit 1 studied in the first semester and Unit 2 in the second semester.
• Units 3 and 4 are at Year 12 level with Unit 3 studied in the first semester and Unit 4 in the second semester.

Year 10 students studying Units 1 and 2 of a subject and Year 11 students studying Units 3 and 4 are effectively studying that subject in advance.

To complete the VCE, students must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units (at least eight subjects), comprised of:

• at least three English Units, with two of these being Units 3 and 4
• at least three Units 3 and 4 subjects (in addition to English)

All Units 1 and 2 and Units 3 and 4 subjects must be satisfactorily (S) completed.

Some students at Haileybury Rendall School will have the opportunity to complete:

• one Units 1 and 2 subject in Year 10
• one or two Units 3 and 4 subjects in Year 11, with the remainder being Units 1 and 2 subjects
• five Units 3 and 4 subjects in Year 12.

Maintaining personal wellbeing

Put simply, ‘every student matters every day’ at Haileybury Rendall School.

In Senior School our students apply themselves in many areas to deepen learning and critical thinking skills to prepare for their VCE and beyond. We want every student to challenge themselves and achieve their potential and retain a sense of school-life balance.

House tutors and Year level coordinators provide our first point of support for student wellbeing. We also have a personal development curriculum delivered by staff and focusing on topics such as confidence, resilience, social skills, respectful relationships and consent.

We also provide specific careers support and counselling services to students.