Kambrya College

Kambrya College is a state government funded coeducational secondary school located in Berwick, Victoria, Australia. Opening in 2002 with 97 Year 7 students, the school quickly grew to over 1600 students by 2007. The school has facilities for visual and performing arts, information technology, science, hospitality, wood and metal workshops, dedicated automotive workshop as well as a fitness centre. The school also had over 20 portable classrooms, largely due to its rapid growth in its early years, however since 2014 at least 10 of the older portables have been relinquished.[1] In 2018 a building project will see a new block of general purpose classrooms constructed.[2]

Kambrya College
Location
Berwick, Victoria

Australia
Information
Opened2002
PrincipalKeith Perry
Years7-12
Number of students1450
Education systemVictorian Curriculum (formerly VELS), VCAL, VET and VCE
Websitekambryacollege.com

The school is organised into four Vertical Sub Schools, each with its own colour, mascot and representing one of the schools values. Each Sub School has their own building and is led by one Sub School Leader (Leading Teacher) and one Assistant Sub School Leader. Students enter one of these Sub Schools in Year 7, and remain until they finish Year 9.[3]

Sub school nameSchool valueMascotColourBuilding
Bulen BulenIntegrityLyrebirdBlueB
GwonawaAchievementBlack SwanYellowG
MirrimRespectKangarooRedM
WarinCompassionWombatGreenW

Years 10, 11 and 12 students have their own Sub School and building, with the School Captains coming from this group of students. Students in these year levels have the option to study either VCE or VCAL, with many students also adding a VET course to their study. Year 12 results have steadily improved over the past 6 years, with the median VCE study score in 2014 being 30, and 100% of senior VCAL students completing their course.

The school was accredited with the Council of International Schools, since 2008.[4] However early in 2017 it was decided to abandon this relationship.

Kambrya College has sister schools in China, Japan and Germany, and has relations with schools in Timor and South Africa. Students and staff visit these schools on either annual or bi-annual visits.[5]

Late in 2015, the College became accredited with the Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools, and is now allowed to offer an accelerated program to gifted students.[6]

In 2015, the school was the subject of the ABC's 4-part series Revolution School which aired throughout 2016[7]

Employment issues

On 16 November 2005 the teachers took part in a strike and rally against controversial changes to national workplace laws.[8] In October 2007 the school reported problems with teacher poaching from other schools due to the teacher shortage. 11 teachers were employed by private schools and another two by interstate schools in the past two years. Most were maths, science or language teachers, all recognised areas of national shortage and positions the principal had struggled to fill.[9]

In July 2009 the school had another issue with 3 more teachers being employed by other schools.

During 2012 and 2013, many teachers and support staff participated in work bans and strikes organised by the Australian Education Union as part of an ongoing dispute between the union and the state Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) over wages and working conditions.

References
  1. "School Profile".
  2. "Victorian School Building Authority".
  3. "Vertical Sub Schools (7-10)". kambryacollege.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. "Council of International Schools (CIS): Member Login".
  5. "Sister Schools". kambryacollege.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  6. "SEAL Academy - Metropolitan schools".
  7. "Revolution School: ABC TV". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  8. "Teachers strike out against job reforms", Sarah Schwager, Star News Group, 16 November 2005
  9. Smith, Bridie (29 October 2007). "One Principal feels the pinch" (Web article). Melbourne: The Age. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
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