St Joseph's College
School of Excellence
St Joseph’s College Echuca aspires to be a place where all people are valued and respected, have equal access to opportunities, and are encouraged to fulfil their talents and potential.
In line with this vision, we are delighted to launch our flagship School of Excellence program in 2025.
Our School of Excellence is a set of educational programs designed to enhance and enrich students’ academic experience through a multi-faceted approach focusing on staff and student skills and proficiencies.
It is not a replacement for the core curriculum, rather an addition to it. It is about integrating activities that challenge the student academically and physically in the promotion of whole person growth.
There are 6 Pillars of Excellence within the program including:
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Arts Academy (visual & performing)
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Sports Academy
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Academic Enrichment Program
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Indigenous Engagement Program
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Student Recognition Program
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Staff Micro-credential Program
Our Arts and Sports Academies will be the first to launch in 2025.
What are the Arts and Sports Academies?
Our newly launched School of Excellence Academies are enrichment programs for students to further explore their interests and passions while being supported to pursue their goals or careers in the arts and sport.
Why are we creating Academies?
To meet the diverse needs of our students who are passionate about the arts and sports and to provide opportunities for deeper learning. Through these initiatives we aim to harness the extraordinary achievements, experiences and skill sets of our students to develop community leaders and role models.
Who are the Academies for?
In 2025 the academies will be open to Year 8 and 9 students via application, with a selection of senior students invited into the programs.
From 2026, the academies will be open to students across all year levels.
When will it start?
2025.
How will students be selected?
By application. An information night for students and families will be held in Term 3, 2024. Further details to follow.
Academy Expectations:
Participation in our School of Excellence Academies is contingent upon students maintaining impeccable academic records, excellent attendance, and a pristine disciplinary history. At the core of our ethos lies a steadfast commitment: the holistic development of our students, where academic excellence and personal growth always comes first.
Students will be required to apply annually for this privilege.
An information night for students and families will be held in Term 3 on Tuesday July 23 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at our Brigidine Campus to provide further information on the application process.
For further information about our School of Excellence, or the specific academies please email Thomas Dicker at tdicker@sje.vic.edu.au.
St Joseph’s College Arts Academy
Our Arts Academy caters for aspiring performing and visual artists. It is designed to provide unique opportunities for students who are passionate about the arts and driven by creativity. It focuses on nurturing and generating creativity in students through enrichment learning and performance opportunities designed to foster their curiosity and promote their personal growth and development. At the senior level, students will work with the Arts Academy Leader to produce a fully individualised learning plan that brings together the network required to support students to manage their time and remove barriers from their academic load. This academy will have a direct focus on whole person growth to create outstanding people through their passion and talent for the arts.
Various opportunities include:
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Artists in Residence and workshops led by industry professionals
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An integrated curriculum that explores context, theory and practical approaches to arts immersion
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Authentic arts experiences, including regular performance opportunities and exhibitions
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Art camps
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Tertiary pathway partnerships
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Opportunities to explore their potential as an artist in the creative arts industry
Students enrolled in our Arts Academy will follow a traditional academic journey at Kildare Campus, engaging in enhanced programming through elective blocking into Years 10-12.
Arts Academy Selection Process:
Applicants must provide:
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Application pro-forma
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A one minute video
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A confidential reference from an external source
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A letter of recommendation from a parent/guardian confirming support
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Shortlisted students will be interviewed
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Students will then be invited to join the academy
Arts Academy Selection Criteria:
Arts
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A highly developed artistic ability in at least one field or the potential to perform/create at an elevated level
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Proven passion and desire to enhance artistic development
Academic
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A positive attitude and commitment to academic study
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Consistently achieving quality results in all subject areas
Personal Development
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Proven performance in behaviour, attitude and work ethic to arts and academics
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A positive attitude and commitment to whole person growth and development
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A high level of commitment and motivation in pursuit of personal success
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Consistently demonstrates and lives the College values
St Joseph’s College Sports Academy
Our Sports Academy aims to enhance our students’ athletic ability and nurture their passion through engaging theory and practical-based learning objectives. Students at Kildare Campus will have an enriched Physical Education curriculum utilising existing student experience to deepen whole person growth across a broad range of sports industry topics. At the senior level, students will work with the Sports Academy Leader to produce a fully individualised learning plan that brings together the network required to support student athlete development and training schedules. The academy will provide non-traditional approaches to education provision beyond the classic school year, including flexible academic planning, to enable students to achieve their best in dual pathways without compromise to either. The academy will focus directly on whole person growth to create outstanding people through their passion for sport. All that matters in sport, matters in life, and through this program we aim to optimally prepare our student athletes for life.
Opportunities through partnerships and collaboration include:
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Engagement with high level coaches, qualified staff, and industry professionals
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Individually tailored programs designed to produce optimum performance for each student
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Coaching camps
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Expanding the College and student athletes’ career network
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Tertiary pathway partnerships
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Tours and additional sporting opportunities
Sports Academy Selection Process:
Applicants must provide:
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Application pro-forma
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A one minute video
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A confidential reference from a coach
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A letter of recommendation from a parent/guardian confirming support for this dual career pathway
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Shortlisted students will be interviewed
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Students will then be invited to join the academy
Sports Academy Selection Criteria:
Sports
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A highly developed sporting ability in at least one field/or the potential to perform at an elevated level
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Comprehensive student athlete curriculum vitae with at least three references
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Proven performance and desire to enhance both personal and team performance at representative level
Academic
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A positive attitude and commitment to academic study
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Consistently achieving quality results in all subject areas
Personal Development
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Proven performance in behaviour, attitude and work ethic to sports and academics
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A positive attitude and commitment to whole person growth and development
-
A high level of commitment and motivation in pursuit of personal success
-
Consistently demonstrates and lives the College values
