austraLasia #1287
Melbourne Salesian College develops and opens 'Mannix' Year 9 Campus
MELBOURNE: 14th October 2005 -- A Salesian secondary college in Melbourne, Australia, in existence now for nearly 50 years, formally had a separate Middle School (Year 9) campus blessed and opened yesterday evening by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dennis Hart, and in the presence of the Australian Provincial, Fr Ian Murdoch. Mannix campus, as the new unit is known, is named after Melbourne's famous Archbishop Daniel Mannix, who lived to a 100 years of age and was instrumental in suggesting to the Moroney family that they give their property to the Salesians, the property on which the campus is built. The property comprises two hills separated by a freeway these days. Mannix is now on the 'other hill' as locals have called it for years, but cleverly linked by architectural suggestion to the main college campus.
Over the years a significant amount of educational research and anecdotal school-based observation in Australia has noted that, in the middle years of secondary schooling, students struggle with issues of identity, purpose and meaning. Social conventions are often tested, sometimes leading to anti-social or destructive behaviours, and possibly, alienation from learning as a valuable endeavour. Salesian College Chadstone, through the establishment of this new and independent Year 9 Campus, has created a stimulating environment that will help foster a sense of identity in their boys. It allows exploration of a multitude of leadership opportunities, engaging students through a Curriculum focused on interaction with the broader community and a set of projects that cross all learning areas.
The flexible learning environment of this Campus provides an innovative model of school community. Here students are involved in the leadership of campus life, participating in setting goals for each unit of study and becoming active community builders. Students learn to value the rights and contributions of others, working along side teachers to achieve project goals, accepting responsibility for outcomes, all leading to improved student performance.
Amongst the innovative approaches of the campus are Bosco Units. These are project-based learning experiences drawn primarily, but not exclusively, from the Science, Studies of Society and Environment and Religious Education Key Learning Areas. Being generally thematic in nature, these units allow students to develop greater awareness of themselves as responsible and informed members of their communities.
Salesian College Chadstone and St Joseph's College Ferntree Gully, a few kilometres down the road, have become veritable beacons in boys' education in the State of Victoria. Both now have a separate Middle School campus and are innovatively applying tried and proven Salesian education to new demands.
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Melbourne Salesian College develops and opens 'Mannix' Year 9 Campus
MELBOURNE: 14th October 2005 -- A Salesian secondary college in Melbourne, Australia, in existence now for nearly 50 years, formally had a separate Middle School (Year 9) campus blessed and opened yesterday evening by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dennis Hart, and in the presence of the Australian Provincial, Fr Ian Murdoch. Mannix campus, as the new unit is known, is named after Melbourne's famous Archbishop Daniel Mannix, who lived to a 100 years of age and was instrumental in suggesting to the Moroney family that they give their property to the Salesians, the property on which the campus is built. The property comprises two hills separated by a freeway these days. Mannix is now on the 'other hill' as locals have called it for years, but cleverly linked by architectural suggestion to the main college campus.
Over the years a significant amount of educational research and anecdotal school-based observation in Australia has noted that, in the middle years of secondary schooling, students struggle with issues of identity, purpose and meaning. Social conventions are often tested, sometimes leading to anti-social or destructive behaviours, and possibly, alienation from learning as a valuable endeavour. Salesian College Chadstone, through the establishment of this new and independent Year 9 Campus, has created a stimulating environment that will help foster a sense of identity in their boys. It allows exploration of a multitude of leadership opportunities, engaging students through a Curriculum focused on interaction with the broader community and a set of projects that cross all learning areas.
The flexible learning environment of this Campus provides an innovative model of school community. Here students are involved in the leadership of campus life, participating in setting goals for each unit of study and becoming active community builders. Students learn to value the rights and contributions of others, working along side teachers to achieve project goals, accepting responsibility for outcomes, all leading to improved student performance.
Amongst the innovative approaches of the campus are Bosco Units. These are project-based learning experiences drawn primarily, but not exclusively, from the Science, Studies of Society and Environment and Religious Education Key Learning Areas. Being generally thematic in nature, these units allow students to develop greater awareness of themselves as responsible and informed members of their communities.
Salesian College Chadstone and St Joseph's College Ferntree Gully, a few kilometres down the road, have become veritable beacons in boys' education in the State of Victoria. Both now have a separate Middle School campus and are innovatively applying tried and proven Salesian education to new demands.
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