College at a Glance
Forest Hill College has a strong commitment to parent, student, staff and community involvement.
The College’s organisational structure encourages discussion and a commitment to providing advice to College Council and the Principal.
The College Council has representatives from parents, staff and students who play an important part in policy development and decision making.
The Student Representative Council - IMPACT - provides students from Year 7 upwards with the opportunity for vital leadership experience. Students from each year level attend meetings which have as their focus, student perspectives on educational and College issues, fundraising and social service.
Parents are involved in College life in a variety of ways, both formal and informal. The College is grateful to the groups of parents who support all college functions, concerts, musical productions and sporting events.
The strong discipline policy of the college is based on the need to provide a safe, secure environment where students have the right to learn without interference from others.
A range of programmes caters fully for the developmental needs of all students while ensuring that student achievement and progress is recognised and celebrated.
Forest Hill College is committed to a smooth transition process to secondary level which minimises concerns. This process has a strong pastoral care element including a Peer Support program and involves extensive communication with new parents and students.
A disciplined approach to work is developed and fostered in each classroom. Students are encouraged and expected to be involved in active, team-oriented learning, to take increasing responsibility for their own learning, and to always endeavour to do their best.
Believing that a true education is far more than the mere acquisition of knowledge, Forest Hill is dedicated to preparing students to meet the dynamic changes and demands of society.
Our range of VCE units is extensive and caters for the diverse career aspirations of students. The majority of the students successfully complete VCE, and a significant proportion pursue Tertiary studies.
The College ensures that all students are catered for by also offering the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) which, as well as encompassing classroom learning, includes studies at TAFE and learning on the job.
Outdoor Education, theatre trips, public performances, excursions, camps and tours are part of the cohesive whole that makes the educational experience at the College complete.
Year level Camps are offered at Years 7, 9, 11 and 12, with across year level camps run for instrumental music, theatrical performances, and leadership skills.
The College has a large sporting program with an emphasis on participation. Physical activity, with its skill and attitude development, is an integral part of College life.
Forest Hill College students participate in an exciting instrumental music program which covers woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments and a wide range of musical styles. There is a strong emphasis on ensemble playing and performance.
All year 7 students take part in an eight week program within their classroom music study where they all learn how to play an instrument.
All students and their parents are invited to attend an Information Evening early in first term to enrol in the College's Instrumental Music Program.
Whilst ensuring that students have quality experiences in all curriculum areas, particular attention is devoted to introducing students to the rapidly changing world of Science and Technology. Students are given a general introduction within the Information and Communication Technology area and then presented with the option of specialising according to their interests and abilities.
The excellent resourcing of the College is typified by its fully networked computer system. The leading edge technology allows e-mail and intranet services, together with access to personalised web sites for all staff and students and online learning, and reflects a key Charter focus of using learning technologies to maximise educational outcomes for our students. The College is providing improved student information and communication skills in all curriculum areas and is developing the use of Information Technology across the curriculum.
In addition to a Systems Manager and ICT learning Area Manager, the College has established an e-Learning Manager whose role is to assist all members of the college community to acquire the necessary skills to use the electronic infrastructure effectively and to enable improved learning outcomes for students.
There are four computer centres, as well as extensive computer facilities within the two resource centres. A range of fully networked computer suites (Pods) are located adjacent to general-purpose classrooms. The College Council has committed extensive funds to the development of ICT through its three year replacement plan.
Forest Hill College has some of the finest educational facilities for students in the state.
The College has fully equipped science and art rooms, workshops for the full range of technology subjects, and specialist facilities for hospitality and food studies, music, media and drama.
The College operates two fully equipped libraries – one with a senior student focus and one which caters to the needs of junior students. The professionally equipped 400-seat theatre is used for information evenings and subject-related performances. It is also home to a range of theatrical productions and the College bands and ensembles. The theatre is also used extensively by the wider community, as is the sports stadium.
Sporting facilities include double multi courts, three outside netball/basketball courts, a full size oval, and our impressive sports stadium with its two international sized basketball courts, and an excellently equipped weight training room.
There are also pleasantly landscaped gardens for passive recreation in each courtyard.
This excellent physical environment complements the quality of work produced within the four walls of the College.
The College Pre VCE program includes an Intensive English Program (IEP) for new arrivals. All students taking part in the program spend some time in the IEP. The program has proved successful and students have obtained very good VCE results. The students add to the cultural diversity of the college.
