Berwick Secondary College

Victorian Schools
Name =Berwick Secondary College
Logo =Berwicksecondary.pngLocation=Berwick, Victoria
Region =Southern Metropolitan
Campuses =1
Number =
Principal = Ross Bevege
Students = approx. 1500
Opened =1977
Years =7-12
System =VELS, VCAL, VET and VCE
coordinates = coord|38|1|57|S|145|21|51|E|display=inline,title
Website= [http://www.berwicksc.vic.edu.au www.berwicksc.vic.edu.au]

Berwick Secondary College is situated in the outer Melbourne metropolitan suburb of Berwick. Until recently, it was the largest single campus government secondary college in Victoria.

The College's official motto is "I Shall Grow", however recently adopted another motto which symbolises what the school hopes to achieve: "Excellence in learning", "Positive Relationships", and "Personal Growth."

Recently the school started downsizing with the majority of a block of portables removed.The school consists of approximately 1500 students and 200 teachers, principals and aides.

At the recent state election in 2006, the Victorian Labor Party promised to build a junior campus of Berwick Secondary in the Timbarra Estate. This school would serve students in years seven to nine. The campus had previously been promised at past state elections as a stand alone campus, however this proposal was rejected by the Government in 2004.

Mission statement

The following is the College's mission statement, quoted from the Student Planner (2006 edition):
cquote|"Berwick Secondary College promotes excellence in education and endeavours to fulfil the potential of all students. A broad, challenging curriculum caters for individual needs and prepares students for further education, the workforce and society.
"The College provides a safe, supportive environment for all students and staff. It promotes independent thinking, acceptance of responsibility, adaptabilty, respect for others and a tolerance of individual differences."

College goals

Also quoted from the Student Planner (2006 edition):
1. To provide a broad based curriculum to develop the individual potential of all students at Years 7 - 12.
2. To deliver a range of programs which maximises students' post-school options.
3. To provide a curriculum which builds on programs at feeder primary schools and supports the transition of students.
4. Provide a safe, supportive environment for all students and staff.
5. To develop pride in achievement in all aspects of school life.
6. To develop a respect for the physical environment.
7. To maintain effective monitoring and public reporting procedures.
8. To ensure decision-making, communication and school operations are efficient and effective.
9. To maintain and develop teacher effectiveness and staff performance.
10. To develop, maintain and allocate physical resources and facilities in line with the school's charter and the needs of an expanding school community.

Kevin Rudd's visit

On Monday, November 19 2007, opposition leader, at the time, Kevin Rudd visited the school during his campaign in the 2007 Australian Federal Election. Mr. Rudd was also accompanied by the Labor candidate for the Division of La Trobe (a marginal Liberal seat in which the College is situated), Rodney Cocks. Greeted by near hysterical teens as well as a large media scrum, Mr. Rudd & Mr. Cocks toured the college as well as meeting a wide array of students and teachers.

In an awkward moment, whilst giving a press conference, a student who was chaperoning Mr. Rudd around the college, fainted. Mr. Rudd stopped the conference and rushed to the girls aid, who had apparently been overcome by the 36 degree heat in the poorly airconditioned library. After receiving water from the opposition leader, the girl was back on her feet and Mr. Rudd continued his press conference, quipping "I often have that affect on people".

On the same day members from the Chasers War On Everything, visited the school in an attempt to confront the opposition leader. The two members of the Chaser had an over-sized cotton-stick with 'ear-wax' on one end. This is a direct reference to Kevin Rudd's infamous ear-wax incident. However, this attempt was thwarted by one of the school's assistant principals, who promptly told the boys to leave - much to the disappointment of many of the students.

External links

* [http://www.berwicksc.vic.edu.au/ BSC official website]
* [http://www.bsclotecoe.vic.edu.au/ BSC LOTE Centre for Language Excellence]
* [http://www.casey.vic.gov.au/directories/combo_detail.asp?CLUBID=18733&viewMode=wide&dirFilter= City of Casey profile]