At Gilson College we strive to provide a quality Christian Education, reflecting a holistic learning approach, catering for the development of the mind, body and spirit of all students.
A Gilson College Secondary School education provides your child with an inspiring learning environment that is Christ-centred, student-focused, and values-based. We are committed to excellence across all aspects of school life and offer ample opportunities for students to explore their interests.
We believe in fostering each student’s unique gifts and talents while advancing their academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional development. Our tailored secondary experience is designed to build good character and prepare each student for future success.
Our comprehensive range of learning programs cater to the diverse needs of our students. From advanced academic courses to enriching co-curricular activities, we ensure every student receives the support and encouragement they need to ensure they are guided towards excellence and personal growth.
Our unique Year 9 program called ‘Learning 4 Life (L4L) is designed to cultivate responsibility, independence, and leadership in each student. Through challenging experiences, students develop resilience, tolerance, and cooperation, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the outdoor environment and needs of the community.
Inspired by Kurt Hahn’s educational philosophy, this effective program addresses key developmental changes in this stage of early teenage life, focusing on combating declines in fitness, initiative, memory, skill, self-discipline, and compassion. Activities such as fitness training, expeditions, projects, and service activities all work as antidotes to these issues.
Our holistic approach prepares students to reflect on themselves, their lives, and the world around them, fostering competence and citizenship. By integrating Native American philosophies about this stage of life, and adopting the principles of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, we ensure that every child’s core development needs are met, promoting their growth and empowerment.
About Learning 4 Life
Learning 4 Life is an experiential education program that includes outdoor activities and experiences as well as modified expectations of the traditional curriculum. It is made up of three components as follows:
Bushwalking – dealing with the individual and self-concept
Urban studies – familiarising students with city life through group activities
Service – taking students beyond themselves into the community through service
Relationship-building is central to the Learning4Life program and is vital in our spiritual connection with God.
Our program is based on the three elements of special character:
Belonging (caring for the individual),
Believing (in self, group, and God) and
Being (a contributing member of the community)
Our innovative program has achieved many successful outcomes and a positive impact on most students. Many teachers and parents have indicated positive developmental changes in their students as a direct result of the program including self-confidence, independence, maturity, resilience, English expression, focus on class work, attitudes and values.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Our VCE program offers a broad range of subject choices that allow students to pursue their interests, while providing opportunities and learning pathways to continue with their choices of tertiary education. Subjects offered for VCE may vary slightly from year to year and are dependent on student choices. Subjects are offered in maths, sciences, humanities, arts, technologies and language.
Requirements
Year 11 and 12 students complete six subjects. Students who completed Unit 3 and 4 studies in Maths, Environmental Science and/or Hospitality, can apply to study five subjects in Year 12.
Opportunities for higher achieving students
Year 12 Higher Achieving students who have completed Unit 3 and 4 subjects in Year 11, also have the opportunity to extend their studies and enrol in a range of first-year university undergraduate subjects through Federation University.
Career support
Students are encouraged to study their areas of strength. To select their subjects for Year 11, students have an inititial interview with a Careers teacher, where they look at both their goals for a career in the future and their learning strengths. This assists them in making their subject choices for Years 11 and 12.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Our VCE program offers a broad range of subject choices that allow students to pursue their interests, and at the same time provide opportunities and learning pathways to continue with their choices of tertiary education. Subjects offered for VCE may vary slightly from year to year and is dependent on student choices. Subjects are offered from maths, sciences, humanities, arts, technologies and language.
Requirements
Year 11 and 12 students are to complete 6 subjects. Students who had the opportunity to complete Unit 3 and 4 studies in Maths, Environmental Science and/or Hospitality, can make special applications to study 5 subjects in Year 12.
Opportunities for higher achieving students
Year 12 Gilson College Higher Achieving students, who have completed Unit 3 and 4 subjects in Year 11, also have the opportunity to extend their studies and enrol in a range of first-year university undergraduate subjects through Federation University.
Career support
Students are encouraged to study their areas of strength. Initially, to select their subjects for Year 11, students are interviewed by the Careers teachers, where they look at both their goals for a career in the future and their learning strengths. This is used to assist them select choices for Years 11 and 12.