Department of Education - Victoria

Swan Hill College is located 350 kilometres north west of Melbourne on the Murray River and is situated within the CBD of the rural city of Swan Hill. In 2024 725 students are enrolled at the College supported by in excess of 100 teaching and non teaching staff.  There is an equal gender balance and the catchment area includes township primary schools, local private schools and outlying primary schools some of which are 60 kilometres or further from the College. A comprehensive bus system services the College and other schools in the township. Some of our students travel for over 2 hours every day to gain access to the College.

The College has continued to work on facilities development to a point where it now boasts some of the best facilities in the State.  A 250 seat theatre, modern technology facilities, outstanding library and extensive sporting arenas including stadium are but a few examples. Swan Hill College continues its focus on information technology the recent additional of the technology hub which includes VR, 3D printers and green screen.

The College Leadership Team comprises of the Principal, three Assistant Principals, the Business Manager and six Leading Teachers with specific portfolios.

The college has made a real commitment by improving literacy by introducing an intervention program and a reading program at Year 7 and 8. Similarly, our numeracy programs include, scaffolding numeracy early years, a focus on problem solving and a recent introduction of the online Maths Pathways program. With the focus in these areas being the individual student growth.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is well embedded across the college. At Swan Hill College we work together to achieve excellence and have high expectations of behaviour to create an environment which promotes individual academic and social growth. A clear set of behavioural expectations are developed around the school values of Respect, Responsibility, High Expectations and Belonging.

The College has a well developed and highly effective student wellbeing structure.  The Student Wellbeing Team includes three counsellors, a chaplain and a College nurse. Network support staff also support this team. Doctor in Schools commenced in 2018. The two sub-schools, Junior and Senior, allows for strong links and support with students and families and also a healthy team spirit about the school. A team of College Captains, Junior Captains, House Captains and PBS leaders, also supports the student body.

The College has a Flexible Learning Options (FLO) campus.  This program offers flexible learning opportunities for students who are disengaged or challenged by structured learning.  The program is very successful and had given many students the chance to continue their education.

The College provides a very broad curriculum and an array of additional programs. At the senior level students choose from both the VCE and VM programs and a large number integrate Certificate level studies from our extensive VET offerings.  At the Middle School a wide range of electives are offered with both an engagement and career pathway focus.  Junior School students undertake a standard curriculum with a focus on General Studies and Maths /Science. The College offers an extensive Sport and Recreation program. The Performing Arts continue to grow utilising our state of the art Harrison Theatre, with students studying Dance, Drama and Music.

At Swan Hill College, we have a focus on the continued development of our teaching through the implementation of our Professional Learning Community. Our work is guided by the high impact teaching strategies.

Our College enjoys considerable parent and community support in our vibrant rural setting.

Student engagement, aspirations and welfare are the key focus for the College and wider community. The College is an accredited performance and development culture school and professional development will be targeted to address these priorities.

The College's Annual Implementation and Strategic Plans are available on our website www.shc.vic.edu.au 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.