Kambrya College

Kambrya College is a state government funded coeducational secondary school located in Berwick South, Victoria. Opening in 2002 with 97 Year 7 students, the school quickly grew to over 1600 students by 2007. The student population has since dropped and steadied out to approximately 1000 student. The school has facilities for visual and performing arts, technology, science, hospitality and a fitness centre. The school also has over 20 portable classrooms, largely due to its rapid growth in its early years.^[1]

The school is organised into four Vertical Sub Schools, each with its own colour, mascot and representing one of the schools values. Each Sub School has their own building and is led by one Sub School Leader (Leading Teacher) and one Assistant Sub School Leader. Students enter one of these Sub Schools in Year 7, and remain until they finish Year 10.^[2]

Year 11 and 12 students have their own Sub School and building, with the School Captains coming from this group of students. Students in these year levels have the option to study either VCE or VCAL, with many students also adding a VET course to their study. Year 12 results have steadily improved over the past 6 years, with the median VCE study score in 2014 being 30, and 100% of senior VCAL students completing their course.

The school is accredited with the Council of International Schools, and has been since 2008. The school underwent the rigorous 5 year review in 2013 and will seek reaccreditation in 2018.^[3]

Kambrya College has sister schools in China, Japan and Germany, and has relations with schools in Timor and South Africa. Students and staff visit these schools on either annual or bi-annual visits.^[4]

Late in 2015, the College became accredited with the Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools, and is now allowed to offer an accelerated program to gifted students.^[5]

In 2016, the school was the subject of the ABC's 4-part series Revolution School. ^[6][7]

Employment issues

On 16 November 2005 the teachers took part in a strike and rally against controversial changes to national workplace laws.^[8] In October 2007 the school reported problems with teacher poaching from other schools due to the teacher shortage. 11 teachers were employed by private schools and another two by interstate schools in the past two years. Most were maths, science or language teachers, all recognised areas of national shortage and positions the principal had struggled to fill.^[9]

In July 2009 the school had another issue with 3 more teachers being employed by other schools.

During 2012 and 2013, many teachers and support staff participated in work bans and strikes organised by the Australian Education Union as part of an ongoing dispute between the union and the state Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) over wages and working conditions.

References

External links

• Official site