Lavalla Catholic College is committed to the on-going formation of a learning community. Our curriculum is characterised by an infusion of principles and research based trends, the foremost being:

The Marist Principles of Education:

• Presence;
• Simplicity;
• Family spirit;
• Love of work;
• In the way of Mary.

The Four Pillars of Learning:

• Learning to know;
• Learning to do;
• Learning to live together;
• Learning to be.

Middle School Philosophy:

• Early adolescent behaviour;
• Engaging in learning through co-operative activities;
• Managing emotions;
• Optimistic thinking habits;
• Setting goals.

International Trends in Education, such as:

• PISA - program for international student assessment; (essential knowledge and skills for participation in society)
• TIMSS - trends in international mathematics and science study.

Essential learning within the frameworks of the

• VELS - Years 7-10 in three stages of learning, setting foundations, building breadth and depth, enabling pathways.
• VCE - choice of over 44 subjects leading to post-school options.
• VCAL - applied learning pathway as an alternative to VCE.
• VET - certificate programs conducted both on-campus and off-campus.

The delivery of curricular programs is well complemented by

• Student support teams, providing additional assistance in a variety of forms;
• Teacher support teams at Years 7-8, 9-10 & 11-12, guiding curriculum design and development;
• Professional Development plans, keeping staff current with education initiatives;
• Forward planning for a range of resources, including facilities, equipment and Information & Communication technologies.

We offer all members of our learning community the opportunity to experience the College motto, "Strong Minds - Compassionate Hearts" and to follow in the footsteps of St. Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers, who inspired us to believe that "to teach children, we must love them, and love them all equally."

Rita Nainie

Director of Student Learning