Independent Schools Guide 2024: Geelong Grammar School to expand with middle years program

Located in a quiet corner of inner Melbourne is Geelong Grammar School’s Toorak Campus, thoughtfully educating students from ELC to Year 6. The Head of Campus, Nicole Ginnane, describes the environment as “vibrant and joyful” and says it has always been a place where teachers know their students.

“We are small and intimate enough that all our teachers know all the children,” she says.

For Dr Benjamin Zonca, the newly arrived Deputy Head of Campus and Head of Learning and Teaching, the strong sense of community at the Toorak Campus is tangible.

“Parents know each other, teachers are well-connected to the children and to the families, and everyone instantly feels included,” he says.

Until now, students completing Year 6 at Toorak Campus have traditionally continued their educational journey at the Corio Campus, either as day students or boarders.

Embracing the interest from local families, Geelong Grammar School has recently announced a new opportunity.

Known as The Glamorgan Initiative, the Toorak Campus will be progressing with the design of a Middle Years program, which will include the phased introduction of years 7 and 8 from 2027, providing an enriching educational experience closer to home.

This allows families to keep their children at the school for longer until they are ready to join Geelong Grammar’s in-demand Year 9 program at Timbertop.

“We have created an inclusive pathway that allows children to stay living at home with their families for longer and to then go to Timbertop and then move to years 10, 11 and 12 at the Corio Campus,” explains Ginnane.

“Many families who leave us in Year 6 don’t want to go to another school, but they feel their children are too young for boarding or commuting to Corio.

“The introduction of years 7 and 8 provides a solution that families have been looking for.”

After completing years 7 and 8 at the Toorak Campus, students can move into one of the most sought-after but limited positions at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop Campus near Mansfield in the Victorian Alps.

The Toorak Campus is favoured by parents searching for an avenue to this formative Year 9 experience. It also offers a holistic, student-centred philosophy, individualised support and many opportunities for children to grow their confidence, talents and interests.

“We have strong pedagogical values around creative education, positive education and adventure education and this continues into the early secondary years in years 7 and 8,” says Zonca.

“As an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school, our teaching and learning point towards building enduring understanding and big ideas,” he says. “Learning is meaningful and our small class  sizes encourage children to build skills to express themselves in many different ways.”

The positive education curriculum teaches students to understand themselves and their emotions and develop self-regulation skills to make informed decisions.

Children explore their character strengths and work on areas they’d like to develop further.

The adventure education element of the curriculum promotes students being adventurous learners. This aspect includes an adventure camp, a kitchen garden program, and a practical bike education program that teaches children how to ride safely.

Looking ahead, the school is working on a design master plan with architects and the school community to create dedicated spaces for the years 7 and 8 students when they arrive.

“Families are very excited about this new opportunity and we are already seeing

significant interest from families across Melbourne,” says Ginnane.

“We are all looking forward to this next step in the school’s journey.”

Geelong Grammar School

Bostock House: 139 Noble Street, Newtown, VIC 3220

Corio Campus: 50 Biddlecombe Avenue, Corio, VIC 3214

Timbertop Campus: Private Mail Bag, Mansfield, VIC 3722

Toorak Campus: 14 Douglas Street, Toorak, VIC 3142

ggs.vic.edu.au

Enquiries: 5273 9307

admissions@ggs.vic.edu.au

Years: ELC–Year 12

Denomination: Anglican

Gender: Co-educational

Fees: See website

Boarding: Yes

Scholarships: Yes

ATAR (median for 2023): 82.9