Myrtleford p-12 encourages students to become active, flexible and responsible learners. A spirit of enquiry and excitement for knowledge is at the heart of what we do. This enquiry-based learning promotes curiosity and positive risk taking.
At Myrtleford Secondary College, our Year 7 Transition Program is designed to help students feel confident, connected, and ready for secondary school. Through a range of orientation activities, classroom experiences, and wellbeing support, students become familiar with their new learning environment, teachers, and routines.
We work closely with local primary schools and families to ensure a smooth and positive transition, supporting each student academically, socially, and emotionally as they begin their secondary school journey
At Myrtleford P12 College, our Values in Action program is deeply grounded in our core values of Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be a Responsible Community Member, and Be Safe.
Through everyday activities, student-led initiatives, and collaborative projects, we encourage students to practise these values in real life — from looking out for one another to making ethical decisions in the classroom.
We recognise and reward students who model responsibility, respect, and community-minded behaviour, showing that these values aren’t just words but actions that shape a caring, inclusive, and thriving school environment. By living our values every day, students at Myrtleford P12 learn how to contribute positively and safely to both our school and the wider community
Student leadership at Myrtleford P12 College focuses on giving students meaningful opportunities to contribute to their school community while developing confidence, responsibility, and communication skills.
Leadership is encouraged across all year levels, with students supported to take initiative, represent their peers, and model the school values of Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be a Responsible Community Member, and Be Safe.
Through roles in classrooms, year-level groups, and whole-school initiatives, students learn to work collaboratively, make positive decisions, and actively shape the culture of the college. Myrtleford P12 is committed to nurturing leaders who show integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of community.
At Myrtleford P12 College we run a wide variety of programs for students that link with the Victorian Curriculum 7-10 and extend to senior secondary offerings that include VCE, VCE VM, VPC and VET options.
Our VCE subjects are offered in conjunction with Marian College Myrtleford – a sharing arrangement which has existed since 1979 to offer senior students a far greater choice of studies than either school could offer individually.
English: 6 periods per week Yr 7/8 and 5 periods per week Yr 9/10
Our college is committed to working with all students to develop their literacy and English skills, so that they can engage more effectively in all aspects of their lives. Our school wide focus is on improving students’ ability to communicate effectively. The English curriculum for Levels 7–10 is designed as a continuous learning progression. It builds strong foundational skills in three core strands: Language, Literature, and Literacy. Students develop these skills by analyzing diverse texts and creating their own imaginative, creative, informative, and persuasive pieces. Literacy growth is also supported by a variety of online learning platforms that reinforce and extend classroom learning.
Mathematics: 5 periods per week Year 7-10
Developing strong numeracy skills in Mathematics is critical for all our students and our mathematics teachers use a range of strategies to engage students at their point of need. Our teachers and students use the online program Math Pathways to assist with individualised student programs.
Our teachers make links to real world applications of mathematics and connections to other subject areas and provide students with opportunities to participate in national mathematics competitions and challenges.
Numeracy support sessions are available for identified Year 7/8 students via small group 25 minute sessions run twice per week over 5 week rotations.
Numeracy extensions sessions are offered to Year 7/8 students. The program will be structured around the VCES Victorian Maths Games Challenge (VMGC). These challenges take place every 4 weeks. In the sessions between the challenges, students are engaged in building on problem solving skills and a deeper level of challenge, using YouCubed rich tasks.
We offer a range of senior secondary mathematics options, including Mathematical Methods, General Mathematics, and VM Numeracy or Foundation Mathematics (cohort dependent). Specialist Mathematics is supported for interested students.
Humanities: 4 periods per week Yr 7-10
Humanities is the study of how humans interact with one another and with the natural world. Humanities offers a rich and diverse curriculum. Students learn vital skills and are exposed to a wide range of content, facts and information. Learning experiences in Humanities are planned carefully and collaboratively so that lessons are accessible to all. There are many opportunities for discussions, group work, interactive learning, role plays, field work, excursions, exhibitions, investigation, personal reflection, empathy, research and enquiry which means this is a subject that learners of all abilities enjoy.
Humanities at 7-10 explores the four disciplines of Business and Economics, Civics and Citizenship, Geography and History. Each discipline emphasises the importance of learning and practising the skills students need to become independent, life long learners and links to pathways studies at senior secondary level. Our current senior secondary offerings for the Humanities include: Business Management, Modern History/Revolutions and Legal Studies.
Science: 3 periods per week Yr 7/8 and 4 periods per week Yr 9/10
The sciences support our students to regularly engage in analytical and scientific thinking and problem solving.
Our Science program focuses on helping students to develop skills in both the applied and theoretical components of the study. Year 7 – 10 Science explores Earth and space sciences, Biological sciences, Chemical sciences and Physical sciences. Through these areas of investigation, students are able to build their science inquiry skills and understand how sciences contribute to the development and understanding of our world.
Our students access outreach science centres and programs in an effort to link classroom instruction to real world scientific work. At senior secondary we offer the following science subjects Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.
STEM – elective Yr 8/9/10
Following from a residential robotics camp in 2025, Year 8 students have an opportunity to participate in a 2 period per week Robotics elective and Year 9/10 students a 4 period per week Robotics elective where they have explored robotics using the VEX iQ or VEX v5 systems. They have utilised detailed guides to construct their robots and have used the engineering design cycle to refine and improve their builds. Students have used the VEXcode platform to code their robots to move and carry out tasks autonomously. Students are able to be involved in the local VEX scrimmages and national championships.
Forensic Science – elective Yr 9/10
Forensic Science is an elective that Year 9/10 students can choose to study. This subject teaches the skills that students need to investigate crime scenes, including searching and photographing a crime scene. Students investigate different kinds of evidence, including blood splatter, arson, ballistics and DNA used to solve crimes. They learn about Forensic psychology to understand the criminal mind, behavioural patterns, and motivations behind criminal behaviour, as well as how psychological profiling can assist in solving cases. This subject supports students in developing team work skills, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Health & Physical Education: 3 periods per week Yr 7-10
Health and Physical Education is a compulsory subject for all students from Year 7-10, with pathways through to VCE Unit 1-4 Physical Education and Health and Human Development.
Students are required to change into compulsory school PE uniform for each practical class, including a SunSmart hat and drink bottle in Terms 1 and 4. In lessons, students explore movement patterns and skills and apply them to a wide range of sports and physical activity concepts.
There is a compulsory theory and practical component to the subject these include: Components of fitness, body systems, individualised training programs and peer coaching.
Health curriculum themes include Dimensions of Health, Respectful Relationships, Personal Health & Wellbeing, and Community Health.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education is a senior secondary subject that provides students with opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, leadership and practical outdoor skills through a wide range of experiences in natural environments. Students participate in activities that promote teamwork, personal challenge, environmental awareness and healthy, active lifestyles.
The Outdoor Environmental Studies curriculum covers key units of connections, discovering and relationships with outdoor environments, and sustainability for the future of outdoor environments.
Our location provides an ideal setting for Outdoor Education, allowing students to engage directly with diverse natural environments and authentic outdoor experiences. Through practical activities and reflective learning, students build an understanding of the relationships between people, outdoor environments, and sustainable practices.
High Performance Sport – AFL elective Yr 9/10 (4 periods per week per Semester)
High Performance Sport AFL is delivered as a theory-based component and a physical AFL training session.
The theory element explores the body functions, analysing movement from a muscular and skeletal point of view. Students also research topics relevant to AFL, such as contemporary issues in the sport, injury prevention and training programs, as well as a data analysis unit where they watch coded games of football to analyse data trends and statistics.
In the practical component, students complete a 1hr 30min training session focusing on skill development and concepts of the game. Students are expected to bring their own HPS sports shirt to change into, football boots and a drink bottle. Adding to this, our fully functional gymnasium will allow students to build strength and develop physically while at school. These sessions will be supervised by trained staff.
The Arts: 2 periods per week Year 7/8
Technology: 2 periods per week Year 7/8
In the Arts and Technologies department students are able to engage with a team of passionate teachers to explore their creativity and problem solving skills.
In Year 7 and 8, students rotate through Visual Arts and Design and Technologies. In Year 9 and 10, students are given the option of choosing from of a range of specialised electives.
Year 7 – one semester of each: Visual Art, Design Technology Food, and Design Technology Materials
Year 8 – one semester of each: Visual Art, Visual Communication Design, Design Technology Food and Design Technology Materials.
Year 9/10 Art/Technology elective options include: Visual Arts, Design and Technologies, Food Technology, and Media.
There are a variety of senior pathways options in the Arts and Technologies for students wishing to pursue creative or design fields. Our current senior secondary offerings include Art: Creative Practice, Visual Communication Design, and Media. Additional VET and VCE subjects are offered at local TAFE providers and Virtual School Victoria.
Italian: 2 periods per week Yr 7/8; 4 periods per week elective Yr 9/10
We currently offer Italian language education to students in Year P – 10. Students with particular additional language skills or native language background may access alternative language courses via the VSL – Victorian School of Languages.
By studying a language other than English, students more deeply develop skills in the four areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing as well as develop their knowledge of a different culture, broadening cultural and social perspectives.
1 period per week Year 7-10
Learning Mentor combines Respectful Relationships and Career education.
Respectful Relationships is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from foundation to year 12. It is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across the entire school community.
Career education combines a range of resources/activities including the Careers Tools online platform and a range of excursions and incursions aimed at providing opportunities for students to explore possible job/career options beyond secondary school.
Students in Year 7/8 participate in 2 periods per week of electives. These electives typically include sport (linked to building skills in end of term Ovens & Mitta sports), Creative Making and Robotics. Electives can change year to year depending on the student cohort, interests and staff availability.
Melbourne Camp
Year 7 students have an opportunity to participate in a 3 day/2 night trip to Melbourne – the trip is linked to Humanities and assessing aspects of Melbourne and its liveability.
Students in Year 7 are intentionally timetabled with a ‘key’ Year 7 teacher who will typically be the class teacher for at least 2 classes. This is aimed at transitioning students from primary school and also to provide the students with an opportunity to build significant relationships with at least one secondary teacher.
Electives
Students in Year 9/10 undertake a program of core subjects (English, Maths, Humanities, Science, PEH and LM) plus 2 x 4 period per week electives. Electives are undertaken as combined Year 9/10 classes and can change from year to year. Some are offered on an alternate year basis and student choice will determine which electives run. Electives are offered in the learning areas of Arts & Technology (Visual Arts, Food Studies, Design & Technology, Media, Textiles), PEH (High Performance Sport AFL, Active Living), Science (Robotics, Forensics, Psychology in Action) and LOTE (Italian). Electives aim to provide students with an opportunity to develop further skills in areas of particular interest and also prepare students for VCE subjects.
Future Makers Program
The Future Makers Program is an annual, whole cohort program for Year 9 students. Students will be challenged to become initiators, leaders and managers of change in a world where they have the ability to influence their own futures. The program delivers the learning capabilities through hands-on, experiential learning.
The program is operated and delivered by staff from 15 Mile Creek campus of The Outdoor School, which is a Department of Education school. Their staff deliver 1-2 days of content at Myrtleford P12 College prior to the program commencing. The program then involves a 12 day residential component where students attend 15 Mile Creek and undertake a five day student led canoeing expedition down the Murray River in the middle of the program. Teachers from both Myrtleford P12 College and Outdoor School 15 Mile Creek will deliver elements of the program with a collegiate team teaching approach.
Morrisby Aptitude Assessment
Students in Year 9 are strongly encouraged to participate in the Morrisby assessment to assist students understand their strengths and potential. Following the assessment completion, students and parents are offered an opportunity to discuss the resulting profile and possible career options suggested by the results. Students continue to have access to the online platform throughout their secondary schooling – they can continue to access the information regarding career options.
SSL
School for Student Leadership is a state-wide residential program for Year 9 government school students which involves students living at one of four campuses (determined by home school allocation) for an entire term. Students are nominated by their home school in the previous year. The process for nomination at MP12 is an initial application and interview in the year prior to attending ie. students apply in Year 8 to attend in Year 9. When they return to MP12 the students are involved in a Community Project which they have decided upon when away. Community Projects from recent SSL students include a series of activities with primary students encouraging cultural inclusion, the creation of the ‘Be Kind To Your Mind’ mural on the SLC retaining wall and working with primary students during the Myrtleford Wellbeing Week highlighting the value of Kindness.
Work Experience
At Year 10, all students are encouraged to undertake at least one week of work experience (at the same time as the Year 9s are involved in the Future Makers Program). Students are supported to organise work experience by our Careers Practitioner (Danielle Caponecchia) but are responsible for making contact and pre-work experience check ins.
Work experience can also be organised for students at times outside of the week work experience block on an individual basis. To undertake work experience, students should be over 15 years of age.
Students undertaking VCE VM are encouraged to combine their at school classes, with 1 or 2 days per week work experience to assist with their transition beyond school.
VDSS and GOTAFE Multitrade
Students undertaking Year 10 also have the option of engaging in a VDSS (VET Delivery to Secondary Students) program or a GOTAFE Multitrade program.
VET is a course where students undertake a nationally accredited Vocational Education and Training course as part of their Year 10 (or VCE or VCE VM) program. Year 11/12s are provided with preferential access to VET programs run through Wangaratta GOTAFE, however, sometimes there are places remaining for Year 10 students. Students should only enrol in a VET program if they are confident that they are likely to pursue further training/employment in the field of the program they are studying. VDSS programs involve one day per week at GOTAFE (typically a Wednesday) and students undertaking a VDSS program will typically only undertake one elective (instead of 2).
The GOTAFE Multitrade is a relatively new program which is designed to provide Year 10 students with an opportunity to try a range of VDSS programs before committing to their preferred field in Year 11. Students participating in the Multitrade attend GOTAFE one day per week (typically a Friday) and typically they will only undertake one elective (instead of 2).
Students undertaking either a VDSS or Multitrade program in Year 10 are still required to undertake the key core subjects (English, Maths. Humanities, Science and PEH) so as to not restrict their Year 11 program options.
At Myrtleford P-12 College, students in Years 7–12 are encouraged to become thoughtful, active and responsible members of their community. Through our Social Impact programs, students develop the skills, confidence and compassion to make a positive difference locally and beyond.
Students engage in a range of real-world learning experiences that promote leadership, teamwork, inclusion and community connection. Opportunities may include volunteering, fundraising, environmental initiatives, student leadership, advocacy projects and partnerships with local organisations.
A valued part of our program is our involvement in intergenerational learning opportunities, where students connect with older members of the community through shared activities, conversations and collaborative experiences. These programs foster empathy, respect and understanding while building meaningful relationships across generations. Students develop communication and interpersonal skills, while community members benefit from the energy, connection and engagement our young people bring.
Our approach empowers students to:
By connecting learning with purpose, Myrtleford P-12 College supports students to become engaged young people who are prepared to lead, contribute and create positive change in their communities.
Myrtleford P-12 College is fortunate to have strong and dedicated leadership in Jenni Gardner, Vice Principal of the Secondary School. Jenni is an experienced and highly knowledgeable educator whose leadership is widely respected across the school community. She brings a calm, approachable, and personable nature to her role, fostering strong and positive relationships with students, staff, and families alike. Her ability to connect with people and genuinely listen ensures that all members of the school community feel supported, valued, and heard.
Jenni is passionate about creating an environment where every student can thrive both academically and personally. She is deeply committed to student learning, wellbeing, and engagement, and works closely with teachers and support staff to ensure students are provided with high-quality learning opportunities tailored to their individual needs. Her collaborative leadership style encourages teamwork, innovation, and consistency across the Secondary School, helping to build a positive and inclusive culture where students feel safe, confident, and motivated to achieve their best.
Jenni’s experience, guidance, and unwavering commitment to the success of students and staff continue to make a significant contribution to the ongoing strength and positive culture of the Secondary School leadership team.
Kate Sanderson is an essential member of the Secondary leadership team at Myrtleford P-12 College. With a strong background in student wellbeing and inclusive education, she is dedicated to creating an environment where every student feels supported, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Kate collaborates closely with teachers, support staff, and families to develop and implement tailored learning adjustments and wellbeing initiatives that address the unique needs of each learner.
Kate’s collaborative and student-centred approach has a significant impact across the Secondary school. She is passionate about building strong relationships with students and families, recognising that positive connections are essential for learning, engagement, and wellbeing.
Known for her approachable and compassionate style, Kate has a deep understanding of inclusive practices and a genuine commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive school culture, where students are encouraged to develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging within the school community.
Her leadership is characterized by thoughtful advocacy and ongoing support, making her a trusted and influential figure who ensures the success and wellbeing of all students within the school community.
As the 10–12 Year Level Coordinator, Keira is dedicated to supporting students throughout their senior secondary years, helping them navigate both the academic and personal challenges of VCE and VCE Vocational Major pathways. Her role focuses on student support, engagement, attendance, wellbeing, and behavioural management, ensuring students feel connected, supported, and successful during their time at school.
Keira works closely with students, families, and teachers to strengthen communication and provide tailored support for individual learning needs. She plays a key role in liaising with our partner school for shared VCE classes, monitoring student progress, and supporting students to achieve their best outcomes.
In addition to her wellbeing and academic support responsibilities, Keira coordinates and facilitates a range of important senior school events, including the Year 11 Camp (supported by Careers practitioner, Danielle Caponecchia) and Formal, as well as Year 12 Induction (supported by Assistant Principal, Jenni Gardner) and Graduation. She also works collaboratively with VCE and VM teachers to support the delivery of engaging and inclusive learning programs that prepare students for future pathways beyond school.
Jake Sharp is an experienced educator and the Year 7–9 Student Coordinator at Myrtleford P-12 College. He also serves as the Behavioural Support and School for Student Leadership Liaison Teacher, playing a key role in supporting student wellbeing, engagement, and behaviour across the secondary years.
Known for his calm and approachable manner, Jake has built strong relationships with students through his fair approach and genuine commitment to helping young people succeed. Students relate well to Jake because he is supportive, consistent, and takes the time to understand individual needs and strengths.
As a respected leader within the local sporting community, Jake brings teamwork, resilience, and leadership into his everyday work with students. His ability to connect with young people allows him to support students both academically and personally, helping them navigate the challenges of secondary school with confidence, creating positive outcomes for every student.
At Myrtleford P12 College, Wellbeing and Inclusion are central to our school culture. We are dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where every student feels valued and has a strong sense of belonging.
At Myrtleford P12 College, our MP12 Instructional Model is grounded in the Science of Learning and informed by Cognitive Load Theory, ensuring every student has the best opportunity to learn effectively.
