At the core of our educational philosophy is relationship; build the relationship, then work on building the skills.
The Curriculum of Borinya responds to the particular needs of students. We do this by developing individual learning pathways. This is achieved by:
It is designed to develop and extend pathways for young people, while providing flexibility for different cohorts. It is suitable for students whose previous schooling experience may have been disrupted for a variety of reasons, including students with additional needs, students who have missed significant periods of learning and vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from their education.
Students will gain the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to make informed choices about pathways into a senior secondary qualification, entry level vocational education and training (VET) course or employment.
The VPC curriculum provides learning based on applied learning principles and a practical pathway into further education, employment and training. It is designed to engage students through applied learning and provides flexibility to meet an individual’s learning needs. Through participation in the VPC students will gain the necessary foundation skills to allow them to make a successful post-schooling transition.
The Learner Diversity Coordinator and staff create effective personalised learning plans and implement appropriate adjustments and interventions to ensure students are able to access the curriculum.
Parent Support Group meetings are held each term to monitor and evaluate student learning and achievements using SMART goals as well as the evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of the adjustments and interventions in place.
The Disability Standards for Education 2005 requires that all Australian schools support students with disability. Obligations include:
It began in 2018 as a project to develop employment skills and work-related capabilities in our students. A social enterprise is a business that is created to tackle social problems and improve communities. The VPC Café donates all profits towards a social cause that is researched and selected by the VPC students. Some examples from previous groups include NESAY, Wangaratta Night Shelter and Centre against Violence.
Borinya is lucky to have a commercial kitchen, which enhances the VCP Cafe to have a restaurant environment, the students have roles similar to a restaurant, such as waiting tables, barista skills, kitchen hand and customer service. Customers include students, staff and invited guests it is a alcarte restaurant, serving main meals and deserts, please see some of the scrumptious meals below;
Currently the VPC program is constructing a Coffee Trailer with the support of Evero Engineering, which will extend the VCP Café to the wider community.
Student leadership serves as a platform for personal growth, skill development, community engagement, and positive change, preparing students to become responsible and compassionate leaders in various aspects of life.
Some of the topics we will be exploring in our Student Leadership program include;
Personal Development: Student leadership provides opportunities for students to develop self-confidence, communication skills, time management, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. These skills are valuable not only during one’s school years but also throughout life.
Empowerment: Student leaders are given the chance to voice their opinions, make decisions, and take ownership of projects and initiatives. This sense of empowerment encourages them to become more responsible and proactive in shaping their educational experiences.
Positive Influence: Student leadership helps foster a sense of belonging and unity among their peers leading to a more inclusive and supportive school environment. Student leaders will serve as role models to their peers.
Skill Development: Student leadership provides opportunities to learn leadership skills, such as effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and adaptability.
Voice and Representation: Student leaders represent the interests, concerns, and needs of their peers to school administration and staff.
Initiative and Innovation: Student leaders often initiate and lead projects that address important issues within the school community.
Preparation for Future Roles: Engaging in student leadership prepares individuals for future leadership roles in professional, civic, and community settings.
Back row left to right: Sophie Cleal, George Fisher, Tanu Nu’u, Ruby Holland, Josh Hartwig, Jason Fisher.
Bottom row left to right: Dylan Graham, Lucas Ryder, Cayden Jackson
Borinya’s sustainability project centres around the Mullinmur Wetlands adjacent to the school. Our unique environmental education program uses hands-on learning activities to develop student understanding of biodiversity and wetland ecosystems. We have a strong commitment to community-based approaches to environmental challenges and through our work we hope to build resilience and optimism in our students and an ethos of environmental stewardship.
Together with RCOW, NECMA and Wangaratta Landcare & Sustainability Network the committee plans and carries out projects to improve the wetland habitat, water quality and surrounding vegetation. Students are also involved in projects to improve the public amenity of the area. To date some of these projects include installation, maintenance and monitoring of nesting boxes. Creating and installing fish habitats such as Cod hotels and LUNKERS. Annual revegetation works both on land and in the water.
Staff and students have also designed and built a fire pit and seating area and assisted in the upkeep of an education hub that is used by local schools and community groups.
Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership provides a child-safe environment, where all students have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and will be protected from harm.
The Sandhurst Catholic Education Office and Schools acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our Offices and Schools are built. We commit to working in partnership with Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.