Champions of girls’ education, Ave Maria College continues to diversify its learning opportunities to empower students to thrive.
For more than 60 years, Ave Maria College has been dedicated to providing innovative and contemporary learning experiences that spark curiosity and allow students to thrive in our ever-changing world. With a focus on maximising student growth and engagement, students at Ave Maria College have access to multiple pathways that will enable them to be leaders in their chosen fields. Inspired by Helene de Chappotin’s vision that ‘learning is for fullness of life for all,’ learning and teaching at the College is characterised as inclusive, meaningful, collaborative, and personalised. As a result, students are supported towards high-performing results in VCE. In 2023, 15.50 per cent of students achieved an ATAR over 90, and 39.53 per cent achieved an ATAR over 80.
Innovative and contemporary learning
Learning and teaching at Ave Maria College is underpinned by the College Charter for Education. Created in 2020, the Charter articulates a holistic approach to education, acknowledging the inherent connection between faith, learning, and wellbeing.
The Charter for Education forms the foundation for all pathways and programs that operate across the different spheres of the College. With its focus on purposeful teaching and engaging learning, students are armed with the necessary knowledge, skills, and understanding that they require to be active and informed citizens in the emerging world of the future.
In Years 7-9, students are exposed to a broad and diverse curriculum that enables them to develop knowledge, skills and understanding across all subject areas and disciplines. Through core and elective subjects, students are provided with opportunities to tailor their studies to suit their individual skills, interests, and aspirations.
From Year 10, students can build upon and specialise in learning areas that will lead them to their post-secondary field of choice. Working closely with our careers staff and VCE teachers, students are supported through the Senior Pathways selection process to ensure they can achieve their post-secondary study and employment goals.
Some of the many Senior Pathways available to students include:
- Victorian Certificate of Education – scored pathway (ATAR)
- Victorian Certificate of Education – non-scored pathway
- Victorian Certificate of Education – accelerated learning pathway
- Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (Previously known as VCAL)
- Victorian Certificate of Education – VET pathway
- Victorian Certificate of Education – school-based apprenticeship pathway
- Tertiary Preparation Program (in partnership with RMIT University)
Throughout their time at the College, students’ skills are recognised, developed, and celebrated, imparting students with the courage to excel in whatever career pathway they choose. Ninety-two per cent of graduates from the Class of 2023 received their first or second preference of tertiary pathway across a wide range of fields, including Engineering, Law, Education, Biomedicine, Allied Health, Business, and Commerce.
Strategic partnerships
As part of our commitment to provide pathways for every student to grow and thrive, we are always actively seeking new opportunities to broaden our programs and offerings for students. Strategic partnerships play a vital role in this as they allow us to cater to each and every student to ensure that they receive a well-rounded holistic education grounded in the Franciscan tradition. In a ground-breaking partnership with Liverpool Football Club International Academy Australia, the College is proud to host the club’s first all-girls high-performance soccer training academy in Victoria.
With a focus on belonging, growth, and engagement, the program will provide another dimension to the College’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum, exposing students to the Liverpool methodology for the acquisition of soccer knowledge, skills, and understanding. Students will not only be able to develop their skills as players technically, tactically, and physically but also have access to a variety of programs and resources for their social and mental development to enhance important life skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Inspiring change
Student voice is highly valued by the College as students are empowered to take a leading role in shaping the College community. From Year 7, students have opportunities to take on formal and informal leadership roles across a diverse array of portfolios, allowing students to serve their community and act as catalysts for meaningful change. Throughout the year, elected student leaders participate in a series of leadership seminars to build on their skills and generate new ideas to improve the College experience.
Last year’s inaugural Youth Conference, ‘Youth Response’, stands as a testament to the capacity of the College’s student leaders. Led by the Year 8 and 10 Academic Leaders, the College hosted high school-aged students from across Australia for a three-day conference focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This was an incredible undertaking for the student leaders who were instrumental in planning, organising, and running the conference over the course of the three days.
However, while this kind of leadership and achievement is celebrated at Ave, we also recognise that not every leader within our College holds a formal position. Through our Ave Charter for Education Awards and Academic and Community Awards Night, students quietly demonstrating leadership are recognised for their contributions to the College Community, encouraging them to continue to be powerful role models and change-makers.
