Oberon High School is a highly successful secondary school with consistently high student outcomes across all year levels but particularly at VCE. Oberon High School has been one of the top performing Geelong secondary schools for many years.
Oberon High School draws students from a broad geographical area that includes the Surfcoast (Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae, Torquay and Barwon Heads) the rural communities of Connewarre, Mount Duneed and Freshwater Creek and our local area of Belmont, Highton and Grovedale. Many other students are travelling from other Geelong suburbs to attend Oberon and this has been reflected in our enrolment growth in recent years.
Our students come from diverse social and socio economic backgrounds, with the mixing of students from the surf coast, the rural communities and the city contributing to the schools unique culture.
Oberon was awarded ‘Performance & Development Accreditation in 2006. The school is part of the Leading School Program and has been actively involved in the Middle Year Innovations and Excellence program. Funding to support these initiatives’ concluded at the end of 2007, but a range of initiatives introduced from these programs are now part of the Oberon culture. Oberon High School is among the first to implement a Netbook Program whereby all of our year 8 students lease a netbook from the school and integrate it into their learning. This is an innovative program attracting considerable interest across the state, particularly now that the DEECD has begun a trial of this program in year 5.
A staged refurbishment of the school is currently underway with planning completed for an upgraded Art, Technology, ICT and Administration facility. This upgrade has recently been completed and has provided innovative contemporary learning spaces for our students.
Currently the school has a computer ratio of 1:3.5. We have received notification of approval for our application for Federal Government funding of computers. We will be installing 287 new machines shortly. All classrooms are air-conditioned and although old are maintained in very good condition.
The school grounds are very well maintained and include two ovals and 5 flexi paved Tennis, Basketball and Netball courts. Recent landscaping and the completion of a series of outdoor exercise stations has greatly improved and enhanced the facilities available to both students and staff. An outdoor performance space, The Wilson Pavilion, is almost competed and will provide an exceptional space for student performances. Rain water tanks are currently being installed to allow for watering of our school oval. Further redevelopment of the grounds is planned with shade structures and an outdoor learning space for year 12 being constructed.
Underpinning the programs, curriculum and operation of Oberon High School are the following values.
At Oberon High School we believe:
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That a good education requires an effective partnership between the school, the students and the home.
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All students can learn and achieve success, given appropriate opportunities, individual curriculum and support.
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That all teachers should display enthusiasm and enjoyment of teaching.
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Senior students have a responsibility to be a positive role model for younger students.
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Students should take a growing responsibility for their own learning.
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In honesty, fairness and commitment to ones values.
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Students should enjoy learning and being at school; where we value and encourage enthusiasm for learning.
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That all members of the school demonstrate respect for their environment.
These values define how we as a community conduct ourselves.
Oberon High School is continually striving to improve student performance in VCE and at Years 7-10. This will be achieved by developing a school culture where all students are engaged and enthusiastic and take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour. Staff have high expectations of student learning.
The smooth transition from primary to secondary school is seen as very important with an extensive program in place to ensure that all students of the school start their secondary education in a most positive environment. Transition programs, the House student management system and the vertical home group program of Oberon High School contribute to this.
Students in Year 9 through to Year 12 also engage in an extensive careers and pathways program to ensure that they too have a thorough understanding of their post school options, to ensure a smooth transition from secondary school to employment or further study.