About Us
We are a community school committed to equipping students to be able to 'choose a life that has meaning.'
In 2017, there are approximately 200 fulltime students enrolled. Most of our students live in town with approximately 30% arriving by bus across five bus routes. There is a strong sporting culture in the school, with many students and staff playing at the local football and netball club, and there is a local gym. Other sports offered in Warracknabeal include:
Tenaya Zanker (foreground) and Kiarna Taylor (background) competing against Murtoa College in the Black Ranges Division Senior Girls Football Competition at Horsham City Oval in 2016.
We are committed to a rigorous and diverse curriculum for those with academic and/or practical pathways. Year 7-9 is based on the Vicotiran Curriculum. Year 7 & 8 students study Art, Technology (wood, metal, textiles, and food), Media, Drama, and Japanese. Year 9 electives include Automotive, Art (painting and drawing), Cooking, Energy Breakthrough, Japanese, and Photo Journalism. Students also have the opportunity to modify their timetable with other classes to support their individual pathway.
In the senior years we are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible. We run a three year VCE program, beginning in Year 10, in order to increase subject options for students. We usually have small Year 12 classes (as few as two students), or we support students doing virtual classes or subjects by distance. For the students following a practical pathway, we have a rigorous VCAL program with strong links with the local community for work placements. VET is operated out of Horsham which provides many opportunities to prepare for the workforce, however we also run a local VET most years. When required, we run a Satellite VCAL program for those students who need a more flexible and adult learning environment, which is run out of the Neighbourhood House. There are effectively 23 fulltime teachers, which includes the principal, two assistant principals and two leading teachers, supported by six education support staff. We have a number of staff who are local to Warracknabeal or the region, who are complemented by teachers who come from Canada via ‘Leading Out’ and through the Teach for Australia program, adding to the diversity of the teaching staff.
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Established in 1918, Warracknabeal Secondary College is a rural government school based in the prosperous country town in the heart of Victoria's wheat-belt. Due to the closest secondary college being at least 40 kilometres away, Warracknabeal Secondary College services an extensive rural community in the Yarriambiack Shire. Warracknabeal has approximately 2500 residents, which is situated 60 kilometres north of Horsham (population of approximately 15,000). The town is situated on the Henty Highway, by the gum-lined banks of Yarriambiack Creek. The town's name derives from an Aboriginal expression relating to the large red gums along the creek. It is approximately a four hour drive from Melbourne
We are a vision oriented school, with an owned mission and values. We aim to empower students who come to Warracknabeal Secondary College to ‘be able to choose a life that has meaning’. We reinforce our values of Honesty, Respect, Resilience, Excellence, and Perseverance through awarding students with Young Achiever Awards for displaying these values. Being part of a close community, both within the town and the school results in a strong relationship centered education based on high expectations of behaviour and learning. 
Honesty, Respect, Resilience, Excellence, Perseverance
Warracknabeal Secondary College has a strong commitment to consistent teaching and learning practices based on the ‘Powerful Learning’ strategies. Most lessons have clear ‘learning intentions’ to help students focus on what they are learning, rather than what they are doing. We use data to inform our decisions, both at a strategic level and at a classroom level. The school has clear expectations of student behaviour, which means there is an established calm learning environment in classes. ICT is embedded through the curriculum, as the school has a BYOD (bring your own device) policy. We extensively use Edmodo for sharing of information, communicating with students and parents, as well as submitting work and publishing results. 
Each classroom is fitted with an interactive whiteboard enhancing learning opportunities. The buildings, whilst rather old, cater for a larger student population, resulting in students being able to spread out and have access to large classrooms. In 2016 the school obtained a funding allocation of $4 million to begin the relocation to the Primary School site along with the SDS. This 'Education Precinct' will begin Stage 1 construction in late 2017 or early 2018.
Our grounds are extensive and are maintained by the employment of a team of gardeners from a community group and a locally employed person. We also have a Hands on Learning group that operates where students give back to the College and the community through practical improvements. 
Please contact us if you are interested in joining the team at Warracknabeal Secondary College, either as a student, community partner or staff member.
Michael Briggs-Miller Principal |
