It's not only prospective parents and their children who should be taking advantage of open days at any school – it's trainee teachers and prospective staff also. Geelong College principal Andrew Barr believes the traditional placement model that sees teachers attend a school for two weeks to focus on a single subject could be expanded to help education students gain a better understanding of the culture of schools.
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Understandably, a few non-staff attendees to the college's new Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation took the opportunity to explore the 154-year-old school during Open Mornings last year.
This year, as well as its private tours, the college is conducting four Wednesday Open Days on both campuses: March 18, May 6, August 12 and October 21, which is Geelong Cup Day. Registration and morning tea are at 9.15am followed by an information session with students and key staff. Tours of the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools run from 10.35am to 1.15pm.
This model for open days was chosen because the school believes it's the best way for parents and students to get a reasonably good understanding of what goes on during a weekday, although Mr Barr concedes that on weekends "like most independent schools the place is also alive with sport, music or drama." He believes that when parents "see learning in action, that helps their decision making. That's appropriate and we're proud to show it," he says.
Buses transport visitors around the facilities on Open Days. "It's important for families to see the whole college," says Mr Barr. "They see it's all part of the one and what it is that we stand for – what's an education like at The Geelong College?
"It's important that they see these together, particularly parents with young children; it's not just a matter of looking ahead to the next year or two, it's right through to Year 12. They see a strong learning focus and get an understanding of the Geelong College student, and the high aspirations they have and that we have for them, and the interactions between staff and students. These are the key things parents should look for."
The Geelong College has a strong connection to the coast not only because Year 8 camps have operated in the Otways area for a number of years, but also because more than 35 per cent of students travel to school from between Port Arlington and Lorne. Consequently, Mr Barr is excited about a recent acquisition by the college of a 37-hectare site at Cape Otway. The property will become the site for the College's Outdoor and Environmental education – a diverse program encompassing environmental sustainability concepts, physical and emotional challenges, indigenous education, community service and a sense of adventure for the outdoors.
"It's a major landmark in our history," says Mr Barr. The college intends to develop the facility over the next few years, and in the meantime, will use the property for camping and family days for current and prospective families.
For more details, go to www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au.
