Cornish College has always offered something unique in education.
The College educates for a sustainable future, engaging students beyond textbooks and encouraging them to consider how their decisions impact the world around them – locally and globally. Its 100-acre setting is integral to this, providing Early Learning to Year 12 students with the space to stretch their legs and their curiosity beyond the classroom walls.
Also underpinning this is a holistic education that sees students engage deeply across disciplines, critically evaluating problems and finding creative solutions. Such skills are increasingly vital, says Principal Nicola Forrest.
“At Cornish College, we develop the heart, the mind and the person,” Nicola says.
“Our unique learning environment and well-rounded education ensures our students become the best people they can be. Our powerful curriculum and passionate teachers develop critical thinking skills in our students, empowering them to make a difference today for a more sustainable tomorrow.”
The College offers a diverse yet comprehensive curriculum. Early Learning draws upon the Reggio Emilia approach where children are active, collaborative learners. The College is also an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. Enriched by sustainability education – including weekly Dhumba-dha biik walks to connect students with the land – and cocurricular opportunities, the primary curriculum combines concepts and inquiry, ensuring students deeply engage with their learning.
Deep, transferrable learning continues throughout the secondary school, with a curriculum design that focuses on concepts beyond the topics. This, combined with an emphasis on building the skills for inquiry, ensures students apply their knowledge and skills across disciplines, including core subjects such as English, mathematics, languages and science, along with electives spanning the arts, design and technology.
The senior program provides flexibility for students’ career pathways, with the option to complete VCE over three years, creating space for wellbeing and cocurricular opportunities. Senior students also enjoy a new Senior Studies Centre – a powerful learning environment meeting demands for global competencies.
“I see a horizon of endless opportunities for this learning community to embrace the innovation and progressive thinking that has long been our point of difference,” Nicola says.
“We are educating for a sustainable, thriving future, with structures that mobilise the attitudes, skills, knowledge and values required for young people to make a difference and become the best individuals they have the capacity to be.”
Cornish College has been an authorised IB PYP school since its inception in 2012. The College offers the IB Primary Years Programme to our 3 year olds, in our Reggio Emilia focused Early Learning Centre, through to Year 6. We focus on learning through a concept-driven approach throughout and beyond our primary school into our secondary classes. Our students participate and learn through well-considered and focused conceptual lenses across subject disciplines, in a range of practical, varied learning experiences to promote resilience, balance and a sense of knowing and connection to themselves, others and the environment.
Our school utilises our 100-acre classroom through outdoor learning we call Dhumba-dha biik*, making links to our environment and learning on country. We further focus on developing social skills and personal development programs which all support each child’s learning and holistic development.
Through our primary school students are given opportunities to lead and demonstrate leadership. Our leaders are often asked to meet and greet special guests and take visiting parents and students around our campus on school tours.
We welcome you to come and visit our school and explore our wonderful learning environment.
* Dhumba-dha biik (pronounced dum-ba-dah beek) is Boon wurrung language for ‘Talk Country’.
