College Overview

How do schools in partnership with parents, prepare young people to thrive in an increasingly complex, globalised world? A world that is characterised by change, technological innovation and in great need of virtuous leaders who possess robust thinking, moral courage and vision. These ideas have inspired our passion to build a Christ-centred community that seeks to develop extraordinary learners with a passion to serve others. This is our purpose.

As a Christ-centred community, we seek to develop character that ultimately brings honour to God. Often linked with ideas such as strength and morality, the pursuit of good character is described as a lifelong process that is continually forged through hardship, perseverance and when we each confront areas of personal weakness. We wish to work with parents to ensure that this process is actively supported through establishing a community-wide language for character. Central to this language are our six College virtues - courage integrity, hope, justice, humility and ingenuity. Through explicitly teaching these good character qualities, we wish to equip young people with the foundational qualities that will see them thrive, serving God as leaders in their communities.

Purpose Statement

William Clarke College is a Christ-centred community that seeks to develop extraordinary learners with a passion to serve others.

Christ-Centred Community: Our foundation for a Christ-centred community is the love of others in the community. By creating a safe and supportive environment where students and staff can reflect on and discuss Christ’s teachings, we are able to engage those who are sceptical, encourage those who are seeking, and equip those who have the desire to shape their life around Christ. While our own relationship with God is uniquely personal, we believe that Christ is the key to unlocking wisdom that gives us all deep understanding for life.

Extraordinary Learner: We believe there is an Extraordinary Learner inside every one of us. Someone who doesn’t just recite answers, but who can apply and build on their knowledge in new and challenging ways. Extraordinary learners know how to think. They have the resilience to pursue feedback, they embrace hard work and they see their mistakes as pathways to deeper learning. In seeking to develop extraordinary learners who make progress, we recognise how instrumental student wellbeing is in the learning process. We adopt a robust wellbeing framework to support our students throughout their learning journey.

Passionate to Serve: With our foundation in Christ, we are a servant-hearted community that seeks to know and respond appropriately to the needs of others. We do not live in isolation. This compels us to be passionate about service that benefits the community and relationships. We reinforce a community culture that values wellbeing and meeting the needs of others at both a local and global level.

Teaching and Learning

As we seek to develop extraordinary learners, we value the holistic development of our students. We know that there is an inextricable link between maximising a student’s progress and the pursuit of a holistic education, and we are passionate about making learning a journey that is intrinsically rewarding. In creating this culture, students are more likely to thrive as a natural response to their interests and passions. We also strive to develop sophisticated learners who are able to think critically and creatively and apply their knowledge meaningfully in different contexts.

We are passionate about making learning a journey that is intrinsically rewarding. In creating this culture, students are more likely to thrive as a natural response to their interests and passions.

At the College, we actively foster a Professional Learning Community. Teaching staff meet regularly to share expertise and work collaboratively to improve teaching skills and learning outcomes for students. Teaching is only effective if students are learning. To this end, the College intentionally puts a strong emphasis on progress and ensuring teachers understand and are accountable for the impact they have in the classroom.

Character Education

We take a whole school approach to character education, where the teaching and nurturing of key virtues are taught, caught, and sought.
We engage both the hearts and minds of our students so that they not only develop the literacy of character virtues, but also the desire to adopt such virtues in their own lives. We therefore design opportunities and encourage our students to put these virtues into practice, so that they become habits that allow them to flourish in accordance with their God-given identity and purpose. This is reflected in our practices and increasingly so, as the College moves toward a more intentional Character program commencing in 2023.

A focus on character education also generates a range of practical benefits, cultivating the hearts of students to live as responsible and considerate citizens. These factors feed into an environment in which students are free to flourish as learners and as members of society. This leads to improved academic outcomes and empowers them to take initiative to love and serve others. A focus on character also leads to greater opportunities to develop relationships across the broader community, which allows parents and other community organisations to be authentically involved in the lives of our students.

Finally, a focus on character education allows us to develop a deeper understanding of who God has made us to be.

Co-curricular

As a comprehensive College, we value the holistic development of students. We strongly believe that through participation in co-curricular opportunities, students achieve a more balanced approach to their schooling. We encourage every student to become involved or try something new.

We are well known for our dynamic co-curricular program. Designed to stretch student success beyond the classroom, our program helps to build leadership and teamwork skills and develop a sense of community and belonging in students.

Facilities

William Clarke College prides itself on:
• Sports Centre featuring two international sized basketball courts, dance studio, weights room and cardio room
• State of the art STEAM Centre (completed 2021)
• Expanded Primary school facilities including dedicated science and music rooms
• Extensive music facilities
• Designated drama space
• Commercial grade kitchens
• Multi-purpose courts
• Large libraries with dedicated learning areas
• Two significant sized halls
• Purpose-built area known as ‘The Space’ which provides music students with a dedicated place to perform
• Cafe Clarke –the College’s very own Café
• An Accredited Before and After School Care (BAASC) Centre for children of the College in Years K–6.

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