Developed in 2017, the Lilydale and Upper Yarra Education Plan (the Plan) saw three secondary schools in the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Networks – Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale High School and Upper Yarra Secondary College – working together to revitalise secondary education across their communities, equip teachers with high quality training and resources, and improve school infrastructure.

In 2020, the Plan is changing, building on current and future needs of a growing community. To continue transforming local educational opportunities, Healesville High School, Mooroolbark College and Yarra Hills Secondary College will join those three schools with the shared goal to support greater student outcomes.

The six secondary schools have come together to develop a Collaborative Indigenous Strategy, supporting the individual needs of local Koorie students, improving student knowledge, and targeting Aboriginal inclusion.

Collaborative Indigenous Strategy

Why is the Plan expanding?

The expansion recognises and aligns efforts from these schools, who continued to engage in collaborative initiatives and shared in the values of the Plan - to provide every secondary student with the knowledge, capabilities and attributes they need to thrive throughout their lives.

To reflect the inclusion of all local secondary schools in the area, the Plan has updated its name to the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan (the Plan).

What does this mean for me?

The expansion will mean a reenergised and collaborative focus on teaching and learning practices, student pathways, skills and training service opportunities, professional learning and development for staff and student leaders and building strong partnerships with local industry and community.

Recently, the leadership teams across the six schools have committed to develop a Collaborative Indigenous Strategy and collectively work together to ensure that the education delivered across the schools will equip Indigenous students with the skills they need to thrive in any pathway they choose.

The six schools will also work together to ensure every student has access to high quality secondary education, improved wellbeing and engagement services, and future focused pathway and learning opportunities. Student voice is key to the success of the Plan and in delivering transformational change by allowing students the ability to develop their own school identity. Infrastructure components of the Plan are well underway at Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale High School and Upper Yarra Secondary College and the community are seeing the outcomes. Prior to joining the Plan, Healesville High School, Mooroolbark College and Yarra Hills Secondary College received funding for infrastructure projects and with the support of the Plan, will tailor educational opportunities to best utilise those facilities.

What is the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan?

The Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan (the Plan) sees six local schools come together to deliver a shared vision for greater educational outcomes, more pathways and opportunities and aspiration for their secondary students. It seeks the support and partnership of local school communities to deliver first rate teaching and learning practices, skills and training service opportunities and allows students to develop their own voice and identity as leaders.

Who is involved in the Plan?

From 2020, the Plan has expanded to include all local secondary schools within the area. They are Healesville High School, Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale High School, Mooroolbark College, Upper Yarra Secondary College and Yarra Hills Secondary College.

The Plan continually seeks the support and knowledge of the wider local community such as local industry and tertiary providers, Indigenous educators and leaders and primary schools.

What is being delivered?

Infrastructure components of the Plan are well underway at Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale High School and Upper Yarra Secondary College and the community are seeing the outcomes, providing students with facilities to support the changing nature of education and encouraging shared resourcing across the six schools. Prior to joining the Plan, Healesville High School, Mooroolbark College and Yarra Hills Secondary College received funding for infrastructure projects and with the support of the Plan, will tailor educational opportunities to best utilise those facilities.

The six schools have come together to create the Collaborative Indigenous Strategy to be delivered with the support of the Plan. The strategy seeks to improve outcomes for indigenous students across the area. The schools will work together to update their school communities and the wider local community as more developments come to light.

How can I get involved?

Whether a student, parent, family member, carer, staff member, educator and/or member of the local community, the Plan will benefit you. Your involvement in shaping the Plan continues to hold it accountable to ensure the highest quality secondary education for local students.

Schools have been working hard to deliver the objectives of the Plan. There is more work to be done, and it’s an exciting space to be in for the six schools and the wider community.

We encourage all community members to be an active voice of the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan. It’s a long-term investment and that means we need the local community to be involved in the journey to ensure our goals are being met. You can keep up to date with all the latest updates surrounding the latest building works at www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au as well as the VSBA Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/VictorianSchoolBuild/

You can keep up to date with all the latest updates on school activities by following (insert school website – suggest the news page – or social media channel like Facebook link here).

Contact

For more information on the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan email [email protected]