Academic study at Woodleigh School is innovative, targeted and structured to consolidate core literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills. It complements an intentionally broad and challenging range of co-curricular studies and experiences. Our assessment is purposeful and learning opportunities are personalised to engage every individual in a journey that excites them.

The School’s unique "V" curriculum provides a secure, structured environment for young children, where they develop a love for learning and life and discover their talents. As they move up through the School, the "V" broadens and students progressively take responsibility for their lives and grow in independence. The focus is increasingly on self-initiative, motivation, self-esteem and self-control.

Curriculum structure and time allocations reflect state requirements. Year 9 includes extended city and wilderness experiences, Year 10 is elective-based and in Years 11 and 12, a wide range of VCE subjects are offered, with very low class size averages (the average Year 12 class has only 12 students). Support and extension provisions are extensive.

Woodleigh School comprises two junior campuses, Minimbah and Penbank (3YO ECC – Y6) and one Senior Campus (Y7–Y12). Our three campuses are situated in peaceful native surroundings with a full complement of specialist facilities.

Our facilities and learning environments support learning which is connected, collaborative, personalised, environmental and diverse.

MINIMBAH CAMPUS
Woodleigh School’s Minimbah Campus in Frankston South features a newly built Music House (2014) recently built gymnasium (2008), a newly resurfaced oval, school hall and refurbished art classroom (2010). In late 2009, work was completed on a new Year 5/6 Homestead and library building. This building was specifically designed to promote student engagement and rich learning. The flexible interior spaces support a range of activities and more specialised lessons such as Science, Technology and Film Production.

Minimbah’s dedicated learning support and extension centre is known as ‘Pathways’. It comprises a large classroom space and several adjoining withdrawal spaces for individual or group remediation work, reading recovery and extension activities.

iPads and Interactive Whiteboards are used in all classrooms. Woodleigh School uses Apple Mac equipment. Minimbah has its own student-run radio station and audio production suite.

Year 3 and 4 students and teachers maintain a kitchen garden, using the produce for cooking and learning about plant propagation and care.

There are three adventure playgrounds at the Minimbah Campus. Foundation (Prep) – Year 2 students, Year 3–4 students and Years 5–6 students each have their own space.

The Sweetwater Creek runs just behind the campus, where the ECC–Year 2 Nature Program is run.

A separate and fully-equipped Early Childhood Centre is located at the campus, set in the beautiful natural surrounds. The ECC is designed to encourage outdoor play and exploration, and learning in nature is a key focus of the early learning program.


PENBANK CAMPUS
Penbank Campus is situated on a delightful 35-acre rural property in Moorooduc on the Mornington Peninsula.

It features a newly built Year 5/6 Homestead adjacent to the school’s kitchen garden that includes an orchard, veggie garden and chook pen, a purpose-built Music and Gymnasium Centre (Bunjil), extensive sporting facilities including a full-size oval and cross-country tracks with the ability to host inter-school and cross campus events, and new outdoor multi-purpose courts (tennis and basketball). Its spacious, naturally-lit classrooms and multi-purpose halls comprise natural-timbered walls and structures. Open fireplaces are a feature, and a minimum of corridors provides an open and welcoming feel. Students enjoy a fully-equipped library, art classroom and numerous multi-purpose learning spaces.

Penbank’s dedicated learning support and extension centre is known as ‘Pathways’. It comprises a large classroom space and several adjoining withdrawal spaces for individual or group remediation work, reading recovery and extension activities.

Interactive Whiteboards are used in all classrooms. Year 4–6 students use individual MacBooks. Two Apple Mac computer banks, a class set of 25 iPads and audio visual equipment are shared throughout the school.

A new Corroboree Area, called Ngargee Ground (meaning a meeting or performance space in Boon Wurrung language), reflects our value of Indigenous partnerships and understanding, significantly the Wugubank Partnership initiated by the Penbank Campus.

Students and staff maintain a vegetable garden, orchard and propagation shed, using the produce for cooking and learning about plant propagation and care. Students care for farm animals at the campus farm, The Springs, and enjoy the school's rural programs.

There are various playground areas including a lovely wetland area and ‘convict ship’ and ‘Diggings’ constructed by parents for an outdoor school production.

A separate and fully-equipped Early Childhood Centre is located at the campus, set in the beautiful natural surrounds. The ECC is designed to encourage outdoor play and exploration, and learning in nature is a key focus of the early learning program.

SENIOR CAMPUS
The Woodleigh Campus is situated on 55 acres of peaceful native surroundings in Langwarrin South. Care has been taken in the development of all Woodleigh Campuses to ensure that the built environment does not overwhelm the surrounding natural environment, which is unique and special to our school.

Senior Campus has an impressive list of specialised facilities. These include a fully fitted School Hall with and extensive lighting and sound rig. The Jago Centre for Performing Arts features multiple music performance/study spaces, dance/drama studio, film studio and a post-production area. The Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery is the centrepiece of the school’s Visual Arts facilities, which include a Computer Aided Design Studio as well as Junior and Senior art classrooms.

Woodleigh’s award-winning Science Centre includes Marine Biology facilities and dedicated Chemistry, Physics and Biology classrooms for senior students. The campus also boasts a fully-resourced library, careers centre, sustainability and agriculture/horticulture centre, multi-purpose courts, sports oval and gymnasium.

In 2015, Woodleigh opened the first three, of six, Homesteads as part of a learning spaces renewal program. The new Homesteads 1, 2, 3 and 6 have received multiple awards from The Association for Learning Environments, and Architizer. The redevelopment timeline of Homesteads 4 and 7 will be announced shortly. A new VCE Centre incorporating classrooms, a dedicated exam space and student common room, opened in 2011.

Information Technology facilities include networked classrooms, dedicated computer labs and Interactive Whiteboards, which are used throughout the school. All Woodleigh Campus students are supplied with a 13" Apple MacBook Pro with a Retina Display and flash storage.

Woodleigh seeks to develop in students the wide range of personal competencies required of an independent adult in our society. Through the many programs, experiences and opportunities created, students are able to acquire the self-confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem and independence necessary for happiness and success in tertiary studies and in life.

Young people need to develop these skills gradually and it is therefore necessary to maintain a balance between the degrees of authority and freedom appropriate to the student’s age. At all times we conceive of education in the widest of terms: as a journey from childhood to adulthood.

Beneath the fun, and the obvious excitement in participation at Woodleigh, lies a toughness and challenge which is exemplified in the principle: ‘We should never do for young people what they, with a struggle, could be expected to be doing for themselves’. Or in other words, ‘There is no growth without struggle’.

This growth occurs with an ethos of care and respect, but also with the belief that as young people grow up, they need to take increasing responsibility for their lives and others’ needs.

We are a leader of innovative and creative learning. We support the development of the whole child through a broad experiential educational program.

A Woodleigh education helps young people to be more human in an increasingly technical world. Interwoven Academic and Pastoral Care programs build respectful and trusting relationships between students and staff – creating an environment where students have the permission to try new theories, to fail, struggle, learn and achieve.

It is critical that we at Woodleigh School continue to evolve so as to best equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life beyond school.

At Woodleigh, we believe that great education is more than just an excellent academic preparation for the future.

Great education builds resilience and resourcefulness – the ability to find a way, to struggle and achieve.

It gives students the confidence to push their own limits – to take on and conquer new challenges.

Great education is creative. It is collaborative. It is hard work for just reward. It has balance and perspective, nurtures self-worth and instils the desire to contribute and make change.

THIS IS WOODLEIGH EDUCATION.