By Afraa Kori
Officer Secondary College has achieved an impressive 12 per cent surge in VCE performance between 2020 and 2024.
This achievement places the school among the top performers in the state, according to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
Principal Beau Rawlyk said this milestone reflects the shared effort of the entire school community.
“This is a reflection of the collective effort, resilience, and belief in what’s possible when we work together with a shared purpose. Particularly to the students – your determination and commitment to your learning continue to motivate us all.
“It has taken sustained effort, commitment, and belief from so many dedicated staff, students, and families to develop Officer Secondary into the outstanding College we are today. To see that hard work reflected in these incredible achievements of our students over the past four years is extremely rewarding, and a proud moment for us all.”
A key driver of the students’ improvement has been the deliberate and consistent adoption of evidence-based teaching and learning practices grounded in cognitive science, or “the science of learning”.
Rawlyk said two major initiatives in particular have helped elevate both learning and wellbeing outcomes.
The first is the development and implementation of our Big 10 instructional strategies, which are based on Rosenshine’s Principles of Effective Instruction. “Launched” in 2022, these strategies have provided a consistent, research-based guidance around high-quality teaching across the school and they are embedded in every classroom from year 7 – 12.
The second is their whole-school commitment to School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support. Their school-wide Positive Behaviour Framework which was published last year has really contributed to establishing a common language and clear expectations for behaviour, helping to create a safe, predictable and supportive learning environment for all students.
This year, the college launched its INSPIRE instructional model, which brings together their approach to teaching, learning, and behaviour under a clear vision.
The principal added that maintaining and building on the school’s recent momentum will centre around deepening its work with the newly introduced INSPIRE instructional model, focusing on three key elements: who we teach, what we teach, and how we teach.
“By continuing to strengthen our understanding of our learners, refine curriculum design, and embed evidence-based teaching practices, we ensure a consistent and high-quality learning for every student,” Beau said.
“Also, we are refining our approach to course counselling to ensure every student is on the right pathway for their interests, strengths, and future aspirations. This personalised support helps students make informed choices that align with their goals, whether they are pursuing VCE, VCE-VM, or other post-school opportunities.”
