Ararat Community College believes strongly in the development of partnerships between students, staff and parents in achieving quality outcomes for young people. The college has high expectations of its students and prides itself both on its academic and cultural offerings. We welcome community involvement in the college and trust that the many avenues available to assist in developing the college resources and outcomes are rewarding for all involved. This is a friendly school where students have the opportunity to do well in many areas. We want students to participate enthusiastically in all aspects of college life and strive to do their best at all times.

ON THIS PAGE General Information Co-ordination Awards and Nominations History

LINKS TO OTHER PAGES Uniform Goals Online Information Technology Policy Parents page & frequently asked Questions Subjects Student Life

Students involved in the 2006 Festival for Healthy Living

GENERAL INFORMATION

The College provides education for students from Years 7-12 and is annexed to a TAFE (Tertiary and Futher Education) facility. A recent upgrade means that excellent facilties are available across the curriculum. The College provides an individualised approach to student welfare and learning. Our status as Leading Practice Classroom is due to our work at the forefront of Information Technology and the Global Classroom Project.

Top

Top

For organisation, welfare and discipline purposes, the college is divided into year levels. Two experienced teachers will be in overall charge at each level. These two level co-ordinators will assist you and help to make certain that your experiences at school are worthwhile and pleasant.
The co-ordinators for each year level are;
VCE: Mr Parkinson, Mrs Sherwell, Mr Eason
Year 10: Miss Curtis, Mr Young
Year 9: Mr Reynolds, Mrs Blurtin
Year 8:  Mr Nicholas, Mr McMahon
Year 7:  Mr Spalding, Miss Oliver

• 2006 Finalist student team in the Australian Short Film Festival
• 2006 Vet student excellence award
• 2006 Finalist student in the Centre for Moving Images Water Competition
• 2004 Victorian Gifted Education Foundation student winners in writing competition
• 2001 - Stockholm Challenge Awards - two finalist nominations
  Environmental Award - Lab's Alive WINNER - ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION
  Culture and entertainment - Colouring Our Culture
  2001 - Winner of the Central Highlands /Wimmera Schools Garden Award
• 1999 - 2001 - Invited to participate in University of Ballarat virtual mentoring program
• 2000 - University of NSW Sustainable Schools Award
  
  1998-1999 Dept. of Veteran Affairs Special Award for work with the RSL in relation to the 'Faces of War' Global Classroom Project
  
  ACER Award for excellence - East Meets West Project
  
  Ford Australia Environment Contest - Runner up for Wasp Free Zone Global Classroom Project
  
  Cable and Wireless Network Children's Network Award for 'Faces of War' and 'Chinalinx' Projects

Top

HISTORY

In 1867,a man by the name of M.Laby built a flourmill on the present school site. In 1902 there was a fire which burnt for five days and turned the mill to ashes. In 1908 the first headmaster, Mr. A.G. Butchers, came to Ararat as headmaster of the Church of England Grammar School. Because many parents disliked Mr. Butcher, for the way he taught religious instructions, he left the Church of England Grammar School and established a school of his own, Ararat Grammar School on the site of Ararat High School.

Mr. J. Nelson Jones, by then the owner of the flourmill and a man of eighty-five, restored the old building for Mr. Butchers new school. The Ararat Grammar School opened in 1909.

The State Education Department took over Mr. Butcher's private school in 1912, and sent Mr. J.C. Loughrey to be headteacher of what was called either the Ararat Higher Elementary School or the Elementary High School-the two names seem to have been used interchangeably.

Early in 1913, Mr. Loughrey received a promotion to the position of acting inspector of the Birchip district and Mr. Butchers, having qualified for the degree of Master of Arts and Diploma of Education, was appointed to take his place.

On Wednesday 25th June 1913 his Excellency, the Governor Sir John Fuller proclaimed the Ararat Higher Elementary School a district High School.

The cost of purchasing Ararat Grammar School from Mr. J. Nelson Jones was 1,720 pounds; the Education Department paid 1,000 pound. 750 pound had to be raised by the Ararat Higher Elementary School Committee. 450 pounds were raised by February 1912.

Top