Students

Academically, our students are proving they are among the best in the State. Every year our students are receiving VCE Season of Excellence awards, winning in debating and public speaking competitions or competing in state, national and international sport.

But the values and character of each student when they leave our College is the real measure of success. We aim to produce graduates who, as positive and active world citizens, care deeply for other people and the environment.

Teachers

Beaconhills teachers are passionate and committed educators willing to go the extra mile for their students. Many have had their own successes, such as writing iTunesU courses which outrank those created by the world’s top universities. A number are qualified VCE examiners.

Little wonder parents have nominated our teachers for national teaching awards, while student feedback consistently shows a high regard for our teachers.

Alumni

Our diverse curriculum has taken our students to exciting and varied careers. Beaconhills alumni include a Rhodes Scholar, a quantum physicist, successful business owners, a famous chef, baseball star and overseas care workers.

Some 30 former students have also returned after completing their studies to teach or work in other parts of the school. It’s a powerful endorsement of the success of our College.

Local service

Active involvement in community events and fundraising to help those who are less fortunate has been part of the Beaconhills culture for a long time. Whether it is singing Christmas carols to patients at the local Casey Hospital or shaking tins for the Salvation Army on Melbourne streets, there are numerous ways in which students help out. Students gain enormous satisfaction in knowing their efforts have helped improve the lives of others.

Students support:

• Operation Christmas Shoebox and Relay for Life event (for cancer research)
• Charity groups such as Urban Seed and the Salvation Army (Year 9 program)
• Red Cross Blood Bank
• Numerous other charities through House activities and church services

International Service

From the earliest age at Little Beacons Learning Centre, Beaconhills students are encouraged to be global citizens and help support those in need in the developing world.

Fundraising has helped support:

• Schools and orphanages in Bangladesh, Vietnam and East Timor. Our Year 9 and Senior School students have amazing opportunities to travel and volunteer in those countries. The experience is life-changing.
• Projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua through World Challenge.
• Our sister school in Ibaraki, Japan. The College community raised tens of thousands of dollars for this school after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
• Even our youngest students at Little Beacons have had the satisfaction of seeing footage of their ‘kindy’ in Bangladesh that they have helped build through fundraising.

Care for the environment and encouraging students to be responsible stewards of the environment are part of the College’s ‘Learning that Matters’ principles. The College does not believe the future is in using energy from fossil fuels.

Beaconhills has set the bar high in its environmental sustainability initiatives:

View live updates of how much solar the College is genearating on our very own Sunny Portal here (Once you click, enter the name ‘Beaconhills’ in the ‘PV system name’ field.)

Global Beacons expeditions

• East Timor
• Vietnam
• Bangladesh
• World Challenge – every second year to destinations such as Borneo, South Africa, Nicaragua and Costa Rica
• Exchange programs for students studying a language to sister schools in China, Japan and France
• Italy and Greece art and culture tour
• Study tours – opportunities to host international students on short term visits to the College

Outdoor Education

• Early Explorers at Little Beacons – outdoor experiences on the Pakenham Campus bushland area
• Year 1 dinner after school, Year 2 sleepover, progressing to two-day camps Year 5 and week-long Canberra Camp (Year 6).
• More challenging experiences include Gilwell Park camp (Year 7), Walhalla camp (Year 8) and Lower Glenelg National Park camp (Year 9).
• Year 10s can choose from a range of outdoor education experiences, such as Alpine National Park trek, a cycle tour, rock climbing at Mt Arapiles and sea kayaking in the Gippsland Lakes.

Aust Maths Competition Tournament of Minds Middle School Science Club Debating & Public Speaking Compass Award

Cadets Presentation Ball Environment Committee Chess Club Beacon Growlers Lux Luceat Society

Bands Choirs Dance Drama / Theatre Sports Instrumental tuition Light & Sound Crew Annual musical Performing Arts Concert

Athletics Basketball Cricket Cross-country Equestrian Football Netball Snowsports Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis

Art Club Pottery Club Quilting Club

French Exchange Program Japanese Exchange Program Europe Art/Cultural Tour World Challenge expeditions International treks

We welcome volunteers from our College or local community.

Volunteers help out with activities such as coaching sporting teams, supporting our equestrian and HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) clubs or working in classrooms. Their valuable contributions help enhance our students’ learning.

Due to the State Government’s Child Safe Standards, we now ask that all volunteers who work in direct contact with students complete a short registration process and obtain a Working With Children Check.

Interested? Find out more here.

Company Membership

Members of the general public may request details and an application form by contacting the Business Manager.