About

The Pavilion Schools aims to re-engage students into school, develop their love of learning and grow their academic, social, and emotional skills.

What is The Pavilion School?

The Pavilion School is a state secondary school based in Preston and Epping. We are Flexible Learning School offering flexible timetables, additional support staff in classes and a relational approach that focuses on inclusive practices and adjusting school requirements to meet the needs of the students. We deliver the VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate, VET, art and sport electives, Koori Programs, cultural support, food tech and health and wellbeing programs. The Pathways program offers students a tailored transition into further education and employment.

At The Pavilion we understand that learning takes place in the context of strong, secure relationships and when students feel connected, supported, seen, and heard.The Pavilion School is a proud Victorian Government School that seeks to provide the highest standard of public education for young people aged 14-18 who have been disengaged or excluded from mainstream education.

The Pavilion School offers the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and VCE-Vocational Major (VCE-VM), youth work support, electives, and extension activities. Support from the wellbeing team includes counselling, mediation, restorative practices and health and wellbeing curriculum.  The Pathways Program offers students a tailored transition into employment and further education.

What is the aim of The Pavilion School?

The Pavilion School aims to re-engage young people who are currently disengaged from school, by providing students with an engaging and fun education that is matched to student needs and interests. The Pavilion School provides students with a supportive learning environment and seeks to develop literate, numerate, curious, and compassionate learners. The Pavilion School team achieves this by being culturally safe and inclusive, developing trusting relationships, building on the strengths and skills of students, and connecting with families and community.

Why was The Pavilion School established?

The Pavilion School was founded in 2007 by Josie Howie and Brendan Murray who developed the model in response to community pressure and lobbying for more educational options for young people who had disengaged from mainstream education. The Department of Education, along with a group of dedicated partners worked alongside the founders to establish this flexible program which has grown from a group of 20 students in its first year to having 220 students, across two campuses in Epping and Preston. The Pavilion School is seen by many as an innovative state school, delivering best practice education for young people who have not been served well by the mainstream school system.

Our Classes

Students are divided into groups of 20 students and each group is allocated one teacher, one youth worker and one teacher assistant. Class groups are made up of students with diverse ages and abilities. Students stay with their class group for all the core subjects – Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development and Work-Related Skills. Students also opt into elective classes, VET courses, Koori Programs, excursions, and camps. All our classes start with a group circle where students and staff connect, share experiences, and set goals for the day.

There are four core aspects of The Pavilion Model:

Teaching and Learning

  • Engaging and flexible curriculum, delivered at a pace and in a way that meets student needs
  • Supportive teachers who share a non-punitive, relationship-based approach
  • A whole school instructional model
  • Explicit instruction to support the development of foundational literacy and numeracy skills

Student Wellbeing

  • Relationship-based practice
  • Transformative practices that acknowledge systemic failings and the impact on students, families, and communities
  • A strengths-based model that builds on the strengths and resources of our students and their communities
  • Trauma informed practices
  • A focus on developing cultural safety

Koori Programs

  • A designated Koori Programs Team who lead culturally specific programs and support.
  • Koori Hub; a culturally safe space within the school for all Koori students to connect with each other and their culture.
  • A holistic, restorative approach to engagement with First Nations students, their families, and the local Aboriginal community.
  • Weekly ‘Yarning on Country’ sessions which incorporate art, history, language, culture, and traditions 
  • Hands on projects and learnings, termly workshops, incursions, excursions, intensive outreach and camps

Student Pathways

  • A whole school model where all students are introduced the world of work and further education
  • Individual year 12 pathways support and coaching
  • In house and external VET programs
  • Gradual exposures to careers through work experience, industry visits and Koori specific pathways
  • La Trobe Uni Prepare Program – access to university without an ATAR

Policies

The Pavilion School upholds the following policies and standards.

Victorian Education and Training Reform Act 2006

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26.

Victorian Institute of Teaching Code of Conduct

Victorian Institute of Teaching Professional Standards

For further information please contact us on 03 9470 2023